Mary Baldwin Seminary notebook and scrapbook, 1895/1898

Access and use

Location of collection:
James Madison University
Second Floor Room 203, MSC 1704
Carrier Library
James Madison University
880 Madison Drive
Harrisonburg, VA 22807
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Tiffany Cole
Phone: (540) 568-3444
Phone: (540) 568-3612
Fax: (540) 568-3405
Restrictions:

Collection is open to research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the James Madison University Special Collections Library to use this collection.

Terms of access:

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collections Library. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu).

Preferred citation:

[identification of item], [box #, folder #], Mary Baldwin Seminary notebook and scrapbook, 1895-1898, SC 0425, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.

Summary

Extent:
0.1 cubic feet 1 folder
Creator:
Auger Down Books (Marlboro, Vt.), Hack, Mary Rieman, 1877-1928, and Peek, Lavinia Curle, 1879-1956
Abstract:
The single volume notebook/scrapbook contains handwritten notes and writings as well as pasted-in newspaper clippings and printed ephemera related to Mary Baldwin Seminary in Staunton, Virginia. According to the inscription on the front page, Lavinia C. Peek of Hampton, Virginia was the scrapbook owner though multiple documents within the volume reference and are addressed to Mary R. Hack of Winchester, Virginia.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[identification of item], [box #, folder #], Mary Baldwin Seminary notebook and scrapbook, 1895-1898, SC 0425, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.

Background

Scope and content:

The single volume notebook/scrapbook contains handwritten notes, poetry, and writings as well as pasted-in newspaper clippings and printed ephemera related to Mary Baldwin Seminary in Staunton, Virginia. The front page is inscribed: "[illegible -tionary] notes. Augusta Female Seminary. Given by Miss Laughton. Owned by Lavinia C. Peek, Hampton, Virginia, Acorn Point." The provenance is made unclear due to the multiple documents within the volume that refer to Mary R. Hack, originally of Winchester, Virginia. These include several pasted-in telegrams written by the Van Horn family in Wyoming that reference or are addressed to Mary Hack in Denver, Colorado.

Newspaper clippings are pasted over notes and writings. Printed ephemera includes Mary Baldwin Seminary event programs (commencement, recitals) as well as Mary Hack's 1895 report card signed by Seminary principal Mary Baldwin. Two pages of flattened and dried leaves were collected at Natural Bridge.

The back page includes a list of body measurements taken on May 14, 1896 while at "M. B. S." (Mary Baldwin Seminary).

Biographical / historical:

Mary Baldwin Seminary (now Mary Baldwin University) was founded in 1842 as Augusta Female Seminary in Staunton, Virginia. The school was established in partnership with the Presbyterian Church.

Lavinia Curle Peek (1879-1956) was from Hampton, Virginia and presumably attended Mary Baldwin Seminary (MBS) in the mid to late 1890s. Mary Rieman Hack (1877-1928) was from Winchester, Virginia and also attended MBS, likely at the same time as Peek. The connection between Lavinia Peek and Mary Hack, other than being Mary Baldwin Seminary students, or why materials collected by both women are present in the same scrapbook is unclear.

Acquisition information:
Purchased from Auger Down Books in May 2026.
Physical facet:
1 bound volume
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard