Search

Series 1: Correspondence (circa 1860s, 1900s-1997) consists of sent and received correspondence, both personal and professional. Types of correspondence include postcards, letters on stationary, airmail letters, greeting cards, Christmas and general holiday letters, and carbon copies of sent letters. While the majority of the correspondence is between Lavinia Scott and others, this series also includes correspondence received by others that was then passed on to Lavinia either for review or after their passing. The bulk of the correspondence covers the 1920s – 1970s, with a slight gap in coverage during the 1980s, and a shift to more general cards and holiday letters in the 1990s. This series is arranged alphabetically by correspondent last name, group title, or type of correspondence, such as Family letters sent by Lavinia during her years in South Africa.

Series 2: Professional activities (1885, 1917-1997) includes both direct and indirect materials related to Lavinia's professional life as a Christian missionary speaker and educator. It is further divided into two subseries.

Series 3: Personal materials (1891, circa 1909 - 1998) includes materials related to Lavinia's personal life, including family, friends, and personal travels. It is further divided into three subseries.

Series 4: Newspapers and periodicals (1920s – 1997) includes news and periodical print publications and newsletters, both full text and selections, including many from South Africa in both English and Afrikaans. It is further divided into two subseries.

Series 5: Photographs and negatives (circa 1870s – 1990s) includes photographs and negatives related to Lavinia's work and personal life. The contents cover a wide array of sizes and mediums, including gelatin prints, black and white and color snapshots, and color processed prints. Many, but not all, prints include some level of identifying inscription on the back, including stamps from local photographers. It is further divided into two subseries.

Series 6: Audiovisual materials (circa 1930s – 1997) includes all audiovisual materials including photographic slides, both labeled and unlabeled cassette and VHS tapes, three professional .45 records, and one unlabeled Magnetophoband BASF reel to reel tape. Cassette and VHS contents reflect Lavinia's mission work in South Africa, including recordings of sermons and ceremonies at Inanda Seminary, sermons and speeches on various religious and social issues, and oral history interviews with mission workers such as Lou Ann Parsons, as well as 6-7 tapes containing an extensive interview with Lavinia herself. The bulk of these materials cover the 1970s – 1980s. Additionally, the photographic slides depict both South African mission work and Inanda Seminary, as well as personal family events and travels, including numerous souvenir professional slides from international locations. The bulk of these materials cover the 1950s – 1970s. All items in this series have been grouped by medium; some photographic slides include identifying information but, further organization by subject has not been completed at this time.

Series 7: South African artifacts (circa 1970s – 1980s) includes carvings, beadwork, and other artifacts likely purchased by or gifted to Lavinia during a return trip to South Africa that reflect Zulu cultural traditions and crafts.