MARGUERITE EMERSON Correspondence

Pine Mountain Settlement School
Series 09: BIOGRAPHY – Staff
Marguerite Emerson, Housemother 1926-1929
Correspondence 1926-1929
Model Home
Filed under Practice House

MARGUERITE EMERSON Correspondence

Country Cottage (Practice House, Model Home). Facade from below. [II_7_practice_house_310.jpg]


TAGS: Marguerite Emerson, correspondence, PMSS staff, Model Home, Country Cottage, housekeeping, homemaking, Smith College, Christmas boxes, clothing, Simmons College, Katherine Pettit, Ethel de Long Zande


MARGUERITE EMERSON Correspondence

June 2, 1926 – November 4, 1929

CONTENTS of Correspondence

[Note: Letters from PMSS staff in the PMSS Collections are carbon copies, typewritten, unsigned, and meant for the Office files. The original signed documents were sent to the correspondents. The initials at the bottom left of most PMSS letters indicate the writer (along with initials of the secretary). For example, “EZ” are the initials for Ethel de Long Zande, “KP” refers to Katherine Pettit, and “EKW” to Evelyn K. Wells. All letters from Marguerite Emerson are handwritten. The following list of contents is in chronological order and not necessarily in the order of the image numbers.]

1926

001 June 2, 1926. To Miss Marguerite Emerson, ℅ R.V. Emerson, Duxbury, MA, from (unsigned, apparently Ethel de Long Zande), asking her to “come to Pine Mountain” to be present when work at the Model Home begins. The general plan of the program is explained as “an intensive course in housekeeping and home-making….We have hardly made a start on having the house a place where the neighbors drop in, and are so anxious to do more in that way.” Asks Emerson to state the lowest salary she would accept. Zande feels that Emerson is a good fit in the “Pine Mountain life and life of the country….”

005-005e June 12, 1926. Six-page letter to Zande from Emerson ℅ R.V. Emerson, Cambridge, MA, [005-005b] who describes her efforts to prepare her Cambridge house for summer tenants. Her Camp Matron job ends after Labor Day; she may be able to arrive at PMSS by September 23. “…[T]he work as the Model Home appeals to me strongly. The only objection I have is the name, for I am afraid my housekeeping would never live up to such a standard as to be called Model!” She leaves the salary amount up to Zande; asks about Christmas vacation; asks for the weekly budget for Model Home. [005c-005e] Emerson thanks the School for the hospitality she received during her brief visit. She encloses a check for “wooden wares” and a donation. 

002 June 17, 1926. To Miss Emerson in Cataumet, MA, from EKW (Evelyn K. Wells), acknowledging Emerson’s letter containing “such good news: in Mrs. Zande’s absence [attending her Smith College reunion]. She agrees that the name of the Model Home should be changed. She thanks Emerson for her check.

003 July 2, 1926. To Emerson from EZ (Zande), who is happy she will arrive on or around the 23rd. Lois Healy, “[Smith College] class of 1924,” will be visiting in the fall and may do some canning at the Model Home. Explains why Emerson’s offer to stay a month longer in the spring is helpful. Mentions Christmas vacation dates; sending material about Model Home written by the previous worker; offers $35 a month with living expenses but would agree to $50 a month if needed. Writes about her college reunion, feeling “as if the whole educational method has changed.”

004 July 6, 1926. To Emerson from Zande, sending material about the Model Home.

007-007c August 7, [no year]. Four-page letter to Zande from Emerson at Camp Alniseda, Ashburnham, MA. Her letter was delayed because of YWCA Camp duties. She thanks Zande for the “data of last year.” [007a] She accepts a $35 salary; her church friends wish to send a Christmas box for the PMSS children and asks for advice. Asks about bringing a trunk.

006-006a August 12, 1926. Two-page letter to Emerson from EZ (Zande), advising about appropriate clothing while at PMSS. Zande also advises what the Christmas box from Emerson’s friends should contain. Zande hopes that a chest of drawers will be made for her in place of a trunk. Mentions canning and Mrs. [Martha] Burns flowers.

009-009b September 11, [no year]. Three-page letter to Zande from Emerson, [009] who has sent two packages of her things to PMSS from Camp. [009b] Asks about the arrival date; describes her travel plans. [009a] She asks several additional questions and for a more definite description of her duties at PMSS.

008 September 15, 1926. To Emerson in Cambridge, MA, from EZ (Zande), who hopes Emerson can arrive on the 24th: the fair is on the 25th and would be too busy a day to meet with her. Tells her to arrange with Mr. Wilson Lewis at Nolansburg to meet her with a mule. “We are having a good time making new furniture for your room…. Your house has been newly newspapered….” Mentions “your cow” and its milk production.

1927

011 May 31, 1927. To Marguerite, Cambridge, MA, from EZ (Zande). “The nicest thing is that you think Pine Mountain has meant a good deal to you….But do let me tell you that Pine Mountain feels that you have meant everything to it. We are so happy that you are coming back with a still wider scope for your influence and ability.” Describes an island where the Zandes spent a day.

012 June 20, 1927. To Marguerite from EZ (Zande), who asks about a notice from Marguerite’s brother involving a bequest. Asks Marguerite to spread the word about teacher position openings at PMSS. Mentions Kirby and Granny Creech.

013 July 22, 1927. To Marguerite from [truncated, likely Zande], who mentions Marguerite’s current studies at Simmons College in Boston. She hopes to soon have enough money to add a new room to Model Home for a Little Laurel school teacher to relieve Marguerite. Miss [Anna] Wulf has returned to Big Laurel. Suggests that Marguerite send a list of supplies to order from Montgomery Ward. Tells about Miss [Esther] Roettinger’s help with canning; repapering the kitchen; school opens on August 29.

016-016b July 25, [no year]. To Mrs. Zande from Marguerite at Simmons College, Boston, MA, asking about next year’s class plans. Enjoys her work at Simmons but it isn’t “quite what I had hoped,” and feels a need for four years at Normal School instead. 

014-014a July 29, 1927. Two-page letter to Marguerite at Simmons College, Boston, MA, from EZ (Zande), asking help in finding a sewing teacher and laundry worker with Miss [Bessie] Gaunt (“as Mary Work did last year”). Describes plans for her upcoming courses: cooking, sewing, weaning, home economics; sending Miss Wulf’s course of study.

1929

015 April 4, 1929. To Miss Emerson from Katherine Pettit, thanking her for Margaret Neff’s account and asking for clarification. Mr. Morrison is making flood damage repairs and will do screening later; asks about her chimney.

017-017a May 13, [no year]. Two-page letter to Miss Pettit from Marguerite in Duxbury, MA, who is living with her brother and keeping house for him and his two young daughters. “The possibility of returning to Kentucky looks very remote…. I shall always be interested in the welfare of the school and shall hope to keep in touch with you all…. [Thank] you for your kindness at the time of my departure and for my pleasant years at the school.”

021-021c October 10, [no year]. Four-page letter to Miss Pettit from Marguerite, asking to have her belongings sent to her in Duxbury, MA. She gives directions for packing the items and how to charge for the shipping. She donated most of her china and glassware to Country Cottage (Model House). 

018 October 16, 1929. To Miss Emerson from KP (Pettit), who has packaged and sent her possessions with the help of students, Mr. [William] Browning, and Mr. Morrison. Miss [Hilda] Conn, the bookkeeper, will send a bill for “getting the things across the mountain.” Mrs. Bartlett is the current housemother at Model Home, with Miss [Marian] Kingman relieving her once a week. “I know how you ransacked the papers and magazines to find suitable clipping for the walls! And it ought to make the house a great deal warmer in winter.”

020-020c October 28. [no year]. Four-page letter to Miss Pettit from Marguerite, [020] thanking her for “forwarding my numerous possessions so carefully and expeditiously.” [020a-b] “Nights and mornings remind me of Country Cottage….” [020c] P.S. Marguerite asks if Pettit can recommend someone to help her with housework this winter. “In general, I am not in favor of transplanting the mountain people, but this is a small quiet place, very different from the city.”

019 November 4, 1929. To Miss Emerson from KP (Pettit). Harriet Crutchfield is packaging and returning requested items. Comments on how the Model Home has been improved.


GALLERY: MARGUERITE EMERSON Correspondence


See:
MARGUERITE EMERSON Staff – Biography

See Also:
PRACTICE HOUSE
(Also known as Model Home or Country Cottage)