Women's Archives. Susan Bulkeley Butler Women's Archives

Collecting Area

Identifier: Women's Archives

Staff Only

The Susan Bulkeley Butler Women's Archives collects, preserves, and makes available for research original and rare materials that capture the often overlooked and under-represented stories of women and their communities in Purdue and Indiana's past. Collections include papers, photographs, audio-visual materials, digital media, rare books, and select artifacts documenting women faculty, staff, and students at Purdue University; organizations and programs at Purdue that support women; and significant women and women's organizations in Indiana. The Women’s Archives actively seeks new collections that align with this focus, particularly those that represent women from diverse backgrounds, women of color, women in the LGBTQ+ community, and women who have challenged traditional gender roles. The Purdue Archives and Special Collections established the Women's Archives in 2006 after receiving a generous donation from Susan Bulkeley Butler.

Found in 390 Collections and/or Records:

Zoe Dell Nutter papers

Collection — Box 1

Identifier: MSP 81

Scope and Contents

This collection contains aviation-related serial publications, copies of photographs, National Aviation Hall of Fame programs, and clippings pertaining to the life of aviatrix Zoe Dell Nutter.

Dates: 1965 - 2010

Found in: Purdue University Archives and Special Collections

Joan Minton Christopher papers

Collection — Box Box 1

Identifier: MSA 250

Scope and Contents

The Joan Minton Christopher papers (1968-1970; 0.4 cubic feet) documents her undergraduate years at Purdue University during the late 1960s. The collection contains tickets from Purdue Convocations events, as well as basketball and football tickets. Christopher’s green WRX Club beanie, several programs from Purdue events, a box of matches from the Purdue National Bank, and a photo of Joan Minton Christopher from 1968 are also included.

Dates: 1968-1970; Other: Majority of material found in 1968; Other: Date acquired: 01/10/2011

Found in: Purdue University Archives and Special Collections

Robert W. Topping papers

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: MSA 33

Scope and Contents The Robert W. Topping papers (1930-1996; 2.75 cubic feet) collection consists of many newspaper clippings, news releases, ten interviews on cassette tapes and miscellaneous printed ephemera that Robert W. Topping collected, while on the staff of the Purdue University Office of Publications for twenty-eight years. Also included are the files used for his published book; “The Hovde Years,” 1980 and the original manuscript for “A Century and Beyond,” 1988, along with manuscripts for “Gentle...

Dates: 1930 - 1996; Majority of material found within 1966 - 1988

Found in: Purdue University Archives and Special Collections

Totsye Harper Winslow collection on the Curtiss-Wright Cadettes

Collection — Box Box 1

Identifier: MSA 195

Scope and Contents The Totsye Harper Winslow papers on the Curtis-Wright Cadettes (1943-1997; 0.25 cubic feet) documents role and history of the Curtis-Wright Cadettes at Purdue and in the Curtis-Wright Corporation during World War II. Photographs, newsletter, and clippings document their time at Purdue as well as the Engineering Cadette Program. Programs, newsletters, and papers document local and national reunions of the cadettes, as well as their history. Also included is information on the individual...

Dates: 1943 - 1995; Other: Date acquired: 11/04/2008

Found in: Purdue University Archives and Special Collections

Cleo Fitzsimmons papers

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: MSF 73

Abstract

The Cleo Fitzsimmons papers documents Fitzsimmons' career as a professor and department head in Home Management at Purdue University. Materials include correspondence, photographs, awards, publications, and faculty hood belonging to Fitzsimmons.

Dates: 1928 - 1998; Majority of material found within 1950 - 1970

Found in: Purdue University Archives and Special Collections

Virginia Kelly Karnes papers

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: MSA 352

Scope and Contents

The Virginia Kelly Karnes Papers (circa 1910-2006; 4.5 Cubic ft.) document the life of Virginia Karnes. Types of materials include correspondence, notes, awards and certificates, printed material, electronic media, photographs, and artifacts.

Dates: 1910-2006; Other: Date acquired: 11/30/2006

Found in: Purdue University Archives and Special Collections

Emma Montgomery McRae papers

Collection — Box Box 1

Identifier: MSF 262

Scope and Contents

The collection consists a scrapbook given to Emma Montgomery McRae upon her retirement from Purdue in 1913 as well as two folders which contain articles and publications by Emma Montgomery McRae. The scrapbook contains handwritten notes of praise from Purdue faculty members including Winthrop Stone, William Murray Smith, Stanley Coulter, Carolyn Shoemaker, Mary Matthews and others.

Dates: 1892 - 1919

Found in: Purdue University Archives and Special Collections

Susan Houston Fortune papers

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: MSA 7

Scope and Contents

The Susan Houston Fortune Papers (1955-1959; 0.5 cubic feet) document the life of Susan Fortune when she was a student at Purdue University in the 1950s. The collection includes a scrapbook and Susan Houston's corduroy skirt (Purdue senior cord skirt). Susan Houston [Fortune] received her B.S. degree in Home Economics from Purdue University in 1959. Her parents are Mr. and Mrs. George F. Houston of Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.

Dates: 1955-1959; Other: Date acquired: 11/10/2008

Found in: Purdue University Archives and Special Collections

Eleanor Harrison collection

Collection — Box 1

Identifier: MSA 339

Scope and Contents

The Eleanor Harrison collection comprises one leather skin decorated with the letters of "PURDUE," the WAA (Women's Athletic Association) insignia, and the Purdue seal.

Dates: 1942

Found in: Purdue University Archives and Special Collections

Murphy Family papers

Collection — Box Box 1

Identifier: MSA 273

Scope and Contents The Murphy Family Papers (1916-1929, 1999; 0.5 cubic ft.) document the student life and activities of Rosemary Murphy and Mary Marguerite Murphy during their school days at Purdue University. Subject areas include women's sports at Purdue University (basketball, soccer, track), the Purdue "We Girls Rifle Team," physical education for women students at Purdue, and the various fraternities, sororities, honors and athletic societies to which the Murphy women belonged. The bulk of the papers...

Dates: 1916-1999; Other: Majority of material found in 1925-1929; Other: Date acquired: 01/05/2007

Found in: Purdue University Archives and Special Collections

Marylu McEwen Sculpture Dedication materials honoring Betty Nelson, Sandra Monroe, and Linda Ewing

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: MSK 3

Abstract

These sculpture dedication materials capture information on how the sculpture came to be, why it exists, and whom it honors.

Dates: 2013 - 2014

Found in: Purdue University Archives and Special Collections

Indiana Extension Homemakers Association records

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: MSP 196

Abstract

The collection includes papers, publications, artifacts, and a scrapbook, which document the history and activities of the Indiana Extension Homemakers Association, an educational and social group for homemakers in Indiana.

Dates: 1953-2015; Other: Date acquired: 03/04/2014

Found in: Purdue University Archives and Special Collections

Barbara Cook Collins collection of Cheerleading Uniforms and Pennants

Collection — Box 1

Identifier: MSA 26

Scope and Contents The Barbara Cook Collins Collection of Cheerleading Uniforms and pennants (1939, 1 cubic foot) documents the advent of the inclusion of women in cheerleading at Purdue. The collection reflects the clothing worn and props used by women cheerleaders in 1939. The items also reflect material and university culture from the late 1930s. The collection might be most useful to researchers interested in cheerleading history (particularly at Purdue), extracurricular activities available to women in...

Dates: 1939; Other: Date acquired: 11/02/1988

Found in: Purdue University Archives and Special Collections

Altrusa International of Lafayette, Indiana records

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: MSP 127

Scope and Contents The Altrusa International of Lafayette, Indiana records (1922-2014; 3.2 cubic feet) document the members and activities of the organization from its inception. Also documented are some of the milestones of individual members and the local chapter’s involvement with the regional district chapter and Altrusa International. Due to the fact that the organization restricted membership to prominent women within the community, the collection could be useful for researchers interested in...

Dates: 1922-2014; Other: Date acquired: 04/01/2016

Found in: Purdue University Archives and Special Collections

O. Jane Jarrell Class Schedule Card

Collection — Communal collections box 2, Placement: 04

Identifier: MSA 305

Abstract

This collection consists of the handwritten class schedule card of O. Jane Jarrell.

Dates: Other: Date acquired: 12/05/2011

Found in: Purdue University Archives and Special Collections

Betty J. Lynch Roberts papers

Collection — Communal collections box 2, Placement: 05

Identifier: MSA 307

Scope and Contents The papers document Betty J. Lynch Roberts's time at Purdue, particularly her involvement in the Purdue University Playshop and the University Players. Included in the collection are various programs from plays in which she acted, a commencement program from 1947, several photographs documenting Lynch-Roberts's participation in plays, and two key pendants representing her membership in the Purdue Players and Theta Alpha Phi drama honorary. The collection would be useful to researchers...

Dates: 1943-1947; Other: Date acquired: 01/04/2009

Found in: Purdue University Archives and Special Collections

KCBS radio show on the disappearance of Amelia Earhart

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: MSP 191

Abstract

These audio files were transferred from two reel to reel recordings of a radio show broadcast on KCBS SanFrancisco in 1960. Host Don Mosely speculates on the disappearance of Amelia Earhart. The first file (1.02 GB) is 30 minutes, and the second file is 24 minutes. The original reels have been retained.

Dates: 1960 - 1960

Found in: Purdue University Archives and Special Collections

Leslie L. and Ruth G. Vaught papers

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: MSA 362

Scope and Contents

Papers of Leslie Vaught and Ruth Vaught documenting Purdue student life in the 1920s and 1930s. Types of materials include papers, ephemera, photographs, and artifacts (primarily Purdue memorabilia such as Reamer boards and clothing such as sweaters and hats, also called beanies or pots.) Includes information on the Ross Surveying Camp. Please see PDF Finding Aid for collection inventory.

Dates: circa 1928-1932

Found in: Purdue University Archives and Special Collections

Gertrude Sunderlin papers

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: MSF 493

Scope and Contents The Gertrude Sunderlin papers (1939-1954; 2.2 cubic feet) document the life and career of Gertrude Sunderlin, an early foods and nutrition professor at Purdue University. Much of the collection is comprised of theses written by Sunderlin’s students over the years that were based on experimental foods work. Many of the recipes developed from these experiments were subsequently published in magazines or extension publications and reflect Sunderlin’s larger impact on the development of...

Dates: 1939 - 1954; Other: Date acquired: 01/05/1987

Found in: Purdue University Archives and Special Collections

Clifford and Jo Swanlund papers

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: MSA 24

Scope and Contents The Clifford and Jo Swanlund papers document the lives and careers of Cliff Swanlund and Jo Carty Swanlund. The collection contains an extensive number of letters written by Cliff and Jo from the beginning of their relationship through the early years of their marriage. It also contains many letters written by Cliff's parents to him, while he was a student at Purdue University. The correspondence gives one a unique perspective not only on the family itself, but on outside events which...

Dates: 1943 - 2002; Other: Majority of material found within 1949 - 1953

Found in: Purdue University Archives and Special Collections

Loretta Mae Wallace photo album

Collection — Box 1

Identifier: MSA 327

Scope and Contents

The Loretta Mae Wallace photo album was created by Wallace during her time as a Purdue student from 1906 to 1910, with most photos dating to 1908-1909. Photographs include campus scenes, buildings, Lafayette and surrounding areas, Mechanics Burning, a visit to Indiana University, Civil Engineering projects, and other scenes of student life.

Dates: 1909

Found in: Purdue University Archives and Special Collections

Evaleen Stein papers

Collection — Communal collections box 2, Placement: 12

Identifier: MSP 190

Scope and Contents The Evaleen Stein papers (1889-2005; 0.1 cubic feet) document the life and career of Evaleen Stein, one of the first female authors of note from Indiana. The collection consists of seven of Stein’s poems and letters from Ms. Stein to Mrs. William Graham, one of which describes a benefit that was thrown for Ms. Stein by several notable Indiana authors (George Ade, James Whitcomb Riley, Charles Major, etc) to enable her travel to Europe. All but one poem in the collection are handwritten by...

Dates: 1889-2005; Other: Majority of material found in 1889-1909

Found in: Purdue University Archives and Special Collections

Helen Bosard papers

Collection — Box 1

Identifier: MSA 361

Scope and Contents

Papers of Helen Bosard, including letters, photographs, and artifacts relating to her time as a student at Purdue University, and information on the Purdue class of 1918. Please see PDF Finding Aid for collection inventory.

Dates: 1918-1983

Found in: Purdue University Archives and Special Collections

Mary Lou Seaburg Bieber collection

Collection — Communal collections box 3, Placement: 15

Identifier: MSA 53

Scope and Contents

The collection consists of one folder which contains programs, Exponents and Exponent clippings, along with other memorabilia from Mary Lou Seaburg Bieber's days as a Purdue student.

Dates: 1940 - 1948

Found in: Purdue University Archives and Special Collections

Dorothy Christoff papers

Collection — Box Box 1

Identifier: MSA 304

Scope and Contents The Dorothy Christoff papers (1963-1967; 0.5 cubic feet) document Christoff’s time at Purdue as an engineering student. The collection consists of various artifacts, including Christoff’s senior cord skirt, stickers and decals, a class photograph, and a decorative wooden t-square with Christoff’s affiliations on the front and signed by her classmates on the back. These materials reflect only Christoff’s time as an undergraduate civil engineering student at Purdue, although she did...

Dates: ca. 1963-1967; Other: Date acquired: 01/06/2000

Found in: Purdue University Archives and Special Collections