Edith Russell Collection

Collection

Identifier: MSS 0371

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Edith Russell Collection consists of a scrapbook compiled by Russell with materials dating from 1916 to 1919 and a collection of civic pageants written by Russell dating from 1930 to 1937.

The scrapbook is made up of dark brown pages that are annotated by Russell in white ink. It contains a large drawing titled, "A Characteristic Scene at the State Normal and Non-Industrious College." It also contains event programs, college documents, invitations, correspondence, tickets, party memorabilia, receipts, notes from peers, ribbon, stamps, holiday greetings, pressed leaves, and other memorabilia items. The scrapbook also includes documents regarding the Cornelian Literary Society as well as 1917 programs for Graduation Exercises, Commencement Exercises, Founder's Day Exercises, College Night Reception and Annual Debate featuring the Cornelian and the Adelphian societies.

The civic pageants written by Russell date from 1930 to 1937. They consist of titles grouped under the heading, Epics of the South as well as a work titled, "A Masque of American Women."

Dates

1916 - 1937

Creator

Harrington, Edith Russell, 1898 - 1967 (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright is retained by the creators of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information. Please see our Sensitive Materials Statement.

Biographical or Historical Information

Edith Russell of Wake County, North Carolina was a student of the State Normal and Industrial College (now The University of North Carolina at Greensboro), graduating in 1919 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. While attending the college, Russell was a member of the Cornelian Society. Russell is known for writing, directing, and producing civic pageants. Her and her husband, Herschel R. Harrington lived in Asheville, North Carolina and founded a Harrington-Russell Studios in 1930 which provided full pageant services. Russell passed away in 1967.

Extent

1.70 Linear Feet (2 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Edith Russell was a student of the State Normal and Industrial College, graduating in 1919 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Russell and her husband, Herschel R. Harrington, founded Harrington-Russell Studios in 1930.

Method of Acquisition

Scrapbook purchased from Ebay in March, 2009. Pageants transferred from Classed Archives in February, 2010.

Offensive Language Statement

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Our finding aids and other collection descriptions may occasionally re-use language provided by creators or former holders of the materials, but we strive to place outdated or offensive terminology in context. That said, we recognize that we may not always make the right decision and welcome feedback from all sources so we can learn and adjust our practices. Please contact us at scua@uncg.edu if you encounter problematic language in our finding aids or other collection description. We will review the language and, as appropriate, update it in a way that balances preservation of the original context with our ongoing commitment to describing materials with respectful and inclusive language.