Harriet Parkerson Papers

Identity elements

Reference code

US US kmk P2007.01

Level of description

Collection

Title

Harriet Parkerson Papers

Date(s)

  • 1874-2007 (Creation)

Extent

1.00 Linear Feet, 2.00 Boxes

Name of creator

(1844-1940)

Biographical history

Harriet Parkerson was the adopted daughter of Isaac Goodnow, one of the founders of both Manhattan and K-State, and his wife Ellen. The Goodnows adopted Parkerson in 1857 after her mother died and only two years after her birth. Parkerson lived in Manhattan with the Goodnows for many years of her life, and she was involved at K-State through the Domestic Science Club.

Content and structure elements

Scope and content

The Harriet Parkerson papers contain writings for the Domestic Science Club (some were not presented), financial records in the forms of receipts and cancelled checks and a copy of the published version of her sister's, Julie Etta Parkerson Reynolds 1874 journal.  The papers are housed in two boxes.
Literary Works makes up the bulk of the collection and contains papers Harriet wrote to present to the Domestic Science Club and one paper written by Ellen Goodnow.  For the most part, these presentations are random topics that the women appear to have picked themselves.  They bridge a wide array of subject matter and are all not focused on the matters of what people would tend to think of as Domestic Science.  While Harriet wrote about topics such as baking, soaps and soap making, and wardrobe maintenance, she also wrote about historical figures like Anne Louise Germaine Necker, Leo Tolstoy, and Michael Faraday.  One of the more interesting items from this series is the story of Soonboonagen Ammal, a female martyr from India.
The Financial Series contain receipts and canceled checks.  The receipts are organized chronologically and are mostly from the years between 1909 and 1912.  Many of the receipts are for magazine subscriptions and the rental of a post office box.  Other receipts are for necessities and items such as landscaping, flowers, and oats.  The canceled checks are from three different banks and sorted alphabetically by the bank.  The checks are from the financial institutions First National Bank, Manhattan State Bank, and Union National Bank.  The checks are mostly made out to individuals including her nephew Louis and herself (checks labeled "myself"); a few are also written out to institutions or businesses like Kansas State Agricultural College, Montgomery Wards, and Kimball Printing Co.
Printed Material is made up of Harriet's sister's, Julie Etta Parkerson Reynolds 1874 Journal, an agricultural magazine, the 1936-1937 Domestic Science Club booklet, and a few newspaper clippings.
The Department of Special Collections has Harriet Parkerson's journal on microfilm and the original is located at the Kansas State Historical Society in Topeka, Kansas.  Additional information about Harriet can be found in the History Index located in Special Collections.

System of arrangement

The papers are organized into three series: 1) Literary Works (undated); 2) Financial Series (1909-1912); and 3 Printed Material (1874-1966, 2007, undated).

Conditions of access and use elements

Conditions governing access

No access restriction:  All materials are open for research.

Physical access

Technical access

Conditions governing reproduction

The researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.

Languages of the material

  • English

Scripts of the material

  • Latin

Language and script notes

Finding aids

Acquisition and appraisal elements

Custodial history

It received accession number P2007.01.

Immediate source of acquisition

Acqusition Date: 19830101

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information

Accruals

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Existence and location of originals

Existence and location of copies

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Related descriptions

Specialized notes

  • Citation: Preferred Citation: [Item title], [item date], Harriet Parkerson papers, Box [number], Folder [number or title], Morse Department of Special Collections, Kansas State University Libraries.

Alternative identifier(s)

Archon Collection ID

356

Description control element

Rules or conventions

Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Sources used

Archivist's note

Finding Aid Author: Mallory Peterson
Processing Info: Mallory Peterson, student assistant in Speciall Collections processed this collection under the direction of University Archivist, Anthony Crawford in 2007.
Publication Date: 2008-09-11

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