Harriet Parkerson Papers

1.00 Linear Feet, 2.00 Boxes

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.

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

No access restriction:  All materials are open for research.

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

• English

• Latin

It received accession number P2007.01.

Acqusition Date: 19830101

Describing Archives: A Content Standard

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