Burke, Avis Tarrant, 1886-1984

Avis Tarrant Burke was the wife of Indiana University fine arts professor Robert E. Burke. Avis was active with the IU Extension Divsion and wrote several articles for its bulletin. Together she and Robert travelled extensively, which served as the subject of articles she wrote for the Bloomington newspaper from 1932-1953. After her husband's death, Avis developed a repuation for her philanthropic work, including her donation of nineteenth-century clothing and eighteenth and nineteenth-century fans to Indiana University, which now comprises a core part of the Elizabeth Sage Costume Collection at IU.

From the description of Avis Tarrant Burke papers, 1858-1984, bulk 1916-1980. (Indiana University). WorldCat record id: 123894634

Professor.

From the description of Letters 1955-1958. (Indiana University). WorldCat record id: 703889267

Avis Adalaide Tarrant Burke was born on April 18, 1886, in Winsted, Connecticut. She attended schools in Winsted and graduated from the New Britain Normal School of New Britain, Connecticut, in 1906. From 1906-1916 she taught in several schools in South Manchester, Connecticut, including the Practice School, Cooper Hill, the Open Air School, and the Evening School. In August 1916 she married Robert Elisha Burke, an old friend and an Indiana University assistant professor in the subject of fine arts. In the same year she moved to Bloomington, Indiana, to be with her husband. While in Bloomington, she taught at the McCalla School from September 1920 to January 1921. She also devoted her energies to work in Bloomington at the University Extension Division at Indiana University. She traveled extensively with her husband and continued to travel after his death in 1957. She published several articles in the Bloomington Herald Telephone about her travels from 1932 to 1953.

After her husband’s death, Mrs. Burke established a reputation for her philanthropic interests. She provided funds for the Class of 1906 Memorial Scholarship at Central Connecticut State College. She also donated an extensive collection of nineteenth-century women's clothing and eighteenth and nineteenth-century fans to Indiana University. These pieces now comprise a core part of the Elizabeth Sage Costume Collection at Indiana University. Upon her husband’s death, Avis Burke endowed the department of the History of Art to bring distinguished scholars to Bloomington, which later culminated into the Robert and Avis Burke Lecture Series. This lecture series continues to be held on the IU-Bloomington campus.

Mrs. Burke was actively involved in the Annual Honors and Scholarship Awards Program, the Four Seasons Retirement Home, the Indiana Federation of Art Clubs, the Indiana Federation of Clubs, and the Monroe County Weavers Guild. She was also noted as a member of Trinity Church in Lime Rock, Connecticut, and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Columbus, Indiana.

Avis T. Burke passed away on February 19, 1984, at the Four Seasons Retirement Home in Columbus, Indiana. She was 97 years old.

From the guide to the Avis Tarrant Burke papers, 1858-1984, bulk 1916-1980, (Indiana University Office of University Archives and Records Management http://www.libraries.iub.edu/archives)