Sheppard, Priscilla Spaulding, 1898-1991

The Priscilla Spaulding Sheppard papers consist of a scrapbook, correspondence, memorabilia, a College pin, biographical information and photographs. Most of the material relates to her years as a Mount Holyoke student (1915-1919). The scrapbook is of her College years and subsequent contacts with classmates. It includes tickets and programs for theatre performances and concerts at Mount Holyoke and other locations including the Court Square Theater (Springfield, Massachusetts) and Broadway. Also in the scrapbook are letters, notes, Christmas cards, Valentines, postcards and invitations. There are also mementoes and newspaper clippings of other Mount Holyoke College-related events and gatherings. The photograph albums contain pictures taken at the College and at other Western Massachusetts locations during her time as a college student. Of note are photographs of College traditions, including senior top spinning and rope jumping. There are also photographs of the 1919 basketball team, the Senior Dance and of commencement (1919). Some of the photographs show students participating in skiing, tennis and field hockey. Photographs in the albums are primarily of her classmates and other students but there are also photographs of her parents, her housemother, and Mount Holyoke trustees and faculty members. Other photographs are of groups of Chinese students at the College and of College buildings and other views of the campus, including views from Prospect Hill and photographs taken after snowstorms. Some of the photographs were taken at surrounding locations including the Connecticut River and Mountain Park in Holyoke, Mass. There are two photographs relating to World War I: the Armistice Day parade in Holyoke, Massachusetts and two students dressed in "Farmerettes" uniforms for farm work. The correspondence includes letters written by and to her in 1974, 1976 and 1979, primarily with her classmates. Also included are newspaper clippings about her and an obituary notice.

From the description of Sheppard papers, 1915-1979 (bulk 1915-1919). (Lewis & Clark Library). WorldCat record id: 50416964

Priscilla Merrifield Spaulding was born in Springfield, Massachusetts on December 22, 1898 to Edwin Rufus Spaulding, foreman of the Springfield Printing and Binding Company and Mary Colburn Spaulding. She attended Central High School in Springfield before entering Mount Holyoke College in 1915. She majored in English, economics and sociology and graduated in 1919. From 1919-1923 she worked as Society Editor for the "Springfield Union" newspaper. On September 29, 1923 she married George B. Sheppard, an Assistant Superintendent of the Houston Gas and Fuel Company in Houston, Texas. The couple had three children. Between 1934-1956 she worked as a salesperson and assistant to Sheppard while he was the owner and manager of the Carolina Suburban Gas Company in Laurens, South Carolina. After her husband's death in 1956, she was the president of the company until 1961. She also gave violin lessons and played in the Spartanburg and Greenville Symphonies. In addition, she acted as Mount Holyoke College Class of 1919 president, 1980-1991. She died on May 7, 1991 at age ninety-two in Laurens, South Carolina.

From the guide to the Sheppard papers MS 0802., 1915-1979, 1915-1919, (Mount Holyoke College Archives and Special Collections)