Papers 1917-1948 1892-1948.

ArchivalResource

Brown, Nancy, 1870?-1948. Papers 1917-1948 1892-1948.

Papers 1917-1948 1892-1948.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/43934246

The Nancy Brown Papers consist of writings, the Nancy Brown Peace Carillon material, correspondence, biographical information, and photographs. Most significant are the articles reflecting her work as an advice columnist and journalist for the "Detroit News." Brown was one of the first advice columnists in the United States; she was middle-aged and did not treat readers' problems lightly. Brown's "Experience" column began on April 19, 1919 and was written under her married name and the pseudonym Nancy Brown. The writings (1917-42) contain clippings, eight published collections and twenty-two scrapbooks with copies of Brown's columns. Readers asked for advice about marital problems, financial worries and unemployment, coping with grief and death, and other matters, reflecting concern about a variety of social issues in the United States. Readers around the world also submitted their life stories. Brown supported community projects and encouraged her readers to familiarize themselves with modern art. One series of articles (Jan. 1924) describes a visit to Mount Holyoke College; another (Oct. 1928) describes a train trip through Minneapolis, North Dakota, Canada, and the Pacific coast. The Nancy Brown Peace Carillon was a tower dedicated to peace in Brown's honor. Constructed on Belle Isle Park in the Detroit River, the tower was supported by Brown and funded by contributions from her readers. The Peace Carillon material (1934-41) consists of clippings, a brochure and a postcard. The material documents the project from its conception after the first annual sunrise service on Belle Isle in 1934 through the fundraising efforts and completion in 1940. The correspondence contains two letters. The biographical information (1917-48) consists of a biographical note, clippings, obituaries, and a "Mount Holyoke Alumnae Quarterly" article by her Mount Holyoke roommate Bertha E. Blakely. The clippings document work on the "Experience" column and in retirement. The obituaries are for both Brown and her husband. The photographs series contains two formal portraits of Brown as a younger woman. There are six photographs (1939-ca. 1940) of the Peace Carillon, including one photograph of Brown breaking ground on the tower. The last photograph is of Brown at her fiftieth Mount Holyoke class reunion in 1942.

12 boxes 4.5 linear feet.

Mount Holyoke College, Williston & Miles-Smith Library