The Music Vale Seminary was founded in Salem, Connecticut, by Oramel Whittlesey in 1835. A boarding school for girls, it became the first normal school of music to confer degrees in the United States and attracted students from around the country. Because of the school, Salem became a cultural center. Oramel died in 1876 and the school was continued for a few more years by his daughters. It had already suffered from a loss of students during the Civil War and from the buildings being destroyed by fire (1868). The collection consists of three account books and a folder of assorted letters and photographs. The letters were written by Whittlesey to his daughter, Eliza. The photographs are of Harrie, Henry, and Mamie Newton. The account books contain the school's records. The earliest volume begins with the accounts of Maginnis & Morgan, New London (1829-1850) and then has student accounts (1852-1853). The later two volumes contain more detailed descriptions of student expenses.
