Skip to main content

Harriet Hollister Spencer papers

 Collection
Identifier: A.S75

Biographical / Historical note

Harriet Hollister Spencer, rose expert and civic leader, was born in 1887, the daughter of George C. Hollister, whose grandfather founded the Hollister Lumber Co. in Rochester in 1832. Her main accomplishments include: designing the "Garden of Fragrance" at the Rochester Museum and Science Center, contributing many of the roses and plants from her own Tudor knot garden at 1005 East Avenue; receiving the Garden Club of America Rose Medal Award (1959); initiating and persevering in the acquisition of the Ellwanger and Barry Arboretum by the University of Rochester (1963). She was a charter member of the Rochester Garden Club and the Landmark Society of Western New York. A collector of and authority on glass, silver and lace, she served as a consultant to the Memorial Art Gallery. She was made a fellow of the Rochester Museum and Science Center. For 46 years she served on the board of the Genesee Hospital School of Nursing. As she requested, her family gave to the people of New York State 679 acres of land above Honeoye Lake, now called the Harriet Hollister Spencer State Memorial Recreation Area.

Scope and Contents

The Harriet Hollister Spencer Papers concern her work with the rose and herb gardens at the Rochester Museum and Science Center and with the Ellwanger and Barry Arboretum in Highland Park. There are also items about the award of the Rose Medal of the Garden Club of America to her in 1959.

Creator

Dates

  • Creation: circa 1938-1962

Language of Materials

English

Extent

1 box(es)

Access

The Harriet Hollister Spencer Papers is open for research use. Researchers are advised to contact the Rare Books, Special Collections & Preservation Department prior to visiting. Upon arrival, researchers will also be asked to fill out a registration form and provide photo identification.

Use

In consultation with a curator, reproductions may be made upon request. Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from a curator. Researchers are responsible for determining any copyright questions.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Thomas G. Spencer, January-July, 1963.

Preferred Citation

[Item title, item date], Harriet Hollister Spencer Papers, A.S75, Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester.

Title
Harriet Hollister Spencer papers
Author
Finding aid prepared by Rare Books and Special Collections staff
Date
undated
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Library Details

Part of the Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation Library

Contact:
Rochester NY 14627-0055 USA