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Hollister-Spencer family papers

 Collection
Identifier: D.171

Scope and Contents

The collection consists of material of the families of Rochesterians Harriet (Hollister) Spencer (1887-1962) and her husband Thomas G. Spencer (1884-1978). Included in the collection is correspondence the Spencers received from their two children Hollister (Holly) and Thomas. While Thomas was in Europe in 1934, he wrote numerous letters home to his parents. These often included the articles which he wrote about his travels in France, Germany, Poland, Russia, Portugal and Brussels. The following year, Holly spent the summer away and wrote home frequently. Other family related materials include a day book (1869-1887) of Sarah E. Hollister, poems written about individual family members, a catalogue of Harriet and Thomas Spencer's house belongings, and a list of Harriet Spencer's family silver pieces. There is also a scrap book (1880-1910) containing newspaper clippings of social notices and obituaries pertaining to the Hollisters, Spencers, Starks and Sibleys, along with other prose and poetry clippings. Another note book contains the obituaries of Mrs. George A. Hollister, and Emmet H. Hollister (October 6, 1853), and a memorial sermon by Rev. A. G. Hall (June 18, 1871). The collection also includes photographs of various members of the Weed, Barnes, Hollister and Spencer families.

Other material in the collection relates to projects and organizations in which the Spencers were involved. Thomas Spencer spent many years attempting to verify the authenticity of a flag, the "Lincoln Flag", which was said to have belonged to Abraham Lincoln. The correspondence accumulated through this effort dates from 1955 to 1978. Harriet Hollister Spencer, in the 1930's, was a member of the Rochester branch of the Volunteer Knitting Section of the Needlework Guild of America. The collection contains various papers relating to the organization's program to knit clothes for needy children. Later, in the 1950's, Harriet Spencer became involved in the Rochester Rose Society and was active in such projects as the Herb Lecture Series (1952), a Rose Show and exhibit (1955), and the planting of an old fashioned historical rose garden at the Rochester Museum of Arts and Sciences (1956).

Creator

Dates

  • Creation: 1853-1978

Language of Materials

English

Extent

2 box(es)

Access

The Hollister-Spencer Family Papers is open for research use. Researchers are advised to contact the Rare 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 the estate of Thomas G. Spencer, 1978.

Preferred Citation

[Item title, item date], Hollister-Spencer Family Papers, D.171, Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester

Title
Hollister-Spencer family 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