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Harriet Hollister Spencer papers
Creator: Spencer, Harriet Hollister, 1887-1962
Call Number: A.S75
Dates: circa 1938-1962
Physical Description: 1 box
Language(s): Materials are in English
Repository: Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester
Table of Contents:
Biographical/Historical Note
Scope and Content
Subject(s)
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Access
Use
Citation
Content List
Collection Overview
Title: Harriet Hollister Spencer papers
Creator: Spencer, Harriet Hollister, 1887-1962
Call Number: A.S75
Dates: circa 1938-1962
Physical Description: 1 box
Language(s): Materials are in English
Repository: Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester
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 Content
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.
Subject(s):
New York (State)--Rochester
Gardens
Roses
Spencer, Harriet Hollister, 1887-1962
Rochester Museum and Science Center
Rochester Museum of Arts and Sciences
Highland Park (Rochester, N.Y.)
Ellwanger & Barry
Garden Club of America -- Awards
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Thomas G. Spencer, January-July, 1963.Access
The Harriet Hollister Spencer papers is open for research use. Researchers are advised to contact Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation prior to visiting. Upon arrival, researchers will also be asked to fill out a registration form and provide photo identification.Use
Reproductions are made upon request but can be subject to restrictions. Permission to publish materials from the collection must currently be requested. Please note that some materials may be copyrighted or restricted. It is the researcher's obligation to determine and satisfy copyright or other case restrictions when publishing or otherwise distributing materials found in the collections. For more information contact rarebks@library.rochester.eduCitation
[Item title, item date], Harriet Hollister Spencer papers, A.S75, Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester
Administrative Information
Author: Finding aid prepared by Rare Books and Special Collections staff
Publisher: Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester
Address:
Rush Rhees Library
Second Floor, Room 225
Rochester, NY 14627-0055
rarebks@library.rochester.edu
URL:
Content List
Creator: Spencer, Harriet Hollister, 1887-1962
Call Number: A.S75
Dates: circa 1938-1962
Physical Description: 1 box
Language(s): Materials are in English
Repository: Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester
Table of Contents:
Biographical/Historical Note
Scope and Content
Subject(s)
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Access
Use
Citation
Content List
Collection Overview
Title: Harriet Hollister Spencer papers
Creator: Spencer, Harriet Hollister, 1887-1962
Call Number: A.S75
Dates: circa 1938-1962
Physical Description: 1 box
Language(s): Materials are in English
Repository: Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester
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 Content
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.
Subject(s):
New York (State)--Rochester
Gardens
Roses
Spencer, Harriet Hollister, 1887-1962
Rochester Museum and Science Center
Rochester Museum of Arts and Sciences
Highland Park (Rochester, N.Y.)
Ellwanger & Barry
Garden Club of America -- Awards
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Thomas G. Spencer, January-July, 1963.Access
The Harriet Hollister Spencer papers is open for research use. Researchers are advised to contact Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation prior to visiting. Upon arrival, researchers will also be asked to fill out a registration form and provide photo identification.Use
Reproductions are made upon request but can be subject to restrictions. Permission to publish materials from the collection must currently be requested. Please note that some materials may be copyrighted or restricted. It is the researcher's obligation to determine and satisfy copyright or other case restrictions when publishing or otherwise distributing materials found in the collections. For more information contact rarebks@library.rochester.eduCitation
[Item title, item date], Harriet Hollister Spencer papers, A.S75, Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester
Administrative Information
Author: Finding aid prepared by Rare Books and Special Collections staff
Publisher: Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester
Address:
Rush Rhees Library
Second Floor, Room 225
Rochester, NY 14627-0055
rarebks@library.rochester.edu
URL:
Content List
Box 1, Folder 1The garden of fragrance
Bulletin, Museum Service (of Rochester Museum of Arts and Sciences, now Rochester Museum and Science Center), September 1958
Article: "Dedication of the Garden of Fragrance".
Bulletin, Museum Service, November 1962
Containing a tribute to Harriet Hollister Spencer
Papers by Harriet Hollister Spencer
Includes: "Early 18th Century Garden", "History of the 'Old Roses'", "Introduction to my Fragrant Garden"
A book list, The Best of the Old Herbals (1516-1629), Old Bee Book (1634), First Books on American Plants, Old Rose Books, Best Modern Books
Article published by RMSC, "The original garden roses"
Box 1, Folder 2Garden Club of America Rose Medal Award, 1959
Includes the bronze medal in a leather box, plus photocopy
Letters to the Garden Club of America on the nomination of Harriet Hollister Spencer for the Jane Righter Rose Medal, 1958
There are copies of 5 letters, addressed to the GCA, nominating and seconding Spencer for the Jane Righter Rose Medal, from: 1. Mrs. Edward Cumpston, Allyn's Creek GC, November 13, 1958. 2. Mrs. Harold L. Field, Rochester GC, December 10, 1958. 3. W. Stephen Thomas, director RMSC, December 19, 1958. 4. John Adams Lowe, Garden Center of Rochester, December 19, 1958. 5. Alfred I. Hess, American Rose Society, December 27, 1958
Seconding letters addressed to Mrs. Field, Rochester Garden Club, 1958
Letters are from: Fletcher Steele (December 26, 1958) and Prof. Charles W. Cares, NY State College of Agriculture at Cornell (December 23, 1958)
Letter to Mrs. Field from Garden Club of America, announcing the award, February 4, 1959
Copy of Garden Club of America citation given to Harriet Hollister Spencer, May 7, 1959
Acceptance speech given by Jean Cooke McCurdy, Rochester Garden Club, in Harriet Hollister Spencer's absence due to illness
Includes original and a copy
Letter from Garden Club of America to Harriet Hollister Spencer
Newspaper clippings
Clippings from: 1. Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, May 1 7, 1959 (4 copies), "A Medal for her Roses". 2. Rochester Times Union, June 18, 1959,"Woman of the Hour". 3. Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, June 21, 1959, "History of Rose Recreated". 4. New York Times (3 copies), June 14, 1959, "Rochester Traces Rose History". 5. Richmond Times-Dispach, May 8, 1959, "GCA Winners are Named". 6. Original letters to HHS from Jean C. McCurdy, enclosing clippings from the Richmond News Leader, May 5, 1959
Box 1, Folder 3Ellwanger and Barry Arboretum, 1938-1948
"The Great Ellwanger and Barry Trees," Spencer's talk before the Rochester Garden Club, September 30, 1946
Typescript
Spencer's plan for the protection of the arboretum, by involvement with the University of Rochester
Typescript
A reference list of publications on the Park System of Rochester
A plan for closer integration of the Botany Department, UR, and the Rochester Bureau of Parks, by Professor F. C. Steward
Letters regarding possibility of obtaining $1200 from the Founders Fund of Garden Club of America to be used for preservation of Ellwanger, 1941
Outline of material on arboreta in relation to universities
Correspondence between Spencer and UR President Alan Valentine regarding the Ellwanger
Letter to Spencer from UR board member Edward G. Miner, enclosing minutes of board meeting, December 16, 1941
Conclusion: UR interested in Ellwanger
Handwritten notes by Spencer regarding a survey of possible cooperation between City Park Arboretum and UR
Letters on this subject from Richard H. Goodwin, Assistant Professor of Botany (September 2, 1943 and November 24, 1943), and to Dr. George P. Berry, Professor of Bacteriology, UR (March 11, 1948) with reply (March 18, 1948)
Box 1, Folder 4Ellwanger and Barry Arboretum, 1953-1954
Newspaper clipping: "Arboretum threat," signed by Mrs. Thomas G. Spencer, for the Roundabout Club of Rochester
Letter to Spencer from Andrew D. Wolfe, assistant director, University of Rochester Development, September 29, 1953
Letter to Spencer from President C.W. DeKiewiet, enclosing copy of his letter to Frederick G. Barry, October 13, 1954
Box 1, Folder 5Ellwanger and Barry Arboretum - miscelleanous papers
Pamphlet, The garden of the Genesee, published on the 100th anniversary of Ellwanger and Barry Nurseries, 1940
Envelope containing 7 photographs (by Rochester Times-Union) of trees on Barry property, 1963
Genesee Country scrapbook, published by The Rochester Historical Society, with article on the Ellwanger and Barry Arboretum, 1953
"Old Nursery Arboretum goes to University," newspaper clipping, May 24, 1963
Tribute to Spencer by editor Andrew D. Wolfe, Brighton-Pittsford Post, September 6, 1962
The article mentions Spencer's twin sister, Elizabeth Hollister Frost Blair, noted poet and novelist
Obituary of Harriet Hollister Spencer, Rochester Times-Union, August 28, 1962
"American nurseries, "Moore's Rural New Yorker, October 22, 1870
Photocopy
"Ellwanger and Barry, builders of American Horticulture," The Garden Journal of the New York Botanical Garden,, January-February 1934
"Arboriculture at Rochester, NY," Proceedings of the Rochester Academy of Science, March 1932
Box 1, Folder 6National Women's Hall of Fame, 2001
Nomination form proposing Harriet Hollister Spencer, August 11, 2001
Seconding letter from Henry McCartney, director Landmark Society of Western New York, August 21, 2001
Box 1, Folder 7Photograph (reproduction) of Elizabeth Hollister Frost's wedding to Elliott Frost