Archives West Finding Aid

Series 1 is comprised of materials documenting Henley's research and writing processes, predominately relating to her unfinished book on author Walter de la Mare. Though largely undated, the materials in this series appear to have been generated after Henley's retirement in 1975.

The majority of series 1 is comprised of 9 notebooks which include partial drafts and notes about draft revisions, transcribed works from other poets, and bibliographic references. The notebooks also contain tipped-in items, including newspaper clippings, typed drafts, and other notes. In addition to the notebooks, the series contains 7 audiotapes with draft dictations and a series of typed transcripts likely produced using the included audiotapes. These transcripts appear to include near-final drafts of portions of Henley's de la Mare work. The series also contains a set of bibliographic note cards which appear to mirror, in part, bibliographic references in the notebooks.

Series 2 is comprised of published and pre-publication written works authored by Henley. The majority of the series is dedicated to Henley's poetry, though it does includes a "how-to" booklet for written exams, likely created for use by Henley's students at Oregon State College.

Extant poetic works include the unpublished collection of poems titled A Northwest Childhood; two collections of her works including a published volume titled To Hear Unspoken Things, a volume produced posthumously by her son, John Henley, and two nieces; three anthologies in which her work appeared: Whatcom Verse (1930), Birthday Candles Burning Bright (1960), and Unique: 66 Poems by 66 Poets (1969); and five literary magazines in which she was published: Poetry (1954 and 1960), The New Orleans Poetry Journal (1959), and The Horn Book Magazine (1979 and 1980). The series also includes two handmade books (one titled My God-daughters Book with poetry by Henley and a small book of Biblical verses) and five loose poems including one partial, handwritten draft.

Series 3 includes a small amount of correspondence and greeting cards, newspaper clippings, photographs, a catalog from the State Normal School in Bellingham, Washington, and yearbooks from Whatcom High School and the University of Washington.

The newspaper clippings include Henley's marriage announcement and her obituary, several articles about local writers, and six articles about the disappearance of Thomas L. Gatch, Jr. (great-grandson of Oregon Agricultural College president Thomas Gatch) during his attempt to cross the Atlantic via air balloon. The photographs include portraits and candid shots of Henley throughout her life, images of friends and family, and views of Henley family homes.