Helen Pearce papers, 1894-1958

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Pearce, Helen, 1890-1978
Title
Helen Pearce papers
Dates
1894-1958 (inclusive)
Quantity
.5 linear feet, (1 box)
Collection Number
WUA107
Summary
The papers of Helen Pearce include photographs of Willamette University's campus and other subjects, her dissertation, and documents relating to her life and time attending and teaching at Willamette.
Repository
Willamette University Archives and Special Collections
Archives and Special Collections
Mark O. Hatfield Library
900 State Street
Salem, OR
97301
Telephone: 5033706866
Fax: 5033706141
archives@willamette.edu
Access Restrictions

This collection is open to researchers.

Languages
English

Historical NoteReturn to Top

Helen Pearce was born October 19, 1890 in Salem, Oregon. She attended Willamette University, graduating in 1915. Pearce went on to earn a master's degree in 1926 from Radcliffe College in Cambridge, Massachusetts and a doctorate in English literature in 1930 at the University of California, Berkeley.

Pearce taught English at Willamette from 1920 to 1955 while also earning her advanced degrees. She became the first woman graduate of the university to earn a doctorate. She was a scholar on the writings and reputation of Alfred Lord Tennyson, who was the subject of her dissertation, and attended the Tennyson Society dinner in England in 1969. She served as the head of the Willamette English Department for fifteen years before her retirement in 1955 when she received Professor Emeritus status.

Beyond literature, Pearce was an authority on Salem and Oregon history, co-editing the first 10 volumes of Marion County History and the 100th anniversary history of the Salem First Presbyterian Church. She also edited the augobiographies of Willamette President Carl Gregg Doney and Professor James T. Matthews.

In addition to her pursuits as a scholar, she was a charter member of the Salem branch of the American Association of University Women and the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce.

Dr. Helen Pearce died on November 11, 1978 in Salem, Oregon.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The Helen Pearce papers consist primarily of photographs of Willamette University's campus dating from approximately the 1950s; photographs of herself from around the same time; and photographs of May Weekend from the early 20th century, possibly from her time as a student. Other material includes her diplomas and certificates granted by Willamette University; her transcripts; a letter from her father, George J. Pearce, to Willamette President John Coleman in 1906 regarding a spade contributed by his company to break ground on the Kimball School of Theology; an unbound copy of Helen Pearce's dissertation; and various Willamette programs.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Library acts as "fair use" reproduction agent.

For further information, see the section on copyright in the Regulations and Procedures of the Willamette University Archives and Special Collections.

Copyright Information: Before material from collections at Willamette University Archives and Special Collections may be quoted in print, or otherwise reproduced, in whole or in part, in any publication, permission must be obtained from (1) the owner of the physical property, and (2) the holder of the copyright. It is the particular responsibility of the researcher to obtain both sets of permission. Persons wishing to quote from materials in any collections held by University Archives and Special Collections should consult the University Archivist. Reproduction of any item must contain a complete citation to the original.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Helen Pearce papers, Archives and Special Collections, Mark O. Hatfield Library, Willamette University.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

This collection is primarily arranged by material type.

Location of Collection

Mark O. Hatfield Library

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
1 1 Chi Omega Fraternity Membership Certificate 1945 March 17
1 2 May Weekend Postcards circa 1910-1930
1 3 Fiftieth Anniversary of Willamette University Program 1894
1 4 The Seventy-Fifth Anniversary: An Historical Pageant of Willamette University
Written and directed by Della Crowder Miller.
1919 June 7 - 10
1 5 Folk Sayings in a Pioneer Family of Western Oregon 1946 July
1 6 Transcripts
Willamette University and Radcliffe College
1913-1926
1 7 Photograph: Willamette University Sign
Also visible are Baxter Hall and Phi Delta Theta Fraternity House.
circa 1935-1958
1 8 Photograph: Eaton Hall circa 1935-1958
1 9 Photograph: Eaton Hall and Waller Hall circa 1935-1958
1 10 Photograph: Music Hall
Also known in Willamette University's history as the College of Medicine, Science Hall, and the Art Building.
circa 1935-1958
1 11 Photograph: Waller Hall circa 1935-1958
1 12 Photograph: Waller Hall circa 1935-1958
1 13 Photograph: University Library
Currently known as Smullin Hall
circa 1938-1958
1 14 Photograph: College of Law
Currently known as Gatke Hall.
circa 1939-1958
1 15 Photograph: University Library
Currently known as Smullin Hall.
circa 1938-1958
1 16 Photograph: University Library
Currently known as Smullin Hall.
circa 1938-1958
1 17 Photograph: University Library
Currently known as Smullin Hall.
circa 1938-1958
1 18 Photograph: Eaton Hall
University Library, now known as Smullin Hall, in the background.
circa 1935-1958
1 19 Photograph: Music Hall
Also known in Willamette University's history as the College of Medicine, Science Hall, and the Art Building.
circa 1935-1958
1 20 Photograph: State Capitol Building circa 1938-1958
1 21 Photograph: State Capitol Building
Circuit Rider statue by A. Phimister Proctor in foreground.
circa 1938-1958
1 22 Photograph: Lausanne Hall circa 1935-1958
1 23 Photograph: Lausanne Hall circa 1935-1958
1 24 Photograph: Lausanne Hall circa 1935-1958
1 25 Photograph: Everell Stanton Collins Science Center and Waller Hall circa 1941-1958
1 26 Photograph: Baxter Hall circa 1947-1958
1 27 Photograph: Sigma Chi Fraternity House circa 1947-1958
1 28 Photograph: Phi Delta Theta Fraternity House circa 1947-1958
1 29 Photograph: McCulloch Stadium circa 1950-1958
1 30 Photograph: McCulloch Stadium circa 1950-1958
1 31 Photograph: University Library
Currently known as Smullin Hall.
circa 1938-1958
1 32 Photograph: McCulloch Stadium circa 1950-1958
1 33 Photograph: Dr. Helen Pearce, Ph.D.
Dr. Helen Pearce, Ph.D. on the left with an unidentified woman on the right.
circa 1938-1958
1 34 Photograph: Dr. Helen Pearce, Ph.D. circa 1935-1958
1 35 Photograph: Bernice Rice undated
1 36 Letter to Dr. Coleman from George J. Pearce & Library Program
The letter to President Coleman discusses the spade presented by Wade, Pearce & Co. which was used to break ground for the Kimball School of Theology building. The program is for a Willamette University Library Fellowship Meeting with a presentation by Dr. Helen Pearce.
1906 April 10, undated
1 37 Doctor of Literature Diploma
Doctor of Literature diploma was presented to Helen Pearce by Willamette University. Tucked inside the case was a newspaper article about the honor and a copy of the speech given by Dean Gregg at the ceremony.
1958 June 8 - 9
1 38 Leather Diploma Case
Diploma removed, unfolded, and placed in folder 39.
1915
1 39 Bachelor of Arts Diploma
Conferred by Willamette University.
1915 June 16
1 40 Professor of English Emeritus
Presented by Willamette University.
1955 June 5
object
1 1 Typewritten, Unbound Copy of Dissertation by Helen Pearce
Title: The Criticism of Tennyson's Poetry: A Summary, with Special Emphasis upon Tennyson's Response to Criticism as a Factor in the Development of his Reputation. Contained in an American Typewriter Paper box.
1930

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Personal Names

  • Coleman, John H. (John Hamline), 1847-1914

Corporate Names

  • Willamette University

Geographical Names

  • College of Music (Willamette University)
  • Eaton Hall (Willamette University)
  • Lausanne Hall (Willamette University)
  • McCulloch Stadium (Willamette University)
  • Oregon State Capitol (Salem, Or. : 1938- )
  • University Library (Willamette University)
  • Waller Hall (Willamette University)

Form or Genre Terms

  • Photographs
  • black-and-white photographs