Barbara Adams Scrapbooks, 1939-1941

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Genest, Barbara Adams, 1920-2017
Title
Barbara Adams Scrapbooks
Dates
1939-1941 (inclusive)
Quantity
1.0 linear feet
Collection Number
Mss 911
Summary
This collection contains two scrapbooks created by University of Montana student Barbara Adams. The scrapbooks include clippings about campus events, dance cards, event programs and other memorabilia documenting student life from 1939-1941.
Repository
University of Montana, Mansfield Library, Archives and Special Collections
Archives and Special Collections
Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library
University of Montana
32 Campus Dr. #9936
59812-9936
Missoula, MT
Telephone: 406-243-2053
library.archives@umontana.edu
Access Restrictions

Researchers must use collection in accordance with the policies of Archives and Special Collections, the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, and The University of Montana-Missoula.

Languages
English

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Barbara Frances Adams was born May 2, 1920, in Billings, Montana to Dr. Frank W. and Julia Kelley Adams. She was the middle of three children, and graduated from Billings High School in 1938. After a year at the University of Kentucky, Barbara transferred to Montana State University (now called the University of Montana) in Missoula. She took part in many sports activities, and was women's tennis champion at both schools. At the University of Montana (UM) she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority and Tanen-of-Spurs, among other school activities.

Barbara met Thomas Barton O'Donnell of Casper, Wyoming, at UM in 1940. O'Donnell was captain of the football team. Both joined ROTC, and Barbara earned her pilot's license. They married in Monterey, California, on January 18, 1942. Tom graduated from UM in 1941 and immediately enlisted in the Army. He was killed leading his men during the Battle of Attu in May, 1943.

Barbara earned her degree in Business Administration from UM in 1943, and later earned a Master's of Library Science degree from the University of Washington. She married Hal H. Genest in Billings, Montana, in 1949. She was employed in Honolulu, at Stanford University, UM, Pan American Airways, and the Boeing Company in Seattle. After Hal died in Washington in 1974, Barbara returned to Billings and was a school librarian until she retired. She had no children. She was a member of Daughters of American Revolution and St. Luke's Episcopal Church.

Barbara Adams O'Donnell Genest died on December 1, 2017, in Billings, Montana.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The two scrapbooks that make up this collection hold clippings, memorabilia, event programs, dance cards, holiday cards and correspondence from friends, boyfriends and campus offices. Among the correspondence are several telegrams from Tom O'Donnell. The scrapbooks offer a glimpse of campus life from 1939-1941, and in particular the activities of an undergraduate woman.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Researchers are responsible for using in accordance with 17 U.S.C. and any other applicable statutes. Intellectual property rights to some portions of the collection are held by the University of Montana.

Preferred Citation

Barbara Adams Scrapbooks, Archives and Special Collections, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, University of Montana-Missoula.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

Scrapbook pages have been maintained in their original order. Loose materials were placed in envelopes but maintained with their scrapbook.

Custodial History

The custodial history of these scrapbooks is unknown, but they were likely in the creator's possession until her death.

Acquisition Information

These scrapbooks were gifted to the University of Montana by Rosemary Lee, Barbara Adams Genest's estate executor, in 2018.

Processing Note

The acidic nature of the scrapbooks' paper, and the multipe formats of material affixed in the scrapbooks, makes them very fragile. Ties holding the scrapbook pages together were removed during processing to minimize further damage to the pages. Some loose materials were removed from scrapbooks during processing, but maintained in the box with their associated scrapbook. Blank pages were removed from the end of Scrapbook 2.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box
1 Scrapbook 1 1939-1941
2 Scrapbook 2 1941

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Women college students--Montana--Missoula--Correspondence
  • Women college students--Montana--Missoula--Social life and customs
  • Women college students--Montana--Missoula--Societies, etc

Personal Names

  • Genest, Barbara Adams, 1920-2017--Archives
  • O'Donnell, Thomas Barton, 1918-1943--Correspondence

Corporate Names

  • Montana State University (Missoula, Mont.)--Students--Social life and customs--20th century
  • Montana State University (Missoula, Mont.)--Students--Societies, etc.