Collection is open for research.
Donated to Whitman College and Northwest Archives by Margaret "Peggy" Woodward Coppinger in 1987 and by George Frederick "Fred" Richardson in June 2006. The accession numbers associated with this donation are retro-0103 and 2006-006.
Esther Bienfang Richardson was born on April 20, 1884 in Jefferson, Wisconsin. She graduated from Lawrence College and taught public school music for seven years in Wisconsin. In 1920, she began teaching at Columbia Junior College in Milton-Freewater, Oregon. In 1921, she came to Whitman College to teach piano and theory. From 1935 to 1945 she was the Director of the Whitman College Conservatory of Music at Whitman College. Following her retirement, she moved to New York City. She married George F. Richardson in May 1949. They moved to McAllen, Texas after his retirement. Esther remained in McAllen after his death in 1972 until 1982 when she moved to Spokane, Washington. She died on November 23, 1945 in Spokane.
The Esther Bienfang papers consist of scrapbooks, letters received by Esther, and photographs. The scrapbooks hold photographs and newspaper clippings regarding Whitman College music events, as well as other personal memories. These papers, which date from 1920 tp 1947, also includ Esther Bienfang's diplomas in education as well as certificates of community recognition.