UAKMsSC223 Guide to the Reba J. Hurn Diaries 1907-1908 Hurn (Reba J.) Diaries Finding aid prepared by Edward W. Nolan. Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities. Eastern Washington State Historical Society/Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture © 1987
2316 W. First Avenue Spokane, WA 99201
Finding aid encoded by Rose Sliger Krause. 2006 Finding aid written in English. Finding aid based on local standards. September 2023 Finding aid edited and updated by Jack Gassen Eastern Washington State Historical Society (Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture), Joel E. Ferris Research Library and Archives
2316 W. First Avenue Spokane, WA 99201 Phone: (509) 363-5342 Email: archives@northwestmuseum.org
MsSC 223 Hurn, Reba J., 1881-1967 Reba J. Hurn Diaries 1907-1908 2 volumes Diaries relating to Hurn's daily activities, her teaching career in Spokane, studies at University of Heidelberg, and work with Nathan Straus, New York City philanthropist, in milk depots he established for the distribution of pasteurized milk for prevention of disease among babies and children in 1908. Materials are in English Biographical Note

Reba Hurn came to Spokane in 1906. She graduated from the University of Washington Law School and joined her father in his law practice in Spokane in 1913. Miss Hurn was elected to the State Senate in 1922, the first woman to have filled that position in the State of Washington. She served two terms, during which she was chairman of the Public Morals and State Library committees. While in the legislature Hurn worked for reform in the treatment of female prisoners in the state correctional institutions. Hurn continued to practice law in Spokane until her retirement in 1946.

The collection consists of two diaries, 1907-1908. They contain lengthy entries detailing Hurn’s daily activities, including books read and people met. Included is detailed coverage of her teaching career in Spokane (which she found boring), 1907; her studies at the University of Heidelberg in Germany, 1907-1908; and her activities working for Nathan Straus, the New York philanthropist, in milk depots he established for the distribution of pasteurized milk for the prevention of disease among babies and children, 1908.

Typed transcription of both diaries located with the collection.

Collection is not restricted.

 Publication Rights

Copyright has not been assigned to the Eastern Washington State Historical Society. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Museum Archivist. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Eastern Washington State Historical Society as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the researcher

Reba J. Hurn Diaries (MsSC 223), Eastern Washington State Historical Society/Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture, Spokane, WA.

Donated by Mrs. Lee Bowers, 1986 (Accession #L86-1308).

Processed to the item level.

Arksey, Laura. "Dutiful Daughter to Independent Woman: The Diaries of Reba Hurn, 1907-1908." Pacific Northwest Quarterly, 95(4) (Fall 2004): 182-193.

Arksey, Laura. "A Lady in the Senate." Columbia, 19(3) (Fall 2005): 34-41.

Fuller, George W. Inland Empire of the Pacific Northwest: A History.Vol. 4, Who's Who. Spokane: H.G. Linderman, 1928.

Hinsch, Kathryn. "Political Pioneer: A Woman Senator." Landmarks, Summer 1982: 14-15.

Reba Hurn Research Collection (RESC 471).

This collection is indexed under the following headings in the Online Computer Library Center (OCLC) WorldCat database. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons, or places should search WorldCat using these headings.

Hurn, Reba J., 1881-1967--Archives Straus, Nathan, 1848-1931 Universität Heidelberg--Students Germany--Education--Universities and colleges Heidelberg (Germany)--Education--Universities and colleges Washington (State)--Education--Teachers Spokane (Wash.)--Education--Teachers New York (N.Y.)--Charitable and social work Philanthropists--New York (State)--New York Milk depots Child welfare--United States Infants--Nutrition Infants--United States Milk--Pasteurization Universities and colleges--Germany Teaching Colleges and Universities Elementary and Secondary Education Medicine and Health Washington (State) Spokane Children and Youth Diaries Teachers--Washington (State) Women teachers--Washington (State) American students--Germany College students--Germany Women college students--Germany

The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.

1/3 Biography and Inventory 2/3 Diary 1907 3/3 Diary 1908