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Anne D. Greene papers
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Held at: Bryn Mawr College [Contact Us]Bryn Mawr College Library, 101 N. Merion Avenue, Bryn Mawr 19010
This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the Bryn Mawr College. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in their reading room, and not digitally available through the web.
Overview and metadata sections
Anne Dunkin Greene started at Bryn Mawr in 1902. She later transferred to Barnard College, where she took her B.A. in 1905. She married Guy Bates 1908. The couple had one son.
Bibliographical notes: 1914 Bryn Mawr College Calendar
The Anne Greene letters contains the correspondence of Anne D. Greene, who attended Bryn Mawr from 1901 to 1903 before transferring to Barnard. These letters, which range from 1902 to 1903, primarily cover Greene's freshman and sophomore years at Bryn Mawr.
The collection consists of one folder housing 22 letters. These letters are arranged by recipient.
Most of the twenty letters are addressed to Greene's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas L. Greene of New York City, and are from Nov. 1902 to May 1903. These letters contain long, humorous accounts of the Class of 1905's plays, expressions of Greene's joy in exercise and basketball, an account of President M. Carey Thomas's duplicity on the matter of proctors for examinations. There are also accounts of her work at the Settlement House, dissections in Biology, and essay assignments. One letter lists popular songs which were being sung on campus; another characterizes Mary Garrett, companion of M. Carey Thomas, as "the woman who supplies the College with pin money and furniture" (Nov. 2, 1902). There is also a letter from Avis Putnam (A.B. 1905) to Anne Greene after she transferred to Barnard, dated October 9, 1903, which comments on BMC courses and faculty, including nicknames by which they were known to the student body. Finally, there is a letter to Anne Green, author identified only as Louise, dated October 10, 1903, which describes life at BMC, including plans for Freshman Play.
Greene's letters vividly describe athletic, academic, and social life of a Bryn Mawr student at the turn of the century. They also provide insight into the relationships sustained after Greene transferred to Barnard College. The collection would be of use to those interested in early Bryn Mawr history.
Digitized versions of nearly all of the Anne Greene letters (excepting the Avis Putnam letter) can be found on Triptych.
Partially processed by Theresa Taylor (n.d.), and completed by Michele Kemmerer (Summer 1985).
- Publisher
- Bryn Mawr College
- Finding Aid Author
- Theresa Taylor, Michele Kemmerer, JoyAngelica Chan, Cassidy Gruber Baruth
- Finding Aid Date
- 20 June 2017
- Access Restrictions
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The collection is open for research.
- Use Restrictions
-
Standard Federal Copyright Laws Apply (U.S. Title 17)
Collection Inventory
In this letter, Anne describes the process of preparing for the freshman show, detailing the costumes, scenery, dress rehearsal, and first performance. She notes that during a long speech, she sees President M. Carey Thomas sitting with Mary Garrett, whom she characterizes as "the woman who supplies the College with pin money and furniture."
In this letter to her father, Greene writes about attending a lecture on Bayreuth and Wagner's operas "Uibeluugar Sied" and "Parisfal," wherein she also saw some scenes and music. She discusses what she learned from the lecture, and asks if they can go to Germany.
In this letter, Green details her social activities. She visits friends who have a mansion on Broad Street, and describes the interior of the house, and comments on the Rittenhouse area. She also goes to church with friends, and notes her interest in going to a dance with a friend.
In this letter to her father, Greene provides some insight into her academic life. She comments upon meeting with the head of the English department and an English reader. She also talks about skating and playing indoor baseball. The letter contains two hand-drawn portraits.
This letter would be of particular value to those interested in Bryn Mawr's Self-Government Association and the Honor Code. Greene details a debate between the student body and President M. Carey Thomas, who assigned teachers to proctor exams. The students argued that the honor code permits students to proctor themselves, and draw up a petition. The result of the argument is that Thomas promises the honor system will be allowed during finals, but not during mid-terms.
In this letter, Greene discusses finals, saying (perhaps hyperbolically) that she spent 36 hours in the lab studying for biology. This letter also follows up on the Honor Code controversy described by the previous letter. Anne remarks that students were given colored exam papers, so as not to be able to cheat.
Greene is excited to note that her hall is lighted by electricity. She also discusses going to a debutante ball with her friends.
Greene writes to her mother about an ice and snow storm. She also discusses academics, saying that she does not like science—she is currently dissecting a frog. She receives an essay from an English teacher to help her with her style.
In this brief letter, Greene writes about singing songs during dinner and receiving an invitation from the Lantern to write an essay.
In this letter to her mother, Greene writes about her schoolwork, hearing from the "Lantern," and her friend debuting into society. She also writes about her approaching transfer to Barnard, and looking at the Barnard catalogue.
In this letter, Green writes to her mother asking for music—presumably sheet music for popular songs. She says that she is going to amuse the Irish crowd on Saturday with songs and dance. The letter provides insight into entertainment at women's colleges in the early 20th century.
Green describes her attempts to teach gymnastics to children. She complains that the little girls do not follow the instructions, and that her easiest child is a ten year old boy. She also goes to a lecture about exercise and indigestion.
Greene writes to her mother about her biology lab, stating that she was lectured by a professor for dissecting a rabbit with her eyes closed and a rag underneath her nose.
In this letter, Green writes to her mother about shopping and her academic activities. She notes that she had trouble with an essay, but finished it, writing a total of 24 pages. She also discusses going to dinner with friends and an upcoming reception on May 1st.
Greene writes to her mother about going on a ride with a friend, eating ice cream and watching a hunt. She ends with a poem.
In this letter, Greene writes to her mother about the class of 1905 putting on a production of Uncle Tom's Cabin. The letter includes some comical details, including a story about Green going to Philly to obtain 20 pounds of peanuts for snacks. She also helped her friend Louise entertain some factory girls.
Greene primarily talks about her vacation plans, and the vacation plans of others. She notes that some people are staying for vacation to make summer clothes.
This letter gives insight into Greene's social activities. She attends a play, plays basketball and tennis, and attends a glee club performance. An interesting note is her fascination with Sewing Circle, an elite, prestigious group.
Greene talks about rehearsing for an upcoming play. She also details athletic events between the classes.
In this letter, Greene writes about the play performance, and everything that went wrong during the performance. She talks about cutting lectures and trying to make up schoolwork. Her friend Louise Lewis makes ice cream, coffee, and sandwiches in her room.
After her sophomore year, Anne Greene transferred to Barnard College, but retained her friendships at Bryn Mawr, as this letter evidences.
This lengthy letter to Greene from "Louise" (presumably Louise Lewis, a friend mentioned several times in other letters) details the goings-on at Bryn Mawr. She discusses the Freshman Play and friendships between upper and lowerclassmen. After her sophomore year, Anne Greene transferred to Barnard College, but retained her friendships at Bryn Mawr, as this letter evidences.