Dakin papers, 1931-1995. : Scope & Contents of the Collection

Scope and Contents of the Collection

The Janet Frances Wilder Dakin Papers consist of course records, writings, Christianna Smith Retirement Gift Fund Records, Parliamentarian's Records for the Alumnae Association of Mount Holyoke College, Mount Holyoke College Equestrian Center Steering Committee Records, biographical information, and photographs. The course records reflect Dakin's course work as an undergraduate at Mount Holyoke College. They are for courses in art and zoology, taken 1931-1932, and they consist of studio work, notes, and laboratory drawings. The course records from the University of Chicago date from 1936-circa 1939 and include a paper written by Dakin and a notebook filled with data, charts, and graphs from Dakin's research on elodea and yeast. Dakin's writings include several published papers reflecting her studies of insect life, 1936-1940. Her writings also include a book review, 1938, an autobiographical sketch, circa 1976, and a class letter written for the fiftieth reunion of her Class of 1933 at Mount Holyoke College in 1983. The Christianna Smith Retirement Gift Fund Records contain financial records listing contributors' names, their donations, and expenses and deposits for the fund, which was set up to honor a member of the Mount Holyoke College faculty. The Parliamentarian's Records reflect Dakin's work as Parliamentarian for the Alumnae Association of Mount Holyoke College, 1967-1976, and include her reviews of various Alumnae Association documents as well as a job description of Alumnae Association Parliamentarian, probably written by Dakin. The Mount Holyoke College Equestrian Center Steering Committee Records consist of plans, progress reports, agenda, drafts, and correspondence relating to the planning for and construction of an equestrian center at Mount Holyoke College, 1983-1986. The biographical information dates from 1933-1995 and chiefly consists of newspaper clippings concerning Dakin's engagement, marriage, environmental work, awards, donation of property to the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, her book, "Jeffy's Journal," and her death. The photographs consist of two copies of her senior photograph taken at Mount Holyoke.