Taylor papers, 1908-1975. : Scope & Contents of the Collection

Scope and Contents of the Collection

The Barbara Howland Taylor Papers consist of research material, writings, memorabilia, information on plants and gardening, biographical information, and photographs. The material primarily relates to her research about Mexican culture and literature and the Spanish language. The research material includes short essays, translations, lecture notes, and pamphlets and articles in Spanish and English that related to her doctoral dissertation. This dissertation, entitled "La Tradición y la Leyenda en la Literatura Mexicana" (1936), and her book, "Mexico: Her Daily and Festive Breads" (1969) comprise a significant part of Taylor's papers. Also included with Taylor's writings are two speeches she gave at her fortieth (1953) and fiftieth reunions (1963) at Mount Holyoke College. Taylor kept photograph albums reflecting her time in Massachusetts at Mount Holyoke College, Northfield Seminary, and Bradford Academy. Primarily comprised of snapshots, the albums chiefly reflect student life at Mount Holyoke College from 1909-1913. Of note are photographs of a student in blackface--probably for a minstrel show, Senior Mountain Day, the Young Women's Christian Association summer camp at Silver Bay, N.Y., and the interiors of several student rooms. This includes a picture of Taylor in her Porter Hall senior year room. A Northfield Seminary 1908 "Commencement Number" and two Bradford Academy yearbooks (1914 and 1915) are included in the collection. Taylor also had a strong interest in gardening and botany during her adult years, and she kept many notes on the history of gardening and on various herbs and plants. Included with Taylor's papers are a number of long letters written to family and friends for Christmas (1927-1946) with updates on the activities of family members. A number of newspaper clippings relate to Taylor's involvement in the community in Mexico City and to her son, John Howland Barber's work as an Embassy secretary in Nicaragua comprise Taylor's biographical information. A Mount Holyoke College senior year photograph of Taylor and a large photograph of members of the Class of 1913 are also included in the collection.