The collection is open to research according to the regulations of the Sophia Smith Collection without any additional restrictions.

The Sophia Smith Collection owns copyright to unpublished works by Ames family, except for those by individuals still living. Copyright to works by persons other than Ames family members may be owned by those individuals or their heirs or assigns. It is the responsibility of the researcher to identify and satisfy the holders of all copyrights. Permission to publish reproductions or quotations beyond "fair use" must also be obtained from the Sophia Smith Collection as owners of the physical property.

Please use the following format when citing materials from this collection:

Ames Family Papers, Sophia Smith Collection, Smith College, Northampton, Mass.

Blanche Ames Ames gave the first installment of her papers to the Sophia Smith Collection in 1968, shortly before she died, and her four children added to the collection after her death in 1969. In 1978 the Commonwealth of Massachusetts donated the Blanche Ames Ames papers that had remained in storage at Borderland after it became a state park in 1971. Pauline Ames Plimpton continued to augment the collection and encouraged the family to do the same; her son, Oakes A. Plimpton, donated her papers after her death in 1995. Numerous other family members have added their own papers, as well as documents pertaining to their relatives. Other donors of record include Evelyn Ames Davis, Sarah Gay Plimpton, and Harriet Robey.

Processed by Burd Schlessinger, 2004