Wilma Keyes Papers

Collection

Identifier: 1988-0019

Staff Only

Scope and Content

Many of the files are useful sources in tracing the development of the fine arts program and its emergence from the School of Home Economics at the University of Connecticut. The oral histories are wonderful recollections of life on the University of Connecticut during the early part of this century.

Dates

Creation: undated, 1926-1972

Access

The collection is open and available for research.

Restrictions on Use

Permission to publish from these Papers must be obtained in writing from the owner(s) of the copyright.

Biography

Wilma Belknap Keyes was born in New Jersey on 15 January 1902, the daughter of John D. and Grace Vrooman Keyes. She was a graduate of New York University and the New York School of Fine and Applied Art (Parsons). During her early career, she worked for Art Education Press, Inc., and was affiliated with Iowa State University from 1923-1927. She taught at Michigan State University from 1937-1938.

From 1938 to 1963, Wilma Keyes was an assistant professor of Related Arts at the University of Connecticut School of Home Economics. When she arrived at the University of Connecticut only five art courses were being offered. During her tenure she developed and taught over 20 new art courses and saw the beginning of the School of Fine Arts as a distinct department from the School of Home Economics. At the time of her retirement, over 60 courses were being offered in the arts program.

Wilma Keyes was a member of many professional organizations and held honorary positions on the Board of Directors of the Connecticut Arts Association and the Society of Connecticut Craftsmen. She was a member of the American Institute of Interior Designers Association, the National Art Education Association, the American Home Economics Association, the Eastern Arts Association, the Connecticut Arts Association, the Connecticut Historical Society, and Pi Beta Phi>.

Miss Keyes is listed in Who's Who in American Education, Who's Who of American Women, and Who's Who in the East.

Extent

1.8 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Wilma Belknap Keyes was an assistant professor at the University of Connecticut School of Home Economics from 1938-1963. During her tenure she developed and taught over 20 new art courses and saw the beginning of the School of Fine Arts as a distinct department from the School of Home Economics.

Arrangement

The Wilma Keyes Papers are arranged in six series:

Series I: Academic Files (1938-1961) are arranged topical files. This series includes items such as: American Home Economics Association; Annual Report of Home Economics, 1941-61 (gaps); Art Courses; Correspondence; Keyes' cumulative record of professional staff activities; photographs; Report of Committee for the Correlation of Related Arts with Textiles and Clothing, 1938-39; state teaching certificate requirements; Women's Faculty Club. Files pertaining to individual art courses include course descriptions, mid-term and final exam copies and other information. Many of the files are useful sources in tracing the development of the Fine Arts program and its emergence from the School of Home Economics.

Series II: Correspondence and Notes (undated) deals specifically with Miss Keyes' research into the Louis Crombie Beach Memorial Collection of Art and President and Mrs. Charles Lewis Beach. There is some correspondence with faculty members from the early 20th century.

Series III: Publications (undated, 1926-1972) deals with either the field of home economics or campus activities at the University of Connecticut. This series is arranged alphabetically by title. It includes publications such as: A History of the Connecticut Home Economics Association; Connecticut Home Economics Newsletter; Dedication of...Home Economics Building...; Fine Arts Magazine; Home Economics News; The Louise Crombie Beach Memorial Collection of Art; Mr. Beach.

Series IV: Scrapbooks (undated, 1944-1962) contains Guest/Scrap books from exhibits 1944-46, and loose scrapbook pages. They are a miscellaneous group of newspaper clippings, programs, notices dealing primarily with exhibitions and lectures at the University of Connecticut School of Home Economics. Of interest is a photograph of Eleanor Roosevelt's visit to the University.

Series V: Tapes and Oral History (1970s) are the taped interviews done in the early 1970s as part of Miss Keyes' research project on the Beach Collection. The oral history project was a joint venture with the William Benton Museum of Art. All the cassette tapes have been transcribed; the transcriptions, following, should be used in lieu of the tapes.

Series VI: Transcripts and Oral History (1970s) is arranged alphabetically by the name of the person being interviewed: Anderson, Helen Stevens and Winifred Smith Passmore; Belden, Robert Fitch; Brundage, Mrs. A.J. and Mrs. I.G. Davis; Fultz, Charlotte Dutch; Griswold, Mrs. George and Mrs. Charlotte Perkins; Longley, R.I.; Moreland, Wallace; Seckerson, Mrs. Howard; Stemmons, Mrs. Walter. Each of these people interviewed by Miss Keyes were associated with the University of Connecticut> during the tenure of President Beach. The transcripts are wonderful recollections of life on the campus in the early part of this century. The files include original, edited, and corrected copies of the interviews.

Custodial History

Recent additions to the collection (not yet incorporated) have been donated by the Mansfield Historical Society, which had received the materials from members of Miss Keyes' family.

Acquisition Information

The Wilma Keyes Papers were donated to the Historical Manuscripts and Archives Division of the University Libraries over a period of several years in the early 1980s. Each group of records has been a small assortment of a variety of academic related materials. The largest portion of the collection was transferred to the Historical Manuscripts & Archives Division from the William Benton Museum of Art in August of 1987.