WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH
by Emily Oland Squires
March is Women's History Month, and in commemoration, the Archives has mounted the exhibit Maryland's Woman Citizen: As First Lady and Official Hostess in its public search room. This display is part of an ongoing biographical research project dedicated to the study of the role of the First Lady throughout Maryland history and to the documentation of the lives of the women who served in this capacity. First and foremost, the First Lady was a hostess who extended Maryland hospitality to both local and international visitors. Through the years, she displayed her talents as a community leader, as well as an ambassador of Maryland heritage and culture. The women selected for this exhibit represent only four out of the forty-six First Ladies and five Official Hostesses that have served since 1776. The Maryland State Archives continues to research the lives of Maryland First Ladies with the hope of building a repository of biographical data and material artifacts which will lead to a more complete understanding of the roles these women played in the state's history.
Included in this exhibit are images and artifacts relating to Emma Nicodemus Warfield, Mary Ridgely Preston Brown, Mary "May" Ridgely Brown, and Helen Avalynne Gibson Tawes. A Tiffany & Co. ladies fan once belonging to Mrs. Warfield, a pastel portrait of Mrs. Brown, and a copy of Mrs. Tawes' book, My Favorite Maryland Recipes, are among the items on display.
In addition to the search room exhibit, the Archives has added a women's history web page to the Museum Online. The page includes an online version of the First Ladies exhibit, as well as a sampling of other resources available in the field of women’s history at the Archives. For example, the web exhibit features a digital image of Mary Katherine Goddard's copy of the Declaration of Independence from January 16, 1777. This document was the first printing to include the signers' names. The web page will be maintained as a permanent part of the Museum Without Walls and periodically updated with new materials.
RECORDS NOT AT THE STATE ARCHIVES
by Pat Melville
It is not unusual to receive inquiries about records unavailable at the Archives. Some of these questions recur on a regular basis. One in particular concerns the censuses of 1867, 1868, and 1878 for Washington, DC. Several guides, including web sites, note that one or more of these censuses are available at the Maryland State Archives. In the past some person or institution made this statement, and many afterwards have perpetuated the falsehood. Several years ago an attempt was made to have the author of a guide delete this referral to the Archives. It was not successful because the requests for the censuses persist today.
Any researcher wanting to see the censuses of 1867, 1868, or 1878 for Washington, DC must be told that the Archives does not hold these records in any format, despite any printed reference to the contrary. In addition, the Archives has been unable to determine where the records might be located, or whether they have ever existed. Anyone with additional information is urged to contact the Archives.
Another periodic question concerns the patients' records of the Leland Hospital in Riverdale in Prince George's County. In this instance researchers are referred to the Archives as a last resort. In mid-1941 Drs. W.E. and L.W. Malin applied to the board of county commissioners for permission to build a 50-bed private hospital. Leland Memorial Hospital opened in September 1942 as the first hospital in Prince George's County. By 1989 rumors were circulating that the owner, Adventist Health Systems, was planning to close the facility for financial reasons. The owners and county citizens tried for the next few years to develop ways to keep the hospital operational. None succeeded, and Leland Hospital closed in March 1993. After that the site was sold and converted into a nursing home. One researcher followed the path of ownership and ascertained that the patients' records from Leland were transferred to Washington Adventist Hospital in Takoma Park, where they remain today.
JUNE CLARK HARTEL
by Robert Barnes
June Clark Hartel, patron and volunteer at the Maryland State Archives, died suddenly on 17 February. An author and genealogist, she had published several reference books through the Genealogical Publishing Company.
Staff members remember her as a gracious lady and a good person, who brought light and cheer whenever she came to the Archives. She helped other patrons and helped staff members by generously sharing her knowledge of early Maryland records. She had an idea that continues to benefit reference operations. She developed the slips that patrons fill out when they want photocopies made from published books.
Her positive attitude, her cheerful smile, and her friendly willingness all resulted in her being held in esteem and affection by the staff. To her family, we send our condolences. For ourselves, we are grateful for the memories of having known her.
Edward C. Papenfuse, State Archivist
Patricia V. Melville, Editor
Mimi Calver, Assistant Editor
Lynne MacAdam, Production Editor
Rita Molter, Circulation
The Maryland State Archives is an independent agency in the Office of Governor Parris N. Glendening and is advised by the Hall of Records Commission. The Chairman of the Hall of Records Commission is the Honorable Louis L. Goldstein, Comptroller, and the Vice Chairman is the Honorable Robert M. Bell, Chief Judge of the Maryland Court of Appeals.
The Archivists' Bulldog is issued bi-monthly to publicize records collections, finding aids, and other activities of the Archives and its staff. Subscription cost is $25 per year, and the proceeds go to the State Archives Fund. To subscribe, please send your name, address, and remittance to: the Maryland State Archives, 350 Rowe Boulevard, Annapolis, Maryland 21401-1686. Phone: MD toll free: (800) 235 4045; or (410) 260-6400. FAX: (410) 974 3895. E-mail: archives@mdarchives.state.md.us. The Editor welcomes editorial comments and contributions from the public.
The Archives maintains a Website on the Internet at: http://www.mdarchives.state.md.us
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