Correspondence to Blanche Annis Leavitt, a Teacher from Belmont, NH
Belmont, NY: 1897 - 1911. Blanche Annis Leavitt (1881 - ?) was a teacher at Belmont Grammar School in in the early 1900s. The collection includes various correspondence and ephemera associated with her time at Belmont Grammar School, from her students to her co-workers, to her family. The bulk of the collection dates from 1901 - 1907, as Blanche would marry Ira Woodman Leavitt in 1907, and appears to have left the teaching profession. There is a total of forty-four (44) pieces in this collection: nine letters from students, four letters from family (mainly her nephews), five letters from friends, seven invites to various activities put on by students, and 19 pieces of ephemera (including 7 visiting cards). Collection is in chronological order. Items of note include:
Teaching Certificate, December 1900
A handwritten teaching certificate awarded to Blanche Leavitt by E S Moulton, a member of the School Board of Belmont.
New Hampshire Summer Institute for Teachers Program, August 1901
A 24 pp (including wrappers) program for the 8th annual Summer Institute session in Plymouth, NH from August 12-24, 1901. What was essentially an early teaching conference on education, there are lectures on drawing to arithmetic to psychology. The program lists each lesson available, the various transportation methods to get there, as well as a list of speakers.
Courtship Letter, June 1903:
Written by Clarence M Johnson, this letter describes a rather awful date he took Blanche on, when he took her for a drive. If appears as though nothing was on his side as the weather was terrible and Johnson spends most of the letter apologizing and asking to see her again.
Kappa Sigma Fraternity Invite, February 1905
An invite from the Beta Kappa Chapter of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity at New Hampshire College (later became New Hampshire University) for a dinner. What is especially of note is the beautiful engraving of the star and crescent symbol associated with the fraternity. There is also visiting card for a Robert M Wright included with the invite.
Family Letter, May 1906
While the letter itself gossips about the family and friends they know, included with the letter is a 1901 Canadian penny. It was given to her to "fill up her bank"
Various Letters from Students, circa 1906 - 1907
The majority of these seem to have been written after Blanche Leavitt has left the Belmont Grammar School. In general, the children write a little bit about their life and their new teacher, Ms. Hill. It is apparent in the letters that the children prefer Leavitt to their new teacher.
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Price: $115.00
Item #27000100