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Phillips family papers. Anna Pingree (Wheatland) Phillips (1870-1938) papers

Collection Type

  • Manuscripts

Date

1880-1938, undated

Location Note

HAV-01-701-C-F-204; HAV-01-701-C-F-203; HAV-01-701-C-F-202; HAV-01-701-C-F-201; HAV-01-701-C-F-104; HAV-01-701-C-F-103; HAV-01-701-C-F-102; HAV-01-701-C-F-xxx

GUSN

GUSN-288568

Description

The Anna Pingree (Wheatland) Phillips (1870-1938) papers (MS043) reflect the personal and social life of Anna Pingree (Wheatland) Phillips of Salem, Massachusetts. Included in the collection are papers relating to her hobbies and pastimes; social engagements; committee and volunteer work; financial management of household activities; travels; and other interests and activities. The majority of the collection is comprised of Anna's appointment calendars; check registers; paid receipts; correspondence; stamp collection; record label catalogs; and printed material. The collection is arranged in six series.

Background:
In 1996, the Stephen Phillips Memorial Charitable Trust for Historic Preservation acquired the Stephen Phillips Memorial Trust for Historic Preservation House (now the Phillips House), in Salem, Massachusetts, from Bessie "Betty" Gertrude (Wright) Phillips (1906-1996), daughter-in-law to Anna Pingree (Wheatland) Phillips (1870-1938). In 2006, Historic New England acquired the Stephen Phillips Memorial Trust for Historic Preservation House (now the Phillips House) at 34 Chestnut Street in Salem, Massachusetts, from the Stephen Phillips Memorial Charitable Trust for Historic Preservation. The papers contained within the house at the time of Historic New England's acquisition formed the bases of the collection: Phillips family papers (now MS051). Portions of the Phillips family papers (MS051) had been divided into smaller collections and partially processed and/or inventoried by the staff of the Stephen Phillips Memorial Trust for Historic Preservation House (now the Phillips House): Phillips Family Papers, 1770-1909: Guide to the Collection (now MS051); Anna P. Phillips Collection (now MS043); Stephen Phillips Collection (now MS044); Inventory of Stephen Willard Phillips Papers (now MS046); and Duncan Family Papers: Finding Aid (now MS047 and MS048).

In 2002, the papers associated with Anna Pingree (Wheatland) Phillips (1870-1938) were initially processed by the staff of the Stephen Phillips Memorial Trust for Historic Preservation House (now the Phillips House) in Salem, Massachusetts. The processing team of Tamara Gaydos, an intern from Simmons College, Boston, Massachusetts; Naomi Gray, curator of the Stephen Phillips Memorial Trust House, Salem, Massachusetts; and Brenda Howitson Steeves, an outside consultant; divided the Anna P. Phillips Collection (now MS043) into four series: Series I. Personal papers and Series II. Correspondence, were arranged in four subseries by record type; Series III. Organizations and clubs was arranged in four subseries by name of organization or club; and Series IV. Pastimes, was arranged alphabetically by activity.

Original arrangement:
Series I. Personal Papers
Subseries I. Financial
Subseries II. Calendars
Subseries III. Notebooks
Subseries IV. Ephemera

Series II. Correspondence
Subseries I. Personal Correspondence
Subseries II. Postcards Received
Subseries III. Christmas Cards Received
Subseries IV. Invitations Received

Series III. Organizations and Clubs
Subseries I. Special Aid Society for American preparedness
Subseries II. Thread and Needle Society
Subseries III. Mass. Society of Colonial Dames
Subseries IV. Essex Institute
Series IV. Pastimes

When fully processed, the collection was comprised of forty-six file boxes (approx. 19.18 linear ft.) and two oversize boxes. Folders were numbered by box and not as one continuous numbering system. Additionally, an electronic Microsoft Word document finding aid (Microsoft Word 97-2003) was created with corresponding paper finding aid.

Update: 2013-2014
In 2013-2014, through a National Historical Publications and Records Commission grant (Award Number: NAR13-RH-50051-13: "Family Manuscript Collections: Expanding Online Access to New England Heritage Project"), twenty-six Historic New England manuscript collections of family papers were re-evaluated and processed/reprocessed to meet current archival standards and "best practices;" corresponding finding aids were created/updated to be DACS-compliant and converted into electronic Microsoft Word document form; and the finding aids were made accessible/searchable online through the use of the Minisis M2A archival database of the Minisis Collections Management System. The Anna Pingree (Wheatland) Phillips (1870-1938) papers (MS043) were part of the grant project.

Prior to the 2013-2014 collection processing, Anna P. Phillips Collection (now MS043) was found primarily housed in letter-size, acid-free file boxes containing letter-size, acid-free folders. Also, a few legal-size, acid-free file boxes (containing both letter-size and legal-size, acid-free folders); a non-archival box (containing index cards); and an acid-free oversize box (containing oversize material) were used to house the collection.

During the 2013-2014 collection reprocessing/updating, the 2002 arrangement scheme was updated; new series and subseries titles were supplied, as applicable; and most of the original folder titles were maintained and related folders were combined or rearranged, as applicable. Accumulated unprocessed material was incorporated into the collection; scope and content notes were updated to reflect the changes; and additional research was added to the biographical/historical sketch. Some of the papers throughout the collection were removed from envelopes (if applicable), unfolded, flattened, and related pages were noted with corresponding information in brackets ([x-1/3], [x-2/3], [x-3/3] and stamps were maintained within their original enclosures (i.e., envelopes, books, albums, etc.). Most of the collection was maintained within its original letter-size, acid-free file boxes and folders; some materials were rehoused in legal-size, acid-free folders and placed in acid-free cartons, as applicable; the letter-size folders found within the legal-size file boxes were replaced with legal-size, acid-free folders; some of the oversize material was rehoused appropriately (or interleafed within file boxes, as applicable); and a few fragile and vulnerable items were placed in enclosures or interleafed within folders, as appropriate. Folders and boxes were renumbered, relabeled, barcoded, and stored accordingly. Related collections held by Historic New England and other repositories were researched and noted. Architectural/ engineering plans; objects; photographic material; and a substantial collection of seed ordering catalogs and other publications relating to gardening were removed from the collection and will be cataloged at a future date. The original 2002 Microsoft Word document finding aid was updated to be DACS-compliant, as applicable; converted into an electronic 2010-2013 Microsoft Word document finding aid (with corresponding paper finding aid); and entered into the collection record in the Minisis M2A online database.

NOTE: Processing/updating the collection and making the finding aid accessible online were made possible through grants from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (Award Number: NAR13-RH-50051-13), the Bedford Family Foundation, and an anonymous donor.

Details

Descriptive Terms

account books
address books
advertisements
annual reports
appraisals (records)
bank statements
books
bylaws (administrative records)
certificates
checkbooks
clippings (information artifacts)
clubs (associations)
constitutions
correspondence
diaries
exhibition catalogs
financial records
games
gardening
inventories
invitations
lists (document genres)
membership lists
memorabilia
music
needlepoint (visual works)
needlework (visual works)
notebooks
notes
opera (discipline)
organizations (groups)
pamphlets
passports
philately
phonograph records
photographs
postcards
publications
puzzles
receipts (financial records)
reports
sketchbooks
sewing (process)
stamp albums
trade catalogs
travel literature
visiting cards
yearbooks
personal papers

Physical Description

19.68 linear ft. (40 file boxes, 3 cartons, plus 5 oversize folders)

Finding Aid Info

An electronic finding aid is available through Historic New England's Collections Access Portal. A paper finding aid is available in the Library & Archives.

Custodial History

Accessions:
·1996: Bequest of the Stephen Phillips Memorial Trust for Historic Preservation House (now the Phillips House) in Salem, Massachusetts, and all of its contents to the Stephen Phillips Memorial Charitable Trust for Historic Preservation from Betty "Bessie" (Wright) Phillips (1906-1996)

·2006: Acquisition of the Stephen Phillips Memorial Trust for Historic Preservation House (now the Phillips House), in Salem, Massachusetts, and all of its contents to Historic New England from the Stephen Phillips Memorial Charitable Trust for Historic Preservation

Collection Code

MS043

Collection Name

Phillips family papers. Anna Pingree (Wheatland) Phillips (1870-1938) papers

Date of Acquisition

2006

Reference Code

MS043

Abstract

Address books; advertisements; appointment calendars; clippings; club and committee records; correspondence; diaries, journals, and notebooks; financial records; game and puzzle material; invitations; notes; postcards; pamphlets, catalogs, and other printed material; photographs; resource material for hobby and pastime activities; sketchbooks; stamps and stamp albums; travel literature and related material; etc.; reflecting the personal interests and social activities of Anna Pingree (Wheatland) Phillips.

Credit Line

Acquired from the Stephen Phillips Memorial Charitable Trust for Historic Preservation, 2006

Places

Boston (Suffolk county, Massachusetts)
California (United States)
Egypt
England (United Kingdom) [country]
Lawrence (Essex county, Massachusetts)
New York state (United States)
Paris (Ville de Paris department, Île-de-France, France)
Salem (Essex county, Massachusetts)
Topsfield (Essex county, Massachusetts)
Switzerland

Record Details

Originator

Phillips, Anna Pingree Wheatland, 1870-1938

Material Type

personal papers

Other People

George VI, King of Great Britain, 1895-1952
Harris, Lena Scott
Orr, Anne, 1875-1946
Phelps, Katharine E.
Phelps, Louise L.
Phillips, Anna Pingree Wheatland, 1870-1938
Phillips, Stephen Willard, 1873-1955
Phillips, Stephen, 1907-1971
Pingree, David, 1841-1932
Schumacker, Anna
Wheatland, Richard, 1872-1944

Other Organizations

American Red Cross
American Women's Hospitals
Boston Public Library
Busy Bees
Cheerful Workers
Columbia Phonograph Company General
Essex Institute
Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts
Jenny Brooks Company
Massachusetts Society of the Colonial Dames of America
Peabody Essex Museum
Peabody Museum of Salem
P.F. Volland Company
Richfield Oil Corporation
Salem Female Charitable Society (Salem, Mass.)
Salem Garden Club (Salem, Mass.)
Salem Normal School (Salem, Mass.)
Salem Oratorio Society (Salam, Mass.)
Schoenhof Book Company (Boston, Mass.)
Special Aid Society for American Preparedness
Stafford, Smith and Company
Thread and Needle Society of Salem (Salem, Mass.)
Victor Talking Machine Company

Subjects

World War, 1914-1918

Restrictions

·This collection is available for research. Arrangements to access the collection must be made in advance.

·Unrestricted, except for #C.1.3 and C.1.19, which contain fragile material and require handling by Library and Archives staff only.

·Allergy note: #23.3 contains dried flowers.

·Note: #C.3.11 and C.3.20 contain sharp objects and require handling with care.

·Note: due to aging materials and condition of the materials, the whole of the collection requires handling with care.


Conservation Note

See Scope and Content

Description Level

Collection

Location Note

HAV-01-701-C-F-204; HAV-01-701-C-F-203; HAV-01-701-C-F-202; HAV-01-701-C-F-201; HAV-01-701-C-F-104; HAV-01-701-C-F-103; HAV-01-701-C-F-102; HAV-01-701-C-F-xxx

Accruals Note

Accruals are not expected.

Language Note

Materials in English; some in French

Preferred Citation

[Item identification.] Phillips family papers. Anna Pingree (Wheatland) Phillips (1870-1938) papers (MS043). Historic New England, Library and Archives.

Processing Information

·2002 Spring: Originally processed by the Stephen Phillips Memorial Trust for Historic Preservation House (now the Phillips House), Salem, Massachusetts: Tamara Gaydos, intern; Naomi Gray, curator; and Brenda Howitson Steeves, consultant

·2014 January: Updated by Historic New England, Library and Archives: Zoe Quinn, Archives Assistant; with assistance from Bridgette A. Woodall, Project Archivist; and Jen Pustz, Museum Historian

Rules and Conventions

Finding aid is DACS-compliant.

Related Items

Phillips family papers. Stephen "Stevie" Phillips (1907-1971) papers
Phillips family papers. Stephen Henry Phillips (1823-1897) papers
Phillips family papers. Stephen Willard Phillips (1873-1955) papers
Phillips family papers. James Duncan Phillips (1876-1954) papers
Phillips family papers. Margaret (Duncan) Phillips (1847-1926) papers
Phillips family papers. Nannie Jencks (Borden) Phillips (1877-1963) papers
Phillips family papers. Stephen Clarendon Phillips (1801-1857) papers
Phillips family papers. Papers of other Phillips family members
Phillips family film collection, 1925-mid-1940s

Historical/Biographical Note

Historical/Biographical Note

Born on June 13, 1870, in Salem, Massachusetts, Anna Pingree (Wheatland) Phillips was the daughter of Stephen G. Wheatland (1824-1892) and Ann Maria (Pingree) Wheatland (1846-1927). On June 15, 1899, she married Stephen Willard Phillips (1873-1955). In 1907, their only son, Stephen Phillips (1907-1971), was born. While Anna and Stephen Willard Phillips often received invitations to private and public events, Anna ran an economic household and paid her bills and staff with strict regularity. Anna also enjoyed traveling; reading; playing bridge; gardening; collecting stamps and records; and studying the art of the great Italian painters. She was a member of the local sewing circle: the Thread and Needle Society of Salem [Massachusetts]. Young ladies whose mothers were members of the oldest sewing circle, the Cheerful Workers, founded the Thread and Needle Society of Salem in 1898. The Society was created with the purpose of extending membership and was founded on the same principles as the Cheerful Workers, i.e., making garments for needy persons in Salem, Massachusetts, and contributing to other worthwhile charities. Garment-making was financed by Society dues and fines (for non-attendance or tardiness). The Society's only committee was the "Cutting Committee" which was responsible for procuring materials, preparing them for sewing, and collecting and distributing the finished articles. Additionally, the Society served tea at meetings and elaborate dinners at anniversary parties for other organizations and preformed plays and skits. Anna was also active in the Salem Female Charitable Society and the Massachusetts Society of the Colonial Dames of America; in addition to volunteer work. During World War I (1914-1918), Anna served as treasurer of the Special Aid Society for American Preparedness (Salem Branch). The Aid Society gave classes in first aid, home nursing, canning, and making surgical dressings. Aid Society members also distributed poster s, marched in patriotic parades, and supplied soldiers with needed toiletry and hospital supplies. Anna Pingree (Wheatland) Phillips died on October 31, 1938.

Sources


Material in MS043

Arrangement

Arrangement

The collection is arranged in six series: Series I. Activities, hobbies, pastimes, etc. Series II. Address books and appointment calendars. Series III. Clubs and organizations. Series IV. Correspondence, invitations, and postcards. Series V. Financial records. Series VI. Other papers.

*Collection housing/storage code: #x.x=file box (i.e., #1.2= file box 1, folder 2); C=carton; FB=folio box; FF=fragile files; MB=multi-purpose box; OB=oversize box/folder; OV=oversize volume; VF=vertical files/flat files

Reparative Language in Collections Records

Historic New England is committed to implementing reparative language description for existing collections and creating respectful and inclusive language description for new collections. If you encounter language in Historic England's Collections Access Portal that is harmful or offensive, or you find materials that would benefit from a content warning, please contact [email protected].