Guide to the constance warren (1880-1971) Papers, n.d.,1926-1971 (bulk 1930-1946)
Administrative Information
- Volume: 1 document box, 2 record cartons, 1 flat box (2.75 linear feet)
- Processing Information: Processed June 2002 by Valerie Park.
- Acquisition Information: The provenance of the collection in unknown.
- Terms of Use: This collection is open to researchers without restriction.
- © 2002-2008 Sarah Lawrence College Archives, Esther Raushenbush Library, 1 Mead Way, Bronxville, NY 10708
Biographical Note
Constance Warren received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Vassar College in 1904 and a Master of Arts degree from Columbia University in 1905. Second president of Sarah Lawrence College from 1929 to 1945, President Warren also authored "A New Design for Women's Education" (1940) promoting the individualized educational model at Sarah Lawrence. Her academic program called for students to attend conferences with a faculty member in each course and a donning or advising system, which gave personal attention to all students. The curriculum was flexible and without specified course requirements, and written evaluations rather than letter grades reported student performances. This curricular structure remains intact at Sarah Lawrence College and has widely influenced other institutions.
Series Descriptions
box 1.
The Biographical Information file contains miscellaneous newspaper clippings, articles, and press releases on Constance Warren and personal letters and postcards written by and to Constance Warren. Of particular note is a list of articles and speeches by Constance Warren.
Genealogical Information contains correspondence to the archives from Sarah Andrews, niece of Constance Warren and author of “Summers in Maine,” a family history, as well as excerpts from “Summers in Maine” and a family tree.
Death & Memorial Service file includes correspondence regarding Constance Warren’s death and memorial service. Of note are copies of speeches by Joseph Campbell and Esther Raushenbush at the memorial service.
Oral History: “Conversation Between Constance Warren and Henry Noble MacCracken” contains a transcript of Warren’s dialogue with Henry Noble MacCracken, President of Vassar College and Sarah Lawrence College Board of Trustees member. Warren and MacCracken were responsible for devising the education principles upon which the foundation for Sarah Lawrence College was laid.
The folder titled Edited Version: “Conversation Between Constance Warren and Henry Noble MacCracken”, Constance Warren, ed. and Edited Version: “Conversation Between Constance Warren and Henry Noble MacCracken”, Henry Noble MacCracken, ed. files contain transcripts of the conversation with handwritten editorial comments from each participant in the margins.
“Personal Reminiscences of the Early Days of Sarah Lawrence College” file include the handwritten original draft of this essay and three typed copies, one of which has handwritten editorial comments in the margins. Subjects covered are how Warren came to Sarah Lawrence College, reasons for presidency acceptance, “Wayside,” Director of Education, relations with former SLC President Marion Coats, inauguration, the students, the faculty, (Advisory Committee on Appointments, faculty member selection, social conservatism and intellectual freedom) the Depression (finances, publicity, scholarships), inter-racial policy, Negro students, Jewish students, Bennington College connection, building plans (MacCracken Hall, Library, Science Laboratories, Robinson House, Morris House, Infirmary, Andrews House, Nursery School, attempt to unite two parts of campus, naming of dormitories, care of buildings and grounds, recreation, fencing the grounds), relations with Yonkers, fund raising (research grant from the General Education Board), alumnae association, campus life, the curriculum, quality of students, research, accrediting, becoming a four-year college, Vassar co-operation, religion and ethics, student relations with faculty, employees, the location of the college, field work, the Board of Trustees, the college during WWII, and Mary Milligan (Warren’s secretary).
box 2 & 3:
Of note is the “Early College Documents” Notebook, compiled by Constance Warren, pertaining to the founding of Sarah Lawrence College. Subjects covered include William Van Duzer Lawrence’s Letter of Instruction to the Trustees, Provisional Charter, Absolute Charter, By-Laws, Constitution of the Community, Grant of Power, Agreement with Vassar, Agreement with Neighbors, Trustee Meeting with Students (1929), Statute of Instruction (1928-1929), Students’ Handbook of College Procedure (1929-1930), Staff Meetings, Formal Notices (1929), and Financial Reports.
box 4:
Oversized scrapbook of newspaper clippings of reviews of “A New Design in Women’s Education,” by Constance Warren.
See also: Publications Collection for a copy of "A New Design in Women's Education."
Folder List
Box 1:
- Biographical Information, n.d.
Genealogical Information, n.d.
Death and Memorial Service, 1971
Oral History: “Conversation Between Constance Warren & Henry Noble MacCracken”, 1961
Oral History: Conversation Between Constance Warren & Henry Noble MacCracken” –Constance Warren, ed., 1961
Oral History: Conversation Between Constance Warren & Henry Noble MacCracken” –Henry Noble MacCracken, ed., 1961
“Personal Reminiscences of the Early Days of Sarah Lawrence College”, 1962
Box 2:
- Academic Freedom, 1932, 1937-1938, 1940
Admissions, 1933-1939
Articles – Published, 1930-1935
Articles – Published, 1937-1943
Articles – Published, 1944-1956
Articles & Speeches, 1932-1935
Articles & Speeches, 1936-1939
Articles & Speeches, 1940-1943
Articles & Speeches, 1944-1947
Articles & Speeches, 1948-1959
Bennington College, 1930-1946
Brush Farm Stables (Riding School), 1928-1930
Bequests & Gifts to the College, 1953-1967
Committee on Tolerance, 1942
Consumer Education Course, 1942
Correspondence, 1929-1940
Correspondence, 1940-1959
Correspondence, 1960-1971
Correspondence – Art Galleries concerning paintings by Innes, 1926-1941
Correspondence – “Crank” and “Racket” Letters, 1932-1945
Correspondence – Educational Policy Committee, 1939
Correspondence – Helen Merrell Lynd, 1929-1939, 1945
Correspondence – Lectures on Campus, 1944
Correspondence – Nathan Hofheimer Foundation, 1938
Correspondence – National Association of Deans of Women, 1939-1933
Correspondence – Publicity Program, 1937
Correspondence – President Charles DeCarlo, 1969-1971
Correspondence – President Esther Raushenbush, 1958-1969
Correspondence – President Harold Taylor, 1945-1949
Correspondence – President Harold Taylor, 1950-1959
Correspondence – President Paul Ward, 1960-1965
Correspondence – Reed College, 1935-1943
Correspondence – Mrs. George Sheffield, 1930-1936
Correspondence – Students, 1935
Correspondence – Vassar College, 1930-1933
Correspondence re: the Spread of Educational ideas in other Educational Institutions, 1940-1941
Correspondence re: “A New Design for Women’s Education,” by Constance Warren, 1939-1944
Correspondence re: “Conversation between Constance Warren & Henry Noble MacCracken”, 1962
Correspondence re: “Personal Reminiscences of the Early Days of SLC”, 1958-1966
Correspondence re: 90th Birthday Celebration, 1970
Correspondence re: Constance Warren’s Death, 1971
Correspondence (Faculty): Abel – Baker
Correspondence (Faculty): Barzun – Bowman (Terletzky)
Correspondence (Faculty): Brandeis – Brun
Box 3:
- Correspondence (Faculty): Burton – Coe
Correspondence (Faculty): Callett – Daniel
Correspondence (Faculty): Daugherty – Dilling
Correspondence (Faculty): Dixon – Drucker (Peter)
Correspondence (Faculty): Dublin – Efron
Correspondence (Faculty): Eggers – Flournoy
Correspondence (Faculty): Foster – Grant
Curriculum – Statements on Dance, Dramatics, & Music, 1938, 1941
“Early College Documents” Notebook, 1929-1944
Director of Education, 1944
Educational T.V., 1955-1956
Entertainment Invitations, n.d.
Faculty Committee on College Needs, 1937
Films, 1935-1939
Glen Washington Road (possible closing of), 1940-1942
Health Department, 1938
Inauguration, 1929
Leisure Time Activities, 1928-1934
Membership in Organizations & Committees, 1936-1944
Memos to Faculty, Students, 1931-1944
National Student Council – Committee on Reorganization, 1931
Negro Students, 1941
Notes on the Founding of the College, 1937
Neighbors, 1929-1944
“No-Year” Plan, 1935
Parents Dinner at the Cosmopolitan Club, 1933
Progressive Education Association, 1930-1932
Progressive Education Association – Correspondence, 1930-1939
Progressive Education Association – Conferences, 1933, 1934, 1936
Progressive Education Association – Meeting, 1936
Progressive Education Association – Minutes, 1933-1934
Radio Broadcasts, 1936-1944
Reports of the President to the Board of Trustees, 1937-1938
Research in Education, 1942, 1949-1951
Retirement, 1943, 1957
School of Nursing (proposed), 1943
Speaking Engagement Itineraries, 1930-1946
Box 4:
Scrapbook - Newspaper
Reviews of "A New Design for Women's Education," by C. Warren, n.d.
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