Guide to the Constance Warren Papers
RG 2.2

Summary Information

Repository

Sarah Lawrence College Archives

Title

Constance Warren Papers

ID

RG 2.2

Date [bulk]

Bulk, 1930-1946

Date [inclusive]

1926-1971

Extent

2.75 linear feet 2 record cartons, 1 document box, 1 flat box

Language

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Administrative Information

Publication Information

Sarah Lawrence College Archives 2002

Revision Description

 Finding aid entered in Archivists' Toolkit by Sarah Pinard. April 2012

Conditions Governing Access note

This collection is open to researchers without restriction.

Processing Information

Processed June 2002. Correspondence with faculty removed and rehoused in Faculty Files.

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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, she 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.

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Scope and Contents note

Box One: 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).

Boxes Two & Three: 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 Four: Oversized scrapbook of newspaper clippings of reviews of “A New Design in Women’s Education,” by Constance Warren.

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Arrangement note

Arranged alphabetically by subject heading.

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Controlled Access Headings

Corporate Name(s)

• Progressive Education Association (U.S.).
• Reed College (Portland, Or.).
• Vassar College.

Genre(s)

• Correspondence
• Oral Histories (Document Genres)

Personal Name(s)

• DeCarlo, Charles R
• Lynd, Helen Merrell, 1896-1982
• MacCracken, H. N. (Henry Noble), 1880-1970
• Raushenbush, Esther
• Taylor, Harold, 1914-1993
• Ward, Paul L., 1911-2005
• Warren, Constance, 1880-1971

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Collection Inventory