Guide to the Laura Bryant Papers,
[ca. 1891]-1961

Collection Number: 2112

Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections
Cornell University Library

Contact Information:
Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections
2B Carl A. Kroch Library
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853
(607) 255-3530
Fax: (607) 255-9524
rareref@cornell.edu
http://rmc.library.cornell.edu
Compiled by:
K. Johnson
Date completed:
May 1962
EAD encoding:
Ann Hubert, May 2004

© 2002 Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library

DESCRIPTIVE SUMMARY

Title:
Laura Bryant papers, [ca. 1891]-1961.
Collection Number:
2112
Creator:
Laura. Bryant
Quantity:
29.1 cubic ft.
Forms of Material:
Papers, correspondence, books, diaries, notebooks, scrapbooks, clippings, programs, photographs.
Repository:
Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library
Abstract:
Papers include professional correspondence with colleagues, publishers, and others concerning textbooks; also, her teaching career in general.
Language:
Collection material in English

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE

Music teacher.
Laura Bryant taught singing and music in the Ithaca, New York, public schools, 1906-1950.
COLLECTION DESCRIPTION

Papers include professional correspondence with colleagues, publishers, and others concerning the textbooks on which she collaborated with Hollis Dann and later Katherine Knapp (Let's Read Music: 1949), conferences of music educators, and her teaching career in general; personal letters from former students, friends, and family; and diaries (incomplete run) and notebooks. Also, scrapbooks of press notices concerning her own activities and other clippings relating to former students, Cornell personalities, and numerous other persons and subjects; Ithaca High School concert programs (2 vols., 1901-50), Cornell Dramatic Club programs (1925+), and Cornell music programs (1915+); Ithaca High School Choral Club correspondence and newspaper clippings (1923-40), miscellaneous concert and theater programs (1903+), and verse and lyrics. Also, unmounted programs and scores from Cornell Music Festivals (1907-20); albums of photographs and picture postcards, as well as substantial numbers of loose photographs, postcards, musical scores, and clippings; student grade books and roll books, reports, bulletins, music teachers' magazines, and other publications, and miscellaneous materials relating to her teaching in Ithaca schools and in summer sessions at Cornell, San Francisco State College, Utah State Agricultural College, Louisiana State University, and elsewhere; items pertaining to the Bryant family and to Miss Bryant's study and early work in Indiana, and other items.
Includes correspondence from Karin White and other members of the White and Magill families.
SUBJECTS

Names:
Bryant, Laura.
Bryant family.
Dann, Hollis, 1861-1939.
Knapp, Katherine.
Magill family.
White family.
White, Karin.
Cornell Dramatic Club.
Ithaca High School. Choral Club.
Louisiana State University.
San Francisco State College.
Utah State University.

Subjects:
Music festivals.
Music--Instruction and study.
School music.
Singing--Instruction and study.
Women teachers.
Women--Diaries.
Music teachers.

Form and Genre Terms:
Albums.
Diaries.
Grade books.
Scores.
Photographs.
Scrapbooks.
INFORMATION FOR USERS

Cite As:
Laura Bryant papers, #2112. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.
CONTAINER LIST

Description
Container
Scrapbook containing press cuttings on old students, programs, etc.
 Box 1
Scrapbook and two manilla folders containing correspondence in connection with Reader's Digest article, Sept. 1960 (Biography sketches on Laura Bryant)
Box 1
Scrapbook containing European picture postcards
 Box 1
Photograph album
 Box 1
Personal book plate
 Box 1
Medal: Veterans of Foreign Wars Annual Citizanship Award, 1959
Box 1
Passport
 Box 1
Folio of Italian postcards
 Box 1
Postcards and correspondence pertaining to Music Educators National Conference in Washington, 1961
Box 1
Personal and professional letters up to 1960 (to and from students, old students, etc.)
Box 1
Package containing own school report ( 1900 ) and reports on students at Cornell summer session, 1920
Box 1
Three students' notebooks, two for 1915 , one for 1918
Box 1
Personal letters from a woman-friend, 1913-1920
Box 1
Records of Royalties received from sale of books
 Box 1
Press cuttings in connection with members of Choral Club
 Box 1
Personal letters, 1932-1936
Box 2
Bundle of correspondence dated from 1926-1936 private and professional, it contains letters from Hollis Dan, the Dean of Cornell, various other universities
Box 2
Personal correspondence, 1923-1940
Box 2
Personal correspondence, 1940-1948
Box 2
Letters from Karin White and Beatrice Magill
 Box 3
Twenty-two photographs (including one of Mrs. Andrew White)
 Box 3
Letter from President of Cornell, 1924
Box 3
Postcard-sized photograph of Miss Bryant and Helen Magill White standing by fountain with pigeons in foreground; St. Mark's Square, Venice, 1921? (uncertain whether it is first or second trip to Europe)
Box 3
Photographic album of Rome
 Box 4
Scores and programs from Cornell Music Festivals, 1907-1920
Box 4
Miscellaneous scores and score collections
 Box 4
Miscellaneous magazines, including "The Music Bulletin," Apr. 1926 , which contains as article by Hollis Dan; a copy of "American Education," June 1912 , which contains an article by Frank Boynton, then Ithaca Superintendent of Schools
Box 4
Picture postcards
 Box 4
Diary, June 1905-Jan. 1906
Box 4
Eight packets of Christmas cards
 Box 4
Miscellaneous correspondence and photographs
 Box 4
Program for dedication of Anabel Taylor Hall, 1952
Box 4
Press cuttings pertaining to own graduation and photogrpah
 Box 4
Copy of "As You Like It"
 Box 4
Indiana State University Commencement Week program, 1949 , and B.A. diploma
Box 4
Cards and correspondence, labelled "Guerlac," dated between 1953 and 1954
Box 4
Picture postcard album
 Box 5
School registers, 1918-1932 (imcomplete)
Box 5
Copies of "Opera News," Oct. 1940-Mar. 1941
Box 5
Notebook on voice classification
 Box 5
Two volumes of music
 Box 5
Bundle of single scores
 Box 5
Miscellaneous music teachers' magazines, 1930-1936
Box 5
Two bundles of Christmas cards
 Box 6
Scrapbook containing programs from Ithaca High School concerts, May 1934-May 1950
Box 6
Two scrapbooks containing theatre programs; 1907-1923 , 1931-1952
Box 6
Miscellaneous concert programs, 1921
Box 6
Scrapbook dated 1923 , "Choral Club Volume II," includes letters and press cuttings to 1940
Box 6
Scrapbook containing verse and lyrics
 Box 6
Scrapbook containing programs of local concerts, 1903-1915
Box 6
Scrapbook containing programs of general nature, 1913-1925
Box 6
Scrapbook containing press cuttings, chiefly pertaining to Cornell personalities and self, from 1924
Box 6
Scrapbook containing press cuttings of old pupils, 1940-
Box 7
Scrapbook containing concert programs, 1925-
Box 7
Scrapbook containing Cornell Dramatic Club programs, 1925-
Box 7
Scrapbook containing Ithaca High School programs, 1901-1933
Box 7
Two scrapbooks containing Cornell Music programs, 1915-
Box 7
Scrapbook containing theatre programs, 1920-1928
Box 7
Biography of Jenny McGraw Fiske
 Box 7
Book: "Your Boy Samuel," a collection of Civil War Letters, private printing
 Box 7
Church program, 1926
Box 7
Diaries, Apr. 1938- , 1906 , 1952
Box 7
Leather folder containing photographs of Hollis Dann
 Box 7
Postcards and correspondence from ex Ithaca High students, 1918
Box 7
Copies of "Opera News"
 Box 7
Envelope containing "Rare Christmas Cards"
 Box 7
Misc. magazines, 1957
Box 7
Letters and cards, 1941-1954 , personal
Box 7
Pamphlet "44 Organ Recitals," Cornell Press, 1915
Box 7
Picture scraps (from Christmas cards)
 Box 7
Letters and Christmas cards around 1958
Box 7
Press cuttings, mostly Cornell personalities, 1929-
Box 7
Miscellaneous European and American postcards, 1923- (including one to Mrs. Andrew White)
Box 8
48 copies of "Opera News," 1946-
Box 8
Cuttings from "The New York State School Music News," Feb. 1959 (about her)
Box 8
Album of Thanksgiving Day concert photographs, 1958
Box 8
Membership card N.Y. State School Music Association, 1959-1960
Box 8
Typed pamphlet issued by Metropolitan Opera Guild, Mar. 1960
Box 8
Calendar, 1911
Box 8
Guide to Munich (labelled "Mrs. White")
 Box 8
Edinburgh Festival guide, 1919
Box 8
Diploma, "National Education Association" as an active member for life, 1927
Box 8
Cornell University Music Review, 1959
Box 8
Annual Reports of Ithaca Schools Music, 1926
Box 8
Correspondence and instructions for a "Specialist in Physical Development" re prevention of sagging face muscle, 1918
Box 8
"Music Bulletin," Mar. 1961 (mention of Ithaca High)
Box 8
Letters pertaining to 1945 reunion
Box 8
Personal and professional correspondence, 1944-1949
Box 8
Cutting from "School and Society," Apr. 1935 L.B. mentioned)
Box 8
Letters from old students, 1943-
Box 8
European postcards, maps, etc.
 Box 8
Postcards, programs, etc., from Munich festival, 1928
Box 8
Letters from Valerai (?), 1921-1925
Box 8
Envelope labelled "Hollis Dann" containing pince-nez
 Box 8
Six folders containing miscellaneous professional and personal correspondence, 1928-
Box 9
Box file containing miscellaneous professional and personal correspondence, 1924-
Box 9
Box file containing miscellaneous personal correspondence, 1929-1939 (Clare Kimmel)
Box 9
Box file containing correspondence pertaining to her books, 1926-1935 , with American Book Co.
Box 9
Christmas cards
 Box 10
Miscellaneous notebooks and diaries, 1896
Box 10
Photographs
 Box 10
Tin box containing autographs, press cuttings, 1912 Glee Club
Box 10
Press clippings of general nature
 Box 10
Program (2) of Eastern Music Supervisor's Conference, 1935 (L.B. President)
Box 10
File, "Dr. Dann," contains professional circulars, 1928-1930
Box 10
Christmas cards
 Box 11
Photographs
 Box 11
Theatre stubs
 Box 11
Scrap for pictorial scrapbook
 Box 12
London "Evening Standard," Aug. 1921
Box 12
"Get Well" cards, 1937
Box 12
Magazines, 1953 , 1957 , 1959 , containing articles of personal (professional) interest
Box 12
Diary of second trip to Europe
 Box 12
Miscellaneous personal and professional correspondence
 Box 12
Christmas cards
 Box 13
Two cardboard boxes containing photographs and greeting cards, 1953-1957
Box 13
Notebooks and diaries, 1906-1907 , 1910-1911
Box 13
Five personal notebooks, 1896
Box 13
Personal letters written from Europe, 1912 (unsigned)
Box 13
Bundle of letters wirtten from 1914-1919 by Hollis Dann
Box 13
Letters written to Indiana, 1901
Box 13
Ithaca High School programs, 1916-
Box 13
Letters, photographs, etc., and obituary on William Ballard, 1952
Box 13
Letters from Peter Edge, 1929-
Box 13
"The Music Bulletin," article by Hollis Dann, Apr. 1926
Box 13
Press cuttings, correspondence, pertaining to Glee Club, 1933
Box 13
2 files on Utah, programs etc., correspondence, 1952
Box 13
Correspondence from servicemen, 1954
Box 13
Miscellaneous records, factory pressings
 Box 13
Ithaca High Spring Concerts, 1916-
Box 14
Copies of "Opera News," 1940-
Box 14
Miscellaneous programs
 Box 14
Miscellaneous scores
 Box 14
Letters from Willis Music Co. re "Lets Read Music"
 Box 15
Miscellaneous letters, 1933-1945
Box 15
Correspondence with Bob Treman, 1945-
Box 15
Correspondence with "The Instructor" re material, 1952-
Box 15
Envelope containing further letters from Hollis Dann, 1922-1923
Box 15
Press cuttings of Royal Family
 Box 15
Menus, recipes, etc.
 Box 15
File labelled "Odds and Ends, Interesting"
 Box 15
Photographs
 Box 15
Miscellaneous scores
 Box 15
Cornell Summer Sessions programs, 1916
Box 15
Concert programs
 Box 15
Duplicate of Teacher's Certificate (State of N.Y.)
 Box 15
Photostat of final draft of Reader's Digest article prior to publication
Box 15
File labelled "Children's Poems," contains music
 Box 15
Five copies of "Eastern School Music Herald," 1922-1923
Box 15
Information on Bryant family (and photographs)
 Box 15
Correspondence with Indiana Teacher's College
 Box 15
Two folders containing scores
 Box 15
Programs, including Cornell Glee Clubs, 1920
Box 15
Christmas cards
 Box 15
Personal receipts (money matters, Hollis Dann loan)
 Box 15
Local theatre programs
 Box 15
Photograph album, 1917
Box 15
Copy of "Le Journal Musical Francais," Apr. 1955
Box 15
Candy box containing letters from Hollis Dann, 1924
Box 16
Letters of condolence on death of nephew John Kimmel, 1937
Box 16
Correspondence with Kimmel family, 1928-1939
Box 16
Correspodnence with John Kimmel's wife, 1937-1939
Box 16
Final letters from Hollis Dann and letters from his family on his death
 Box 16
Photographs
 Box 16
Press cuttings
 Box 16
Two files containing literary exercises (outline and crits.)
 Box 16
Scroll containing a candle
 Box 16
Box from Tiffany's containing personal correspondence, 1950-
Box 17
Miscellaneous correspondence, personal and professional, 1950-
Box 17
Miscellaneous journals
 Box 17
Teacher's license, issued by the State of Indiana, Aug. 27, 1898 , Feb. 27, 1897 , May 27, 1899 , Mar. 31, 1900
Box 17
Reference, 1900
Box 17
Glee Club programs, 1955
Box 17
Correspondence from Dann's family, re commencing fund in his name, 1939-
Box 17
Cuttings from periodicals, 1931-
Box 17
Miscellaneous personal and professional correspondence, mainly 1940's-1950's
Box 18
Magazines, photographs, press cuttings 19--
Box 18
Folder containing parts
 Box 19
Local theatre programs
 Box 19
Collection of early photographs (including one of a big concert, Laura Bryant and Hollis Dann prominent)
 Box 19
Cornell calendars; 1914 , 1916-1918 , 1920-1921
Box 19
Score from Cornell Music Festival, 1910
Box 19
Gramophone records
 Box 19
Miscellaneous personal and professional correspondence
 Box 19
Professional letters, 1926-1940's , including L.B.'s carbons
Box 20
Several files of personal correspondence, filed under name of writer, 1930-
Box 20
Cornell Summer Schools programs
 Box 20
Louisianna correspodnence, 1940
Box 20
Drawing pads (Indiana)
 Box 20
Indiana College mag.
 Box 20
Correspondence with "The Instructor," 1950
Box 20
Roosevelt press cuttings
 Box 21
Christmas cards
 Box 21
Letters, etc., from Bruce Boyee, 1956
Box 21
M.E.N.C. programs, 1920-1950's
Box 21
Papers (speeches?) on the tuition of singing
 Box 21
Correspondence, personal and professional, on retirement
 Box 21
Photo album, 1890's?
Box 22
Fontainbleau programs, 1921-
Box 22
Teaching notebook
 Box 22
Cornell calendar, 1924
Box 22
Personal correspondence (Clare Kimmel), 1921-1925
Box 22
General personal correspondence, 1905
Box 22
Ceneral correspondence, 1924-
Box 22
Music conferences, correspondence, cuttings, etc., 1935
Box 23
Copies of "Opera News," early 1950's
Box 24
Programs
 Box 24
Miscellaneous journals, early 1950's
Box 24
Song book dated Apr. 6, 1896
Box 25
Primer, simple sclaes by Hollis Dann
 Box 25
Primer, second year music by Hollis Dann
 Box 25
Score of "The Children's Crusade"
 Box 25
Book of Anthems from Indiana State School, 1900
Box 25
Professional and personal correspondence, 1927-
Box 25
Professional and personal correspondence, 1927-
Box 25
Correspondence and mementos of John Kimmel, 1914
Box 25
Various scores, music manuals
 Box 26
Copies of her books
 Box 26
"Songs for Christmas," "Christmas Carols," "Lets Read Music," Lets Read More Music," "Sentence Songs for Little Singers," "Songs for Children"
Diaries for 1946 , 1956 (part), 1948 , 1954 , 1955
Box 26
Sage Chapel Programs
 Box 26
Christmas cards
 Box 27
Photographs, teaching small children and alone
 Box 28
Chorus roll for 1947
Box 28
Choral Club roll for 1912-1948
Box 28
Glee Club roll for 1906-1945
Box 28
Arrangements for boys' choir concert, 1923-1929
Box 28
Scrapbook conatining bound copies of programs, inscription on cover "Thanksgiving Concert" 1951
Box 28
Utah register 1952
Box 28
Diary, 1957
Box 28
MENC folder containing correspondence
 Box 28
Register, 1943
Box 28
Address books
 Box 28
Roll book, Baptist Church choir
 Box 28
Notebook with names of Thanksgiving Reunion patronesses (2)
 Box 28
Diary from Western College, 1947
Box 28
Alumni Glee Club address book
 Box 28
Correspondence, 1950's
Box 28
Scrapbook with further correspondence and lyrics
 Box 28
Notebook beginning in 1898, with records of singers
Box 28
Registers, 1939, 1944-1945
 Box 28
Files and publications largely relating to music education
 Box 29
Scrolls
 Box 30
"more than 40 years" given and signed by Ithacans
Indiana State Normal School Graduation Certificate, 1900
Indiana State Normal School Diploma, 1902
New School of Methods in Public School Music Certificate, 1907
In manuscript file, box 52 - 2 letters from Hugh Troy, Avery Road, Garrison, N.Y. dated, Oct. 20, 1948 each containing poems labeled copy for Laura Bryant
Box 52
Photograph of teachers, Laura Bryant in front row
 Box ? formerly 28