Edith H. Fay: Papers, 1903-1964 | MSS 85.1

Historical Note:

            Edith Hyde Fay, daughter of Charles E. and Caroline (Howe) Fay, was born on April 10, 1886 in Westboro, Massachusetts. She graduated from Chelsea High School and on September 10, 1903, entered Framingham State Normal School. At this point in her life, Fay’s address was listed as 28 Cottage Street, Chelsea, Massachusetts. Although Principal Whittemore admonished Fay about her low grades in reading, she was able to graduate from Framingham State Normal on June 28, 1905 as valedictorian of her class. At that time, the Graduation Register listed her address as Westboro c/o Mr. George H. Howe. Upon Graduation, Fay took a position as a primary school teacher in the town of Wellesley, Massachusetts. After two years there, Fay relocated and continued her teaching career in Fairhaven, Massachusetts. In 1909, she then moved to Winthrop, Massachusetts and taught in that town until her marriage to Frederick J. Hill in 1911. Together Fay and Hill had two daughters, Marion (b. 1914) and Carolyn (b. 1916). Edith Fay Hill died March 4, 1973 at the age of 87.

 

Scope and Content:

            The papers of Edith Hyde Fay discuss the early 1900s and the 1960s. The bulk of these materials fall within her student years at Framingham Normal School [1903-1905]. Some of the material that falls within the scope of the papers are from the 1950s, when the Class of 1905 had its fiftieth reunion.

            The papers of Fay contain photographs, a photo album, report cards, a commencement program, a job reference, a songbook, a printed memorial to Henry Whittemore, postcards of Framingham Normal School, poems and speeches from the Class of 1905’s fiftieth reunion and Fays’ address to the Class of 1905 alumnae in 1964.

            The documents in this collection present a picture of student life at the turn of the century as well as the strong ties the alumnae maintained long after their graduation. Of particular note is the photograph album which shows the campus and surrounding community from 1903-1905. Included are pictures of Home for the Aged, Wells Hall, May Hall, Crocker Hall, Normal Hall, views from Assembly Hall and the top of Normal Hill, and interior views of the students’ rooms as well as snapshots of classmates. Also included are photographs of the Town Library, Edgell Grove Cemetery, professors, the old Academy, Gordon’s Bridge, the “Bridge of Sighs,” the class tree, the old tennis court, the basketball team, and graduation day.

 

Provenance: Gift of Marion Hill Powell and Carolyn Hill Hodgdon, daughters of Edith Fay Hill, June 1985.

Amount: 1 Box (.4 linear feet).