Fannie E. Proctor: Papers, 1889-1930s | MSS 88.1

Historical Note:

Fannie Ethel Proctor was born in 1871 in Northboro, Massachusetts. She was the daughter of Josiah Proctor. She graduated from Northboro High School and, in February 1887, entered Framingham State Normal School at only age sixteen. She graduated FSNS in June, 1889. Proctor taught briefly in Farmington, New Hampshire and Linwood, Massachusetts before returning to her hometown in 1890. Proctor taught for four years at North School in Northboro before becoming principal of the Hudson Street Grammar School in the same town. She remained in this position until her retirement in 1930. The Fannie E. Proctor Elementary School in Northboro, built in 1956, was named in her honor. Proctor died in February, 1960, after a short illness.

Scope and Content:

            The papers of Fannie Ethel Proctor cover the period from the late nineteenth century through the 1930s. The bulk of these materials are from after Proctor’s graduation from FSNS. A few items are from the 1880s.

            The papers contain photographs, letters, programs, songs and postcards. The documents in this collection present a glimpse into student life during the 1880s. They show the close ties that alumnae of FSCN maintained with the college and their classmates. Included is a photograph album with pictures of both faculty and graduates from the class of 1889. Also of interest are the following: the commencement program of 1889, the program and cast photograph of an operetta entitled “The Japanese Girl,” preformed in 1910, and the program for the alumnae celebration of the seventy-fifth anniversary in 1914.

Provenance: Gift from Mrs. J.D. MacFarland, niece of Proctor, 1988.

Amount: 2 boxes.

Container List:

B.1       f.1        Commencement program, 1889

            f.2        Letters of recommendation, 1889

            f.3        Letters from Mary H. Gamache and Alice Mackintosh, 1905-1906

            f.4        Photograph: “The Japanese Girl,” 1910

            f.5        Program: “The Japanese Girl,” 1910

            f.6        Song: “Alumnae Auld Lang Syne,” 1914

            f.7        Program: Home Day, Alumnae celebration of the seventy-fith anniversary, 1914

f.8        Alumnae letter regarding Amelia David Fund and obituary card for Amelia David, 1920-1921

            f.9        Letters received from or sent to Henrietta F. Greenwood, 1921

            f.10      Alumnae letter regarding the death of Henry Whittemore, June 1931

            f.11      Postcards, 1900, 1930s (subjects include Normal Hall, Dwight Hall, and The Bridge)

            f.12      Invitation to graduation week exercises, n.d.

            f.13      Calling card, Mr. and Mrs. A.H. Conant / Fannie G. Hall, n.d.

B.2                   Photograph album with twenty-five cabinet cards of FSNC faculty and graduates of the class of 1889.