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Ivy Leone Chamness papers, 1885-1973, bulk 1925-1935

A Guide to the Papers at the Indiana University Archives


Electronic finding aid encoded by Ryan K. Lee

Summary Information

Repository
Indiana University Archives
1320 East Tenth Street
Herman B Wells Library E460
Bloomington, IN 47405-7000
Phone: 812-855-1127
Email: archives@indiana.edu
http://www.libraries.iub.edu/archives

Creator
Chamness, Ivy Leone.

Title
Ivy Leone Chamness papers, 1885-1973,  bulk 1925-1935

Collection No.
C239

Extent
1 cubic foot (3 boxes)

Language
Materials are in English.

Abstract
Ivy Chamness was a teacher, editor and a writer, and was actively involved on many committees. Her papers demonstrate that her life revolved around education through copies of her editorials, her personal correspondence, minutes from various committees upon which she served, journals from her travels, and various documents relating to her work here at IU pre and post-retirement.

Access Restrictions

This collection is open for research.

Advance notice is required.

Biographical Note

Ivy Leone Chamness was born on 3 December 1881, in Hagerstown, Indiana. She attended Hagerstown High School and graduated in 1900. She then attended Indiana University in Bloomington and graduated with an A.B. in journalism in 1906. Upon graduation Chamness taught high school in Carlisle and Newcastle, as well as Wayne County, Indiana, from 1906-1911. She relocated to Indianapolis where she served as a proof reader and editorial assistant in the law department of Bobbs-Merill Company from 1911-1914.

Upon her return to Bloomington in 1914, Chamness became Assistant Editor of University Publications at IU, a position she held from 1914-1917. She would become Head Editor of University Publications in 1917. During that time Chamness also served as Assistant Editor of the IU Alumni Quarterly. She was promoted to Associate Editor in 1919 and finally Editor in 1921. She served in this position until 1938. Chamness then worked as Associate Editor of the magazine, now called the Indiana Alumni Magazine, until her retirement in 1952. In her spare time she was a contributor to a variety of newspapers and periodicals.

Aside from her career, Chamness was actively involved in community and national affairs. She served as President of the American Association of University Women (Bloomington Branch) from 1922-23, the Women’s Faculty Club and Theta Sigma Pi Alumnae in Bloomington. She was also a member of the League of Women Voters and the Indiana Historical Society.

Ivy Chamness received the University’s Distinguished Alumni Service Award upon her retirement in 1952 and was named Emeritus Editor of University Publications at IU the following year. She was recognized by the AAUW in 1968 with the establishment of a national fellowship; the organization described Chamness as a “gracious, charming, treasured acquaintance and friend.” She died at her home in Bloomington on 28 May 1975 and was buried in her home town of Hagerstown, Indiana.

Arrangement

Collection is organized into seven series: Correspondence, Class of 1906 reunion, Journals, Subject files, Writings, Realia, All-University Committee on Names.

Scope and Content Note

This collection, of Correspondence, Journals, Writings, Programs, has been organized into seven series: Correspondence, Class of 1906 reunion, Journals, Subject files, Writings, and Realia, All-University Committee on Names.

The Correspondence series, 1921–1973, includes Chamness’ personal correspondence from her early years at IU until her death. The holiday cards to Ivy and her sister, Gracie, feature intricate and beautiful illustrations. These have been arranged chronologically.

The Class of 1906 reunion series spans 1916-1933, consists of information Chamness collected in her capacity as class representative for IU’s graduating class of 1906. There were two reunions held in 1931 and 1933. This series has been arranged into two sub-series of correspondence and class lists. The correspondence sub-series contains letters Chamness wrote to individuals from major fields and also letters she encouraged recipients to send to other majors for the reunion that she collected. These items have been divided into folders and are arranged alphabetically by recipient. Other correspondence concerns acceptances and regrets for being unable to attend the events. Class lists sub-series consists of Chamness’s notes on attendees and non-attendees for the reunions.

The Journals series contains Chamness’s notes and thoughts about her travels. Her journals from 1960-1966 are particularly detailed, as she wrote almost everyday. These diaries include a detailed narrative about her excursion to Europe in the summer of 1960. This series is arranged chronologically and spans 1895-1966.

Subject files, 1885-1966, encompass programs Chamness collected from various events, as well as maps she saved and religious booklets, which have illustrations similar to the holiday cards in the Correspondence series. There are several items relating to the death of President William Lowe Bryan in 1955. The programs feature published speeches by President William Lowe Bryan. Also included are a program for the 50th anniversary celebration for Theta Sigma Phi and one for a tour of historical homes in Monroe County. This series has been arranged in general chronological order.

The Writings series spans 1905–1928 and includes Chamness’s own writings on genealogy, reviews, editorials, histories and a published copy of Chamness’s undergraduate thesis. There are two reviews written by Chamness, detailing two books, Le Docteur Pascal and an untitled work by “Miss Woodbridge.” Both are undated, but Chamness indicates they are for class. The genealogies are lists of names and dates, while the histories offer more coherent narratives about Indiana history. Editorials include Chamness’s typed rough draft and the printed newspaper copy. As most of these items are undated, each sub-series has been arranged in general chronological order. The thesis was written in 1928 to fulfill her journalism requirement at IU. It is 150 pages in length and provides a detailed explanation of the format, arrangement and publication of editorials in the catalog of the National Association of State Universities.

The Realia series contains three items, all dating from 1952. The first is a certificate of appreciation presented to Chamness in 1952 upon her retirement. The other two items are small metal plates with Ivy Chamness’s name engraved on them.

The All-University Committee on Names series contains Chamness’ notes and minutes from the Committee from 1954 until 1972. The minutes provide detailed information about the meetings and the process of selecting names for the IU campus buildings. Among the names Chamness approved were Bryan Hall and Ballantine Hall, as well as residence halls John W. Foster Quadrangle and Paul V. McNutt Quadrangle.

Separated Material

Gracie Chamness’s high school diploma was separated and stored with the Archives oversized items.

Photograph of William Adkins transferred to Archives Photographs Collection.

Related Material

For further information about Chamness’s professional career, see Collection C84.

Administrative Information

Acquisition Information
Accession 0910
Usage Restrictions
The donor(s) of this collection have not transferred their copyrights for the materials to the Trustees of Indiana University. For more information, please contact the Indiana University Archives staff.

The Indiana University Archives respects the intellectual property rights of others and does not claim any copyrights for non-university records, materials in the public domain, or materials for which we do not hold a Deed of Gift. Responsibility for the determination of the copyright status of these materials rests with those persons wishing to reuse the materials. Researchers are responsible for securing permission from copyright owners and any other rights holders for any reuse of these materials that extends beyond fair use or other statutory limitations.

Digital reproductions of archival materials from the Indiana University Archives are made available for noncommercial educational and research purposes only. If you are the copyright holder for any of the digitized materials and have questions about its inclusion on our site, please contact the Indiana University Archivist.

Preferred Citation
[Item], Ivy Leone Chamness papers, Collection C239, Indiana University Archives, Bloomington.
Processing Information
Processed by Anne Pederson and Thomas Bongiorno.

Completed in 2005.


Series: Correspondence, 1921-1973 

Box 1 A-Z, 1921-1973 

Holiday cards to Ivy, Gracie Chamness, undated 

Series: Class of 1906 Reunion, 1916 –1933 

Subseries: Correspondence, 1916 –1933 

Box 1 Alumni Day, 22 Apr. 1931 

Chemistry Majors, Nov. 1930- Mar. 1931 

Economic Majors, Nov. 1930-Mar. 1931 

Education Majors, Nov. 1930- Jan. 1933 

English Majors, May 1916- Apr. 1933 

French Majors, Nov. 1930- Feb. 1933 

Geology Majors, Nov. 1930- Jun. 1931 

German Majors, Nov. 1930- Feb. 1933 

History Majors, Nov. 1930- Feb. 1933 

Latin Majors, Nov. 1930- Feb. 1933 

Law Majors, Nov. 1930- Jan. 1933 

Mathematics Majors, Nov. 1930- Jan. 1933 

Zoology Majors, Jan. 1933- Feb. 1933 

General Correspondence

A-L, Nov. 1930- May 1933 

M-Z, Nov. 1930- Jun. 1933 

Subseries: Class lists, 1931-1933 

Box 1 General A-Z, 1931-1933 

Series: Journals, 1895-1966 

Box 1 Jul. 1895- Aug. 1951 

Jul. 1960-Aug. 1960 

Mar. 1960-Jun. 1963 

1963-1966 

Travel Notes, 1906-1964 

Series: Subject files, 1885-1966 

Box 1 Programs, 1952-1966 

Maps, 1885-1964 

Box 2 Religious books, undated 

Series: Writings, 1905-1928 

Box 2 Genealogy, undated 

Reviews, 1905-ca. 1910 

Editorials, ca. 1920-ca. 1925 

Editorial, "The War Debts and the Way Out" by Daniel W. Snepp, undated 

Histories, ca. 1940-1967 

Chamness, Ivy Leone. A Study of Editorial Matters in the Catalogs of the Members of the National Association of State Universities. Bloomington, IN: R.L. Cosler Co., 1928. 

Series: Realia, 1952 

Box 2 Certificate of Appreciation, 1952 

Bronze name plate, undated 

Metal broach, hairpiece (?), undated 

Series: All-University Committee on Names, 1954–1972 

Box 3 Agendas for various meetings, Jul. 1969-Nov. 1972 

Minutes, notes for meetings, May 1957-Mar. 1972;   undated 

Names for Buildings—lists, suggestions, Apr. 1957-Jul. 1971;   undated 

(2 files)


General correspondence, Nov. 1954- Feb. 1974 

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