Poets' Corner history
Collection — Folder: S2899
Identifier: S2899
Scope and Contents
The collection includes an extensive compilation of materials concerning the development and history of Indiana’s Poets’ Corner, Inc., including two copies of the "History of the Poets' Corner", by Clifford Hays (8 pages each); and 25 additional Poets Corner items (all copies), including the Poets' Corner agreement; constitution; appraisal; Law of Poets’ Corner; and miscellaneous notes, correspondence, and membership lists.
Dates
- circa 1943-1961
Creator
- Downing, Olive Inez, 1888-1961 (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Legal title, copyright, and literary rights reside with Rare Books and Manuscripts, Indiana State Library, Indianapolis, IN. All requests to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted to Rare Books and Manuscripts.
Historical Note
The Poets’ Corner was established in October 1943 by Olive Inez Downing with its purpose to accumulate a library of world poetry in Indiana. By 1946 the library had grown to more than 4000 books, and whose patrons included Mrs. Booth Tarkington, Mrs. Lucy Taggart, Indiana University President Herman B. Wells, and Governor Ralph Gates.
Miss Downing was born in 1888 at Swayzee, Grant County, Indiana. She attended Fairmount Academy, Marion Normal College, DePauw University, Chicago Art School. She taught English, Latin, music and art, and was the principal of Indiana schools in Kirklin, Galveston, and Wanatah. Downing also founded Riley Red Rose Day honoring James Whitcomb Riley, and was instrumental in establishing "Governor Plant-a-Tree-Day." Downing authored "Suemma’s Trip Around the World", and "Indiana’s Poet of the Wildwood, Sarah T. Bolton". Miss Downing died on September 4, 1961.
Miss Downing was born in 1888 at Swayzee, Grant County, Indiana. She attended Fairmount Academy, Marion Normal College, DePauw University, Chicago Art School. She taught English, Latin, music and art, and was the principal of Indiana schools in Kirklin, Galveston, and Wanatah. Downing also founded Riley Red Rose Day honoring James Whitcomb Riley, and was instrumental in establishing "Governor Plant-a-Tree-Day." Downing authored "Suemma’s Trip Around the World", and "Indiana’s Poet of the Wildwood, Sarah T. Bolton". Miss Downing died on September 4, 1961.
Extent
0.01 Cubic Feet (1 folder)
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
This collection is arranged chronologically.
Custodial History
This collection was received by Rare Books and Manuscripts as a donation from Alice Jane Hessler on 1983/08/12.
Accruals
No further additions are expected.
Processing Information
Collection processing completed 2017/09/07 by Linda Gellert. EAD finding aid created 2017/09/07 by Linda Gellert.
Creator
- Downing, Olive Inez, 1888-1961 (Person)
- Title
- Poets' Corner history
- Status
- Completed
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Repository Details
Part of the Rare Books and Manuscripts Repository
Contact:
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
