Isabella Graham Foster papers

The Isabelle Graham Foster Collection emcompasses eight manuscript boxes; the majority is correspondence to Miss Foster from personal friends. The collection covers letters, postal cards, newspaper clippings, and miscellaneous items–such as play programs. The dates of the collection are January 1883-1907, inclusive.

The Foster Manuscripts could be of value for information on New Haven, Connecticut, and Vassar College. Miss Foster's home was on Orange Street where she resided with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Harry W. Foster. Mr. Foster was a merchant who operated H.W. Foster and Company, carpets and curtain materials, at 48 Orange Street. From the content of Isabella's letters, the Foster family moved in the upper social circles of New Haven.

Isabella attended Vassar College sporadically due to illness caused by extensive studies. Although her graduation date was not discussed in the letters, the date was probably in 1899. She later taught in New Haven Public Schools and at a seminary in Pennsylvania. Her major was apparently the Classics, Latin and Greek.

Among the newspaper clippings is an article of particular interest which states that Anita Hemming, an outstanding and beloved member of the class of 1897 of Vassar College, was a Negro. She was allowed to graduate from Vassar. The story is covered in an article filed for March 22, 1897 "How a Negro Slipped Through Vassar College." The newspaper stories, other than the numerous society columns, are listed on a following register page.

As a reference work, the Isabelle Graham Foster manuscripts are of value for New Haven, Connecticut and Vassar College.