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Mary Powell Scott Papers (MS411)

 Collection — Assorted Box: 04
Identifier: MS411

Scope and Contents

The collection consists of records relating to the operation of the library society during the period of Scott's presidency. These include copies of by-laws and the contract for the site of library itself, as well as a resolution taken toward the end of her tenure. There is also a notebook containing lists and financial information from the period of her leadership. For minutes, see the official society records and those of the library.

Another document of note is a letter of resignation from the library board signed by future librarian of Alexandria Ellen Coolidge Burke, dated a few days after her initial hiring as a part-time cataloger. The reasons for the letter are not stated.

Dates

  • 1937 - 1939

Creator

Biographical Note

Mary Powell Scott, often referred to in records as Mrs. Louis Scott, was an active member of the Alexandria Library Association and later the Alexandria Library Society, rising to become its president from December 1936 to November 1939, a period that included both the opening of the free library in 1937 and the Alexandria Library sit-in.

Mary Donaldson Powell was born on 8 October 1880 to Robert C. Powell and Mary Gregory in Virginia. On 4 June 1902, she married Louis Slesman Scott (1872-1933) of Philadelphia in the City of Alexandria. They had two children, Nancy P. Scott and John C. Scott. She lived in Alexandria after her husband's death in March 1933 until her own on 16 May 1957.

Extent

.023 Cubic Feet (1 folder)

Language of Materials

English

Title
Mary Powell Scott Papers (MS411)
Status
Completed
Author
Written by Joel Horowitz, April 2019. Revised and updated by Griffin Williams, June 2024.
Date
June 2024
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Local History and Special Collections Branch, Alexandria Library Repository

Contact:
717 Queen Street
Alexandria VA 22314 United States
703-746-1791