Ayres-Givens Family Papers, 1869-1973

Title:

Ayres-Givens Family Papers, 1869-1973

Creator:

Ayres Family

Creator Role:

Author

Accession / Call Number:

2002.032

Object ID:

2002.032

Date:

1869-1973

Physical Description:

9 boxes, approximately 1,000 items ; 2.3 linear feet

Scope and Content:

The Ayres-Givens Family Papers, 1869-1973, contain papers related to the Ayres Family and Givens Family. The papers mainly consist of correspondence between family members Philip W. Ayres, Alice Stanley Taylor Ayres, Ruth Wheelock Ayres-Givens, Dwight Taylor Ayres, Harriet C. Taylor, and other family members. Correspondence in the papers covers topics related to Phillip W. Ayres as first forester with the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests as well as issues surrounding the changing roles of educated women. The Ruth Ayres-Givens correspondence mainly documents her travels in Europe and the pursuit of her educational goals. There is also a box containing photographic prints and negatives of the Ayres-Givens family. There are also many letters from Alice Ayer sister, Harriet C. Taylor (ca. 1872-1934) known in the family as "Tatio," a graduate of Radcliff, and a high school teacher who lived with the Ayres at their home in Newton, MA, as well as, in summer, at "Hideaway Camp" in Franconia. There are also letters from members of Philip Ayres' family in the Midwest and California, and from members of the Givens family in the Midwest. In addition to Philip Ayres' conservation interests, the papers speak to the changing roles of educated women in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Taylor sisters, Alice and Harriet respectively, grew up in a Newton, MA, family of nurserymen; both received college degrees (Alice at Smith 1889 and Harriet at Radcliffe 1899) and both were interested and active in causes outside the home. Alice Ayres' daughter Ruth continued in this tradition; she graduated from Radcliffe in the mid-1920s and, after graduate work there, took a Ph.D. from the Brookings Graduate School of Government and Economics. After study in Europe, which included involvement with the League of Nations, she married Meredith B. Givens in 1929, who worked in Washington for the Social Science Research Council. Ruth Ayres Givens worked in New York and Washington for the NRA and later the OPA on consumer issues. She also taught in New York, and in later years was connected with Penn State University.

Subjects:

Commonplace books , Conservation of natural resources , Correspondence , Forest protection , Forests and forestry , Overland journeys to the Pacific , Scientific expeditions , Voyages and travels , Voyages around the world , Women--Education

Locations:

Franconia, NH
Great Lake, NH
New Hampshire
Newton, MA

People:

Ayres, Alice Stanley, 1866-1933 , Ayers, Dwight Taylor, 1907-1986 , Ayers, Philip Wheelock, 1861-1945 , Givens, Ruth Wheelock, 1901-1989 , Larcom, Lucy, 1824-1893 , Taylor, Harriet C., circa 1872-1934

Organizations:

Ayers family
Bruner family
Givens family
Radcliffe College
Robert S. Brookings Graduate School of Economics and Government
Smith College
Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests

Credit Line:

New Hampshire Historical Society purchase.

Restrictions:

Available for research.

Level Description:

Collection

Finding Aid Link:

RS63646_Ayres-Givens_Family_Papers_2002.032.pdf