Community and Kinship at Smith College in the Early Twentieth Century
About the Project
This project began, during a History Seminar dedicated to the gendered History of Smith College with Professor Darcy Buerkle in the fall of 2024. I had heard from Professor Buerkle about a group of Smith women faculty in the early years whose weekly tea parties left me with many questions. When I tracked down the document titled “Weekly Teas” in the Margaret Storrs Grierson papers at Smith College, I was set on uncovering the women’s connections. This document was nested in a folder titled “Sketches of persons in Smith College history known by MSG,” these unassuming reflections from Margaret Storrs Grierson contained the only evidence connecting the private lives of eight faculty women at Smith in 1930. Fascinated by these women’s tea parties, I began to scour the Smith College Archives for traces of these women’s lives, and instead of the riveting love letters I had hoped for I found administrative files. Making sense of this project meant working within the confines of administrative documents which by nature of their subject matter do not document the private and intimate lives of women. Still, I was able to discover housing records, wills, and travel plans from which I was able to unearth the significance of these women’s friendships and romantic relationships.
Author of the “Weekly Teas”
Margaret Storrs Grierson was a Smith College graduate from the Class of 1922, a Smith instructor from 1930-1935, Smith College Archivist and the Founder and head of the Sophia Smith Collection at Smith College from 1940-1965. Like many of her peers and professors, she lived her life dedicated to the women of Smith College.
About the Author
My name is Roan Lord and I am soon to be a Smith College Graduate. This archives capstone project is the culmination of my time at Smith College, over the past four years I have spent many hours exploring the archives and the college’s fascinating history. Looking backward to those who have come before me has helped me to put my time at Smith into perspective. Smith really has always been a big community, and I hope looking back at these women’s connections can provide some comfort. I see their relationships with one another as vital to the development of Smith College as well as a reminder in our politically turbulent lifetimes that community will keep us alive.
Exhibit Case
Thank you!
Special thanks to Professor Darcy Buerkle, who turned my attention to the fascinating history of Smith College. Thanks to Professor Kelly Anderson and my peers in the 2025 archives capstone cohort. To the wonderful staff at Smith College Special Collections. To Becca Keyel and the other staff at ITS. This project would not be possible without all your support.