Jessie Vanderbilt Simons papers, 1870-1936

Using These Materials Teaser

Using These Materials Links:

Using These Materials

Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
More about accessing and using these materials...

Summary

Creator:
Simons, Jessie Vanderbilt, 1874-1936 and Sallie Bingham Center for Women's History and Culture
Abstract:
Jessie Vanderbilt (McNamee) Simons was born in 1874 to a wealthy family residing in Staten Island, New York. In 1901 she married Charles Dewar Simons Jr. (1874-1922), with whom she had one child, Charles Dewar Simons III (1903-1988). Jessie Simons served as a volunteer ambulance driver with the Dongan Hills Motor Corps; helped found and served as the ranking member of the Richmond County chapter of the Red Cross Motor Corps during World War I; served as Vice President of the National Federated Workers for Disabled Soldiers; and was an active member of the Veteran Association of Women War Workers. Simons frequently traveled to Europe during the 1920s and 1930s. The Jessie Vanderbilt Simons papers contain materials dating from 1870 to 1936, with the bulk of the collection dating from 1890 to 1936. Materials in the collection primarily document Simons' travels through Europe during the 1920s and 1930s and her work with the Richmond County chapter of the American Red Cross Motor Corps. Twenty-nine yearly diaries detail daily life, family life, travel, participation in the Motor Corps, and other philanthropic activities. Correspondence with her son, family, and friends is also included; as are receipts, invoices, and other financial materials, primarily from travel to Europe; correspondence, printed materials, a scrapbook, and other items documenting Simons' service with the American Red Cross Motor Corps; material relating to friend, photographer, and fellow Motor Corps member Alice Austen; and photographs.
Extent:
7.2 Linear Feet (12 boxes)
Language:
Material in English and German
Collection ID:
RL.01193

Background

Scope and content:

The Jessie Vanderbilt Simons papers contain materials dating from 1870 to 1936, with the bulk of the collection dating from 1890 to 1936. Materials in the collection primarily document Simons' travels through Europe during the 1920s and 1930s and her work with the Richmond County chapter of the American Red Cross Motor Corps. Twenty-nine yearly diaries detail daily life, family life, travel, participation in the Motor Corps, and other philanthropic activities. Correspondence with her son, family, and friends is also included; as are receipts, invoices, and other financial materials, primarily from travel to Europe; correspondence, printed materials, a scrapbook, and other items documenting Simons' service with the American Red Cross Motor Corps; material relating to friend, photographer, and fellow Motor Corps member Alice Austen; and photographs.

Biographical / historical:

Jessie Vanderbilt McNamee was born in 1874 to a wealthy family residing in Staten Island, New York (Richmond County). In 1901 she married Charles Dewar Simons Jr. (1874-1922), with whom she had one child, Charles Dewar Simons III (1903-1988). Jessie Simons served as a volunteer ambulance driver with the Dongan Hills Motor Corps; helped found and served as the ranking member of the Richmond County chapter of the Red Cross Motor Corps during World War I; served as Vice President of the National Federated Workers for Disabled Soldiers; and was an active member of the Veteran Association of Women War Workers. She frequently traveled to Europe during the 1920s and 1930s. Simons was a friend and neighbor of photographer Alice Austen, who also served in the Richmond County Motor Corps.

Acquisition information:
The Jessie Vanderbilt Simons Papers were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library as a purchase in 2007.
Processing information:

Processed by Jodi Berkowitz and Melody Rowell, November 2008

Encoded by Jodi Berkowitz, November 2008

Accession 2007-0149 is described in this finding aid.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Contents

Using These Materials

Using These Materials Links:

Using These Materials

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.

Before you visit:
Please consult our up-to-date information for visitors page, as our services and guidelines periodically change.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Jessie Vanderbilt Simons papers, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University

Permalink:
https://idn.duke.edu/ark:/87924/m15q1f