Abstract

The Katherine C. Swidinski Scrapbook Collection predominately features photographs from South Georgia State Normal College in Valdosta, Georgia, circa 1919-1920. The photographs were collected in two black scrapbooks created by Daisy Mae Culpepper, a 7th-grade student at the South Georgia State Normal College training school during the 1919-1920 school year. UUID: CA0BABC8-538B-D0A2-42E5-9079DD5EC379

Scope and Contents May Day was a tradition that had been on campus since the school's inception in 1913. It lasted until the 1956, ending after Georgia State Womans College became Co-ed. There was a break in the mid-1940's caused by wartime austerity.  Modeled after the Old English May Day festival, every year featured a different theme, and a new May Queen and Court. Plays were held, and visitors came to view the festivities that always ended with a dance around the May Pole. As the years went on, MayDay...

Scope and Contents The papers consist mostly of records of the work that went into planning Christmas events. This work can be divided into four groups; committee plans, memoranda, graphic art, and memorabilia. Committee planning: Represents the beginning process of creating the school festivals. They include business letters, guest lists, invitation lists, duty lists, was well as rough drafts of event programs, directions for decoration, lyrics of suggested music, and material lists. Most of this...

Scope and Contents The papers in this collection are of particular interest and importance.  They are the earliest records of establishing a college in Southwest Georgia, and clearly indicate the city of Valdosta's and Lowndes County's desire to have an institute of higher learning.  Powell took his job as the first president of the College very seriously, and this is reflected in his writings and correspondence.  His papers outline the struggles of literally starting a school from the ground up, and deal with...

Scope and Contents

Hannah Clem and Tiffany Majette. Mayday at Valdosta State University. 3-Minute VSU History Research Videos created for 1102 Honors English, Spring 2019. Video File (MP4).