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Fogg Art Museum Scrapbook, January 1928-November 1929

ARCH.2003.24, Rendition: 796379

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The image appears to be a page from a scrapbook or a collection of historical documents. It features several newspaper clippings and handwritten notes. The newspaper clippings are dated March 29, 1929, and discuss the topic of Radcliffe girls being barred from the Fogg Museum Fine Arts Library at Harvard. The clippings indicate a debate about the presence of female students in a space traditionally considered for men, highlighting concerns about space and noise. The handwritten note is dated April 5, 1929, and seems to be a response to the newspaper articles, defending the Radcliffe students and addressing the concerns raised about their presence in the library. The note is signed by Cameron Blaikie, Jr., and mentions that he is taking courses in fine arts at Harvard. The overall tone of the handwritten note is supportive of the Radcliffe students and argues against the notion that their presence in the library is a problem.

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The image shows an open book or scrapbook page containing newspaper clippings and a handwritten note. The clippings are from the Harvard Crimson newspaper, dated April 5, 1929, and discuss issues related to Radcliffe College and the Fogg Museum Fine Arts Library.

The left side of the page contains two newspaper clippings:

  1. The top clipping is titled "Would Bar Radcliffe Girls from Fogg Museum Fine Arts Library." It discusses the concerns of Harvard students about the presence of Radcliffe girls in the library, suggesting that their presence makes it difficult for Harvard students to study.

  2. The bottom clipping is titled "Radcliffe Girls Expected to Answer Charges." It mentions that Radcliffe girls were expected to respond to charges made by a Harvard student that the presence of Radcliffe girls in the library was distracting and annoying.

The right side of the page contains a handwritten note at the top, dated "Mar. 29, 1929," and a letter to the editor of the Crimson, dated April 5, 1929. The letter, signed by Cameron Blaikie, Jr., '31, addresses the concerns raised in the clippings. The letter argues that Radcliffe students are not a distraction and that the presence of women in the library is not a significant issue. The letter also mentions the efforts of Radcliffe to build its own art museum and library.

The overall theme of the page is the debate over the presence of Radcliffe girls in the Fogg Museum Fine Arts Library and the potential impact on Harvard students' study environment.

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This image displays an open, aged scrapbook or bound volume, showing two newspaper clippings glued to facing pages. The pages are yellowed with age, and the book has a dark, possibly black, hardcover binding. The clippings are from the Harvard Crimson, the student newspaper of Harvard University.


Left Page (Dated March 29, 1929):

  • Main Headline:Would Bar Radcliffe Girls from Fogg Museum Fine Arts Library
  • Sub-headline / Boxed Text:Radcliffe Girls Expected to Answer Charges
  • Content: The article reports on a controversy where a Harvard student anonymously published a letter in the Crimson protesting the presence of Radcliffe College (Harvard's sister college for women at the time) students in the Fogg Museum’s Fine Arts Library. He claimed their presence was disruptive because they “swarmed” into the library, took up space, and created an “apparently irresistible temptation to whisper.” The article notes that Radcliffe students were preparing a counter-offensive to respond to these charges.

Right Page (Dated April 5, 1929):

  • Headline / Letter Title:Crimson April 5, 1929” with “Kodak As You Go” at the top (likely an ad or section heading).
  • Content: This is a letter to the editor, signed “Cameron Blaikie, Jr. ’31.” Blaikie responds to the previous week’s articles on the controversy.
    • He agrees with some recommendations for library reform (entrances at night, lighting, ventilation) but disagrees with the notion that Radcliffe students are to blame.
    • He argues that the Radcliffe students are not selfish and points out that Radcliffe has been trying to raise its own funds to build an art center with a library.
    • He challenges the accusation of “taking up space,” noting that Radcliffe occupies less space than Harvard students.
    • He broadens the complaint, suggesting that whispering and loud conversations occur elsewhere (like the Child Library in Widener or the Architecture Library in Robinson), implying the issue is not unique to Radcliffe or the Fogg.
    • He concludes by defending the Radcliffe students as “rather an asset, lending a bit of color and life to what would otherwise be a dull atmosphere.”

Overall Context:

The clippings document a historical incident of gender-based discrimination at Harvard in 1929. The controversy highlights the tensions and social dynamics between Harvard men and Radcliffe women during a time when women’s access to university resources and spaces was often contested. The debate centers on perceived social behavior, use of space, and the legitimacy of women’s presence in spaces designated as “men’s libraries.” The inclusion of both the initial complaint and the rebuttal shows an effort to preserve the full dialogue surrounding this significant campus issue. The date stamp “Mar. 29, 1929” is handwritten in pencil above the left clipping.

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The image is of a newspaper clipping from the Harvard Crimson, dated April 5, 1929. The clipping contains two articles. The first article is titled "Radcliffe Girls Expected to Answer Charges." It discusses a counter-offensive launched by Radcliffe College girls in response to charges made by a Harvard student in a letter published in the Harvard Crimson. The student complained that Radcliffe girls were "swarming" into the Fogg Museum Fine Arts Library, which he believed should be strictly a men's library. The second article is titled "Would Bar Radcliffe Girls from Fogg Museum Fine Arts Library." It presents the student's letter, which expresses his annoyance at the presence of Radcliffe girls in the library and argues that the library should be reserved for men's books and photographs. The article also includes a response from a Radcliffe student, who defends the girls' presence in the library and argues that they should not be barred from using the space.

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The open book is a newspaper with two pages that have been opened to the center. The page on the left is titled "Would Bar Radcliffe Girls from Fogg Museum Fine Arts Library" and "Radcliffe Girls Expected to Answer Charges." The page on the right is titled "Crimson April 5, 1929" and "To the Editor of the Crimson." The newspaper is dated March 29, 1929. The newspaper is open to the center, and the pages are facing each other.

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The image depicts an open book with two pages visible, dated from the early 20th century. The left page is dated March 29, 1923, and the right page is dated April 5, 1929. Both pages appear to be from a publication titled "The Crimson", likely a student newspaper or journal, as suggested by the header on the right page, which reads "Kodak As You Go".

Left Page (March 29, 1923):

  • Headline: "Would Bar Radcliffe Girls from Fogg Museum Fine Arts Library"
  • Content: The article discusses a controversy surrounding the presence of female students in the Fogg Museum Fine Arts Library at Harvard. It highlights the traditional indifference of Harvard students toward Radcliffe College, which has recently manifested in a protest against the library's policies. The article mentions that Radcliffe girls have been "swarmed" into the library, and a counter-offensive is being launched by Radcliffe students in response to the perceived intrusion.
  • Key Points:
    • Radcliffe girls are being asked to leave the library due to their presence being deemed disruptive.
    • The library is described as a "man's library," and Radcliffe students are not allowed to use it freely.
    • The article references a letter published in The Harvard Crimson that criticizes the library's policies and the behavior of Radcliffe students.

Right Page (April 5, 1929):

  • Headline: "Radcliffe Girls Expected to Answer Charges"
  • Content: This article continues the discussion from the previous issue, focusing on the ongoing debate about Radcliffe students' access to the Fogg Museum Fine Arts Library. It references a letter published in The Harvard Crimson that criticizes Radcliffe's demands for space and resources in the library.
  • Key Points:
    • The article discusses the tension between Radcliffe and Harvard over library space and resources.
    • It mentions that Radcliffe students are being asked to address charges related to their behavior and demands in the library.
    • The article also touches on broader issues, such as the need for Radcliffe to build its own art center and the perception of Radcliffe as a "women's college" that is not as well-resourced as Harvard.

Visual Details:

  • Layout: The pages are formatted in a classic newspaper style, with headlines in bold type, subheadings, and columns of text.
  • Typography: The text is printed in a serif font, typical of early 20th-century publications.
  • Condition: The pages appear slightly worn, with visible creases and slight discoloration, indicating age and handling.
  • Additional Text: The right page includes a letter titled "To the Editor of the Crimson", dated April 5, 1929, which discusses the library's policies and the demands of Radcliffe students.

Context:

The articles reflect the gender dynamics and institutional tensions of the early 20th century, particularly between Harvard and Radcliffe College. They highlight issues of access, space, and resource allocation in academic settings, as well as the evolving roles of women in higher education during that era. The tone of the articles suggests a period of contention and negotiation between the two institutions.

This image provides a historical snapshot of the debates surrounding gender equality and institutional policies in academia during the 1920s.

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The image presents a page from an old book or newspaper, featuring a newspaper clipping with the headline "Would Bar Radcliffe Girls from Fogg Museum Fine Arts Library" and a subheading "Radcliffe Girls Expected to Answer Charges." The article discusses the potential exclusion of Radcliffe College girls from the Fogg Museum Fine Arts Library due to concerns about their behavior.

  • Headline and Subheading
    • The headline reads "Would Bar Radcliffe Girls from Fogg Museum Fine Arts Library" in bold font.
    • The subheading states "Radcliffe Girls Expected to Answer Charges" in smaller text below the headline.
  • Article Text
    • The article discusses the potential exclusion of Radcliffe College girls from the Fogg Museum Fine Arts Library.
    • It mentions that the library is intended for Harvard students only and that Radcliffe girls have been causing trouble in the library.
    • The article also mentions that the library is expected to answer charges related to the exclusion of Radcliffe girls.
  • Author's Note
    • The article includes a note from the author, Cameron Blaikie, Jr., who wrote "Yours truly" at the bottom of the page.
  • Date and Location
    • The article is dated April 5, 1929, and is located in the Crimson newspaper.

In summary, the image shows a newspaper clipping from the Crimson newspaper dated April 5, 1929, discussing the potential exclusion of Radcliffe College girls from the Fogg Museum Fine Arts Library due to concerns about their behavior. The article includes a note from the author, Cameron Blaikie, Jr., and is located in a book or newspaper.

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The image shows a newspaper clipping from the Harvard Crimson, dated March 29, 1929, with the headline "Would Bar Radcliffe Girls from Fogg Museum Fine Arts Library." The article discusses the controversy surrounding the presence of Radcliffe girls in the Fogg Museum's fine arts library, with some Harvard students expressing discomfort and annoyance at their presence. The article also mentions that the writer of the letter may be interested in knowing that Radcliffe has been for some time endeavoring to raise money to erect an art museum of its own with a library. This will, however, take a little time, for money does not gravitate so frequently nor in such large amounts to women's colleges as to those for men. As for taking up space, that cannot be helped, but less space is occupied by Radcliffe than by Harvard in this room. The whispering complained of is not confined to Radcliffe students, nor to the Fogg library. Take the Child Library in Widener, where protracted conversations are carried on often in subdued tones, whether or not anyone else is trying to read, or better still the Library of Architecture in Robinson, which is a "men's library." If there ever was one, where talking, discussions, and even arguments take place in loud tones. The Radcliffe students are rather an asset, lending a bit of color and life to what would otherwise be a dull atmosphere. The undersigned is taking several courses in fine arts at this time and is acquainted with conditions obtaining in the Fogg Library. Yours truly, Cameron Blaikie, Jr. '31.

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The image depicts an open book with a black cover, containing a collection of newspaper clippings and a typed letter.

The left page features two yellowed newspaper clippings, dated March 29, 1929, and attached with a paperclip. The clippings are from the Harvard Crimson and discuss the presence of Radcliffe girls in the Fogg Museum Fine Arts Library. The top clipping is titled "Would Bar Radcliffe Girls from Fogg Museum Fine Arts Library," while the bottom one is titled "Radcliffe Girls Expected to Answer Charges."

The right page contains a typed letter, dated April 5, 1929, addressed to the Editor of the Canon and signed by Cameron Blaikie, Jr. '31. The letter discusses the issue of Radcliffe students using the Fogg Museum library and the need for a separate library for women.

The background of the image is a plain gray color, providing a neutral backdrop for the book and its contents.

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The image presents a vintage newspaper clipping from the Harvard Crimson, dated March 29, 1929, and April 5, 1929. The clipping is yellowed with age and features two articles.

Article 1: "Would Bar Radcliffe Girls from Fogg Museum Fine Arts Library"

  • The article discusses the potential exclusion of Radcliffe girls from the Fogg Museum Fine Arts Library.
  • It highlights the controversy surrounding the issue, with some arguing that the library should be open to all students, while others believe it should remain exclusive to Harvard students.

Article 2: "Radcliffe Girls Expected to Answer Charges"

  • This article appears to be a response to the previous one, with Radcliffe girls being expected to respond to charges made against them.
  • The article mentions a letter published in the Harvard Crimson, which sparked the controversy.

Additional Text

  • A handwritten note on the top left corner of the clipping reads "Mar. 29, 1929."
  • A typed note on the top right corner reads "Crimson April 5, 1929 Kodak As You Go."
  • A letter to the editor of the Canzona is partially visible on the right side of the clipping, discussing the issue of Radcliffe girls being barred from the Fogg Museum Fine Arts Library.

Overall

  • The image provides a glimpse into the historical context of gender relations and access to educational resources at Harvard University in the late 1920s.
  • The articles and letters highlight the tensions and debates surrounding the inclusion of Radcliffe girls in the Fogg Museum Fine Arts Library, reflecting the social and cultural attitudes of the time.