Beatrice A. Richardson collection, 1906-1997, bulk 1938-1975

Collection context

Summary

Creators:
Richardson, Beatrice A.
Abstract:
Beatrice A. Richardson was the director of both Physical Education and Dance at Scripps from 1938-69. She played a fundamental role in building the Scripps Dance department into a successful and widely recognized program. This collection consists of materials donated to the college after her death. The collection begins in 1906 with Beatrice Richardson's childhood and continues until 1997. It includes materials related to dance and physical education at Scripps, her research and teaching, her involvement at Scripps outside of dance, and her personal life. The collection also includes photographic documentation of the Scripps dance program and her own research.
Extent:
18.3 linear feet (32 boxes)
Language:
Languages represented in the collection: English
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Beatrice A. Richardson collection. Ella Strong Denison Library, Libraries of The Claremont Colleges.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains notes, correspondence, writings, clippings, photographs, and other material related to Beatrice Richardson's private life and to her time as a Professor of Dance and Director of Physical Education at Scripps College. The majority of the material focuses on dance and physical education, including the dance group Orchesis and program data for thirty years of classes. Other material includes extensive research and publications of Beatrice Richardson, personal correspondence and biographical information, and numerous photographs and albums of dance performances and classes at Scripps. The materials in the collection range from 1906 to the late 1990s.

In processing this collection, materials were generally retained in the file folder in which they were found. Some materials were moved and some folders modified to provide a more accurate division of contents. Most folder titles come from Beatrice Richardson's original titles, although some were altered to provide a more specific description.

The collection is organized into the following series and subseries:

  • Series 1. Children and Dance
  • Subseries 1.1. Photographs and Albums"
  • Series 2. Dance at Scripps
  • Subseries 2.1. Classes, Syllabi, Lesson Plans"
  • Subseries 2.2. Correspondence"
  • Subseries 2.3. Orchesis"
  • Subseries 2.4. Performance Programs"
  • Subseries 2.5. Photographs and Albums"
  • Subseries 2.6. Photographs and Albums, Performance Programs"
  • Subseries 2.7. Workshops and Master Classes"
  • Series 3. Personal
  • Subseries 3.1. Biographical"
  • Subseries 3.2. Corresponcence"
  • Subseries 3.3. Early Years"
  • Subseries 3.4. Photographs and Albums"
  • Series 4. Physical Education at Scripps
  • Subseries 4.1. Correspondence"
  • Subseries 4.2. Photographs and Albums"
  • Series 5. Research
  • Subseries 5.1. Bare Feet"
  • Subseries 5.2. The Dance Collection"
  • Subseries 5.3. Photographs and Albums"
  • Subseries 5.4 The Dance Story"
  • Series 6. Scripps College and Beatrice Richardson
  • Subseries 6.1. Correspondence"
  • Subseries 6.2. Performance Programs"
  • Subseries 6.3. Photographs and Albums"
Biographical / historical:
Date Event
1900? Born in Hampton, New Hampshire
1906-1918 Grade schools in Newtonville, Massachusetts; Erie and Harbor Creek, Pennsylvania; Pittsfield, Massachusetts; Brooklyn, New York
1918? Graduated from Oil City High School, Oil City, Pennsylvania; left home for secretarial school in Detroit
1926 Received B.S. in Dance and Physical Education from University of Wisconsin in Madison
1926-27 Instructor of Rhythm and Dance, State Teachers College, Macomb, Illinois
1927-31 Director of Dance, University of Nebraska in Lincoln
1931-32 Graduate Fellowship, Merrill Palmer Institute in Detroit, Michigan
1932 Received M.A. in Psychology from University of Wisconsin in Madison
1932-35 Director of Recreation at State School for the Deaf in Delevan, Wisconsin
1935 Traveled to Mexico by car to observe native rituals
1935 Director of Physical Education and Dance, University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point
1936, 1938 Summer dance workshops at Teachers College, University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point, using creative movement techniques
1938 Appointed Associate Professor and Director of Physical Education at Scripps College, asked to "build dance interest"
1941 Scripps College co-sponsored regional Dance Symposium
1941 Became Honorary Member of Scripps College Class of 1941
1944 Began children's dance classes on weekends and during summer
1956 Reorganized Scripps College Physical Education Program
1954 Enrolled as graduate student in Latin American Studies at Claremont Graduate University
1955 4-month sabbatical; traveled to Mexico for cultural studies
1958 Scripps College opened new dance studio
1961 Bare Feet published
1962 Sabbatical: traveled to Europe and the Middle East for cultural studies
1963 Promoted to full Professor, given title Director of Dance as well as P.E.
1964 Two Left Feet published in Orton Society Bulletin (now Annals of Dyslexia)
1969 Dance studio named Beatrice A. Richardson Studio by Scripps Board of Trustees
1969 Retired from Scripps College
1970 Granted emeritus status as Professor of Dance
1970-75 Photographer, Institute of Antiquity and Christianity, Claremont, California
1973 Appointed member of Claremont Collegiate Schools Board of Trustees
1975 Named "Outstanding Alumna," University of Wisconsin in Madison
1999 Died in Claremont, California
Acquisition information:
Gift of Beatrice Richardson Estate, 1999.
Processing information:

Processed by Elizabeth Gallagher, Scripps College, 2002-2005.

Physical location:
Please consult repository.
Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Collection open for research.

Terms of access:

All requests for permission to publish must be submitted in writing to Denison Library.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Beatrice A. Richardson collection. Ella Strong Denison Library, Libraries of The Claremont Colleges.

Location of this collection:
1030 Columbia Avenue, #2031
Claremont, CA 91711, US
Contact:
(909) 607-3941