Guide to the Edna W. Lawrence papers , 1934-1973

Rhode Island School of Design Archives
Fleet Library at RISD
2 College Street
Providence, RI 02903
Tel: 401-709-5922
Fax: 401-709-5932
email: risdarchives@risd.edu

Published in 2009

Collection Overview

Title:	Edna W. Lawrence papers
Date range:	1934-1973
Creator:	Lawrence, Edna W.
Extent:	2 linear feet
Abstract:	The records document Edna W. Lawrence’s development of the Nature Lab, 1937-1971, and students' work in her drawing and painting classes, 1934-1973.
Language of materials:	English
Repository:	Rhode Island School of Design Archives
Collection number:	10.02.1

Scope & content

The Grade Books list students by course, their grades, and may include comments on their work, assignment lists, her class schedules, memos, or correspondence.

The Nature Lab Logs document specimen accessions, exhibits, loans, gifts and Lawrence's interactions with staff and student aides. The exhibit entries may include a brief description providing the type and number of objects, location of installation, and source of objects. There are very few comments on students or classes. A rare summer session may be covered by a one-page narrative. The last ten years are covered mostly by monthly entries.

The Reports describe the origins of the Lab, exhibits, accessions, finances, activities, and assistance provided by staff and students. The bulk of the reports cover the first ten years of the Lab. There is one report after 1950. In addition, Lawrence's handwritten reports to the Post-War Planning Committee, 1944-1945, are included. See the Royal Bailey Farnum Subject files.

Two hand drawn color maps of the Caribbean and the Mediterranean (42 x 56 cm.) document her summer voyages, presumably taken during the 1930s. One folder contains Christmas cards designed by Lawrence and sent to RISD Professor C. Warren Luther, circa 1960s-1970s.

Access Points

Subject Names

• Lawrence, Edna W.

Subject Organizations

• Edna W. Lawrence Nature Lab

Subject Topics

• Women art teachers
• Art--Study and teaching (higher)--Rhode Island--Providence
• Rhode Island School of Design--Faculty

Subject Topics

• Education
• Art

Document Types

• Grade books
• Logs (records)
• Reports

Occupations

• College teachers--Rhode Island

Arrangement

The papers are arranged in five series:

• I. Grade Books, 1934-1973
• II. Nature Lab Logs, 1938-1964
• III. Reports, 1937-1971, bulk 1937-1950
• IV. Travel maps, undated
• V. Christmas cards, circa 1960s-1970s

Biographical note

Edna W. Lawrence, born on Staten Island, NY, graduated from North Kingston (RI) High School, 1916, and Rhode Island School of Design, 1920, Department of Freehand Drawing and Painting, and the NY Art Students League. She joined the RISD staff as a Drawing Instructor in 1922. Lawrence created, organized and operated the Nature Lab, 1937-1975, in the Waterman St. Building, where she taught Freshman Foundation Nature Drawing. Lawrence traveled extensively across North America and took lengthy summer steamer cruises drawing and collecting specimens for the Nature Lab. Professor Emerita of Drawing, she received the RISD Alumni Association Medal, 1968, and the Providence Art Club Medal, 1975.

Access & Use

Access to the collection:	The Grade Books, 1934-1973, are closed for 75 years from date of creation. Please consult the Archives staff for further details.
Use of the materials:	Permission to publish, reproduce, or quote from archival materials must be obtained in writing from the Archives. The researcher assumes full responsibility for use of material and for conformity to all applicable laws, including copyright.
Preferred citation:	Edna W. Lawrence papers, Rhode Island School of Design Archives.
Contact information:	Rhode Island School of Design Archives Fleet Library at RISD 2 College Street Providence, RI 02903 Tel: 401-709-5922 Fax: 401-709-5932 email: risdarchives@risd.edu

Administrative Information

ABOUT THE COLLECTION
Acquisition:	The Edna W. Lawrence papers were received from the Fleet Library at RISD. RISD Professor C. Warren Luther donated the Christmas cards.
Accruals:	There are no further materials expected for this collection.
ABOUT THE FINDING AID
Author:	Finding aid prepared by Douglas Doe.
Encoding:	Finding aid encoded by Jessica Bitely 2009 February 06
Revisions:	2016 February 22 Revised by Douglas Doe
Descriptive rules:	Finding aid based on Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS)

Additional Information

Related material:

Edna W. Lawrence Nature Lab records, 1996-2005

Inventory

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