Guide to the Ver non Court Junior College Collection Newport Historical Society, Newport, Rhode Island Last update on 7 March 2013

Descriptive Summary

Repository Newport Historical Society, Newport, Rhode Island Location Newport Historical Society, 82 Touro Street, Newport, RI 02840 Call No. MS.2013.5 Creators Vernon Court Junior College Title Vernon Court Junior College collection Date(s) 1964-1971, undated (bulk 1964-1966) Abstract This collection contains documents, memorandums, publications, and memorabilia relating to Vernon Court Junior College.

Extent about 200 items in 1 box (0.42 linear feet) Accession Info MS.2013.5; Gift of Linda Apicelli, accepted January 2013. Historical Note Vernon Court Junior College in operation from September 1963 to January 1972. It occupied the mansions Vernon Court, Fairlawn, and Stoneacre, as well as other mansions in the Ruggles Avenue area. It was associated with The Hatch Preparatory School for Boys, which had occupied Vernon Court since 1956. In January 1972 the College faced financial difficulties that forced it to close. At the time of closure the school had 157 enrolled students and 80 employees.

All three school buildings were eventually sold, including Stoneacre Field, a 3.75 acre plot, for $61,000 to local plumbing contractor, D. Dixon Donovan. Stoneacre, the former W. Goadby Loew villa, had been demolished to make room for new dormitories, which were never built. Donovan bought other former Vernon Court properties along Ruggles Avenue as well. When the Vernon Court mansion was sold, the property was put back on the tax rolls. Fairlawn is now The Pell Center of Salve Regina University. After passing through several owners, it was acquired by Laurence and Judy Cutler in 1998 and is home to the National Museum of American Illustration. Stoneacre is now the site of Cutler’s “Olmstead Park.”

The actress Joan Crawford received an honorary Associate in Arts degree from the school in 1966, when her identical twin daughters, Cathy and Cynthia Crawford, graduated.

Lippincott, Bert. (2013 March). Vernon Court Junior College. Newport Historical Society, Newport, RI.

Scope and Content This collection contains materials relating to Vernon Court Junior College. It contains publications from the College including the Court Crier , the school’s newsletter and the Alumnae Journal. Also included are memorandums, letters, and other communications from administration to both students and parents regarding school events, policies, and development efforts. Course registration information detailing course offerings and their schedules, as well as final examination schedules are available. Memorabilia from the school including adhesive patches, window decals and the lyrics of the Vernon Court Junior College Alma Mater are included. Student Handbooks as well as a Viewbook for the academic year 1964-1965, give a very detailed view of student life and academic expectations. Organization The Vernon Court Junior College Collection is organized into one series: 1. Vernon Court Junior College files, 1964-1971, undated Folders are organized alphabetically by type. Within each folder documents are arranged chronologically with undated material appearing last.

Related Material The Newport Historical Society’s Library also has several volumes of the Vernon Court Junior College Yearbook, Fleur de Lis .

Restrictions There are no restrictions on physical access to this material. This collection is housed onsite at the Newport Historical Society. Researchers can be seen by appointment during operating hours at the Newport Historical Society, call to make an appointment.

Subject Access Personal Name Subject Apicelli, Linda Ashley, Franklyn, Dr. Baker, James B. Clough, Vida S. Crawford, Joan, 1908-1977 Hopf, John T. Kuhnly, W.W. McCormick, Virginia Straw, Thelma C. Walsh, Michael F.

Corporate Bodies Vernon Court Junior College

Subject Headings Junior colleges -- Curricula Junior Colleges—United States—Periodicals Junior colleges -- Rhode Island Women -- Education Form/Genre boarding schools (institutions) handbooks higher education invitations junior colleges (institutions) pennants photographic postcards programs (documents) schools (institutions) serials (publications) stickers

Administrative Information Processor Finding aid prepared by Stacie M. Parillo

Descriptive Rules Finding aid based on Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS)

Citation The Vernon Court Junior College Collection, MS.2013.5, Box Number, Folder Number, Newport Historical Society, Newport, Rhode Island.

Inventory Series I. Vernon Court Junior College files, 1964-1971, undated Arranged alphabetically by type, and then chronologically with undated material appearing at the end of each folder .

Box 1, Folder 1 Administrative Communication: Letters and memos to students, 1964 June 7-1966 January 4, undated This folder includes postcard 2013.5.3, which itemizes one students housing and faculty assignments. Also included are memos and letters to students regarding upcoming events, and school policies. Box 1, Folder 2 Administrative Communication: Letters and memos to students’ parents, 1964 August 31-1966 May 10 Included in this folder are memos and letters to students parents regarding upcoming events at the school. Box 1, Folder 3 Administrative Communication: Programs and invitations, 1964 June 7-1966 May 26, undated This folder includes programs for dramatic performances and commencement ceremonies. Box 1, Folder 4 Memorabilia: Commemorative material, 1963 September, undated This folder contains embroidered school badges with adhesive backings, a window decal with the school crest. Also included is a wool pennant (2013.5.2) which is stored separately and a photographic postcard of the school grounds (2013.5.4) Box 1, Folder 5 Memorabilia: Alma Mater, 1963 Typed copy of the school’s Alma Mater composed by Thelma Caroline Straw and Michael F. Walsh. Box 1, Folder 6 Publications: Alumnae Journal, 1966 July – 1971 October Issues of the alumnae publication, covering updates on graduates and news of the college. Box 1, Folder 7 Publications: Court Crier, 1964 November – 1968 June Issues of the student newspaper, Court Crier , recounting news and events of the College Community. Box 1, Folder 8 Publications: L’Avant Garde Literary Magazine, 1964, 1965, 1967 Copies of the literary magazine featuring prose and poems composed by students. Box1, Folder 9 Publications: Student Handbooks, 1964-1966 This folder contains student handbooks as well as a viewbook that is an in- depth view of academic expectations and college life. Box 1, Folder 10 Registration: Course and final Examination Schedule, 1964-1966, undated This folder includes course information for several academic years.