US-RNHi-ms.2013.5 Guide to the Vernon Court Junior College collection 1964-1971, undated Finding aid prepared by Stacie M. Parillo. Newport Historical Society 2013 April 05
82 Touro StreetNewport, RI 02840Tel: 401-846-0813Fax: 401-846-1853email: info@newporthistorical.org
 Finding aid encoded by Stacie M. Parillo 2013 April 05 English Finding aid based on Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS) English Newport Historical Society
82 Touro StreetNewport, RI 02840Tel: 401-846-0813Fax: 401-846-1853email: info@newporthistorical.org
 Vernon Court Junior College Vernon Court Junior College collection 1964-1971, undated Vernon Court Junior College collection 0.42 linear feet Small collection of documents, ephemera, and printed material relating to Vernon Court Junior College. MS.2013.5 Historical note

Vernon Court Junior College in operation from September 1963 to January 1972. It occupied the manisons 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 finanical 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.

Collection information

There are no restrictions on access, except that the collection can only be seen by prior appointment.

Researchers are advised that express written permission to reproduce, quote, or otherwise publish any portion or extract from this collection must be obtained from Newport Historical Society. Although NHS has physical ownership of the collection and the materials contained therein, it does not claim literary rights. It is up to the researcher to determine the owners of the literary rights and to obtain any necessary permissions from them.

Vernon Court Junior College collection, MS.2013.5, Newport Historical Society.

Small collection of documents, ephemera, and printed material relating to Vernon Court Junior College. Included are issues of Court Crier, the school newsletter, as well as many issues of the Alumae Journal. Course registartion information, including course and final exam schedules are included. Also present are memos, letters, and other communications from the school admistration to students and the families of students.

The collection is arranged in one series by type, then chronologically with undated material appearing last. I. Vernon Court records

Administrative information

This collection was donated to the Newport Historical Society by Linda Apicelli, an alumae of Vernon Court Junior College, in January 2013.

The Newport Historical Society's library holds two volumes of Vernon Court Junior College's yearbooks, the Fleur-de-lis, for the years 1966 and 1967. They were donated by the school.

Names

Apicelli, Linda Ashely, Franklyn Baker, James B. Clough, Vida S. Crawford, Joan, 1908-1977 Hopf, John T. Kuhnly, W.W. McCormick, Virginia E. (Virginia Evans), 1934- Straw, Thelma C. Vernon Court Junior College Walsh, Michael F. Subjects Junior colleges--Curricula Junior Colleges--United States--Periodicals Junior colleges--Rhode Island Women -- Education

RIAMCO Browsing Terms Education Race, Ethnicity and Gender Social Life and Customs Titles

Types of materials correspondence handbooks invitations pennants photographic postcards programs (documents) serials (publications) stickers

Occupations

Functions boarding schools (institutions) higher education junior colleges (institutions) schools (institutions)

Additional information

1 1 Administrative Communication: Letters and memos to students1964 June 7-1966 January 4, undated

This folder includes a 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.

1 2 Administrative Communication: Letters and memos to students’ parents1964 August 31-1966 May 10

Included in this folder are memos and letters to students parents regarding upcoming events at the school.

 1 3 Administrative Communication: Programs and invitations1964 June 7-1966 May 26, undated

This folder includes programs for dramatic performances and commencement ceremonies.

 1 4 Memorabilia: Commemorative material1963 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).

1 5 Memorabilia: Alma Materundated

Typed copy of the school's Alma Mater composed by Thelma Straw and Michael F. Walsh.

 1 6 Publications: Alumnae Journal1966 July-1971 October

Issues of the alumae publication, covering updates on graduates and news of the college.

 1 7 Publications: Court Crier1964 November-1968 June

Issues of the student newspaper, Court Crier, recounting news and events of the College community.

 1 8 Publications: L’Avant Garde Literary Magazine1964, 1965, 1967

Copies of the school's literary magazine featuring prose and poems composed by students.

 1 9 Publications: Student Handbooks1964-1966

This folder contains student handbooks as well as a Viewbook that is an in-depth view of academic expectations and college life.

1 10 Registration: Course and final Examination Schedule1964-1966, undated

This folder includes course information for several academic semesters.