Mary A. Marshall Papers, 1908-1992 (bulk 1960-1980): Finding Aid
Published in August 2018
Summary Information
- Publisher: United States Naval Academy. Special Collections & Archives.
- Publisher Address:
589 McNair Road
Annapolis, Maryland 21402-5029, USA
Phone: 410-293-6917
https://www.usna.edu/Library/sca/index.php - Call number: MS 464
- Location: Special Collections & Archives Department - Manuscripts
- Title: Mary A. Marshall Papers
- Dates: 1908-1992
- Bulk Dates: 1960-1980
- Size: 5.67 linear feet
- Container Summary: 3 manuscript boxes, 3 flat boxes
- Creator: Marshall, Mary A.
- Language(s) of material: English
- Abstract: Mary A. "Emmy" Marshall was the United States Naval Academy's first Social Director. The Mary A. Marshall Papers span from 1908 to 1992, with a bulk of the material having been produced between 1960 and 1980. The papers consist primarily of documentation revolving around Marshall's role as the Naval Academy's first Social Director, including materials pertaining to dances, the Color Girl, Chapel events, etiquette education, and Dodo the Brigade Dog.
Biography of Mary A. Marshall
Mary A. "Emmy" Marshall, often referred to as Mrs. Marshall or Mrs. M, was the United States Naval Academy's first Social Director. Widow of Commander James G. Marshall, United States Naval Academy Class of 1932, Mrs. Marshall joined the staff of the Naval Academy initially as a member of the Public Works Department, before accepting the position of Social Director in 1959. Her duties as Social Director included dance planning, serving as liaison to the Brigade Hop Committee, arranging visitor housing for commissioning week guests, handling arrangements for the Color Girl, and teaching etiquette to the plebe class. She also was a frequent contributor to The Log and the various editions of the Drag's Handbook. Mrs. Marshall retired from the United States Naval Academy on July 11, 1981.
Description of Contents
The Mary A. Marshall Papers, comprising 5.67 linear feet of documentation, span from 1908 to 1992, with a bulk of the material having been produced between 1960 and 1980. The papers consist primarily of documentation revolving around Marshall's role as the Naval Academy's first Social Director, including materials pertaining to dances, the Color Girl, Chapel events, etiquette education, and Dodo the Brigade Dog.
The collection is composed of photographs, letters, event programs, dance cards, invitations, newspaper and magazine clippings, brochures, books, handbooks, original artwork, greeting cards, a plaque, a scrapbook, a guest book, and a 45 rpm record.
The Marshall Papers are organized into two series by document type. Series 1: Subject Files, consisting of various material types, documents Marshall's various activities and interests as Social Director, and the resulting social events of the Brigade of Midshipmen. Depictions of these events, especially the annual Color Ceremony during Commissioning Week and various dances and hops, as well as portraits of Marshall and other notable Naval Academy personnel comprise Series 2: Photographs and Artwork. Both series also contain materials pertaining to the U.S. Navy career of Marshall's son, James Allen Marshall, United States Naval Academy Class of 1962, and samples of artwork of Class of 1974 member Vernon E. "Copy" Berg.
Arrangement
The Mary A. Marshall Papers are organized into the following two series:
- Series 1: Subject Files, 1908-1992
- Series 2: Photographs and Artwork, 1954-1985
Access and Use
Access
Access is unrestricted.
Copyright and Permission
The Mary A. Marshall Papers are the physical property of Nimitz Library. Copyright belongs to the authors or creators of the works, or their legal representatives. For further information, consult the Head, Special Collections & Archives.
It is the responsibility of the researcher to secure written permission to publish, reprint, or reproduce material from Special Collections & Archives. The researcher assumes responsibility for infringement of copyright or literary or publication rights. Please contact the Head, Special Collections & Archives for permission to publish and for further information.
Acquisition and Appraisal
Provenance and Acquisition
Gift of Mrs. Herbert Sprague in April 1996. Accession No. 96-32.
Related Materials
Related Archival Material
Additional material pertaining to Brigade social activities and publications can be found in the Records of the Office of the Commandant, RG 405.3.
Materials Cataloged Separately
One copy of William Dana Orcutt's From My Library Walls has been removed and cataloged separately.
Processing and Other Information
Preferred Citation
Mary A. Marshall Papers, MS 464
Special Collections & Archives Department
Nimitz Library
United States Naval Academy
Processing Information
This collection was processed by David D'Onofrio in August 2018. Finding aid written by David D'Onofrio in August 2018.
Subject Headings
Name and Subject Terms
- Berg, Vernon E. (Vernon Edward), 1951-
- Marshall, James Allen
- Marshall, Mary A.
- Midshipmen -- United States -- Conduct of life
- United States Naval Academy -- Officials and employees
- United States Naval Academy -- Social life and customs
- United States Naval Academy -- Students
- United States. Navy -- Mascots
Genre Terms
- Clippings (information artifacts)
- Correspondence
- Dance cards
- Drawings (visual works)
- Handbooks
- Manuscripts
- Monographs
- Photographs
- Programs (documents)
Contents List
Series 1: Subject Files, 1908-1992 Boxes 1-2, 4[OS]-6[OS]
Series DescriptionDocumentation of various aspects of Marshall's responsibilities as Social Director, as well as specific Naval Academy events during Marshall's time on staff. More specifically, the materials pertain to Naval Academy dances, chapel events, midshipman recruiting, midshipman dating, etiquette education, support for Navy wives, the publications of the Naval Academy Christian Association, and the adoption and life of unofficial mascot Dodo, the Brigade Dog in the late 1960's and early 1970's. Included in the series are letters, event programs, dance cards, invitations, newspaper and magazine clippings, brochures, handbooks, greeting cards, a plaque, a scrapbook, a guest book, and a 45 rpm record.
The ship launching and commissioning programs are primarily the product of the U.S. Navy career of Mary Marshall's son, James Allen Marshall, United States Naval Academy Class of 1962.
Series ArrangementArranged alphabetically by topic and document type.
Series 2: Photographs and Artwork, 1954-1985 Boxes 3, 5[OS]-6[OS]
Series DescriptionPhotographs and artwork depicting Naval Academy personnel and events relating to Marshall's work as Social Director. Events and subjects depicted include awards received by Marshall, the annual Color Ceremony and Parade, the Joint Services Hostess Conference, receptions, toy drives, and Dodo the Brigade Dog. As well as photographs, the series includes original artwork, such as portraits of Marshall, drawings of midshipmen congregating, cover art for the Log, and several pieces by Vernon Copy Berg.
Included in the series are numerous inscribed portraits and photographs from various Naval Academy graduates and personnel, including Superintendents James Calvert, John F. Davidson, C. C. Kirkpatrick, William P. Lawrence, and Charles Melson; Commandants Lawrence T. Heyworth, Sheldon H. Kinney, William F. McCauley, Charles Minter, Max K. Morris, and James A. Winnefeld; Explorers James Lloyd Abbot and Jay M. Cohen; Footballers Joe Bellino, Bruce Bickel, John Cartwright, Mike Clark, Ade Dillon, Al Glenny, Tom Lynch, Tom Moore, Dan Pike, John Sparaco, Fred Stuvek, Rob Taylor, and Bob Wittenberg; Midshipmen and alumni Richard H. Barchi, Arleigh Burke, Ed Davis (former Prisoner of War), Michael R. Hecomovich, Irvin Gaylord Hopkins, James B. McLendon, John C. Owens, John S. Redd, Victor G. Reiling, Alton Kenneth Thompson, Anthony J. Watson, and Philip Van Horn Weems; Midshipman Musical groups The Bitter Ends and the Spiffys; the 1960-1961 swim team; West Point graduate Winston B. Clark; Actor Bud Collyer; and Representative Marjorie Holt.
Among the photographs in the series are several images of the U.S.S. Pargo (Submarine (nuclear powered): SSN-650) in the Arctic, which are the product of the U.S. Navy career of Mary Marshall's son, James Allen Marshall, United States Naval Academy Class of 1962.
Series ArrangementArranged alphabetically by document type; thereunder by topic.>