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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.

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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.

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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
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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.

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Acquisition and Appraisal

Provenance and Acquisition

Gift of Mrs. Herbert Sprague in April 1996. Accession No. 96-32.

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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.

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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.

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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)
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Contents List

Series 1: Subject Files, 1908-1992 Boxes 1-2, 4[OS]-6[OS]

Series Description

Documentation 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 Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by topic and document type.

Box 1 Folder 1

Anti-Submarine Task Groups - Presidential Unit Citation, 1944

Box 1 Folder 2

Biographical Sketch, undated

Box 1 Folder 3

Brigade Social Affairs Committee - Roster, 1979

Box 1 Folder 4

Buchanan House - Pamphlet, undated

Box 1 Folder 5

Change of Command Ceremonies (General) - Programs, 1970-1992

Includes programs for Vice Admiral Mack's Farewell Dinner, the Chief of Chaplains, and the Commandant of Midshipmen.

Box 1 Folder 6

Chapel - Programs and Publications, 1957-1992, undated

Includes programs for Draper Kauffman's funeral and services featuring a sermon by Billy Graham.

Box 1 Folder 7

Chapel - Sermons, 1968-1970

Box 1 Folder 8

Commandant of Midshipman - Biographies, undated

Biographical sketches of Commandants from 1845 until 1964.

Box 1 Folder 9-10

Dance Cards, 1919, 1956-1980

Includes Ring Dances, Christmas Hops, Easter Hops, and the Farewell Ball.

Box 1 Folder 11

Dodo, The Brigade Dog, 1967-1971

Includes drawings of Dodo by Vernon Copy Berg.

Box 1 Folder 12

Drag's Handbook, 1963-1970, undated

Several issues feature an introduction by Mrs. Marshall. The edition entitled "What's a Nice Girl Like You Doing in a Place Like This" features artwork by Vernon Copy Berg.

Box 1 Folder 13

Etiquette - Manual, 1950

Copy of Your Ticket of Popularity: Good Manners.

Box 5[OS] Folder 1

Etiquette - Notes and Slides, undated

Includes slides on how to address senior officers and interact with women in public.

Box 4[OS] Folder 1

Fourth Class Hop Committee - Plaque, 1966

Box 1 Folder 14

Guestbook, 1963-1980

Box 2 Folder 1

Holiday Cards, undated

Box 2 Folder 2

Homecoming Game - Scrapbook, 1965

Box 2 Folder 3

Inscribed Books, 1966-1974

Inscribed copies of Louise Bachelder's On Friendship and Louise Howe Bailey's Go Home Wi' Me.

Box 2 Folder 4

Invitations, 1968-1991, undated

Box 2 Folder 5

Naval Academy Athletics, 1962-1971

1962 swim meet score sheet and a letter of thanks from Head Football coach Rick Forzano.

Box 2 Folder 6

Naval Academy Christian Association, 1965-1967

Two issues of the organization's newsletter "Guide On."

Box 2 Folder 7

Navy Family Housing Manual, 1975

Box 2 Folder 8

Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium - Souvenir Record, undated

45 rpm record featuring "Anchors Aweigh" and "The Marine Corps Hymn" performed by the Mitch Miller Orchestra.

Box 2 Folder 9

Navy Wife Handbooks, 1966-1976, undated

Box 2 Folder 10

Newspaper and Magazine Clippings, 1959-1981, undated

Articles profiling Marshall, the Joint Services Hostess Conference, and Color Ceremonies, appearing in The Log and local newspapers.

Box 6[OS] Folder 3

Newspaper and Magazine Clippings, 1962-1976

Articles profiling Marshall, the Joint Services Hostess Conference, and Bicentennial celebrations in Annapolis.

Box 2 Folder 11

"Oh Tennessee, My Tennessee", undated

Inscribed by William P. Lawrence.

Box 2 Folder 12

Prayers, 1960-1965, undated

Box 2 Folder 13

Recruitment Literature, undated

Copies of brochures entitled Annapolis , Midshipmen Today, and "Facts of Life in the Brigade of Midshipmen".

Box 2 Folder 14

Retirement, 1980

Commandant Notice regarding Marshall's retirement.

Box 2 Folder 15

Ship Launching and Commissioning Ceremonies, 1966-1979

Launching and commissioning programs for U.S.S. Pargo (Submarine (nuclear powered): SSN-650), Spruance (Destroyer: DD-963), and San Francisco (Submarine (nuclear powered

Box 2 Folder 16

Speeches, 1962-1970

Copies of Douglas MacArthur's farewell address at West Point and Admiral John S. McCain's Naval Academy commencement address.

Box 2 Folder 17

Supervisor Development Plan, 1955

Box 2 Folder 18

Wedding Expense Guidelines, undated

Box 2 Folder 19

Wellesley College, 1908-1954

Material belonging to Nathalie Lydecker, including a graduation program, alumnae correspondence and a copy of The New Wellesley.

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Series 2: Photographs and Artwork, 1954-1985 Boxes 3, 5[OS]-6[OS]

Series Description

Photographs 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 Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by document type; thereunder by topic.>

Box 5[OS] Folder 2

Artwork - Log, 1967

Cover art for the March 3 Femmes Issue of The Log.

Box 5[OS] Folder 3

Artwork - Midshipmen, undated

Line drawings of midshipmen eating in Steerage by Farmer.

Box 6[OS] Folder 1-2

Artwork - Portraits (Marshall), undated

Pencil and crayon portrait by R. Golden and pastel by Dick Malanoski.

Box 5[OS] Folder 4

Artwork - Vernon Copy Berg, undated

Includes an image entitle "Brigade Semi-Formal Dance" and an illustration of a woman holding a West Point mule entangled in her necklace.

Box 3 Folder 1

Photographs - Awards and Honors, 1960-1976, undated

Photographs include Vice Admirals Kinnaird McKee and William P. Lawrence.

Box 3 Folder 2

Photographs - Color Ceremony/Color Girl, 1960-1979, undated

Box 5[OS] Folder 5

Photographs - Color Ceremony/Color Girl, undated

Box 3 Folder 3-4

Photographs - Dances/Hops, 1960-1979, undated

Includes images and portraits from the Ring Dance, Spring Formal, Christmas Formal, and Easter Hop.

Box 3 Folder 5

Photographs - Dodo the Brigade Dog, undated

Box 3 Folder 6

Photographs - Joint Services Hostess Conference, 1977, undated

Box 3 Folder 7

Photographs - Lucky Bag, 1963-1972, undated

Includes portraits, Commissioning Week images, and Hop Committee photographs.

Box 3 Folder 8

Photographs - Naval Academy Presentation, undated

Includes images of the Yard and the Drum and Bugle Corps.

Box 3 Folder 9

Photographs - Newcomers Coffee, 1969

Box 3 Folder 10

Photographs - Parades (General), 1960 (October)

Box 3 Folder 11

Photographs - Parades (Visit of the Queen Mother), 1954

Box 3 Folder 12

Photographs - Portraits (Chaplains), 1964 September

Box 3 Folder 13-15

Photographs - Portraits (Inscribed), 1958-1985, undated

Box 5[OS] Folder 6

Photographs - Portraits (Inscribed), 1962-1964, undated

Box 3 Folder 16

Photographs - Portraits (Marshall), 1963-1980, undated

Box 3 Folder 17

Photographs - Receptions, 1962, undated

Includes events at Buchanan House.

Box 3 Folder 18

Photographs - Toy Drive, undated

Box 3 Folder 19

Photographs - U.S.S. Pargo (Submarine (nuclear powered): SSN-650), undated

Images of Pargo surfaced in the Arctic.

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