Florence Ridgeway Papers

Collection

Identifier: RG 09-9.39

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

These are the personal papers of Florence Ridgeway including correspondence, research notes, writings, and publications. Also included in the collection are notes and biographical information about Ridgeways life and work.

Dates

Other: Majority of material found in 1919-1929

Creator

Ridgeway, Florence. (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Records can be accessed through the Reading Room, Berea College Special Collections and Archives, Hutchins Library, Berea College.

Conditions Governing Use

There are no restrictions on the collection other than federal copyright regulations.

Extent

1.00 ms_boxes

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Born in 1876, Florence Ridgeway attended Berea College from 1905-1907 before obtaining a degree from the Western Reserve University of Library Science in 1909. Upon receiving her library science degree, she returned to Berea where she worked as an assistant librarian at the Berea College library for over twenty-three years. She was a pioneer in librarianship working with others to compile Berea's "Mountain Collection" (the first of its kind in the United States) and instituting Kentucky's first library extension service (which included the delivery of books to mountain areas using book wagons). In addition to writing plays and articles, Ridgway was also active in many Berea community organizations including Union Church, the Church World Service, Meals for Millions, and Women's Industrial. She was committed to librarianship, Berea College, and the people of the Kentucky mountains. Ridgeway passed away at the age of a hundred and one in 1978.