Bessie Louise Pierce research papers on Chicago history, ca. 1929-1974.

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  • Creator Names Pierce, Bessie Louise, 1888-1974.
  • Title Bessie Louise Pierce research papers on Chicago history [manuscript], ca. 1929-1974.
  • Physical description
    • 114 linear ft. (275 boxes)
    • 11 microfilm reels : neg. ; 35 mm. (Camera neg.).
    • 11 microfilm reels ; 35 mm. (Reader-copy).
  • Access and usage restrictions
    • For the portion of the collection that has been microfilmed, please consult the reader-copy microfilm instead of the original files.
    • Please consult the reader-copy microfilm. The camera negative microfilm is not available for research use.
  • Collection summary
    • Notes grouped by time period and arranged topically (within each time period), plus topical essays, news clippings, and a few maps relating to the history of Chicago, created approximately between 1929 and 1974, by graduate research assistants and by professor Bessie Louise Pierce for the History of Chicago Project, which she directed at the University of Chicago. The collection contains notes for the 3 volumes that were published and for a fourth volume that was not published that was planned to cover 1893-1915. The great majority of the items are notes, mostly summarizing the content of articles in early Chicago newspapers and other publications although the notes sometimes concern the content of manuscript collections as well and sometimes contain exact quotes. The notes are usually handwritten on small pieces of paper (8 1/2 x 5 1/2 inches).
    • The microfilm edition of the Pierce papers follows the physical order of the original collection. Most of the notes are microfilmed in frames showing sets of three small sheets arranged below the topical heading which was assigned to them by the History of Chicago Project. If the verso of any of the sheets contains information, such as the initials or date of the note-taker, the following microfilm frame will show the backs of the three small sheets of paper, in the same order from top to bottom of the frame.
  • Acquisition information Gift of the University of Chicago in 1979. It is possible that the original materials will be deaccessioned after the microfilming is finished.
  • Finding Aids Note Descriptive inventory available online.
  • Location of Other Archival Materials Note Related materials at Chicago History Museum, Research Center, include the Bessie Louise Pierce family photograph collection (1980.0075). Bessie Louise Pierce's personal and career papers are at the University of Chicago, Special Collections Dept. in the Library, which also retains the History of Chicago Project's administrative records, monthly progress reports, topical research reports by the student assistants, and chapter drafts for the volumes.
  • Names
    • Pierce, Bessie Louise, 1888-1974 Archives.
    • Pierce, Bessie Louise, 1888-1974. History of Chicago.
    • University of Chicago Faculty.
  • Geographic coverage
    • Chicago (Ill.) History.
    • Chicago (Ill.) History Sources.
    • Chicago (Ill.) Historiography.
    • Chicago (Ill.) Intellectual life 20th century.
  • Subjects
    • Authors, American Illinois Chicago 20th century.
    • Women authors Illinois Chicago 20th century.
    • Women historians Illinois Chicago 20th century.
  • Genre
    • Research notes. aat
    • Microfilm. aat
  • Geographic name United States Illinois Cook County Chicago.
  • Finding aid URL Finding aid available online http://chsmedia.org/media/fa/fa/M-P/PierceBL-inv.htm