Clare and Marguerite McPhee [RG2421.AM]

NEBRASKA STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY MANUSCRIPT FINDING AID

RG2421.AM:  Clare Mary McPhee, 1873-1960; Marguerite Cameron McPhee, 1875-1970

Papers:  1904-1960

Lincoln, Lancaster County, Nebraska:  Educators

Size:  0.5 cu. ft., 1 box + oversize

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE

Born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, the sisters, Clare Mary McPhee and Marguerite Cameron McPhee lived in Louisiana before moving to Lincoln, Nebraska. Clare McPhee attended the University of Nebraska and received her bachelor’s degree in 1902 and her master’s degree in education in 1912. She did additional graduate work at Columbia University and the University of Chicago. Clare spent her career as principal of the Capitol School in Lincoln from 1918 to 1942.

She authored several articles on teaching the language arts which appeared in various professional journals. She designed an English curriculum for the elementary grades and, with her sister, co-authored a biography of George Washington and a pageant based on his life (available in the NSHS Library). Clare was a member of various national professional organizations and local community groups including, the National Educational Association, National Association of Teachers of English, American Association of University Women, Chi Delta Phi national honorary organization, Lincoln University Club, and the Lincoln Principals Club. Clare Mary McPhee died on January 8, 1960.

Marguerite Cameron McPhee attended the University of Nebraska where she received her bachelor’s degree in 1902 and her master’s degree in English in 1907. She joined the University of Nebraska faculty in 1906 as an instructor in the Department of Rhetoric, which later became the Department of English. She continued to teach at the University of Nebraska until her retirement in 1942. Marguerite also served as president and secretary-treasurer of the Lincoln chapter of the American Association of University Women as well as president of the English section of the Nebraska State Teachers Association. During World War II, she was decorated by the British government for her work in the British War Relief Society. Marguerite Cameron McPhee died on March 18, 1970.

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

This collection consists of one box of papers and several oversized items relating to the careers and activities of Clare and Marguerite McPhee. The majority of materials relates to Clare McPhee’s career at the Capitol School as well as the school’s activities to support the war effort during World War I. Also included is a scrapbook documenting Marguerite McPhee’s career at the University of Nebraska and various professional activities such as her work with the British War Relief Society and the American Association of University Women.

DESCRIPTION

Box 1

Folder

1. 1. Articles and reprints by Clare McPhee, 1904, 1925, 1929

1. 1. “Literature for Memorizing,” by Clare McPhee, 1925

1. 1. Articles mentioning the work of Clare and Marguerite McPhee

1. 1. Capitol School, war work activities, 1918-1920

1. 1. Capitol School, activities scrapbook, 1918-1942 (see oversize vol. 1)

1. 1. Capitol School, Christmas program, 1941

1. 1. Teaching aids, Lincoln Public Schools

1. 1. Music used in pageants presented by Clare McPhee (see also OB019)

1. 1. Clare McPhee, retirement letter and news clipping

1. 1. Marguerite McPhee, scrapbook (see oversize vol. 2)

ADDED ENTRIES:

American Association of University Women (Lincoln, Neb.)

British War Relief Society of America

Capitol School (Lincoln, Neb.)

Education — Lancaster County — Nebraska

Educators — Nebraska

McPhee, Clare Mary, 1873-1960

McPhee, Marguerite Cameron, 1875-1970

Nebraska, University of

Schools — Nebraska

Teachers — Nebraska

United War Work Campaign

Women in Nebraska

Women’s Clubs

World War, 1914-1918

World War, 1939-1945

02-19-1975   JEP/ht

03-15-2006   TMM/tmm