Blanche Espy Chenoweth Papers

Collection

Identifier: 2005-003

Staff Only

Containing 13 series and housed in 6 boxes, this collection documents Mrs. Chenoweth's life's work as a lecturer and writer. Most notably, her lecture and radio show program materials are extensively represented in such formats as article clippings, correspondence, typescript, periodicals and photographic material. Mrs. Chenoweth's papers also document her social interactions with prominent individuals such as Queen Marie of Romania and President Herbert Hoover. Additionally, this collection contains important memorabilia Mrs. Chenoweth collected throughout her life and materials that document important family history information.

Dates

1875-1960

Creator

Chenoweth, Blanche Espy (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Special Collections owns the physical items in our collections, but copyright normally belongs to the creator of the materials or their heirs. The researcher has full responsibility for determining copyright status, obtaining permission to publish from copyright holders, and abiding by current copyright laws when publishing or displaying copies of Special Collections material in print or electronic form. For more information, consult the appropriate librarian. Reproduction decisions will be made by Special Collections staff on a case-by-case basis.

Extent

6.00 Linear Feet

Additional Description

Biographical Information

Born in Scotch Grove, Iowa in 1875, Blanche Espy Chenoweth was a well respected lecturer and writer in her time. She was a student of Mary Baldwin College and the University of Chicago. She lived in places such as Chicago; Chautauqua, New York; and Tulsa, Oklahoma, but called Houston her home for the last 25 years of her life.

Mrs. Chenoweth gave countless lectures on women’s dress and grooming and their importance in a successful, happy life. In the late 1920s, she was a prominent lecturer and writer regarding the problems of women at the Chautauqua Institution. In 1930 she published a compilation of her lectures in a booklet entitled Clothes and Happiness. Throughout the 1930's she had a "personal problems" radio program in Chicago first called the Homemaking Hour which later became known as Little Dramas from Life. During her time in Chicago, she also wrote an advice-giving newspaper column.

In addition to lecturing, Mrs. Chenoweth was active in organizations such as the League of American Pen Women, the Daughters of the American Revolution, Association of University Women and was a life member of the Huguenot Society of South Carolina. She was also active in affairs of the Presbyterian Church.

Mrs. Chenoweth died in March of 1960 at the age of 85 after battling a long illness. She was survived by her one son Robert Carey Chenoweth and four grandchildren.

Digital Collections

Selections from the Blanche Espy Chenoweth Papers digital collection

https://digitalcollections.lib.uh.edu/collections/9c67wp17f

Separated Materials

Blanche Espy Chenoweth Papers cataloged book collection

https://library.uh.edu/search~S11?/tBlanche+Espy+Chenoweth+Papers./tblanche+espy+chenoweth+papers/-3%2C-1%2C0%2CB/exact&FF=tblanche+espy+chenoweth+papers&1%2C15%2C