Harvard Graduate School of Education correspondence and other records relating to education of the blind
Overview
The Harvard Graduate School of Education Course in Education of the Blind was an extension course offered in the academic year 1920-1921 intended to provide teachers, nurses, social workers, and others with a comprehensive overview of education and services for people who were blind or had limited vision. The Harvard Graduate School of Education correspondence and other records relating to education of the blind are the office files of Lotta S. Rand, the Executive Secretary for the course, and primarily date from 1920 to 1921.
Dates
- Creation: 1913 - 1921
- Creation: Majority of material found within 1920 - 1921
Creator
- Harvard University. Graduate School of Education (Organization)
Researcher Access
Open for research.
Extent
0.73 cubic feet (2 document boxes and 1 pamphlet folder)The Harvard Graduate School of Education correspondence and other records relating to the education of the blind document the development and administration of the Harvard Graduate School of Education Course in Education of the Blind, offered in 1920-1921. Primarily dating from 1920 to 1921, the records are the office files of Lotta S. Rand, the Executive Secretary for the course. They consist of correspondence with participants in the course, lecturers or potential lecturers including Helen Keller, administrators, and donors. The records also include transcripts and drafts of lectures given as part of the course. Also included are financial records, including budgets, registration fees, and solicitations for financial backing. Syllabi and lecture schedules are also found in this series. The records relate to both the course at Harvard as well as a similar course at University of Pennsylvania.
History of the Harvard Graduate School of Education Course in Education of the Blind
The Harvard Graduate School of Education Course in Education of the Blind was an extension course offered in academic year 1920-1921. The course was jointly conducted by the Harvard Graduate School of Education, Massachusetts Department of Education Division of the Blind, the Perkins Institute for the Blind, and the Massachusetts Association for Promoting the Interests of the Adult Blind. Students could participate in a lecture course or an intensive course with lectures and practical training. It was intended for teachers, nurses, social workers, and volunteers, and was designed to provide a comprehensive survey of work with children and adults who were blind or had limited vision.
Biographical Note on Lotta S. Rand
Lotta Stetson Rand (August 26, 1868-December 3, 1956) was Executive Secretary for the Harvard Graduate School of Education Course in Education of the Blind from 1920 to 1921. Trained in social work, Rand worked for many organizations promoting services for the welfare of blind and limited vision people, including the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind, the American Red Cross, and the American Foundation for the Blind. She was also a delegate to the International Conference for the Blind in London in 1914 and Executive Secretary of the Special Committee for the Handicapped, as appointed by the Governor of Massachusetts in 1922. Rand served as Executive Secretary for the Harvard Graduate School of Education Course for Education of the Blind from 1921 to 1922. During this same time, she was also Executive Secretary for a similar course of lectures on the education of the blind at University of Pennsylvania and Pennsylvania Institute for the Instruction of the Blind offered in 1921.
Inventory Update
This document last updated 2022 May 27.
Processing Information
This finding aid was created by Erin Clauss in April 2022. The folder list was prepared by Taruna Singh. Information in square brackets was supplied by the archivist.
Creator
- Harvard University. Graduate School of Education (Organization)
- Title
- Harvard University. Graduate School of Education. Harvard Graduate School of Education correspondence and other records relating to education of the blind, 1913-1921 (inclusive), 1920-1921 (bulk) : an inventory
- Description rules
- dacs
- Language of description
- eng
- EAD ID
- hua23022
Repository Details
Part of the Harvard University Archives Repository
Holding nearly four centuries of materials, the Harvard University Archives is the principal repository for the institutional records of Harvard University and the personal archives of Harvard faculty, as well as collections related to students, alumni, Harvard-affiliates and other associated topics. The collections document the intellectual, cultural, administrative and social life of Harvard and the influence of the University as it emerged across the globe.
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