Baugher, Dorothy Lee Papers, 1936-2003 (bulk 1975-1981) *JMU Alum Papers*

Repository:

Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University

Creator:

Baugher, Dorothy Lee, 1917-2009

Title:

Dorothy Lee Baugher Papers

Collection No.:

SC 0124

Date:

1936-2003 (bulk 1975-1981)

Extent:

2 boxes, .50 Cubic Feet

Language of the Material:

English

Abstract:

The Dorothy Lee Baugher Papers, 1936-2003 (bulk 1975-1981), consist of two boxes of newspaper clippings, poetry, fiction and non-fiction writings, and drawings produced by Baugher. The collection also includes miscellaneous materials including correspondence, receipts, programs, and notes.

Dorothy Lee Baugher (1917-2009) graduated from Madison College in 1939. While a student, she served as a member of the art staff for the Schoolma'am yearbook. A McGaheysville native, Baugher taught art and English at Turner Ashby High School and in 1975 became the editor for the "Footprints and Echoes" column for the Bicentennial at the Daily News-Record. Baugher's interests included art, pottery, writing fiction and non-fiction, and poetry.

The Dorothy Lee Baugher Papers, 1936-2003 (bulk 1975-1981), are arranged in five series and consist of two boxes of newspaper clippings, poetry, fiction and non-fiction writings, and drawings produced by Baugher. The collection also includes miscellaneous materials including correspondence, receipts, programs, and notes.

Series 1, Daily News-Record Materials, 1975-1981, is comprised of newspaper clippings written by Baugher on subjects pertaining to the United States Bicentennial (1976) as well as the city of Harrisonburg's Bicentennial (1980) in the "Footprints and Echoes" column of the Daily News-Record. Topics range from Revolutionary War efforts in the Valley, women's roles in the Revolution, and general daily life in the late eighteenth century. The series includes some of Baugher's typed drafts as well as her drawings, many of which were sketched on the backs of cereal and food boxes. The sketches were published alongside her articles in the Daily News-Record. An index of these writings is available here.

Series 2, Non-Fiction, undated, includes a variety of short stories and essays of historical and religious content. Baugher's writings reference Patrick Henry, Stonewall Jackson, Pendleton Bryan, and the Methodist Church. The non-fiction works also include narrative Bible stories about Christmas, Zachariah and Elizabeth, and Thomas the Apostle or Didymus.

Series 3, Fiction, 2002-2003, is comprised of notes, drafts, manuscripts, and short stories. Included in this series is a children's story entitled "Corky" about a pig which was also illustrated by Baugher. Written under the pseudonym Dorothy Lee Desailles, "The Reluctant Heart" is Baugher's most extensive work. This unpublished full-length manuscript is set dually in the Caribbean and the United States with religious connotations, a variety of characters, a love-angle, and mystery. Numerous drafts of "The Reluctant Heart" are retained. Ficticious short stories, notes, and resource material for potential works or works in progress are also present.

Series 4, Poetry, 1986-1998, is a collection of handwritten and typed poems written by Baugher. Much of the poetry has religious themes with references to God and Bible verses. Notes on potential publishing companies are also present.

Series 5, Miscellany, 1936-2003, consists of various church and community programs, correspondence, notes, and other ephemera. Specific materials include J.C. Penney employee's sales receipts, the Turner Ashby Class of 1961 "Progress Report" (1981 ed.) in which class members describe their lives and families twenty years after graduating, and a Daily News-Record article and Op-Ed piece recognizing Baugher for her work in the community.

The collection is arranged in five series:

Series 1: Daily News-Record Materials, 1975-1981

Series 2: Non-Fiction, undated

Series 3: Fiction, 2002-2003

Series 4: Poetry, 1986-1998

Series 5: Miscellany, 1936-2003

Obituary for Dorothy L. Baugher, Daily News-Record, August 15, 2009.

The Schoolma'am, 1939. Harrisonburg (Va.): Madison College.