Folwell family papers
Scope and Content
This collection contains the papers of the Folwell family. The bulk of the papers belonged to Mary H. Folwell, including correspondence during her time in Cuba and Trinidad keeping her brother's house while he served in the army during the Spanish-American War, reminiscences of University of Minnesota faculty and her corrections on her father's autobiography, which was published in 1933. The collection also contains a diary and outgoing correspondence of Sarah (Mrs. William Watts) Folwell, correspondence of Russell Folwell and William Bainbridge Folwell. There are also letters by Dr. William Watts Folwell to his children and a diary of letters. A coffee and tea service gifted by the University of Minnesota Board of Trustees to William and Sarah on the occasion of their 50th wedding anniversary (1913) was added to the collection in 2019.
Dates
- 1898-1944
Creator
- Folwell family (Family)
Language of Materials
English
Use of Materials
Items in this collection do not circulate and may be used in-house only.
Copyright
Researchers may quote from the collection under the fair use provision of the copyright law (Title 17, U.S. Code). Requests to publish should be arranged with the University of Minnesota Archives.
Biographical Sketch of the Folwell Family
William Watts Folwell was the first President of the University of Minnesota (1869-1884). He met his wife Sarah Heywood at Hobart College in Geneva, New York. They were married on March 13, 1863 while Dr. Folwell was on a 10-day leave of absence from his Civil War unit. They had three children: Mary Heywood, William Bainbridge and Russell Heywood. William B. Folwell served as a Captain in the U.S. Army during the Spanish-American War, while his sister Mary traveled with him keeping his house in Cuba and Trinidad. Mary also attended the University of Minnesota during her father's tenure. Both Mary and William resided in Minneapolis, while Russell moved on to Chicago. After the death of Dr. Folwell in 1929, Mary and William B. moved into the family home in Minneapolis to care for their mother Sarah until her death in 1931. Mary continued to live in the family home until she passed away in 1946.
Extent
4.75 Cubic Feet (4 boxes (3 Paige; 1 flat))
Abstract
Collection contains the papers of the Folwell family, including papers of William Watts Folwell, first President of the University of Minnesota.
Source of acquisition
Deposited in University Archives by Mary H. Folwell. Additional donation by Cathleen Vetica in 2019.
University of Minnesota Faculty
- Folder 19 contains Mary H. Folwell's reminiscences of certain faculty members of the University of Minnesota, usually chatty informal information concerning their coming to the University, their visits to the Folwell home, their physical descriptions, family members, etc. Among those mentioned are the following:
- James R. Angell
- George P. Conger
- John Dewey
- Harlow S. Gale
- W.S. Hough
- George F. James
- E. Bird Johnson
- Richard W. Laing
- Edward D. Neill
- Cyrus Northrop
- Alexander T. Ormond
- Thomas Peebles
- Mrs. S.G. Smith
- Fred J.E. Woodbridge
- Cuba -- Description and Travel Subject Source: Lcnaf
- Folwell family -- Biography Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Folwell, Mary Heywood, 1864-1946
- Folwell, Russell Heywood, 1872-1939
- Folwell, Sarah Hubbard Heywood, 1838-1931
- Folwell, William Bainbridge, 1878-1938
- Folwell, William Watts, 1833-1929
- Spanish-American War, 1898 Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- United States -- History -- 19th century Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- University of Minnesota
- Title
- Folwell family papers, 1898-1944
- Author
- Alma O. Scott; updated by Karen Spilman
- Date
- February 2005
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English
Revision Statements
- October 2019: Update to contents list
Collecting Area Details
Contact The University Archives Collecting Area
