| Creator | Henty, Olive Ruby, 1892-1973 |
| Title | Olive Ruby Henty papers |
| Dates | 1911-1915 |
| Identification | MS 55 |
| Quantity | 1.5 linear feet (1 manuscript box and 1 flat box) |
| Collection Abstract | The Olive Ruby Henty Papers consists of one scrapbook and miscellaneous memorabilia chronicling her four years at Simmons until her graduation in 1915.The materials reflect the social and academic aspects of a Simmons student and life in Boston in the early 20th century. |
| Historical Abstract | Olive Ruby Henty attended Simmons College, graduating in 1915 with a degree in Household Economics. While at Simmons, Henty was active in the Glee Club, Choir, tennis, and track. She married Ralph Henty in 1920, with whom she had four children. She returned to her hometown of Oneida, New York and taught Home Economics and English in the Oneida public schools for many years, retiring in 1958. Like her undergraduate career, she was an active member of many Oneida organizations, including the First Presbyterian Church, the Columbian Club, and the Art Club. |
| Language | Material in English. |
| Location | Collection may be stored offsite. Please contact Archives staff for more information. |
Collection is open; with restricted access to student records and preservation concerns.
Preservation concerns include a fragile binding and brittle black paper.
Copyright for materials resides with the creators of the items in question, unless otherwise designated.
Please contact the College Archivist with requests to publish any material from the collection.
[Identification of item: description and date], Olive Ruby Henty papers, MS 55, Simmons College Archives, Boston, MA, USA.
Gift of Lynn Yellott '74, 1984.
Accession number: 84.033
Processed by Frances Maria Medina, February 2000
Supervised by Claire Goodwin and Joan Gearin.
This collection guide was encoded as part of the LEADS project by Aliza Allen Leventhal, February 2013
Olive Ruby Henty was born on May 4, 1892 in Oneida, New York. She was the daughter of Richard and Frances Morley Ruby. Mrs. Henty attended Oneida public schools before enrolling in Simmons College, graduating in 1915 with a degree in Household Economics. Her yearbook quote was the following: "I say just what I think, and nothing more or less."(1) While at Simmons Henty was active in the Glee Club, Choir, tennis, and track.
In 1920, Olive Ruby married Ralph Henty. The couple resided in many places, including St. Louis and Haverhill, before settling for good in her hometown of Oneida. The Hentys eventually had four children: Jean, born in 1923, Richard Ruby, born in 1924, John B., born in 1926, and Ralph H. Jr., born in 1928. Mrs. Henty taught in the Oneida public schools for many years, retiring in 1958. Her subject areas were Home Economics and English. She was an active member of many Oneida organizations, including the First Presbyterian Church, the Columbian Club, and the Art Club. She died on June 1, 1973 after a week's stay at the Oneida City Hospital.
The Olive Ruby Henty papers consists of one scrapbook and miscellaneous memorabilia chronicling her four years at Simmons until her graduation in 1915. Memorabilia includes photographs, correspondence, theater programs, academic records, dance cards, newspaper clippings, and examination questions. The collection also includes a scrapbook that contains items pertaining to life in the 1910s in Boston, including theater programs, dance cards, business cards, correspondence, paper memorabilia, and photographs.
These and related materials may be found under the following headings in online catalogs.
A digital version of this scrapbook can be found as part of the Notable Women of Simmons Digital Scrapbook Collection at https://gslis.simmons.edu/henty/.
Contains loose memorabilia divided into folders. Correspondence includes invitations, telegrams, letters, and envelopes. School-related materials include exam questions for various disciplines, including biology, chemistry, economics, and sewing, a meal permit, a locker rental receipt, and appointment cards. Also included are theater programs from various venues, including the Colonial Theatre, Boston Opera House, and Symphony Hall, and Simmons College programs, including dance cards and song lyrics. There are some miscellaneous artifacts, such as a paper bib, drawing, a Syracuse University fabric patch, two mounted photographs of an unidentified woman by Champlain & Farrar, and three loose photographs, newspaper articles, ticket stubs, business cards, and restaurant tickets.
Box 1
Contains Olive Ruby Henty's college scrapbook, presumably kept during her four years at Simmons (1911-1915). Each page is described in detail in the container list due to the wealth of information available. Items contained in the scrapbook include theater programs, correspondence, Simmons College event programs and handbooks, photographs, calling cards, dance cards, business cards, handicrafts, and newspaper clippings.
Box 2
Postcard? Simmons College, Main College Building
Calling card, "Miss Olive C. Ruby"
Photograph of two unidentified students posed with two unidentified men; Colorite Colors sample card; Dance card, unidentified; Flyer, Keith's Theatre, Featuring Houdini, Week of September 15, 1911; Appointment Card, Office of the Registrar, 1911; Card, "Don't Put Your Wish-bone Where Your Back-bone Ought to Be."
Newspaper photograph of men's sports team, "Harvard Vs. Bates Today;" Photograph, unidentified student and man (poor condition) Booklet; "Constitution and House Rules of the Student Government Association, Simmons College Dormitories"; Calling card, "Miss Gertrude Cora Blackmar, 129 North Hall;" Photograph, two unidentified students posed near building with bicycle (poor condition); Business card, McManus Stable Card, "If you owe a debt, pay it; if you owe a grudge, forget it."
Simmons College Student Guild Handbook, 1911-1912; Tag, "Simmons Miss Ruby;" Note to Miss Ruby from E. Whitney; Photograph of unidentified student carrying parasol; Calling card, "Hugh Stanley Reeve;" Card, "You'd better not know so much, than know so many things that ain't so;" "Simmons College Gymnasium Record of Physical Measurements" for Olive Ruby College Night; Invitation, Mt. Vernon Congregational Church, October 12.
Piece of an unidentified postcard Flyer; Colonial Theatre, "The Red Widow", Week of September 25, 1911; Card, stating Olive Ruby's advisor for 1911-1912; Card, "Olive Ruby 1911" with drawing of black cat Membership card; Simmons Athletic Association, 1912; Letter to Olive Ruby from Edith Salisbury; 1915 Photograph, three unidentified women and Olive Ruby Henty; '15 Fabric remnant.
Score card, Harvard Vs. Brown, October 28, 1911; Dance card, Delta Gamma Sorority Informal, December 28, 1911; Handwritten Invitation Customs stub; Invitation, Mt. Vernon Church Sociable, November 7, 1911; Handwritten invitation from Helen Curtis.
Flyer, "The Blue Bird" Schubert Theatre, Week of October 30, 1911; Menu, Table D‟Hote Dinner at Café de Paris, November 12, 1911; Watercolor of a Turkey, by Olive Ruby Fortune (parts are illegible); Calling Card, Rev. and Mrs. James Austin Richards (with stamped envelope).
Program, Boston Symphony Orchestra, 1911-1912 (cover only); Calling Card, Miss Dorothea Cushing Woods, with handwritten invitation on it (with envelope); Tea Schedule, Social Service Club of South Congregational Church, 1911-1912 (in duplicate); Calling card, Miss Rebecca Sheldon Sackett; Card, "OCR 5 years with joy on our humble fare, and take good cheer from the candle's flare;" Piso's Pocket Book Almanac for 1912.
Flyer, "Ben-Hur", Boston Theatre, Week of November 2, 1911; Newspaper clipping, drawing of a dog; Calling card, Frau Ferdinand Ruppert; Newspaper photograph of an unidentified man; Handwritten poem.
Advertisement, "Elsie Janis", Colonial Theatre, 1911; Advertisement, "Every Woman", Majestic Theatre; Dance card, Gamma Delta Phi Fraternity Annual Christmas Party (with pencil attached), December 26, 1911.
Flyer, "The End of the Bridge", Castle Square Theatre, Week of November 20, 1911; Photograph of unidentified students; Invitation, Brooklyn City Guard; Review of the Company, March 29, 1912.
Score card, First Corps Cadets Vs. Battery "A", F.A. November 30, 1911; Photograph, four unidentified students posed near unidentified building; Photograph, three unidentified students posed in bed; Photograph, group of unidentified students posed near building Program, Wellesley College Memorial Chapel Christmas Vespers, 1911; Handwritten invitation, Refectory party.
Flyer, "The Pink Lady", Colonial Theatre, Week of January 15, 1912; Dance card, Annual Review and Parade of Brooklyn City Guard, 1912; Photograph, two unidentified students posed near building; Photograph, group of unidentified students posed near building.
Exhibition Catalogue, Boston Art Club (undated); Flyer, "The Trail of the Lonesome Pine" Boston Theatre, Week of January 1, 1912; Photograph, unidentified students in nightgowns studying; Photograph, unidentified students posed near building.
Program, Simmons Glee and Mandolin Clubs, 1911-1912; Photograph, three unidentified students posed near tree; Newspaper clippings, advertisements for churches in Brooklyn, New York Flyer, "The Product of the Mill", Castle Square Theatre, Week of February 12, 1912; Small doll, handcrafted out of a wishbone, with black face and cape.
Program, "The First Lady in the Land", Hollis St. Theatre, Week of February 5, 1912; Photograph, four unidentified students posed on hill in the Fens wearing hats and coats; Small American flag, made of fabric Tissue paper rose with stem Line drawing of unidentified woman; Photograph, four unidentified students posed near unidentified outdoor sculpture; Business card, James H. Harnden Co.
Program, "The Quaker Girl", Park Theatre, March 25, 1912; Business card, Adeline Frances Dunham M.D.; Photograph, four unidentified men posed one on top of the other; Photograph, unidentified student wearing hat; Photograph, four unidentified students wearing hats posed overlooking a stone bridge.
Souvenir Book, New York Hippodrome (cover only)
Photograph, three unidentified students wearing hats and coats posed outdoors; Invitation, to Olive Ruby from President of Simmons College (with envelope); Invitation, New Year's Reception at Mount Vernon Church, 1912 (with stamped envelope); 2 Ticket Stubs, Plymouth and Majestic Theatres, 1912 Program, "Alias Jimmy Valentine", Plymouth Theatre, Week of May 6, 1912; Program, Lenten Organ Recital, Wanamaker Auditorium New York, March 25, 1912.
Program, "The Rose Maid", Colonial Theatre, Week of March 4, 1912; Invitation, "Stork Shower" for Mrs. R.A. Peterson, 1912 (with stamped envelope); Photograph, four unidentified students posed outdoors "Simmons College Gymnasium Record of Physical Measurements" for Olive Ruby Photograph, unidentified buildings.
Wedding Invitation, Wintie Bowman to Walter Morley Ruby, 1912 (with envelope); Flyer, "Gypsy Love", Tremont Theatre, Week of March 25, 1912; Calling card, Mr. Everett D. Stetson Announcement of new store opening, Page & Shaw Candies; Small pennant, Princeton cardboard and crepe paper bracelet? "Olive Oil Rubifoam;" Small poster, "Spring Public of the O.H.S Sphinx Society", 1911.
Program, "Disraeli", Plymouth Theatre, Week of October 28, 1912; Birth Announcement, Ray Peterson Jr., 1912 (with stamped envelope); Typewritten letter, "Sister Miriam" to Olive Ruby Card, "Olive Ruby", with picture of leaf; Flyer, “The Fascinating Widow”, Boston Theatre, Week of April 29, 1912; Card, "Poodin + Pie".
Dance card, unidentified; Program, "The Siren", Empire Theatre, Week of September 9, 1912; Newspaper clipping, "Trip to the Moon by Local Talent;" Flyer, "My Best Girl", Boston Theatre, Week of November 18, 1912.
Program, Simmons College Tenth Anniversary Service, October 30, 1912; Pressed flowers; Ticket stub, Plymouth Theatre Calling card, Mr. Lysle Risley Dunbar; Paper band, "Chicken, Price 15 Cents".
Crepe paper pumpkin Receipt, Western Union Telegraph Co.; Photograph, unidentified student posed near tree.
Program, People's Choral Union Spring Concert, April 28, 1912; Photograph, unidentified sculpture Photograph, group of unidentified students posed near unidentified building Invitation, from Mr. and Mrs. Thomas S. Woods (with envelope); Invitation, Gymnastic Exhibition, Sargent School for Physical Education, 1912.
Program, "The Naughty Little Princess", Schubert Theatre, 1912; Dance card, Simmons College (with pencil) Photograph, unidentified students posed near building; Photograph, three unidentified students wearing hats posed near building; Photograph, three unidentified students posed near for sale sign.
Program, 23rd Rehearsal and Concert, Boston Symphony Orchestra, April 26, 1912; Flyer, "The Siren", Colonial Theatre, Week of April 8, 1912; Calling card, Mr. William E. Barott Valentine poster.
Crepe paper hat?; Fabric Sign "Measles! No visitors allowed."; Program, "The Kiss Waltz", Oneida Theatre Company, August 29, 1912; Address form, with "Mother & baby fell off car" written on it.
Program, "Little Boy Blue", Majestic Theatre, Week of October 7, 1912; Photograph, four unidentified students posed outdoors.
Program, Oneida Theatre Company, 1912 (cover only); Dance card, unidentified Small Oriental rug Fortune Invitation, in shape of a tomahawk; Copy of the Simmons College Song.
Program, "The Runaway", Hollis St. Theatre, Week of April 15, 1912; Program and Dance Card, Ladies' Night, Pawtucket Royal Arch Chapter No. 4, 1913 (with pencil attached); Poem Wedding invitation, Mary Conway to Mr. Frederic O‟Hara, 1912 (with envelope); Handwritten note about cooking Monogrammed "R".
Program, Minstrel Show and Dance, February 15, 1913; Card, "I've Been Saving For a Month to Buy this Postal for You, Ain't I Nice?"; Dance card, Annual Ball, Jacob's Academy Theta Phi Fraternity, March 25, 1913; Crepe paper souvenir.
Program, Simmons College Glee and Mandolin Club Concert, March 1, 1913; Card with Rhode Island Coat of Arms and State Seal (with envelope); Handwritten Invitation from New York Club Flyer, "The Elopement of Ellen", Wheaton College, January 29, 1913; Handwritten note.
Songbook, Simmons College Track Meet, May 11, 1912; Dance Card, Jacob's Academy Kappa Epsilon Fraternity, March 27, 1913; Telephone message Card, "Olive Ruby Xmas 1912" with drawing of a woman; Certificate for a neat desk, 1912; Program and Menu, Simmons College Sophomore Luncheon, May 17, 1913.
Program, "Ruddygore", Lend a Hand Dramatic Club of Simmons College, March 5, 1913; Card, "Olive Ruby", with drawing of flower Blank notecard, with Dartmouth College seal; Song lyrics Dance card, Minstrel Show Dance, 1913.
Program, Shubert Theatre (cover only); 2 Passenger Check stubs, Boston to Utica and Utica to Boston 2 ticket stubs, Colonial Theatre Ticket, St. James Theatre; Piece of hot pink crepe paper Academic record of Olive Ruby, Simmons College, February 1, 1913.
Program, "13th Rehearsal and Concert", Boston Symphony Orchestra, January 24, 1913; Application for Student's Ticket, Museum of Fine Arts, 1912; Printed poem Wedding invitation and letter, Lois Aldrich to Harry Wellott, 1913 (with stamped envelope).
Program, "Sweethearts", Colonial Theatre, Week of May 12, 1913; Simmons College "Wanted: A Mile of Pennies" Penny holder Fund Raiser?; Academic record of Olive Ruby, Simmons College, 1912 (with envelope).
Program, Tech Show "Money in Sight", 1913 (includes issue of MIT's "The Tech", 1913).
Dance card, Jacob's Academy Delta Gamma Sorority Informal, 1912 (cover is white leather); Flyer, Keith's Theatre, Week of January 20, 1913 Card, "Olive Ruby" with stem and ribbon; Program, "The Red Petticoat", Schubert Theatre, February 10, 1913; Dance card, Jacob's Academy Annual Christmas Party, 1912 (cover is black suede).
Program, Colgate Dramatic Club, Oneida High School; Newspaper clipping, "Miss Dorothea Cushing Woods Presented to Society at Brookline Home"; Program and dance card, Simmons College Glee and Mandolin Clubs Annual Concert, 1913; Membership card, Simmons Athletic Association, 1913.
