Scarritt Rural Center Collection

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 2017.021

  • Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection contains Scarritt Rural Center communications, staff and student records and assignments, units of study, faculty records, financial records, intern journals, and alumni records from 1940-1967.

Dates

  • 1941 - 1967

Conditions Governing Access

Collections are stored offsite, and a minimum of 24 hours is needed to retrieve these items for use. Researchers interested in consulting any of the collections are advised to contact: The Virginia Davis Laskey Library, Scarritt-Bennett Center, Nashville

Conditions Governing Use

The copyright interests in this collection remain with the creator. For more information, contact: The Virginia Davis Laskey Library, Scarritt-Bennett Center, Nashville, TN.

Biographical / Historical

Scarritt College established the Scarritt College Rural Center near Crossville, TN, in January 1942 as a training ground for rural missionaries. The Dean of the Center was Dr. Leslie G. Templin, and Mabel K. Howell was the inspirational leader.

The Center consisted of 420 acres; 120 acres were dedicated to cultivation, and the remaining land was converted to a lake and wooded area. The Center's buildings included a dormitory, a library, a church, worker's homes, a crafts room, a milking barn, and a variety of sheds and barns on a well-equipped farm. The Center allowed Scarritt College students to gain familiarity with scientific procedures on a small scale, insight into the problems unique to rural people, and real-life experience that could be applied to the improvement of farm land throughout the world.

In addition, these farming projects were cooperative programs of a social and religious nature; students could work with children, youth, and adults in many areas, from Sunday School to crafts.

During its seven-year run, the Center proved its unique ability to train students as missionaries to rural areas around the world.

Extent

2.52 Linear Feet (6 hollinger boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

This collection contains reports, papers, course materials, writings, documents, correspondence, articles, manuscripts, manuscript drafts, and manuscript resources from 1940-1967.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged in single folders by subject.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

This collection is property of The Virginia Davis Laskey Library, Scarritt-Bennett Center, Nashville, TN

Title
Finding Aid for The Scarritt Rural Center
Author
Jim Evilsizer
Date
August 8, 2018
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Scarritt Bennett Center - Laskey Library and Archives Repository

Contact:
Virginia Davis Laskey Library and Archives
1027 18th Avenue South
Nashville TN 37212


 

About this Site

This site contains collection guides, or finding aids, to the archival collections held by Vanderbilt University Special Collections and University Archives, the History of Medicine Collection, and the Scarritt Bennett Center. Finding aids describe the context, arrangement, and structure of archival materials, allowing users to identify and request materials relevant to their research.

Requesting Materials

Each finding aid contains a link to request materials from the collections. Collections can also be requested by emailing the repository directly through the library website. Each repository has its own location, hours, and contact information. Please consult the repository with questions about using the materials. Collections are non-circulating and must be used in the repository’s reading room. In many cases, the collections are stored off-site and require advance notice for retrieval.