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Bertha E. Butts sewing scrapbook and dress

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: RITArc-0203

Scope and Contents

The Bertha E. Butts collection contains 2 items: a sewing scrapbook and dress. Butts created both while enrolled in a dressmaking course at the Rochester Athenaeum and Mechanics Institute in 1904. The scrapbook includes fabric samples of sewing stitches and techniques, 14 pencil sketches documenting the making of her dress, and a written sewing test (she scored 98).

Dates

  • Creation: 1904

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open to researchers.

Biographical / Historical

Bertha E. Butts (1882-1963) was born June 30, 1882 to Frank Lyman and Hattie Green Butts in Sodus, New York. One of ten children in the Butts family, she attended school at the Sodus Academy and in 1904, enrolled in a dressmaking course at the Rochester Athenaeum and Mechanics Institute. Butts worked as a seamstress in Sodus and later, in Washington, D.C. There, she also operated three cafeterias, one of which she co-owned with her sister, Mrs. Victor Tapke.

Bertha E. Butts died December 27, 1963 in Chevy Chase, Maryland. She is buried in Sodus Rural Cemetery.

Extent

1.9 Linear Feet (1 clamshell box, 1 lid box)

Language

English

Overview

Materials related to Bertha E. Butts, dressmaking student in the Department of Household Arts and Science at the Rochester Athenaeum and Mechanics Institute in 1904. The collection includes a sewing sample scrapbook and dress made for class.

Arrangement

The dress and scrapbook reside in separate boxes.

Physical Location

C.S. South, Shelf 327

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Accession number(s): 08:31

The collection was donated to RIT Archives by Bertha's niece, Mary Helen Joint in July 2008.

Processing Information

Finding aid created by Amy Vilz in July 2011.

Title
Bertha E. Butts sewing scrapbook and dress
Status
Published
Subtitle
RIT Archives
Author
Amy Vilz
Date
18 July 2011
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the RIT Archives Repository

Contact:
Rochester NY 14623 USA