Frances Turgeon Wiggin papers, 1911-1985

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: SC-45

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The collection contains loose photographs and pages from a photograph album. The photographs are small black-and-white pictures that date from Wiggin's time at William Smith College and shortly after. Some photos depict the campus and her fellow students, ca. 1908-1912. There is also a series of sheet music and music programs. Wiggin wrote the music for most of the songs. The collection also includes a dance card, a scarf used in a college play, correspondence, newspaper clippings, and two little booklets of music.

Dates

Creation: 1911-1985

Creator

Wiggin, Frances Turgeon (Person)

Biographical Note

Frances Turgeon Wiggin, musician, composer, and author, was a member of William Smith College's charter class, graduating in 1912. Mrs. Wiggin's distinguished career documented the music of Maine's composers and helped increase public awareness of her home state's native music. In addition to composing Williams Smith College's Alma Mater she also wrote the "State of Maine" which was the official state song from 1929-1937. In 1959 Wiggin published her book Maine composers and Their Music, a Biographical Dictionary which is considered the definitive work on the subject. In 1952 Mrs. Wiggin received and honorary doctorate of humane letters from Hobart and Williams Smith Colleges. She was a 50-year board member of the Maine Federation of Music Clubs and served as chairwoman of it's Committee for Maine Composers and their Music for more than 25 years. She was an honorary life member of the Maine Historical Society and received an award from the society in 1976 for her contribution to Maine music. Other honorary life memberships included the Portland Rossini Club and the Mac Dowell Club of Portland. Wiggin died in 1985.

Extent

1.5 Linear Feet (2 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The collection contains many photographs and other memorabilia from Frances Turgeon Wiggin, William Smith College class of 1912. The photographs date from Wiggin's time in college and depict the campus and her fellow classmates. Wiggin went on to compose music and write a book titled Maine Composers and Their Music: A Biographical Dictionary (1959), and the collection includes a series of sheet music and music programs. There are also some correspondence, a college dance card, newspaper clippings, two scarves, and two little books of music.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged in the following series:

Photograph Album Pages and Loose Photographs
Sheet Music and Music Programs
Memorabilia
Additional Works by Frances T. Wiggin
Correspondence and Clippings

Location

Box 1: Archives Storage, Range 22A, Section 6

Box 2: Archives Office, Section 7

Provenance

There is a note in Box 2, Folder 36 that reads: "We gratefully acknowledge the gift of these items presented to the Archives of the Warren Hunting Smith Library by Mrs. Barbara Gent, daughter of Frances Turgeon Wiggin." According to the accession register the materials were received from Barbara Gent on November 4, 1985.