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Sarah McLellan Whitmore botanical scrapbook

 Collection
Identifier: M356

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Content Description

Scrapbook album containing 66 of Whitmore's graphite and watercolor botanical illustrations. The majority of the works are of deciduous tree leaves or flowering annuals or perennials. Many have labels indicating they were drawn from nature, and a few from pictures. Most of the works are undated; those that are were completed between 1830 and 1846.

Dates

  • Creation: 1830-1846, n.d.

Creator

Biographical / Historical

Sarah McLellan Whitmore (January 9, 1816-July 13, 1914) was the third and youngest daughter of John G. Whitmore and Sarah McLellan of Bowdoinham, Maine; the family also had six sons. None of the daughters married and they lived together, with their brother Nathaniel, a well known lawyer who was also unmarried, in Gardiner, Maine. Sarah outlived all her siblings, remaining in the Gardiner home "surrounded by the familiar objects of a a long life" and directing the "management of her home and interests." (Jessie Whitmore Patten Purdy's "The Whitmore Genealogy: A Record of the Descendents of Francis Whitmore of Cambridge, Massachusetts (1625-1685)). Sarah passed away at the age of 98.

Extent

1 Volumes

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Scrapbook album containing 66 graphite and watercolor botanical illustrations by Sarah McLellan Whitmore of Bowdoinham, Maine, dated 1830-1846, n.d.

Condition Description

Scrapbook binding is damaged; paper mounts are fragile, but watercolors are in stable and good condition.

Related Names

Subjects

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title
Guide to the Sarah McLellan Whitmore Botanical Scrapbook
Status
Completed
Author
Kat Stefko
Date
2021
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the George J. Mitchell Department of Special Collections & Archives, Bowdoin College Library, Brunswick, Maine 04011 Repository

http://library.bowdoin.edu/arch/index.shtml
Contact:
3000 College Station
Brunswick Maine 04011 USA
(207) 725-3288

Acknowledgment of non-neutrality

The George J. Mitchell Department of Special Collections & Archives, like all archives and special collections libraries, is the creation of human beings who have collected, organized, and described things in ways that reflect personal, cultural, societal, and institutional biases. Although we strive to preserve and present collections in a manner that is respectful to the individuals and communities who create, use, and are represented in the collections, we acknowledge that our systems are neither neutral nor perfect. We encourage you to let us know if you encounter materials, descriptive language, or practices that are offensive or harmful, particularly those for which inadequate context or warning is offered. We are committed to modifying and updating our descriptive practices to use respectful and inclusive terminology and appreciate your help in this work. We look forward to supporting you in your research and learning together.