Guide to the Mabel Chipman Papers,​ 1890-​1988

Overview of the Collection

Repository:
Special Collections & Archives
McIntyre Library
University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire
P.O. Box 4004
105 Garfield Ave.
Eau Claire, WI 54702 – 4004
(715) 836-2739
https://library.uwec.edu/archives/

Reference Code: For Archives Series: USGZE AS392

Accession Number: 81-133

Collection Number: AS392

Creators: Mabel Chipman, 1900-1988

Title: Mabel Chipman Papers, 1890-1988

Dates: 1900-1988

Quantity: 2.2 linear feet (2 records cartons and 1 archives box)

Location of Collection: E3/1e

Languages: Collection materials are in English

Summary: Mabel W. Chipman (1900-1988) enjoyed a long career as business manager at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. The collection holds both personal and professional papers documenting her childhood in Redgranite, Wisconsin, her college years at Oshkosh State Normal School and the University of Wisconsin--Madison, her years as a teacher at many Wisconsin high schools, and also her career at the university. Highlights of this collection include many photographs, personal writings and poetry, records of her employment at Eau Claire, professional and personal correspondence, records of the estate of Clara Mae Ward, and several reports done while she was an undergraduate and graduate student at UW-Madison.

Biographical / Historical Note

Mabel W. Chipman was born in Redgranite, Wisconsin in 1900, the only child of Fred and Emily Chipman. She graduated from Redgranite High School in 1919 and then attended the Oshkosh State Normal School from 1916-1919 where she received her teaching degree. She taught at a number of high schools including Winneconne High School and Redgranite High School from 1919 to 1930. After eleven years she left the teaching profession to attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison from 1930-1932. She received a Bachelor’s Degree in finance in 1931, and in 1932 she received her Master’s Degree in commerce with an emphasis in accounting. After receiving her Master’s degree, she moved to Eau Claire and became the business manager at the Eau Claire State Teacher’s College. Her many duties included accounting for all funds, purchasing, payroll, maintaining supplies, assisting with budget preparation, and disbursing student loan funds. For many years she was the only financial officer. Chipman was also active in area organizations including the Wisconsin Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Club and the Eau Claire Women’s Club. Chipman was an avid reader and writer of poetry and was the Literature Department Chairman of the Eau Claire Women’s Club. She was also a friend of the university’s first music teacher, Clara Mae Ward. Mabel Chipman retired from the University in 1965 and remained in the city of Eau Claire until her death in 1988.

Content Description

The papers consist of three series: Education Files (1900-1955), Personal Papers (1890-1985), and Professional Papers (1943-1977).

Administrative Information

Acquisition Information: Donated to the University Archives by the estate of Mabel Chipman, July 1988.

Access Restrictions: Collection is open to the public

Use Restrictions: Researchers are responsible for using in accordance with 17 U.S.C. Copyright owned by the University of Wisconsin--Eau Claire.

Preferred Citation: Mabel Chipman Papers, 1890-1988. AS392. Special Collections & Archives. McIntyre Library. University of Wisconsin--Eau Claire. Eau Claire, WI.

Processing Note: Processed by Rachel Knudson, December 2008.

Arrangement: By Series.

Subjects

Personal Names:
Mabel Chipman, 1900-1988
Clara Mae Ward, 1890-1960

Corporate Names:
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire – History

Subject Terms:
Women in the professions – Wisconsin – History
Education – Wisconsin – History
Women – Education – Wisconsin

Detailed List of Contents

Series 1: Education Files

Mabel Chipman’s education files include commencement programs, school work, research, and copies of college reports. She wrote two reports as an undergraduate focused on local economic themes: Taxation in Redgranite, and Analysis of Maidens Beauty Shop: Madison, Wisconsin. Also included in the collection is a copy of her undergraduate senior thesis completed in 1931: Silver Production and the Silver Market since 1900.

Dates: 1900-1955

Extent: 0.7 linear feet (1/2 records carton, 1 archives box)

Series 2: Personal Papers

Mabel Chipman’s personal papers include various correspondence, photographs, a detailed scrapbook that Chipman kept of World War II, and extensive records and correspondence in regard to the estate of Clara Mae Ward.

Dates: 1890-1985

Extent: 0.5 linear feet (1/2 records carton)

Series 3: Professional Papers

Professional papers include various correspondence, performance evaluations, photographs, a retirement scrapbook, involvement in area organizations like the AAUW, Eau Claire Woman’s Club, and Wisconsin Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Club.

Dates: 1943-1977

Extent: 1.0 linear feet (1 records carton)