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Helen McIlroy Papers

 Collection
Identifier: 2023-08

Collection Scope

This small collection contains a variety of record types both those created by Helen and printed materials that she collected, which tell us about the institutions that she patronized. Of note, is an address book which contains extra information including notes on her working hours during 1933 and what she attended to while at work. The book provides information regarding the Cranbrook School building and dedications, seating capacities of all auditoriums, who lived in Tower Cottage in 1941, the supplier for the blinds at Cranbrook House in 1934, birth/death dates of employees, and resolution dates for the institutions. Also of interest in the administrative materials is a list of the founding dates of the institutions from beginning of project to its dedication or opening.

The correspondence includes letters from Henry Scripps Booth concerning the memorial scholarship dedicated to Ellen Scripps Booth as well as a note of thanks for flowers during the illness of George Booth, a week before his death. There are also letters from Ralph Stone, Lee White, James Beresford, Robert Matson, and John Gerard.

The collection includes a variety of News Clippings dated from 1956 to 1970, predominantly concerning the Cranbrook institutions. Other printed materials include newsletters and programs of Cranbrook institutions, particularly the CIS and Cranbrook Music Guild. There are also some non-Cranbrook publications with articles about Cranbrook.

A small amount of audiovisual materials includes a selection of photographs of Cranbrook events and one of Henry Scripps Booth, signed and dedicated by him.

Dates

  • Majority of material found within 1933 - 1979
  • 1953 - 1977

Creator

Access

Access to the collection is unrestricted.

Use

Permission to use collection materials must be requested in writing.

History

Miss Helen Louise McIlroy was born on April 29, 1908, in Tarrytown, NY. She was the daughter of William McIlroy who also worked for Cranbrook Foundation as Superintendent of Buildings in the 1950s, as well as for a short time during the thirties. It is not known when the family moved to Michigan. Helen worked as a public stenographer and came to Cranbrook on a temporary assignment when Brookside School called to ask if she would fill in for an employee who was ill. Soon after this assignment, Helen closed her office and came to work permanently for the Cranbrook Foundation, beginning June 11, 1931. Helen worked as the assistant to George Booth and, later, became Henry Scripps Booth's secretary. In these roles, she communicated and worked with all divisions and staff becoming a great source of information. She retired on June 30, 1974 and continued to live in Birmingham. Helen died on April 13, 1980.

Extent

.42 Linear Feet (1.5 MS)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Helen McIlroy first came to Cranbrook as a temporary Brookside School employee. From 1931 until her retirement she worked permanently for the Cranbrook Foundation, as the assistant to George Booth and, later, as Henry Scripps Booth's secretary. In these roles, she communicated and worked with all divisions and staff becoming a great source of information. This small collection contains a variety of record types that reflect McIlroy's position at Cranbrook and include various details documenting Cranbrook's institutions, particularly the CIS and Cranbrook Music Guild, and its staff and board members.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged alphabetically by record type. Within the folders, materials are arranged chronologically.

Custodial History

Helen McIlroy's family gave these materials to Corajoyce Rauss. Date unknown.

Acquisition

Donated to the Archives by Corajoyce Rauss.

Related Materials

George G. Booth Papers (1981-01) Henry Scripps and Carolyn Farr Booth Papers (1982-05)

Title
Guide to the Helen McIlroy Papers
Subtitle
McIlroy (Helen) Papers
Status
Completed
Author
Laura MacNewman
Date
2023-07
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Cranbrook Archives, Cranbrook Center for Collections and Research Repository

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