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Bea McPherson papers
Special Collections and Archives
Bea McPherson papers
Special Collections and Archives
Bea McPherson papers
- Repository: Kent State University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives.
- Title: Bea McPherson papers
- Inclusive Date(s): 1935-2016
- Bulk Date(s): 1940-1993
- Author: Finding aid prepared by Edith Serkownek
- Creation: Finding aid encoded by Edith Serkownek using the OhioLINK EAD Application in 2011
- Origination: McPherson, Bea
- Extent: 1 cubic feet (3 boxes = 1 document case, 1 slim document case and 1 small newspaper box)
- Physical Location: 11th floor
- Finding Aid Identifier: OhKeUSC0125
- Abstract: This collection, dating from 1935-1993 includes material relating to Bea (Shaheen) McPherson's career as a student at Kent State University (1940-1943). The collection also includes material relating to McPherson's organization of reunions of the Military Mapping Corps, a group of women recruited from colleges to work for the Army Map Service during World War II.
- Revision(s):
- January 2018 - Revised by Cara Gilgenbach
- Language(s): The records are in English
Biography of Bea McPherson
Originally from Canton, Ohio, Bea (Shaheen) McPherson, attended Kent State University from 1940 to 1943. As a senior elementary education and geography major, McPherson was recruited by her geography professor to receive special training. The training consisted of a 60-hour course in the basics of military mapmaking. With the approval of the US Department of Education and Civil Service Commission in 1942, the course was taught at numerous college campuses in order to quickly train and recruit the large numbers of employees needed for the Army Map Service's wartime efforts. Through these courses approximately 200 women from campuses all over the East and Midwest were recruited into the Army Map Service in 1942-1943. Upon graduation McPherson reported for work to the Service in Washington, D.C., and she continued to work as a mapmaker for the remainder of World War II. This group of women eventually became known as the Military Mapmaking Corps, the Military Mapmaking Maids or the 3M Girls.
Following the war, McPherson left the Service eventually moving back to Hartville, Ohio, with her husband James W. McPherson Jr. McPherson has continued to be active as a KSU alum, particularly as an early supporter and organizer of the KSU Museum, and she has also organized three Military Mapmaking Corps reunions.
Scope and Content
This collection includes material relating to Bea (Shaheen) McPherson as a Kent State University student (1940-1943) and active alum and includes a mathematics textbook McPherson used as a student and a scrapbook that McPerson kept during this period. The scrapbook includes ephemera relating to college life and activities including sorority and fraternity parties, theatrical events, area restaurant menus and newspaper clippings. Additional material in this collection relates to McPherson's service as a mapmaker for the Army Map Service during World World War II. McPherson organized reunions of the Military Mapmaking Corps members in 1968, 1976 and 1993. Reunion material includes correspondence, planning documents, publicity, photographs and Defense Mapping Agency promotional materials.
Statement of Arrangement
The Bea McPherson papers are divided into series as follows:
- Series 1: Kent State University Related Material
- Series 2: Military Mapmakers Related Material
Related Material
Further information concerning Bea McPherson's KSU Museum-related activities can be found in the Bea McPherson, KSU Museum and Fashion School papers.
Preferred Citation
Bea McPherson papers. Kent State University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives.
Acquisition Information
Bea McPherson donated this collection to Kent State University's Special Collection's and Archives in 2011.
Bibliography
"WWII History of the Army Map Service." Topographic Maps of Eastern Europe. N.p., 2008. Web. 1 Jul 2011.
Subject Headings
The following subjects are found in this collection:
- Subjects:
- McPherson, Bea--Archives
- World War, 1939-1945--Cartography
- United States. Army Map Service
- Kent State University
- Organizations/Corporations:
- United States. Army Map Service
- Functions:
- Cartography--Study and teaching
- Occupations:
- Cartographers
- College students
- Material Types:
- Correspondence
- Photographs
- Personal papers
- Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)
- Scrapbooks
Detailed Description of the Collection
Series 1: Kent State University Related Material, 1935-1992
- Box 1 / Folder 1
- Textbook: Outlines for Methods in Arithmetic by Raymond Manchester, Copyright 1935
- Box 2 / Folder 1
- Scrapbook: McPherson's KSU student scrapbook including University theater and dance programs, school election materials, area restaurant menus, newspaper clippings and other ephemera, 1940-1943
- Restrictions on Use
- Scrapbook is in poor physical condition. Must be used with care under staff supervision.
- Box 2 / Folder 2
- Scrapbook loose material: K Books, 1940-1941 and 1941-1942
- Box 2 / Folder 3
- Scrapbook loose material, 1940-1943
- Box 2 / Folder 4
- Kent magazines including alumni information regarding McPherson and Military Mapmaker reunions, January 1969 and January 1976
- Box 2 / Folder 5
- Carol Cartwright inauguration material: Inaugural program and Kent Alumni newsletter, 1991-1992
- Box 2 / Folder 6
- Student materials, 1941
- Restrictions on Access
- This file is restricted due to presence of information protected by privacy laws.
Series 2: Military Mapmakers Related Material, 1968-1993
- Scope and Content
- McPherson organized WWII Military Mapmaker reunions in Washington, D.C. in 1968, 1976 and 1993.
- Box 3 / Folder 1
- Scrapbook: Military Mapmakers reunion material including correspondence, newspaper clippings and photographs, 1968 and 1976
- Box 3 / Folder 2
- Scrapbook loose material: Military Mapmakers reunion material including attendance lists, correspondence, photographs and ephemera, 1968
- Box 3 / Folder 3
- Scrapbook loose material: Military Mapmakers reunion material including correspondence, photographs and press releases, 1976
- Box 3 / Folder 4
- Hoover Remembers World War II Exhibit material: Hoover Historical Center exhibit material including newspaper clippings, promotional materials and planning documents, 1990
- Box 3 / Folder 5
- Military Mapmakers reunion material: Congressional Proclamation celebrating the WWII Military Mapmaking Corps women (photocopy) and related correspondence with Congressman Ralph Regula, 1993
- Box 3 / Folder 6
- Military Mapmakers reunion material: Correspondence, 1992-1993
- Box 3 / Folder 7
- Military Mapmakers reunion material: Correspondence, 1992-1993
- Box 3 / Folder 8
- Military Mapmakers reunion material: Defense Mapping Agency (formerly the Army Map Service) folder with promotional and informational materials, 1993
- Box 3 / Folder 9
- Military Mapmakers reunion material: Newspaper clippings and newsletter articles, 1993
- Box 3 / Folder 10
- Military Mapmakers reunion material: Photographs, 1993
- Box 3 / Folder 11
- Military Mapmakers material: World map, newspaper clippings and photocopied documents, Miscellaneous dates
- Box 3 / Folder 12
- National Geospatial Agency Hall of Fame Induction: DVD, October 2016
