Guide to the Reba J. Hurn Diaries
1907-1908

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Overview of the Collection

Creator: Hurn, Reba J., 1881-1967
Title: Reba J. Hurn Diaries
Dates: 1907-1908 ( inclusive )
Quantity: 2 volumes
Collection Number: MsSC 223
Summary: Diaries relating to Hurn's daily activities, her teaching career in Spokane, studies at University of Heidelberg, and work with Nathan Straus, New York City philanthropist, in milk depots he established for the distribution of pasteurized milk for prevention of disease among babies and children in 1908.
Repository: Eastern Washington State Historical Society/Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture
Joel E. Ferris Research Library and Archives

2316 W. First Avenue
Spokane, WA 99201
Phone: (509) 363-5313
Fax: (509) 363-5303
Email: archives@northwestmuseum.org

Languages: Materials are in English 
Sponsor: Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Biographical Note

Reba Hurn came to Spokane in 1906. She graduated from the University of Washington Law School and joined her father in his law practice in Spokane in 1913. Miss Hurn was elected to the State Senate in 1922, the first woman to have filled that position in the State of Washington. She served two terms, during which she was chairman of the Public Morals and State Library committees. While in the legislature Hurn worked for reform in the treatment of female prisoners in the state correctional institutions. Hurn continued to practice law in Spokane until her retirement in 1946.

Content Description

The collection consists of two diaries, 1907-1908. They contain lengthy entries detailing Hurn’s daily activities, including books read and people met. Included is detailed coverage of her teaching career in Spokane (which she found boring), 1907; her studies at the University of Heidelberg in Germany, 1907-1908; and her activities working for Nathan Straus, the New York philanthropist, in milk depots he established for the distribution of pasteurized milk for the prevention of disease among babies and children, 1908.

Use of the Collection

Alternative Forms Available :  

Typed transcription of both diaries located with the collection.

Restrictions on Access :  

Collection is not restricted.

Restrictions on Use :  

Collection is open for use.

Preferred Citation :  

Reba J. Hurn Diaries (MsSC 223), Eastern Washington State Historical Society/Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture, Spokane, WA.

Administrative Information

Acquisition Information :  

Donated by Mrs. Lee Bowers, 1986 (Accession #L86-1308).

Processing Note :  

Processed to the item level.

Bibliography :  

    Arksey, Laura. "Dutiful Daughter to Independent Woman: The Diaries of Reba Hurn, 1907-1908." Pacific Northwest Quarterly, 95(4) (Fall 2004): 182-193.

    Arksey, Laura. "A Lady in the Senate." Columbia, 19(3) (Fall 2005): 34-41.

    Fuller, George W. Inland Empire of the Pacific Northwest: A History.Vol. 4, Who's Who. Spokane: H.G. Linderman, 1928.

    Hinsch, Kathryn. "Political Pioneer: A Woman Senator." Landmarks, Summer 1982: 14-15.

Related Materials :  

Reba Hurn Research Collection (RESC 471).


Detailed Description of the Collection

The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.

Box/Folder
1/3 Biography and Inventory
2/3 Diary 1907
3/3 Diary 1908

Subjects

This collection is indexed under the following headings in the Online Computer Library Center (OCLC) WorldCat database. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons, or places should search WorldCat using these headings.

  • Personal Names :
  • Hurn, Reba J., 1881-1967--Archives
  • Straus, Nathan, 1848-1931
  • Corporate Names :
  • Universität Heidelberg--Students
  • Geographical Names :
  • Germany--Education--Universities and colleges
  • Heidelberg (Germany)--Education--Universities and colleges
  • New York (N.Y.)--Charitable and social work
  • Spokane (Wash.)--Education--Teachers
  • Washington (State)--Education--Teachers
  • Subject Terms :
  • Child welfare--United States
  • Infants--Nutrition
  • Infants--United States
  • Milk depots
  • Milk--Pasteurization
  • Philanthropists--New York (State)--New York
  • Teaching
  • Universities and colleges--Germany
    • Form or Genre Terms :
    • Diaries
    • Occupations :
    • American students--Germany
    • College students--Germany
    • Teachers--Washington (State)
    • Women college students--Germany
    • Women teachers--Washington (State)

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