George W. Barton Papers, 1889-1984 (bulk 1914-1920)
General International Standard for Archival Description
Special Collections and University Archives, W.E.B. Du Bois Library, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Finding aid encoded in NoteTab Pro. Encoded by Danielle Kovacs. 2005-06-29
Encoded Archival Description
Encoded Archival Description (EAD) Version 2002
collection
George W. Barton Papers
Creation of George W. Barton Papers
Time of Creation of George W. Barton Papers
Barton, George W.
Biographical History for: George W. Barton Papers
Biographical Note George W. Barton was born in Sudbury, Massachusetts in 1896. After attending Concord High School in Concord, Massachusetts, Barton began his studies in horticulture and agriculture at Massachusetts Agricultural College in Amherst. He entered the college in 1914 and completed his degree in 1918. His tenure at "Mass Aggie" included military training, which he writes about in his diaries. In addition to his scholastic endeavors, through which he produced his own herbarium documenting over twenty local plant species, Barton participated in a number of extracurricular activities. He was a member of the college rifle team, the Christian Association and the Commons Club. The latter was a social events club, and in this aspect of his life Barton was extremely active. He attended many performances, dances, and recitals in the Amherst area including the Boston Symphony Orchestra, a performance by humorist Ralph Bingham, as well as numerous events at Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts and Amherst College. Barton traveled west following his graduation and spent some time in Tacoma, Washington participating in an apple raising study. In the early 1920s he moved south to Pasadena, California where he researched oranges. His early career in California included a position as roadside tree inspector for the County Department of Forestry and Firewarden as well as a position in the business department of the Pasadena Post newspaper. It was in Pasadena that Barton met his future wife, Nellie Taylor Murray, a Boston native. Both George and Nellie spent their childhoods in Massachusetts, yet met on the west coast in 1922. They were married in 1924 During World War II, Barton grew culinary herbs such as sage, marjoram, and sweet basil to supplement the failing wartime market. After the war the foreign market improved and Barton was no longer making a profit from his herbs. After a brief stint as Los Angeles County agricultural inspector he found employment with the Germain Seed and Plant Company, a job he would keep until his retirement in 1962. Mr. and Mrs. Barton helped in organizing a Presbyterian Church in La Canada, California in 1948 for which Barton served on the Session for 12 years, as secretary of the Board of Trustees for four years, and as Clerk of Session for two years. Eventually Barton took over church publicity. The couple was also involved with the Boy Scouts: Mr. Barton was a district commissioner of the Pasadena-San Gabriel Valley Council and Mrs. Barton served as president of the Federation of Mother's auxiliaries to Boy Scouts. As evidenced by his extensive photograph collection, Barton was also interested in photography and was twice president of the La Canada Camera Club, for which he later published the club's monthly flyers. Barton also served as president of the La Canada Valley Garden Club. In his later years Barton belonged to La Canada Beautiful and Descanso Gardens Guild. Mr. and Mrs. Barton joined the Los Angeles Breakfast Club in 1972. George W. Barton died in La Canada, California on June 5, 1980.
Gift of Janet Barton, November 2002 and June 2005.
Scope and Contents of the Collection The George W. Barton Papers include diaries, scrapbooks, photographs, newspaper clippings, programs, announcements, and Barton's herbarium. The papers relate primarily to his career at the Massachusetts Agricultural College where he studied horticulture and agriculture from 1914-1918.
The collection is open for research.
Related Material For materials related to Massachusetts Agricultural College, agricultural studies and herbarium, see: George Edward Stone Papers 1890-1957, RG 40/11 Stone For materials related to the Massachusetts Agricultural College class of 1918, see:Record Group 50: Alumni Series 6: Classes by year For materials related to student publications, see: Squib (Student Publication) (1914-1924), RG-45/00/S6Record Group 45: Student Body Series 00: Student Publications, Subseries C6: The Massachusetts Daily Collegian, 1914-1955, 1960-1974, 1977-
Processed by Meghan L. Fahey, May 2005.
College students--Massachusetts--Amherst.
lcsh
lcnaf
Massachusetts Agricultural College--Students.
Massachusetts Agricultural College--History.
aat
Photograph albums--Massachusetts--Amherst.
series
Series 1. Biographical
Creation of Series 1. Biographical
Time of Creation of Series 1. Biographical
The series consists of newspaper clippings, photographs and a photograph album, genealogical materials, and diaries. Barton's Concord High School Diploma from 1914 is located in this series. Newspaper clippings include an announcement for George W. Barton's 50th wedding anniversary, his election to the position of president of The Friends of the La Canada Library, and his obituary. Diaries span June 27, 1914 to May 23, 1923 with daily entries documenting domestic life of the family and his experiences at Massachusetts Agricultural College. The 1923 diary contains entries regarding Barton's early relationship with Nellie. The diaries include a significant collection of newspaper clippings, the majority of which are song lyrics. Military documents and documents relating to treatment received at New England Deaconess Hospital in Boston in 1918 and 1919 are also included in this series. The first photograph album includes photographs of the campus and surrounding area: Mt. Sugarloaf, Mt. Toby, Sunderland Bridge, and the Holyoke range. Also depicted are Lake Michigan, Camp Grant, Illinois and Niagara Falls. The album also depicts Barton's travels to the west coast of the United States. The second album illustrates Barton's first few years in California.
Series 2. Massachusetts Agricultural College
Creation of Series 2. Massachusetts Agricultural College
Time of Creation of Series 2. Massachusetts Agricultural College
Included in this series are event announcements, programs, and college publications from George Barton's tenure at Massachusetts Agricultural College. Included in this series is a small selection of Barton's college notebooks. The series also contains an excerpt from the 1918 Index yearbook, commencement programs from 1918 and 1920, alumni mailings, and a statement of the college purpose. College publications include the Massachusetts Agricultural College Calendar from 1915-1917, The Massachusetts Collegian, and The Squib. In addition the series contains a M.A.C. scrapbook compiled by George W. Barton.
Series 3. Herbarium
Creation of Series 3. Herbarium
Time of Creation of Series 3. Herbarium
This series contains twenty species folders of George W. Barton's herbarium and his 1908 edition of Gray's New Manual of Botany.
Barton family genealogy and oral history recorded by Eleanor Beede Spinney
Camera: A-1 Junior Kodak
Concord High School Diploma
Creation of Concord High School Diploma
Time of Creation of Concord High School Diploma
Concord High School Pendant
Diaries
Creation of Diaries
Time of Creation of Diaries
Diary excerpts
Diary
Diary contents: loose items, newspaper clippings, membership card for Pasadena Young Men's Christian Association
Creation of Diary contents: loose items, newspaper clippings, membership card for Pasadena Young Men's Christian Association
Time of Creation of Diary contents: loose items, newspaper clippings, membership card for Pasadena Young Men's Christian Association
Foreign language school lessons
Level Book 373
Creation of Level Book 373
Time of Creation of Level Book 373
Maps of Barton homestead in Sudbury Massachusetts, the town of Amherst, and Massachusetts Agricultural College
Medical War Manual: Laboratory Methods of the U.S. Army
Creation of Medical War Manual: Laboratory Methods of the U.S. Army
Time of Creation of Medical War Manual: Laboratory Methods of the U.S. Army
Military items
Creation of Military items
Time of Creation of Military items
Newspaper clippings: announcement of appointment to Presidency of library, obituary, 50th wedding anniversary, and tour to Hawaii
Paper party hat
Pasadena Evening Post: Tournament of Roses Edition
Creation of Pasadena Evening Post: Tournament of Roses Edition
Time of Creation of Pasadena Evening Post: Tournament of Roses Edition
Photograph album
Creation of Photograph album
Time of Creation of Photograph album
Photograph album (CD-ROM) and loose photos
Poetry by George W. Barton
Poetry by Albert C. Turner
Publication: George Hunt Barton excerpts from Reminiscences
Song lyrics including Boast Old Aggie, Sons of Old Massachusetts, Boys of Massachusetts, and class song
Spell of the Yukon and Other Verses
Creation of Spell of the Yukon and Other Verses
Time of Creation of Spell of the Yukon and Other Verses
Wallet
College event programs
Creation of College event programs
Time of Creation of College event programs
Commencement programs, alumni mailing and directory, 1918 Index entry, and statement of the college purpose
Creation of Commencement programs, alumni mailing and directory, 1918 Index entry, and statement of the college purpose
Time of Creation of Commencement programs, alumni mailing and directory, 1918 Index entry, and statement of the college purpose
Commons Club membership certificate and initiation banquet programs
Local Events: includes Amherst College baseball schedule, Cushing Academy dance card, Holyoke Theater Burlesque show schedule, newspaper clippings
Creation of Local Events: includes Amherst College baseball schedule, Cushing Academy dance card, Holyoke Theater Burlesque show schedule, newspaper clippings
Time of Creation of Local Events: includes Amherst College baseball schedule, Cushing Academy dance card, Holyoke Theater Burlesque show schedule, newspaper clippings
Publication: The Friday War Cry
Creation of Publication: The Friday War Cry
Time of Creation of Publication: The Friday War Cry
Massachusetts Agricultural College bulletin
Creation of Massachusetts Agricultural College bulletin
Time of Creation of Massachusetts Agricultural College bulletin
Massachusetts Agricultural College calendar
Creation of Massachusetts Agricultural College calendar
Time of Creation of Massachusetts Agricultural College calendar
Massachusetts Agricultural College cigarettes and cigarette box
Creation of Massachusetts Agricultural College cigarettes and cigarette box
Time of Creation of Massachusetts Agricultural College cigarettes and cigarette box
Massachusetts Agricultural College Diploma
Creation of Massachusetts Agricultural College Diploma
Time of Creation of Massachusetts Agricultural College Diploma
Massachusetts Agricultural College Extension publications
Creation of Massachusetts Agricultural College Extension publications
Time of Creation of Massachusetts Agricultural College Extension publications
Massachusetts Agricultural College library circular
Creation of Massachusetts Agricultural College library circular
Time of Creation of Massachusetts Agricultural College library circular
Massachusetts Agricultural College military department diploma
Massachusetts Agricultural College scrapbook
Creation of Massachusetts Agricultural College scrapbook
Time of Creation of Massachusetts Agricultural College scrapbook
The Massachusetts Collegian
Notebook: English
Creation of Notebook: English
Time of Creation of Notebook: English
Notebook: Zoology
Notes: loose notes from notebooks
Photograph: Commons Club
Publication: The Squib
Creation of Publication: The Squib
Time of Creation of Publication: The Squib
Rifle team: certificate
Creation of Rifle team: certificate
Time of Creation of Rifle team: certificate
Rifle team: photograph
Textbook: Five-Place Logarithms
Creation of Textbook: Five-Place Logarithms
Time of Creation of Textbook: Five-Place Logarithms
Gray's New Manual of Botany
Creation of Gray's New Manual of Botany
Time of Creation of Gray's New Manual of Botany
Herbarium labels
Herbarium samples
Creation of Herbarium samples
Time of Creation of Herbarium samples