Isabel Ely Lord Papers

Collection

Identifier: MC-011

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Isabel Ely Lord Papers consist of newspaper clippings, writings by Lord, and correspondence to and from Lord between 1903 and 1959, though the bulk of the materials date from her time at Pratt Institute—1903 to 1920. Biographical materials include obituaries in newspaper clippings, a resolution of recognition from the Gotham Press Club in 1908, and writings by Lord featured by the American Library Association and Woman’s Home Companion. Correspondence includes special reports about courses in the household arts program, as well as communications with the Board of Trustees in regard to her directorship. There is also one letter from Herbert Hoover from 1917 thanking her for her service with the United States Food Administration.

Dates

1903 - 1959
Majority of material found within 1903 - 1920

Creator

Lord, Isabel Ely, 1871- (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open to the public.

Conditions Governing Use

For permission to publish, contact the Archivist, Pratt Institute Library.

Biographical / Historical

Isabel Ely Lord began as a student in the New York State Library School and graduated in 1897. She worked as a librarian at Bryn Mawr College from 1897 to 1903, and then joined the Pratt Institute Free Library as Head Librarian in 1904. By 1910 Lord became director of the School of Household Science and Arts. Lord became prominent in this field and consulted with the United States Food Administration in 1917, receiving recognition from soon-to-be president Herbert Hoover. She wrote several books on home economics (included in the Records of the School of Domestic Arts and Sciences) including Everybody’s Cook Book and Getting Your Money’s Worth.

Extent

0.15 Linear Feet (1 box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The Isabel Ely Lord Papers document the experiences of Lord while she worked at Pratt Institute from 1904 to 1920. From 1904 to 1910, Lord was the Director of the Library. From 1910 to 1920, she directed the School of Household Science and Arts and shaped the curriculum so that it became an emerging standard for the field. The Papers consist of biographical materials like newspaper clippings and publications, as well as letters to and from Lord between 1903 and 1920.

Arrangement

The records are arranged in two series. The arrangement of the records is as follows:

Series 1: Biographical Material and Writings, 1908-1959

Series 2: Correspondence, 1903-1920

Related Materials

Records of the Library (PI-002)

Records of the School of Home Economics (PI-003)

Pratt Institute Photograph Collection (Lord, Isabel Ely – LIE)

Harmful Language Statement

If you encounter any pejorative language (i.e. racist, homophobic, transphobic, xenophobic) or content in the finding aids or within the content of the collection, please send an email to archives.library@pratt.edu with the relevant details. For more information about how the Pratt Institute Libraries are addressing offensive language and content across its catalogs and databases, please see the Libraries' Harmful Language Statement: https://library.pratt.edu/statement/2022/05/27/harmful-language.html.