UMass Amherst Libraries
Special Collections and University Archives

Marie Phillips Collection

1888-1983 (Bulk: 1936-1938)
1 box (0.5 linear feet)
Call no.: FS 170
rotating decorative images from SCUA collections

For many years, the UMass Amherst campus was home to several colonies of feral cats that took up residence in its barns and outbuildings, and beginning with Leo V. Robinson in 1945, a succession of individuals were moved to feed and care for the cats. An alumna and employee in Human Relations, Marie Phillips (BA '78, MPA '91) took over as feral cat caretaker between 1991 and 2007, joined by her colleague Meg Caulmare of the English Department, and together they supported the colonies along the Cat Corridor stretching from the rear of Munson Hall to the Queen Anne Horse Barn. With increasing construction on campus and careful rehoming, the feral cat population was gradually reduced on campus until 2014, when the last cats to live in the Horse Barn, Mr. Junie Moon and Rusty, were given a home by Caulmare. Phillips wrote about her experiences with two of the more notable cats on campus, Dadcat and Ashes, in her book Dadcat University (2007).



The Phillips collection offers a visual records of the lives of the feral cats on the UMass Amherst campus. A strong supporter of efforts to preserve the declining Horse Barn, Phillips also accumulated photographs, reports, and research materials on the barn and horses at the university.

See similar SCUA collections:

Animal rights
Massachusetts (West)
Photographs
UMass (1947- )
UMass alumni
UMass staff

Background on Marie Phillips

An image of: Marie Phillips and Jakie near Bartlett Hall, 2007

Marie Phillips and Jakie near Bartlett Hall, 2007

For many years, the UMass Amherst campus was home to several colonies of feral cats that took up residence in its barns and outbuildings, and beginning with Leo V. Robinson in 1945, a succession of individuals were moved to feed and care for the cats. An alumna and employee in Human Relations, Marie Phillips (BA '78, MPA '91) took over as feral cat caretaker between 1991 and 2007, joined by her colleague Meg Caulmare of the English Department, and together they supported the colonies along the Cat Corridor stretching from the rear of Munson Hall to the Queen Anne Horse Barn. With increasing construction on campus and careful rehoming, the feral cat population was gradually reduced on campus until 2014, when the last cats to live in the Horse Barn, Mr. Junie Moon and Rusty, were given a home by Caulmare. Phillips wrote about her experiences with two of the more notable cats on campus, Dadcat and Ashes, in her book Dadcat University (2007).

Scope of collection

The Phillips collection offers a visual records of the lives of the feral cats on the UMass Amherst campus. A strong supporter of efforts to preserve the declining Horse Barn, Phillips also accumulated photographs, reports, and research materials on the barn and horses at the university.

Inventory

Cats at UMass Amherst: Horse Barn colony
1994-1999
16 images
Box 1: 1
Phillips, Marie: Cats in the mounted horse patrol's horse trailerCats in the mounted horse patrol's horse trailer, linking to the digital object
1994 July

Cats playing in open back of police horse trailer parked at the Horse Barn, UMass Amherst. Left side: Tyler with Mr. Moustache behind her; right: Tippie on the ramp and Woodrow inside.

Phillips, Marie: Goldie at the side door to the Horse BarnGoldie at the side door to the Horse Barn, linking to the digital object
1996 June

Ginger tabby standing in open door to the Horse Barn, UMass Amherst.

Phillips, Marie: Hey LadyHey Lady, linking to the digital object
1997 Sept.

Dilute calico cat on gravel near the Horse Barn, UMass Amherst.

Phillips, Marie: Mr. MoustacheMr. Moustache, linking to the digital object
1994 July

Mr. Moustache posed inside the open doorway to Horse Barn, UMass Amherst.

Phillips, Marie: Mr. Moustache and his chargesMr. Moustache and his charges, linking to the digital object
1999 June

Mr. Moustache seated in the doorway to the Queen Anne Horse Barn at UMass Amherst, with two calico kittens nearby.

Phillips, Marie: Mr. Moustache and his chargesMr. Moustache and his charges, linking to the digital object
1999 June

Mr. Moustache seated in the doorway to the Queen Anne Horse Barn at UMass Amherst, hissing at two calico kittens nearby.

Phillips, Marie: Muffin (Sophie) sitting on a fresh pile of laundryMuffin (Sophie) sitting on a fresh pile of laundry, linking to the digital object
1999 Jan.

Formerly feral cat (dilute tuxedo) from the Queen Anne Horse Barn at UMass Amherst, sitting in comfort.

Phillips, Marie: T. Tommy TailspinsT. Tommy Tailspins, linking to the digital object
1999 June

Ginger cat standing by entrance to the Horse Barn, UMass Amherst.

Phillips, Marie: Thomas P. P. BartonThomas P. P. Barton, linking to the digital object
1994 Jan.

Piebald tabby cat posted on grass outside Horse Barn, UMass Amherst.

Phillips, Marie: TippieTippie, linking to the digital object
1998 Sept.

Gray and white cat seated on pavement, part of the Munson-Bartlett colony of feral cats.

Phillips, Marie: TylerTyler, linking to the digital object
1998 Sept.

Gray and white cat seated on pavement, part of the Munson-Bartlett colony of feral cats.

Phillips, Marie: Tyler and Mr. MoustacheTyler and Mr. Moustache, linking to the digital object
1999 June

Tyler (left, dilute tuxedo) and Mr. Moustache (tuxedo) in the Horse Barn, UMass Amherst.

Phillips, Marie: Wee GeeWee Gee, linking to the digital object
1994 June

Profile of black and white cat at the Queen Anne Horse Barn at UMass Amherst, seated on the grass.

Phillips, Marie: Woodrow at the Horse BarnWoodrow at the Horse Barn, linking to the digital object
1994 May

Woodrow (black and white cat) curled up on fabric in the Horse Barn, UMass Amherst.

Cats at UMass Amherst: Munson Annex colony
1992-1999
29 images
Box 1: 2
Phillips, Marie: AshesAshes, linking to the digital object
1993 Aug.

Gray and white cat slinking up brick pile, part of the Munson-Bartlett colony of feral cats.

Phillips, Marie: Ashes and the DadcatAshes and the Dadcat, linking to the digital object
1998 Apr.

Ashes and Dacat (l. to r.) on grass by Whitmore Hall; part of the Munson-Bartlett colony of feral cats.

Phillips, Marie: Ashes and the Dadcat (l. to r.)Ashes and the Dadcat (l. to r.), linking to the digital object
1999 July

Black and white cats standing on the grass by construction, part of the Munson-Bartlett colony of feral cats.

Phillips, Marie: BessieBessie, linking to the digital object
1998 Apr.

Tuxedo cat on a concrete stairway, part of the Munson-Bartlett colony of feral cats.

Phillips, Marie: Blackie below the ridge at Whitmore Administration BuildingBlackie below the ridge at Whitmore Administration Building, linking to the digital object
1992 Aug.

Black cat along west side of Whitmore, part of the Munson-Bartlett colony of feral cats.

Phillips, Marie: Buddy J. Budsford IIIBuddy J. Budsford III, linking to the digital object
1997 June

Long-haired gray cat at a food station, part of the Munson-Bartlett colony of feral cats.

Phillips, Marie: CokieCokie, linking to the digital object
1999 June

Black cat lying on sidewalk, part of the Munson-Bartlett colony of feral cats.

Phillips, Marie: DadcatDadcat, linking to the digital object
1999 June

Dadcat posed on a pile of cinder blocks, part of the Munson-Bartlett colony of feral cats.

Phillips, Marie: Dadcat on his gangplank at the apex of the Tobin hedgesDadcat on his gangplank at the apex of the Tobin hedges, linking to the digital object
1995 Mar.

Dadcat seated on top of tall hedges by Tobin Hall surveying his realm, part of the Munson-Bartlett colony of feral cats.

Phillips, Marie: Gussie, the Woodrow look-alikeGussie, the Woodrow look-alike, linking to the digital object
1999 Apr.

Black and white cat standing among bushes, part of the Munson-Bartlett colony of feral cats.

Phillips, Marie: JanieJanie, linking to the digital object
1999 Apr.

Tuxedo cat standing by concrete building, part of the Munson-Bartlett colony of feral cats.

Phillips, Marie: KiddusKiddus, linking to the digital object
1999 June

Blue cat standing in the grass next to a building, part of the Munson-Bartlett colony of feral cats.

Phillips, Marie: Kiddus and the DadcatKiddus and the Dadcat, linking to the digital object
1999 June

Kiddus and Dadcat (l. to r.) posed on a pile of cinder blocks, part of the Munson-Bartlett colony of feral cats.

Phillips, Marie: Miss O'Scootie TootsMiss O'Scootie Toots, linking to the digital object
1996 June

Calico cat standing among rhododendrons, part of the Munson-Bartlett colony of feral cats.

Phillips, Marie: Mr. BlacknoseMr. Blacknose, linking to the digital object
1993 Dec.

Tuxedo cat standing at the base of pine tree, part of the Munson-Bartlett colony of feral cats.

Phillips, Marie: Mr. Whitenose (l.) and Mr. Blacknose at the Whitmore treeMr. Whitenose (l.) and Mr. Blacknose at the Whitmore tree, linking to the digital object
1993 Sept.

Tuxedo cats feeding at the base of pine tree, part of the Munson-Bartlett colony of feral cats.

Phillips, Marie: MunsonMunson, linking to the digital object
1998 Oct.

Black and white cat seated in Windsor chair, part of the Munson-Bartlett colony of feral cats.

Phillips, Marie: Munson at eight weeksMunson at eight weeks, linking to the digital object
1993 Nov.

Gray and white kitten walking on a side table; part of the Munson-Bartlett colony of feral cats.

Phillips, Marie: Munson at five weeksMunson at five weeks, linking to the digital object
1993 Oct.

Gray and white kitten on a blanket; part of the Munson-Bartlett colony of feral cats.

Phillips, Marie: Munson at seven weeksMunson at seven weeks, linking to the digital object
1993 Nov.

Gray and white kitten on a carpet; part of the Munson-Bartlett colony of feral cats.

Phillips, Marie: Munson at six weeksMunson at six weeks, linking to the digital object
1993 Nov.

Gray and white kitten on a carpet; part of the Munson-Bartlett colony of feral cats.

Phillips, Marie: Paisley sits on the fireplace in the vine-covered fenced-in area behind Munson AnnexPaisley sits on the fireplace in the vine-covered fenced-in area behind Munson Annex, linking to the digital object
1993 Aug.

Calico cat sitting on a brick pile behind Munson Annex, part of the Munson-Bartlett colony of feral cats

Phillips, Marie: PumpkinPumpkin, linking to the digital object
1994 July

Ginger kitten lurking among rhododendrons, part of the Munson-Bartlett colony of feral cats.

Phillips, Marie: Pumpkin's mother, C.C.Pumpkin's mother, C.C., linking to the digital object
1999 May

Tortoise shell cat enjoying wetfood on the lawn, part of the Munson-Bartlett colony of feral cats.

Phillips, Marie: Pumpkin's sister, JakiePumpkin's sister, Jakie, linking to the digital object
1999 May

Polydactyl blue cat walking through the grass, part of the Munson-Bartlett colony of feral cats.

Phillips, Marie: Raggedy-ear Tom, alias the DadcatRaggedy-ear Tom, alias the Dadcat, linking to the digital object
1995 Aug.

Dadcat standing in construction area near Munson Annex, part of the Munson-Bartlett colony of feral cats.

Phillips, Marie: Silky AliceSilky Alice, linking to the digital object
1999 Apr.

Long-haired tortoiseshell, part of the Munson-Bartlett colony of feral cats.

Phillips, Marie: Squirt (foreground), Sweetie (far left), Ashes, and the Gray and White BoysSquirt (foreground), Sweetie (far left), Ashes, and the Gray and White Boys, linking to the digital object
1993 Aug.

Kittens feeding by a brick pile, part of the Munson-Bartlett colony of feral cats.

Phillips, Marie: Three gray and white boysThree gray and white boys, linking to the digital object
1993 Oct.

Kittens standing by a brick pile behind Munson Annex, part of the Munson-Bartlett colony of feral cats.

Cats at UMass Amherst: Munson Annex colony
1993-1997
14 items
Box 1: 3
Phillips, Marie: Aluminum door leading into the back room of Munson AnnexAluminum door leading into the back room of Munson Annex, linking to the digital object
1993

View of the door into the extension built for the pottery kilns.

Phillips, Marie: Ashes waits for dinner in front of the quonset hutAshes waits for dinner in front of the quonset hut, linking to the digital object
1995 Mar.

ray and white cat waiting patiently in leaf litter.

Phillips, Marie: Ashes with a no-name behind herAshes with a no-name behind her, linking to the digital object
1993 Nov.

Black and white cat with unnamed kitten at Munson Annex.

Phillips, Marie: Ashes with Woodrow in the back room at Munson AnnexAshes with Woodrow in the back room at Munson Annex, linking to the digital object
1993 Nov.

Black and white cat and kitten among debris in Munson Annex.

Phillips, Marie: CokieCokie, linking to the digital object
1997 June

Black cat rolling on the sidewalk.

Phillips, Marie: Construction scene on the Cat CorridorConstruction scene on the Cat Corridor, linking to the digital object
1997 June

Backhoe tearing up the way for steam line replacement; former kilns at the rear of Munson Annex can be seen at the far left of the image.

Phillips, Marie: dismantled parts to the back room of Munson Annex are piled up by the quonset hutdismantled parts to the back room of Munson Annex are piled up by the quonset hut, linking to the digital object
1995 Jan.

Dismantling of the cat center at Munson Annex; south face of Boyden Gym in the background.

Phillips, Marie: Gussie naps on the stairs between the Tobin hedges while the steam pipes are replaced on the Cat Corridor above herGussie naps on the stairs between the Tobin hedges while the steam pipes are replaced on the Cat Corridor above her, linking to the digital object
1997 June

Black and white cat napping behind sign announced road closure for steam line replacement project.

Phillips, Marie: Munson Annex: rear (west-facing) sideMunson Annex: rear (west-facing) side, linking to the digital object
1993

Showing the pottery kiln area and "quonset hut" where the cat colony was centered in winter

Phillips, Marie: quonset hut buried in the snowquonset hut buried in the snow, linking to the digital object
1993

Note the trash bin in the foreground has a sign reading "Please do not feed the cats. They are becoming a health problem in our building. We will be forced the trap them."

Phillips, Marie: Rear view of Munson Annex after the quonset hut and fenced-in area are demolishedRear view of Munson Annex after the quonset hut and fenced-in area are demolished, linking to the digital object
1995 Oct.

View of the remaining cinder block wall and three kilns.

Cats at UMass Amherst: Marie Phillips with Jakie at Bartlett Hall
2007 Aug.
Box 1: 4
Phillips, Marie: Three gray and white boysThree gray and white boys, linking to the digital object
2007 Aug.

Phillips holding Jakie near rear of Bartlett Hall.

Cats at UMass Amherst: copies of photographs
1897-1964
Box 1: 5
Horse Barn: background information
1993-1994
Box 1: 6

Copies of background documents used in raising support to save the barn.

Horse Barn: photographs
ca.1910-1994
9 items
Box 1: 7
Phillips, Marie: George Hawthorne, Morgan horse expert, driving horse cartGeorge Hawthorne, Morgan horse expert, driving horse cart, linking to the digital object
1994 Dec.

Hawthorne, long-time UMass employee, gives visitors a hayride at the third annual barn festival in Hadley. The cart is marked UMass Equine Center.

Phillips, Marie: M.A.C. Barn, Amherst, Mass. [postcard]M.A.C. Barn, Amherst, Mass. [postcard], linking to the digital object
1910

View looking to the northwest of the barn complex west of Grinnell Arena, including the hay barn and dairy barns.

Phillips, Marie: Mr. Moustache at the entrance to the Horse BarnMr. Moustache at the entrance to the Horse Barn, linking to the digital object
1994

Mr. Moustache seated in the doorway to the Queen Anne Horse Barn at UMass Amherst.

Phillips, Marie: Queen Anne Horse BarnQueen Anne Horse Barn, linking to the digital object
1994 Apr.

View of center section of the Horse Barn, showing cupola and slate roof.

Phillips, Marie: Queen Anne Horse BarnQueen Anne Horse Barn, linking to the digital object
1994 Apr.

View of the doors and west gable of the horse barn with snow plow blade in front.

Phillips, Marie: Queen Anne Horse Barn interior: hay cribQueen Anne Horse Barn interior: hay crib, linking to the digital object
1994 Apr.

View of hay crib in the corner of a stall.

Horse Barn: reports
1987-2012
Box 1: 8

Includes correspondence supporting renovation of the barn and copy of the Massachusetts Historical Commission Building Reports.

Horse Barn: restoration
1987-1995
Box 1: 9

Background information, Massachusetts Historical Commission Building Reports, and other documents used in Horse Barn Restoration Project.

Horses at UMass Amherst
1948-1956
Box 1: 10

Copies of correspondence and memoranda relative to the Morgan horse herd at UMass Amherst.

Horses barn pin-back button: "The Horse Barn, est. 1894"
1994
Box 1: 11

Button produced for supporters of renovation of the Horse Barn.

Administrative information

Access

The collection is open for research.

Provenance

Gift of Marie Phillips, July 2015.

Processing Information

Processed by I. Eliot Wentworth, Aug. 2015.

Language:

English

Copyright and Use (More information )

Cite as: Marie Phillips Collection (FS 170). Special Collections and University Archives, University of Massachusetts Amherst Libraries.

Search terms

Subjects

  • Barns--Massachusetts--Amherst
  • Cats--Massachusetts--Amherst
  • Feral cats--Massachusetts--Amherst
  • Historic preservation--Massachusetts--Amherst
  • Horses--Massachusetts--Amherst
  • Munson Annex (University of Massachusetts Amherst)
  • Queen Anne Horse Barn (University of Massachusetts Amherst)
  • University of Massachusetts Amherst

Contributors

  • Phillips, Marie, 1954- [main entry]

Genres and formats

  • Photographs

Link to similar SCUA collections

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