Maurice E. Cook Papers

1893-1921 (Bulk: 1893-1895)
1 box (.25 linear feet)
Call no.: RG 050/6 C66
rotating decorative images from SCUA collections

Born in Marlborough in 1876, Maurice Elmer Cook moved to Shrewsbury at the age of two, when his father, Herbert, purchased property on Floral Street for his market gardening and greenhouse flower and vegetable business. Maurice Cook stayed in the family business, and joined the Massachusetts Agricultural College class of 1897 to further his education in agriculture and market gardening. He worked at the plant house while attending MAC, and often took trips with classmates to hike local fields and ranges in the Pioneer Valley area to collect specimens. Cook was a member of the College Shakespeare Club, the YMCA, the Natural History Society, the Washington Irving Literary Society, and Sergeant in Battalion Org, Company A on campus. He roomed with Harry T. Edwards, of Chesterfield, in South College his first year, and in North College with Charles Adams Peters, from Greendale, for his second and third years. Cook left college early, in November 1895, on account of rheumatism, and did not return. After a trip to Pasadena, CA for his health, Cook returned to Shrewsbury, where he would live and work for the rest of his life. He built a new property and greenhouses there after his 1906 marriage to Carrie Harrington. Both died in Shrewsbury in 1931, leaving behind their three daughters, Gertrude, Elizabeth (class of 1934), and Florence.



The Cook Papers present a detailed view into the daily life and activities of an early MAC student, as well as a look into the infrastructure and organization of the MAC campus. Cook wrote home regularly, and the over 80 letters from his two and half years at the college offer significant coverage of his classes and studies, his living arrangements and financial needs, activities on campus and in Amherst, natural and agricultural locales, travel logistics for students, and updates on MAC buildings. In addition to the rich set of correspondence, the collection includes a small but unique set of photographs of MAC grounds and students, additional photographs taken by Cook, several MAC produced postcards, and Cook's 1894 College Shakespearean Club certificate.

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Background on Maurice E. Cook


An image of: Maurice Elmer Cook: studio portrait, Massachusetts Agricultural College, 1895

Maurice Elmer Cook: studio portrait, Massachusetts Agricultural College, 1895

Born in Marlborough in 1876, Maurice Elmer Cook moved to Shrewsbury at the age of two, when his father, Herbert, purchased property on Floral Street for his market gardening and greenhouse flower and vegetable business. Maurice Cook stayed in the family business, and joined the Massachusetts Agricultural College class of 1897 to further his education in agriculture and market gardening. He worked at the plant house while attending MAC, and often took trips with classmates to hike local fields and ranges in the Pioneer Valley area to collect specimens. Cook was a member of the College Shakespeare Club, the YMCA, the Natural History Society, the Washington Irving Literary Society, and Sergeant in Battalion Org, Company A on campus. He roomed with Harry T. Edwards, of Chesterfield, in South College his first year, and in North College with Charles Adams Peters, from Greendale, for his second and third years. Cook left college early, in November 1895, on account of rheumatism, and did not return. After a trip to Pasadena, CA for his health, Cook returned to Shrewsbury, where he would live and work for the rest of his life. He built a new property and greenhouses there after his 1906 marriage to Carrie Harrington. Both died in Shrewsbury in 1931, leaving behind their three daughters, Gertrude, Elizabeth (class of 1934), and Florence.

Scope of collection

The Cook Papers present a detailed view into the daily life and activities of an early MAC student, as well as a look into the infrastructure and organization of the MAC campus. Cook wrote home regularly, and the over 80 letters from his two and half years at the college offer significant coverage of his classes and studies, his living arrangements and financial needs, activities on campus and in Amherst, natural and agricultural locales, travel logistics for students, and updates on MAC buildings. In addition to the rich set of correspondence, the collection includes a small but unique set of photographs of MAC grounds and students, additional photographs taken by Cook, several MAC produced postcards, and Cook’s 1894 College Shakespearean Club certificate.

Inventory

Background information
2019
Box 1: 1
College Shakespearean Club certificate
1894 Dec
Box 1: 2
Correspondence
1893 Sep
Box 1: 3
Correspondence
1893 Oct 1-15
Box 1: 4
Correspondence
1893 Oct 19-29
Box 1: 5
Correspondence
1893 Nov
Box 1: 6
Correspondence
1893 Dec
Box 1: 7
Correspondence
1894 Jan
Box 1: 8
Correspondence
1894 Feb
Box 1: 9
Correspondence
1894 Mar
Box 1: 10
Correspondence
1894 Sep
Box 1: 11
Correspondence
1894 Oct
Box 1: 12
Correspondence
1894 Nov
Box 1: 13
Correspondence
1894 Dec
Box 1: 14
Correspondence
1895 Jan
Box 1: 15
Correspondence
1895 Feb
Box 1: 16
Correspondence
1895 Mar
Box 1: 17
Correspondence
1895 Apr
Box 1: 18
Correspondence
1895 May
Box 1: 19
Correspondence
1895 Jun
Box 1: 20
Correspondence
1895 Sep
Box 1: 21
Correspondence
1894 Oct
Box 1: 22
Correspondence
1895 Nov
Box 1: 23
ca.1895
Box 1: 24
Photographs
ca.1895
Box 1: 25
Photographs
ca.1895
Box 1: 26
Photographs
ca.1895
Box 1: 27
Postcards
ca.1910-1921
Box 1: 28

Administrative information

Access

The collection is open for research.

Provenance

Acquired from Kenneth Lever, October 2019.

Digitized content

Selected material from the Maurice E. Cook Papers has been digitized and is available online through Credo.

Processing Information

Processed by Blake Spitz, December 2019.

Language:

English

Copyright and Use (More information )

Cite as: Maurice E. Cook Papers (RG 050/6 C66). Special Collections and University Archives, University of Massachusetts Amherst Libraries.

Search terms

Subjects

  • Massachusetts Agricultural College--Alumni
  • Massachusetts Agricultural College--Students

Genres and formats

  • Correspondence
  • Photographs

Link to similar SCUA collections