​Finding aid published in 2018. Copyright Historical Society of Plainfield,
Created by Eliza Elvira Kenyon
Dates: 1800-1911
Extent: 7 legal folders and 6 photographs

Abstract: The Eliza Elvira Kenyon Papers contains correspondence spanning her life and work in Plainfield, N.J., as well as the wedding certificate of Lewis Henry Kenyon, and other materials. The collection spans 1900-1911. E.E. Kenyon served as Principal of the Plainfield Seminary, taking over the school for young ladies in 1867. She also founded the Monday Afternoon Club in 1888.

Language: English
Repository: Historical Society of Plainfield, Drake House Museum, 602 West Front Street, Plainfield, NJ 07060, 908-755-5831, [email protected], www.drakehouseplainfieldnj.org
Conditions Governing Use: This collection is open for research. Materials in this collection are out of copyright protection, and are in the public domain.
Conditions Governing Reproduction: While the materials in this collection are in the public domain, the Historical Society of Plainfield requests that users credit the Society when reproducing materials from this collection.
Preferred Citation: [Identification of item], Eliza Elvira Kenyon Papers collection of Historical Society of Plainfield, Plainfield, N.J.
Physical Access: The items in this collection may be used by patrons who abide by the guidelines of the Historical Society of Plainfield Archive.
Technical Access: No additional technology is required to use this collection.
Collection Processed by: Debra Schiff, Archivist, in 2017
Finding Aid Author: Debra Schiff, Archivist
Description Control: Description based on DACS.

Biographical History: Eliza Elvira Kenyon (E.E. Kenyon) was born in 1835 and died in 1915. She lived in Plainfield, N.J. from 1866 until her death. She founded the Plainfield Seminary for Young Ladies in 1867, and later formed the Monday Afternoon Club in 1888. Both the Seminary and the Club were pillars of Plainfield society and contributed to the Women’s Suffrage movement. Kenyon also served as the first president of the Women’s Auxiliary of Muhlenberg Hospital. The Kenyon Gardens Association was formed in her honor in 1916 by the Plainfield Garden Club.  The collection was donated to the Historical Society of Plainfield by Gale Hoffman.

Scope and Content:
The majority of the Eliza Elvira Kenyon Papers comprise correspondence with John Fiske and others regarding programs for the seminary and Fiske’s lecture schedule. John Fiske was a professor of American History at Washington University. In the other materials, of note is the marriage certificate of Kenyon’s brother, Lewis Henry Kenyon to Francis Mary Sinnett. They were married by Rev. Thomas K. Beecher, brother of abolitionists Harriet Beecher Stowe (author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin) and Henry Ward Beecher. Kenyon witnessed the ceremony as a “Mistress.”

Organization and Arrangement:
The collection is divided into 7 series: Correspondence, Manuscripts, Ephemera, Clippings, Certificates, Photographs, and Receipts. Within the series, it arranged by date. The photographs and postcard are all located in Albums 10, 11, and 14.

​Index Terms:
Corporate Names/Organizations:
Monday Afternoon Club
Plainfield Seminary for Young Ladies
Subjects:
Education
People:
Fiske, John
Kenyon, Eliza E.
Kenyon, Lewis H.
Stowe, Harriet B.
Places:
Plainfield (N.J.)
Genre Terms:
Correspondence

Container List

Box 1, Eliza Elvira Kenyon Papers, 1800-1911

Folder Number	Series Name	Folder Title	Date
1	Correspondence	Eliza Elvira Kenyon Papers, Correspondence with John Fiske and others	1800-1910
2	Correspondence	Eliza Elvira Kenyon Papers, Correspondence with John Fiske and others	1844-1911
3	Manuscripts	Eliza Elvira Kenyon Papers, Manuscripts	Undated
4	Ephemera	Eliza Elvira Kenyon Papers, Ephemera, Programs	1889, undated
5	Clippings	Eliza Elvira Kenyon Papers, Clippings	Undated
6	Certificates	Eliza Elvira Kenyon Papers, Wedding certificate of Lewis Henry Kenyon	1863
7	Receipts	Eliza Elvira Kenyon Papers, Receipt	1883