Merle Blinn Brown papers
Collection
Identifier: Ms-0055
Scope and Content
The Merle Blinn Brown Papers span the years 1885-1974. The collection is divided into twoseries: Miscellany and Photographs.
The Miscellany series contains letters to Merle Blinn Brown from Hiram Hadley, founder ofNew Mexico College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts, memorabilia from Brown's college daysand poetry and magazine articles written by Brown about her life in New Mexico.
The Photograph series consists of images of Brown's childhood home in Chloride, NewMexico, and NMCA & MA images of Brown, her brother John Blinn, husband Uly Brown andtheir classmates, ca. 1902-1906.
The Miscellany series contains letters to Merle Blinn Brown from Hiram Hadley, founder ofNew Mexico College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts, memorabilia from Brown's college daysand poetry and magazine articles written by Brown about her life in New Mexico.
The Photograph series consists of images of Brown's childhood home in Chloride, NewMexico, and NMCA & MA images of Brown, her brother John Blinn, husband Uly Brown andtheir classmates, ca. 1902-1906.
Dates
- 1885 - 1974
Access and Use Restrictions
This material may be examined by researchers under supervised conditions in the SearchRoom.
Copy Restrictions
Limited duplication is allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for compliance with copyright and other applicable statutes.
The copyrights associated with this collection have not been transferred to New Mexico State University.
The copyrights associated with this collection have not been transferred to New Mexico State University.
Biographical Sketch
Merle Blinn was born on January 24, 1886. Her father, E. P. Blinn, was a doctor who movedto Chloride, New Mexico in 1882. Chloride was a mining boomtown and Blinn later wrote abouther childhood experiences in the Black Range town, in her poems and articles.
When Blinn was seven, her family moved to Magdalena, New Mexico, where she and herbrother John attended school. The Blinns later moved to Socorro so that the children could attendthe School of Mining Preparation Department. Although a smallpox epidemic delayed the start oftheir schooling, Merle and John eventually graduated in June 1902.
Merle attended New Mexico College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts, graduating with theclass of 1906. While attending the Mesilla Park campus she met her future husband, "Uly" Brown,who was also a student.
Following graduation, Merle taught school for three years. In 1913, she and Uly Brown weremarried. Brown was an engineer working in San Francisco, California. They had two children,Bob and Virginia, and eventually settled in Piedmont, California in 1929. For many years, UlyBrown was an engineer with C and H Sugar Company. He died in 1954.
Mrs. Brown was an avid writer. She published a book, Eight Rattles and a Button, as well asa collection of poems. Short articles describing her early life and reminiscences were alsopublished in New Mexico Magazine.
When Blinn was seven, her family moved to Magdalena, New Mexico, where she and herbrother John attended school. The Blinns later moved to Socorro so that the children could attendthe School of Mining Preparation Department. Although a smallpox epidemic delayed the start oftheir schooling, Merle and John eventually graduated in June 1902.
Merle attended New Mexico College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts, graduating with theclass of 1906. While attending the Mesilla Park campus she met her future husband, "Uly" Brown,who was also a student.
Following graduation, Merle taught school for three years. In 1913, she and Uly Brown weremarried. Brown was an engineer working in San Francisco, California. They had two children,Bob and Virginia, and eventually settled in Piedmont, California in 1929. For many years, UlyBrown was an engineer with C and H Sugar Company. He died in 1954.
Mrs. Brown was an avid writer. She published a book, Eight Rattles and a Button, as well asa collection of poems. Short articles describing her early life and reminiscences were alsopublished in New Mexico Magazine.
Extent
.5 Linear Feet (1 Box)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Member of the New Mexico College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts Class of 1906.Collection includes three letters from Hiram Hadley; articles published in New MexicoMagazine recalling Brown's childhood in Chloride, Magdalena and Socorro, New Mexico;a copy of "Spanning the Years" containing Brown's poems; a typescript of other poems;newspaper clipping about New Mexico College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts; severalphotographs depicting, Chloride, New Mexico, and college scenes.
Separated Material
The following items have been transferred to appropriate locations in the University Archives.
New Mexico Collegian, October 1904 and April 1905. New Mexico College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts Program of Exercises for Commencement Week, 1906. New Mexico College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts Class Day Program, May 28, 1906. New Mexico College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts Program for "Facing the Music: An Original Farce in Three Acts" staged infall of 1902 or 1903 Program for the 28th Annual Banquet of the Alumni Association of NewMexico College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts, May 25, 1926. New Mexico College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts
New Mexico Collegian, October 1904 and April 1905. New Mexico College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts Program of Exercises for Commencement Week, 1906. New Mexico College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts Class Day Program, May 28, 1906. New Mexico College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts Program for "Facing the Music: An Original Farce in Three Acts" staged infall of 1902 or 1903 Program for the 28th Annual Banquet of the Alumni Association of NewMexico College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts, May 25, 1926. New Mexico College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts
- Title
- Guide to the Merle Blinn Brown papers
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Revised by Marah deMeule and Christine Moreland-Bruhnke, November 1999 Finding guide updated by William B. Boehm, December 2005
- Date
- 2000
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- English
Repository Details
Part of the New Mexico State University Library Archives and Special Collections Repository