Jessie McRae Papers

Collection

Identifier: WCMss-357

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Jessie McRae Papers houses the personal material of Jessie McRae. This collection, which dates from 1908 to 1967, contains three hymnal books, an autograph book, a child’s alphabet book, letters, a scrapbook of the Columbia Ladies Symphony Orchestra's tour across America, and material related to her music career and time at Whitman College. It also includes two scrapbooks of Jessie McRae and her husband, Edward Trout Melvin, about their travels across the United States.

Dates

1908-1963

Creator

McRae, Jesse (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Biographical Note

Jessie McRae was born in Walla Walla county on July 26, 1890 to Ronald McRae, a fruit farmer, and Barbara Matlock McRae. McRae played the piano, cello, and violin and graduated from Whitman College in 1912 with a conservatory music degree and a specialization in piano. For many years, McRae and her twin sister Jennie played in a traveling all women's orchestra, the Columbia Ladies Symphony Orchestra. McRae married Edward Trout Melvin some time between 1912 and 1930, at which point they were living in Portland, Oregon. McRae became the oldest living alumna of the Whitman College class of 1912, and passed away on June 6, 1993 at the age of 102.

Extent

1.9 Linear Feet (1 manuscript box, 1 flat box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The Jessie McRae Papers, which dates from 1908 to 1967, contains the personal material of Jessie McRae, a 1912 Whitman College graduate and musician. The collection includes travel scrapbooks, letters, hymn books, and papers related to McRae’s music career and time at Whitman.