Caroline Slade Collection, 1865-01-01-1966-12-31, bulk 1930-1950

Collection context

Summary

Creator:
Harry D. Snyder
Abstract:
The Caroline Slade Collection reflects the life of author and activist, Caroline Slade, including drafts of her writing, personal and business correspondence, and scrapbooks she maintained. The collection also consists of published pieces, photographs, and ephemera.
Extent:
5 Boxes 4 cubic ft
Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

This is a collection brought together by the staff at the SSPL combining several donations from Harry D. Snyder. The collection includes copies of newspaper articles, articles and manuscripts written by Caroline, correspondence, photographs, ephemera, and scrapbooks. The contents of this collection are arranged first by subject.

Biographical / historical:

Caroline Slade was born in Minneapolis, Minn. on October 7, 1886 to John H. and Gertrude L. (Pease) Beach. She was educated at the Academy of the Sacred Heart in Albany, NY and St. Faith’s School in Saratoga Springs, NY and also studied at New York University and received an honorary degree from Skidmore College. Caroline Slade and her two brothers were raised by aunts who lived in the Moon House in Saratoga Springs. She married John A. Slade on October 27, 1906.

In 1909, Caroline Slade was appointed as Executive Secretary for the newly formed Board of Child Welfare in Saratoga County. With the assistance of the State Board of Charities, she was instrumental in establishing the first county wide system for social casework. She later served as an administrator for the Saratoga Children’s Court established by Judge Lawrence B. McKelvey.

A prolific writer with seven books published, her years as a Social Worker greatly influenced her literary work. Most of her novels deal with issues and circumstances reflective of the lives and struggles of the poor that she had witnessed in her career. While some found her work shocking, several of her books were used as case study texts in college social work courses.

Caroline Slade was a prominent citizen of Saratoga Springs, having resided there for 80 years. She was a member of the Saratoga Springs Business and Professional Women’s Club and was active in the work of the Katrina Trask House. She was a member of the Saratoga Historical Society.

Caroline Slade died in the long term care unit of Saratoga Hospital on June 25, 1975.

Biographical History was developed from the contents of the collection.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: a Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Items in this collection may be subject to Copyright. Access is in the library only.

Location of this collection:
49 Henry Street
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866, United States
Contact:
518-584-7860