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Connie Griffith papers

 Collection
Identifier: LaRC-1111

Content Description

This collection contains the personal letters of Connie Griffith to family and other relatives, friends, colleagues and others. It also includes items concerning her education, her time teaching, and her time in the Howard-Tilton Memorial Library’s Special Collections at Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana. In addition, it consists of items related to her personal and professional travels, her memberships in local and regional organizations and personal photographs.

Dates

  • 1850-1997
  • Majority of material found within 1950-1989

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Access is unrestricted.

Conditions Governing Use

Physical rights are retained by the Louisiana Research Collection. Copyright is retained in accordance with U.S. copyright laws.

Biography

Consuelo “Connie” Garza Griffith was born in 1904 in Rio Grande City, Texas, to a wealthy family. She entered the University of Texas when she was 15, majoring in Spanish and French. She graduated with her B.A. in 1922 at the age of 18. Griffith then went on to get her Masters in 1926 from the University of Texas, while teaching at the University. During World War II, she took a leave of absence to go to Washington, D.C. to serve as Director of the Division of Education of the Office of Inter-American Affairs. In this post, Griffith traveled around the country to colleges and universities setting up Latin American programs and workshops. Griffith then arrived in New Orleans and taught language at Newcomb in 1950-1951. In 1953, she took over the Manuscripts Department of the Howard-Tilton Library, becoming the founding head of Tulane University’s Special Collections. In this position she worked tirelessly making Tulane’s Special Collections what it is today. She held this position until her retirement in 1974. Griffith was very active in New Orleans’ society and in many local organizations, such as Le Petit Salon, Louisiana Historical Society, Louisiana Landmark’s Society, and Y.W.C.A. She also enjoyed traveling the world, visiting places like, China, United Kingdom, Russia, and Central America. She died in July 1997, at the age of 92.

Extent

21 Linear Feet

34 Boxes

Language of Materials

English

Arrangement

This collection is arranged primarily in chronological order, except the local organizations, which are arranged alphabetically.

Custodial History

This collection was donated by William R. Cullison, III.

Related Materials

Connie Griffith corresponded with many important New Orleanians. Louisiana Research Collection has the papers of one of these important people, Martha Gilmore Robinson(MSS 678). Another related collection is: New Orleans YWCA(MSS 637).

Processing Information

This collection was processed, arranged and entered by Stephanie Jolissaint.

Title
Connie Griffith papers finding aid
Status
Completed
Author
Stephanie Jolissaint
Date
2017 November 03
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Tulane University Special Collections Repository

Contact:
Jones Hall Room 202
6801 Freret Street
New Orleans 70118 US