Overview
Bridwell Library, Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University
Radde, Rebecca D.
Rebecca D. Radde papers
1911-1982
1911-1927, 1971-1980
1 box (1 linear foot)
The Rebecca D. Radde papers consist of one linear foot of research notes, correspondence, publications and photographs. These items document the research Rebecca D. Radde conducted for the book, Meridian College, which was published by Texian Press in 1979 and Methodists in the Meridian Area (First United Methodist Church), published in 1981.
BridArch 303.46
Material is in English
Biographical Note
Rebecca D. Radde was born Rebecca Doris Dickerson on February 24, 1910, at Caro, Nacogdoches County, Texas. Her parents were John L. Dickerson and Almeda Bell Dickerson. Rebecca Doris Dickerson studied at Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in English in 1931. Following graduation she taught school in Garden City, Texas. On February 23, 1934, she married Sam Carl Radde. The couple moved to Hill County in 1937, then to a ranch between Meridian and Clifton, Texas, in 1946. They had four children, one daughter and three sons. Some years after moving to Bosque County, Mrs. Radde took up teaching again and taught at Moshelm, Cranfills Gap, and Meridian before retiring in 1975. She died on November 9, 1990.
Always interested in local history, Radde was the author of four books: Bosque Primer: An Introduction to the History of Bosque County; Meridian College; Methodists in the Meridian Area; and From Pomerania to America: The Radde Family. She was also an active member of the Bosque County Historical Commission, Bosque County Museum Board, and was a former member of the Meridian Planning and Zoning Commission.
In the book Meridian College, Radde explores the history of Meridian College located in Bosque County, Texas. Meridian Junior College originated as Meridian Training School and was incorporated in 1907 under the leadership of George F. Campbell, a Methodist pastor who envisioned a school to train ministers and their children. Initially, the school offered classes beginning with kindergarten, but gradually it dropped the first six grades and added two years of college courses. In 1920, Meridian achieved Class A Junior College status, and its name was changed to Meridian Junior College. In addition to the main administration building the college had a dining hall, two dormitories, and a former public school building. Three successive fires put the college in financial straits, and it closed its doors on May 30, 1927.
Sources:
"Meridian Junior College." Handbook of Texas Online, s.v., http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/MM/kbm20_print.html (accessed March 16, 2010).
"Obituary: Mrs. Sam (Rebecca) Radde." Bosque County News. November, 14, 1990.
Scope and Contents of the Collection
The Rebecca D. Radde papers comprise one linear foot of publications, photographs, correspondence, and research notes. Most of these documents were generated or collected by Mrs. Radde while she was doing research for her book, Meridian College.
Two folders contain research for another book, Methodists in the Meridian Area (First United Methodist Church).
Arrangement of the Collection
The collection was originally divided between publications and research notes and correspondence. Folders in each series are mostly in their original order with the exception of the photographs. Photographs were dispersed throughout the collection, but were arranged into a series during processing. Within each folder, items are arranged chronologically with undated material placed at the back.
- Series 1: Publications
- Series 2: Photographs
- Series 3: Research Notes & Correspondence
Related Materials
Frank Reedy Correspondence with Meridian College, DeGolyer Library, SMU Archives, Southern Methodist University, SMU 1992.0151.
Rebecca Radde papers, Bosque County Collection, Bosque County Historical Commission, Meridian, Texas.
Access to Collection:
The collection is open for research use. Patrons must sign the Acknowledgement of Legal Responsibility and Privacy Rights form before using this collection.
Publication Rights:
Permission to publish materials must be obtained from the Director of the Bridwell Library.
Copyright Statement:
It is the responsibility of the user to obtain copyright authorization.
Access Terms
This collection is indexed under the following terms in the Southern Methodist University Libraries' online catalog. Researchers desiring related materials may search the catalog using these terms.
Radde, Rebecca D. -- Meridian College.
Meridian College (Meridian, Tex.) -- History.
Universities and colleges -- Texas -- Meridian.
Women historians -- Texas.
Bosque County (Tex.) -- History.
Photographs.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Rebecca D. Radde papers, Bridwell Library, Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University.
Acquisition Information
Acquired prior to 2007.
Processing Information
This collection was arranged and described in 2010 by Allison Osborn. Materials relating to the First United Methodist Church, Meridian, Texas were added in 2011.
Encoded by
Lara Corazalla, 2010.
Detailed Description of the Collection
Series 1:
Publications, 1911-1980
The first series consists of seventeen folders of publications, mostly printed by Meridian College. Rebecca Radde used the publications in preparing the book, Meridian College, which is included in the series.
4141The Bosque 1916
4142The Bosque 1917
4143The Bosque 1918
4144The Bosque 1919
4145The Bosque 1920
4146The Bosque 1921
4147The Bosque 1922
4148The Bosque 1924
4149Meridian College 1979
41410Programs & Announcements 1914-1980
41411Meridian College Ephemera 1911-1939
41412Newspapers 1916-1922
41413Newspapers 1923-1979
41414Bulletins 1911-1923
41415Summer School Bulletins 1911-1924
41416Philos & San Jars 1923-1926
41417Catalogues 1915-1926
Series 2:
Photographs, 1907-1976
The second series consists of three folders of photographs. The first two folders contain photographs that Radde included in Meridian College. These photos are undated but most likely were taken between 1907 and 1927. One photograph of the First United Methodist Church in Meridian is also included. The third folder contains photos from the June 1976 Meridian College reunion.
41418Photographs undated
41419Buildings undated
414201976 Reunion 1976
Series 3:
Research Notes & Correspondence, 1916-1982
The third series consists of four folders of Radde’s research notes, correspondence related to her research and the publication of the book, and drafts of excerpts of the book. The majority of Radde’s research notes and collected documents are undated, but she most likely produced them between 1970 and 1979. Two folders containing correspondence and research on the history of First United Methodist Church, Meridian, Texas are also included. These materials contributed to another publication of Radde’s, Methodists in the Meridian area (First United Methodist Church).
41421Correspondence 1971-1978
41422Correspondence 1979-1982, undated
41423First UMC, Meridian, Texas Correspondence 1980-1981
41424Research Notes undated
41425Research Notes 1916-1980
41426First UMC, Meridian, Texas Research Notes undated