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Ruth White Fisher Scrapbook

 Collection
Identifier: Ms-1987-058

Scope and Content

This collection consists of a single scrapbook from artist Ruth White Fisher, regarding her series of paintings titled "The Evolution of Creativity," presented to Virginia Tech. The scrapbook contains multiple images of the five paintings, together with the text of their individual captions, and a brief essay by Fisher, explaining the project. Also included are correspondence, newspaper clippings, and ephemera relating to the ceremony marking the donation of the paintings.

Dates

  • 1966 - 1978

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials. Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction. Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.

Biographical Note

Ruth White Fisher, daughter of Flora White, was born in Madison County, Ohio in 1894. A childhood victim of beriberi, Fisher developed an early interest in nutrition and earned a bachelor's degree in the subject from The Ohio State University in 1922. That same year, she married Robert Anderson Fisher, a professor of chemical engineering, and worked as a nutritionist until 1936, when the Fishers moved to Blacksburg, Virginia, where Robert Fisher had joined the faculty of Virginia Polytechnic Institute. Meanwhile, Ruth Fisher continued to study nutrition, earning a master's degree in dairy husbandry and home economics at Virginia Tech in 1940. Her thesis was entitled "The Influence of the Ration of the Cow on Vitamin C Content of Milk." The following year, Ruth Fisher temporarily left Blacksburg to be near her husband, who was on military leave elsewhere.

Later returning to Blacksburg, Ruth White Fisher became an active member of several Blacksburg clubs and organizations, including the Blacksburg Regional Art Association; Blacksburg Branch, American Association of University Women; Blacksburg Women's Club; Southside Garden Club; Blacksburg Council of Garden Clubs (of which she served as president in 1950); Blacksburg Community Federation; and the Daughters of the American Revolution. She served as an officer in many of these organizations and was also a member of Blacksburg Presbyterian Church.

Fisher maintained an interest in art throughout her life, studying art at the Columbus School of Art and privately with a number of Virginia Tech's professors of art. In addition to creating her own paintings, she promoted the works of others. With local painter Vance Miller, Fisher established the Palette Gallery, the first art gallery in southwestern Virginia.

In 1966, Fisher donated to Virginia Tech's Department of Chemical Engineering a set of five paintings--her own creations--entitled "The Evolution of Creativity."

Ruth White Fisher died in 1984 and was buried in Madison County, Ohio.

Extent

0.2 Cubic Feet (1 box)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

This collection includes a scrapbook compiled by Blacksburg, Virginia artist Ruth White Fisher, relating to her series of paintings titled "The Evolution of Creativity," donated to Virginia Tech. It includes photographs, correspondence, newspaper clippings, and ephemera about the paintings and the donation ceremony.

Source of Acquisition

The Ruth White Fisher Scrapbook was acquired by Special Collections prior to 1988.

Rights Statement for Archival Description

The guide to the Ruth White Fisher Scrapbook by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 (https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/).

Processing Information

The processing of the Ruth White Fisher Scrapbook commenced and was completed in November, 2018.

Title
Ruth White Fisher Scrapbook, 1966-1978
Status
Completed
Author
John M. Jackson, Archivist
Date
2018 (CC0 1.0)
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech Repository

Contact:
Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries (0434)
560 Drillfield Drive
Newman Library, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg Virginia 24061 US
540-231-6308