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Cardinal Cushing Library Construction Collection Finding Aid: Collection Overview

Title: Cardinal Cushing Library Construction Collection

Date(s): c. 1961-1966, 1977

Repository I.D.: US: MBEmm: Lib-2010-9

Collection Call No.: Lib-2010-9

Author/Collector/Creator: Emmanuel College (Boston, Mass.) (collector)

Location: Emmanuel Archives—Cardinal Cushing Library 202

Extent: 2.5 linear feet (29 folders/ 2 boxes)

Language(s): Material is in English

Abstract: This collection contains documentation from the construction of the Cardinal Cushing Library (1961-1965).

Access Restrictions: 1) The collection is not restricted. 2) Requests for permission to publish material from this collection should be discussed with the College Archivist.

Preferred Citation: [Item Title]. [Box Number, Folder Number]. Cardinal Cushing Library Construction Collection. Cardinal Cushing Library, Emmanuel College, Boston, MA.

Provenance: The material contained in this collection was either created by or gathered by Emmanuel College and its subordinate parts. This was done primarily through the Alumnae Archives, under the direction of Ann Grady Fleming ’31, and the President's Office. The material was transferred to the Emmanuel College Archives in 2010.

Processed By: Processed by John P. Healey Jr. in September 2012.

Biography/History: By 1963 the plans for the Cardinal Cushing Library (named in honor of Richard Cardinal Cushing, a generous benefactor of the College), drawn by Maginnis and Walsh and Kennedy, called for the creation of a microfilm, seminar and listening rooms, a lecture hall, as well as, stacks designed to hold 200,000 volumes and 93 study carrels. The construction of the building was overseen by Walsh Bros. On June 5, 1965, the new library that occupied 52,880 square feet, was dedicated by Richard Cardinal Cushing who later attended a dinner in honor of its completion at the Sheraton-Boston Hotel. The area, in the Administration Building that previously housed the library, was converted into office space for the Presidents’ Office, the Admissions Office and for faculty.

Scope and Content: This collection contains documentation from the construction of the Cardinal Cushing Library, Emmanuel College (Boston, MA) that occurred between 1961 through 1965. The collection contains a non-continuous set of material such as correspondences, memorandum, programs, publication, photographs and blueprints that discuss the development of the construction project and the celebration of its completion. Most of the documentation was created by the College, or its subordinate parts, and was stored by various departments of the College until the materials were transfer to the Emmanuel College Archives in 2010.   

Collection Arrangement: The collection is arranged into two series. 1. Correspondences, Memorandums, Programs, Publications. 2. Photographs and Blueprints.