Jennie Benson Scrapbook, 1872-1878 | Wheaton College Archives & Special Collections

Scope and Contents: This small book, embossed in gold lettering depicting the word "Autographs," is Jennie Benson's 1882 collection of reminiscenses from her Wheaton College classmates. Each page presents a poem, warm sentiment or simply the name of friends who signed it. The handwriting, scripted in various colors of ink, demonstrates the straight, elegant, deliberate cursive of the day. A typical inscription reads, "Dear Jennie, Be assured that you will never be forgotten by your room-mate of 1872. Ella Norwood, Harford, NY."