Dorothy Brainerd Collection

Accession Number: MA 89:11
Location: Compton
Dates: 1952- 1972, bulk 1954-56
Size: 5 boxes
Creator/Collector: Collected by Dorothy Brainerd
Acquisition info: Donated by Dorothy Brainerd
Accruals: Accruals not expected, but possible.
Custodial history: The collection was assembled over time by Dorothy Brainerd and donated to the Media Archives after her passing in March of 1989.
Language: English
Processed by: Initial processing by a Media Archives volunteer at unknown date; reprocessed by Kristina Impastato, July 2018
Conservation notes: Materials placed in acid-free folders and archival boxes. Metal staples removed and interleaved with acid-free paper.
Scope and Content:

The collection consists of the professional papers of Dorothy Brainerd (1906-1989) from 1952-1972. The collection contains clipping scrapbooks, food articles and recipes, article drafts, and professional awards. The bulk of the collection contains correspondence of letters from readers asking for solutions to a variety of homemaking & household issues. Brainerd responded to each reader after researching the issue which often included soliciting advice from national manufacturers and growers. 

Dorothy Madge Brainerd worked at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch from 1944 to 1972. She was appointed to Food and Travel editor from 1952 to 1958. She also wrote a homemaking column from 1952-1956. Brainerd was a member of Theta Sigma Phi, Missouri Press Women, and the Women’s Advertising Club of St. Louis. She was recognized as Advertising Woman of the Year Award in 1964.

Arrangement:

Collection arranged by series.

Series 1: Correspondence

Series 2: Scrapbooks

Series 3: Biographical

Restrictions: Collection is open for research.
Remarks: Gosebrink # Pr-009

Dorothy Brainerd Collection
1952-1971
1 slim legal Hollinger, 2 record storage cartons, 1 flat Hollinger, 1 small flip top; 4.20 cu. ft

Box/Folder Description
   Series 1: Correspondence
   Box 1: Homemaking
1/1 Finding aid
1/2 Food – Dallas Morning News recipe section 1955
1/3 Food – general 1952-56
1/4 Food – Mexican recipe clippings
1/5 Food – Missouri Farm Broadcasts
1/6 Food – recipes
1/7 Food – Spanish Green Olive Commission, Oct. 1969
1/8 Food – Wisconsin Dept. of Agriculture, Tasty Cheese Recipes
1/9 Homemaking columns + correspondence #1
1/10 Homemaking columns + correspondence #2
1/11 Homemaking columns + correspondence #3
1/12 Homemaking columns + correspondence #4
1/13 Homemaking columns + correspondence #5
1/14 Homemaking columns + correspondence #6
1/15 Homemaking columns + correspondence #7
  Box 2: Homemaking
2/1 Homemaking Columns, 1955
2/2 Homemaking Columns, 1955-56
2/3 Homemaking Columns, Lead Ideas for Future Use
2/4 Homemaking, Blankets
2/5 Homemaking, Books & Bookcases
2/6 Homemaking, Brass, Copper, Pewter, Tin
2/7 Homemaking, Bricks
2/8 Homemaking, Cabinets
2/9 Homemaking, Candles
2/10 Homemaking, Carpets – Stains
2/11 Homemaking, Carts
2/12 Homemaking, China
2/13 Homemaking, Cleaning
2/14 Homemaking, Clothing – General
2/15 Homemaking, Clothing – Stains
2/16 Homemaking, Curtains
2/17 Homemaking, Decalcomania
2/18 Homemaking, Decorating Ideas
2/19 Homemaking, Draperies
2/20 Homemaking, Dyeing & Tinting of Upholstered Furniture
2/21 Homemaking, Fireplace + Fireplace Fixtures
2/22 Homemaking, Floors – Asphalt Tile
2/23 Homemaking, Floors – Hardwood
2/24 Homemaking, Floors – Miscellaneous
2/25 Homemaking, Floors – Plastic + Vinyl
2/26 Homemaking, Flowers + Flower Arranging
2/27 Homemaking, Furniture Care
2/28 Homemaking, Glassware
2/29 Homemaking, Irons
2/30 Homemaking, Knotty Pine
2/31 Homemaking, Leather
2/32 Homemaking, Linens + Fabric Care
2/33 Homemaking, Linens + Towels
2/34 Homemaking, Miscellaneous – Home Care
2/35 Homemaking, Miscellaneous – Small Appliances
2/36 Homemaking, Refrigerators
2/37 Homemaking, Vacuum Cleaners
2/38 Homemaking, Waffle Irons
2/39 Miscellaneous correspondence #1
2/40 Miscellaneous correspondence #2
  Series 2: Scrapbooks
  Box 3: Clipping Scrapbooks
3/1 [loose clippings], Housewives/Homemaking column, 1952
3/2 [loose clippings], This Week’s Trip to Local Markets column 1951
3/3 [loose clippings], Travel columns
3/4 Photo, unknown subject
3/- Cooks + Shoppers’ Column
3/- Gadgets [New Household Gadgets column] 1950
3/- Homemaking
3/- Miscellaneous 1951
3/- [Thursday Food Section] 1952
3/- Women 1949-51
3/- Thomas A. Edison Week, Feb. 1953
3/- St. Louis Post-Dispatch
  Series 3: Biographical
  Box 4: Biographical
4/1 Clippings
4/2 Church newsletters - The Church at Work, 1950 Reformation Issue; Our Church News, 1950-51; St. Michael’s News May 1950
4/3  Newsletters – AD-Mission, The Flying Horse Stix, Baer & Fuller, Hi! Campbell, Kiwanis Weekly
4/4 P-D Notebook
4/5  Photos - P-D Food Editor, Frances Dawson; Travel Editors Meeting
4/6  Printed material
4/7 St. Louis Guidebook
4/8 St. Louis Post-Dispatch, retirement 1971
4/9 Two Thousand Women of Achievement, 1971
4/10 Women’s Advertising Club of St. Louis, 1964
  Box 5: Card File
5/- A-Z Business & Public Relations Firms Card File
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