Conditions Governing Use

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Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open to all researchers. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, such as the Virginia Public Records Act (Code of Virginia. § 42.1-76-91); and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.5). Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. If sensitive material is found in this collection, please contact a staff member immediately. The disclosure of personally identifiable information pertaining to a living individual may have legal consequences for which the College of William and Mary assumes no responsibility.

Preferred Citation

Parlor Reading Circle (Ayer, Massachusetts) Minute Book, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Purchased in August 2011

Scope and Contents

Minute book, 1885-1887, of the Parlor Reading Circle of Ayer, Massachusetts. Entries include the name of the book that was read, the location of the meeting, and the discussion that followed the reading of the book. Works read include poems by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Shakespeare's "Comedy of Errors," the history of the town of Ayer, a book on the early history of the Unitd States, and others. Also includes a list of members and a list of guests brought by members.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Massachusetts--Social life and customs--19th century
• Women--History--Massachusetts
• Women--Societies and clubs