Some materials from this collection are available online.
Navigate the Collection
Summary
- Abstract:
- This collection documents Rhoda Fox Graves' service in the New York State Assembly and Senate. It also contains some personal materials from her life.
- Extent:
- 14.03 cubic ft.
- Language:
- English .
- Preferred citation:
Preferred citation for this material is as follows:
Identification of specific item, series, box, folder, Rhoda Fox Graves Papers, 1906-1948. M.E. Grenander Department of Special Collections and Archives, University Libraries, University at Albany, State University of New York (hereafter referred to as the Graves Papers).
Background
- Scope and Content:
The Rhoda Fox Graves Papers contain records that were generated during her time as a representative of Northern New York in the State Assembly and State Senate. The collection is heavy in correspondence, both professional and personal, mostly regarding matters of importance to her constituents such as agriculture. Included are legislation, campaign materials, and committee records. The collection also contains scrapbooks, subject files, and artifacts.
- Biographical / Historical:
Rhoda Fox Graves (1877-1950) was prominent in public affairs in the North Country of New York and the first woman elected to New York State Senate. Graves was first elected to the New York State Assembly from St. Lawrence County in 1924 and served from January 1, 1925 until December 31, 1932. She held that positon longer than any woman of her time. Two years later, she was elected to the New York State Senate where she served continuously until she resigned in ill health December 31, 1948.
Rhoda Fox married Perle A. Graves in 1905 and had two sons, Paul and Marcus. All three survived her. When she resigned from her State Senate seat, Paul was elected to succeed her.
Graves achieved a number of firsts in her career. She was the first woman to become vice president of the St. Lawrence County Republican Committee. She was the first woman to be elected from a northern county to the New York State legislature. She was the first woman to serve in the New York Sate Senate, the first woman to preside over that legislative body, and to head a Senate Standing Committee (Agriculture).
- Acquisition information:
- All items in this collection were transferred to the University Libraries, M.E. Grenander Department of Special Collections and Archives from the Gouverneur Museum, 2016 June 30 .
- Processing information:
Processed in 2018 by Amanda Partridge. Duplicate and financial materials removed.
- Arrangement:
Original order was maintained or reclaimed when possible, but a majority of the collection was disorganized so an order was imposed.
The Assembly Files are in their original alphabetical order. The Senate Files are arranged chronologically and the Subject Files are arranged alphabetically.
- Physical location:
- The materials are located onsite in the department.
Subjects
- Subjects:
- Politicians--New York (State)
New York (State). Legislature. Senate. Standing Committee on Agriculture
New York (State). Legislature. Senate
New York (State). Temporary Economy Commission
Correspondence
Bills (legislative records)
Files by subject - Places:
- Rhoda Fox Graves
The State of New York Joint Committee on Farm-to-Market Roads
New York (State). Legislature. Assembly
Joint Legislative Committee to Investigate Mineral Waters of the State
Daughters of the American Revolution. New York Organization
Women's National Republican Club (U.S.)
Contents
Access
Using These Materials
- ACCESS:
- The archives are open to the public and anyone is welcome to visit and view the collections.
- RESTRICTIONS:
-
Access to this collection is unrestricted
- TERMS OF ACCESS:
-
This page may contain links to digital objects. Access to these images and the technical capacity to download them does not imply permission for re-use. Digital objects may be used freely for personal reference use, referred to, or linked to from other web sites.
Researchers do not have permission to publish or disseminate material from these collections without permission from an archivist and/or the copyright holder.
The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming to the laws of copyright. Some materials in these collections may be protected by the U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) and/or by the copyright or neighboring-rights laws of other nations. More information about U.S. Copyright is provided by the Copyright Office. Additionally, re-use may be restricted by terms of University Libraries gift or purchase agreements, donor restrictions, privacy and publicity rights, licensing and trademarks.
The Department of Special Collections and Archives is eager to hear from any copyright owners who are not properly identified so that appropriate information may be provided in the future.
- PREFERRED CITATION:
-
Preferred citation for this material is as follows:
Identification of specific item, series, box, folder, Rhoda Fox Graves Papers, 1906-1948. M.E. Grenander Department of Special Collections and Archives, University Libraries, University at Albany, State University of New York (hereafter referred to as the Graves Papers).