Logo for Marion Dickerman Papers, 1918-1975 | Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library & Museum

Marion Dickerman Papers, 1918-1975 | Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library & Museum

Collection Overview

Title: Marion Dickerman Papers, 1918-1975Add to your cart.

Primary Creator: Dickerman, Marion (1890-1975)

Extent: 6.8 Cubic Feet

Arrangement: Alphabetically

Scope and Contents of the Materials

This collection comprises copies of material held by the National Park Service.  It consists of personal and professional correspondence, speeches, and material related to Val-Kill Industries and the Todhunter School.

Collection Historical Note

Marion Dickerman was a teacher, activist, and longtime friend of the Roosevelts.  Nancy Cook, Dickerman’s lifelong partner, introduced her to Eleanor Roosevelt, whom Cook had met through her work for the New York State Democratic Committee Women’s Division.  The three women became close friends, and together built Val-Kill in 1925.  Val-Kill served as a home for Dickerman and Cook, a refuge for Eleanor, and the site on which they established Val-Kill Industries, a company that made replica early American furniture. In 1927, the trio jointly purchased Todhunter.  Dickerman became the principal, and Eleanor a teacher.  For many years, Dickerman and Cook were part of the Roosevelt inner circle, and frequent guests at the White House.  In 1936, Val-Kill Industries failed.  Two years later, a rift developed between Eleanor and Cook which led to the deterioration of Eleanor’s friendship with Dickerman.  Dickerman resigned from Todhunter in 1942, and moved to Connecticut with Cook several years later.

Administrative Information

Repository: Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library & Museum

Access Restrictions: Unpublished writings of Franklin D. Roosevelt are in the public domain. Unpublished writings of Eleanor Roosevelt not otherwise located in the Eleanor Roosevelt Papers are subject to Mrs. Roosevelt's literary estate.

Use Restrictions: Marion Dickerman did not donate copyright in her unpublished materials to the United States Government.

Acquisition Source: National Park Service

Acquisition Method: The Papers of Marion Dickerman originally were placed on loan by the Roosevelt/Vanderbiit National Historic Site, National Park Service, which purchased the Papers from Marion Dickerman. In June 2003, the original collection was returned to the National Park Service at its request. Prior to the return of the collection, the Library photocopied the bulk of the Papers. This Finding Aid covers those photocopied materials. Only files specifically related to the day-to-day activities of Todhunter School and one postcard scrapbook were omitted from the photocopies. A copy of the original box and folder listing of the complete collection is appended to this Finding Aid. Researchers wanting to review the original collection should contact the National Park Service at 229-2501.

Related Materials: Additional materials relating to Marion Dickerman, Nancy Cook, and Eleanor Roosevelt may be found in the Papers of Eleanor Roosevelt and Franklin D. Roosevelt and in interviews conducted by the Eleanor Roosevelt Oral History Project. There is an interview with Marion Dickerman in the Oral History Project at Columbia University. See also INVINCIBLE SUMMER by Kenneth Davis, a portrait of Marion Dickerman based on her recollections.

Box and Folder Listing


Browse by Box:

[Box 1],
[Box 2],
[Box 3],
[Box 4],
[Box 5],
[Box 6],
[Series 1: Appendix - Finding Aid to Original Collection Returned to NPS June 2003],
[All]


Box 4Add to your cart.

Roosevelt, Eleanor - Correspondence (1), UndatedAdd to your cart.

Roosevelt, Eleanor - Correspondence (2), UndatedAdd to your cart.

Roosevelt, Eleanor - Correspondence (3), UndatedAdd to your cart.

Roosevelt, Eleanor - Todhunter SchoolAdd to your cart.

Roosevelt, Eleanor - Tour of South and Midwest, 1934Add to your cart.

Roosevelt, Eleanor - UN MemorialAdd to your cart.

Roosevelt Family ObituariesAdd to your cart.

Roosevelt Family Scrapbook, 1931-1934Add to your cart.

Roosevelt Family Scrapbook, 1935-1965Add to your cart.

Roosevelt, Franklin D., 1929-1945Add to your cart.

Roosevelt, Franklin D. - Hilltop CottageAdd to your cart.

Roosevelt, Franklin D. - SatiresAdd to your cart.

Roosevelt, Franklin D. - Southern Trip, 1934Add to your cart.

Roosevelt, Franklin D. - Speeches, 1934-1940Add to your cart.

Roosevelt, SaraAdd to your cart.

Browse by Box:

[Box 1],
[Box 2],
[Box 3],
[Box 4],
[Box 5],
[Box 6],
[Series 1: Appendix - Finding Aid to Original Collection Returned to NPS June 2003],
[All]