DACS

nicholsoncatherine Inventory of the Catherine Nicholson Papers, 1897-2005 and undated, bulk 1974-2005 Processed by: Lindsay Matson; machine-readable finding aid created by: Lindsay Matson David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library Duke University Durham, N.C., USA

Aleph Number: 003489640

Machine-readable finding aid derived from XML authoring program. Date of source: January 2009Processed by Lindsay Matson, January 2009; finding aid encoded by Lindsay Matson, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University, January 2009 Description is in English Finding aid was prepared using DACS and local Style Guide Inventory of the Catherine Nicholson Papers, 1897-2005 and undated, bulk 1974-2005 David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library Duke University Durham, North Carolina 27708-0185 USA

Descriptive Summary Catherine Nicholson Papers, 1897-2005 and undated, bulk 1974-2005 Nicholson, Catherine. Material in English 15.2 Linear Feet 10,528 Items David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog. Lesbian feminist writer and magazine publisher, resident of Durham (Durham Co.), N.C.; co-founder of SINISTER WISDOM, a multicultural lesbian literary and art journal. The Catherine Nicholson papers contain materials dating from 1897 to 2005, with the bulk of the collection dating from 1974 to 2005. Materials in the collection primarily document Nicholson's directing and theatre related activities, her work on Sinister Wisdom, and her membership in the group Old Lesbians Organizing for Change (OLOC). The collection comprises correspondence; personal and professional writings and supporting materials; photographic materials; publicity about theatre and of plays directed by Nicholson; audio recordings; and ephemera. Included are play scripts written by Catherine Nicholson and other playwrights, and scripts with directorial annotations by Nicholson. Administrative Information Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

However, collection may contain materials to which the Acknowledgment of Legal Responsibilities and Privacy Rights form applies. Patrons must sign this form before using this collection.

Also, audio recordings in this collection are not immediately accessible, because they require further processing before use.

Please note that all or portions of this collection may be housed off-site in Duke University's Library Service Center. Consequently, there may be a 24-hour delay in obtaining these materials.

Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library to use this collection.

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Catherine Nicholson Papers, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library

Provenance

The Catherine Nicholson Papers were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library as a gift from 2005-2007, 2010.

Processing Information

Processed by Lindsay Matson, January 2009

Encoded by Lindsay Matson, January 2009

Accessions 2005-0087, 2006-0098, and 2007-0050 were merged into one collection and are described in this finding aid.

Updated by Alice Poffinberger, August 2010

Descriptive sources and standards used to create this inventory: DACS, EAD, NCEAD guidelines, and local Style Guide.

This finding aid is NCEAD compliant.

Biographical Note

North Carolina native Catherine Nicholson was born in 1922 in Troy, the seat of Montgomery County. She attended Flora Macdonald College to study English and History and received a Master's degree in English from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1945. Nicholson continued graduate studies at Northwestern University, earning a Master's degree in Theatre and Oral Interpretation, followed by her Ph.D. in Theatre in 1961. Nicholson spent her career in academia as a professor of drama, teaching and directing plays primarily in North Carolina and Virginia. Nicholson's interests in ancient Greece, Shakespeare, and feminism offered her rich and varied material to mine as a director and as a writer of plays, short stories, and poetry. Nicholson is best known as the co-founder of the lesbian feminist literary journal Sinister Wisdom. From 1976 to 1981, Catherine Nicholson and partner Harriet Ellenberger (also known as Harriet Desmoines) published and edited the journal, before passing control to Adrienne Rich and Michelle Cliff. Through the stewardship of several editors, Sinister Wisdom has continued into the twenty-first century, and as of 2009 is the oldest surviving lesbian literary journal. Nicholson retired to Durham, North Carolina, where she maintained involvement in lesbian activism and continued to direct plays through the 1990s.

Collection Overview

The Catherine Nicholson papers contain materials dating from 1897 to 2005, with the bulk of the collection dating from 1974 to 2005. Materials in the collection primarily document Nicholson's directing and theatre related activities, her work on Sinister Wisdom, and her membership in the group Old Lesbians Organizing for Change (OLOC). The collection comprises correspondence with family and friends; personal and professional writings; poetry; notes; clippings; photographic materials, including black and white and color photographs, color slides, and a cabinet card; audio cassettes; vinyl records; press kits and playbills; reviews about theatre and of plays directed by Nicholson; and ephemera. Included are play scripts written by Catherine Nicholson and other playwrights, and scripts with directorial annotations by Nicholson. The collection contains correspondence, artwork, journals, and receipts related to the publishing of Sinister Wisdom. In addition, the collection houses Nicholson's collection of audiocassettes and long-playing vinyl records, with the majority of albums related to women's music; many of these were published by Olivia Records. Printed materials have been removed and added to the Women and LGBT Rights Periodicals Collection. Use copies of audio recordings will need to be created before items can be accessed by researchers. Acquired as part of the Sallie Bingham Center for Women's History and Culture.

Addition (2010-0068) (28 items, .1 lin. ft.; dated 1984-1985 and undated) comprises letters and cards addressed to Harriet Ellenberger, primarily from Susan Thompson.

Subject Headings

These are searchable subject entries for this collection. Performing a search on these subjects in the Duke University Libraries online catalog will bring up other related research materials.

Desmoines, Harriet. Feminism--United States. Feminism and theater--United States. Lesbian activists--United States. Lesbian dramatists. Lesbian feminism--United States--Periodicals. Lesbian feminism--United States. Lesbian theater. Lesbians--United States. Nicholson, Catherine. Old Lesbians Organizing for Change. Olivia Records. Playwriting--Drama. Rich, Adrienne Cecile. Sinister wisdom. Theater--United States. Women dramatists, American. Women in the theater. Women--North Carolina--History--20th century. Women theatrical producers and directors--United States. Women--United States--History--20th century. Women's music. Audiocassettes. Cabinet photographs. Clippings. Ephemera. Long-playing records. Playbills. Press kits. Scripts (documents). Slides. Thompson, Susan. Sallie Bingham Center for Women's History and Culture. Related Material Rainbow Triangle Oral History Interviews David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University James T. Sears Papers David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University Mab Segrest Papers David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University Contents of Collection Catherine Nicholson Papers, 1897-2005 and undated, bulk 1974-2005 (17 boxes)

Materials are arranged alphabetically, followed by audio and oversized materials. Plays are listed by title, and other writings are listed by author. Printed materials have been removed and added to the Women and LGBT Rights Periodicals Collection.

[Original recordings are closed to research. Use copies need to be created before content can be accessed.]

1AIDS/HIV, 1991 and undated Albright genealogy, undated American Theatre Association Women's Program Convention, 1983 Angels of Power, Sandra Shotlander, 1988 Ashes, Ashes We All Fall Down, Martha Boesing, 1982 At the Foot of the Mountain, 11 (1), 1985 Fall The Attic, Patricia Green, 1988 August Odyssey, short story, 1958 Baby books, 1914; 1922

The earlier baby book belonged to Nicholson's older sister Edna, who died during Nicholson's childhood.

Because the Dawn, Amy Goldstein, 1987 Beginnings of stories, 1950s; 1975 Between the Acts notes, undated Broadcloth, 1984 Buttons, undated Buttons for Desert, Judith Katz, 1982 Case, Sue Ellen, undated Cherry, Wynn, Hearing Me Into Speech, undated

Nicholson's comments on Cherry's article about lesbian feminist publishing in North Carolina. Article discusses Sinister Wisdom and Nicholson.

Cliff, Michelle, Passing: The Fear of Difference and the Denial of Wholeness, undated Clippings about friends, 1957-1995 and undated College essays, 1951-1955 The Constant Journey, Monique Wittig, undated Correspondence, 1941-1959 (2 folders) 2Correspondence, 1961-2005 and undated (18 folders) 3Correspondence, Alice and Bates, 1963-1972 and undated Curb, Rosemary, 1984-1986 and undated Directing notebook, 1950 Dissertation, The Chorus as a Ritual Element in Greek Tragedy, 1961 Diversity for Durham, 1994 Dreams, 1975-1984 and undated Dress Suits to Hire, Holly Hughes, undated Durham lesbian writings, 1994-1995 and undated Ellenberger, Harriet, 1984-1985 and undated Event booklets, 1982; 1990 Event fliers and reviews, 1959-2002 and undated Feminist drama articles, 1988-1989 and undated Feminist and lesbian theatre and drama, 1981-1991 and undated Flight of the Mind writing workshop, undated Flora MacDonald College, Ralph Page, 1916 Flora MacDonald College reunion, 1992 Flora MacDonald writings and poem, 1973 and undated 4Flora MacDonald College yearbook, 1942 Florence, Alice Childress, 1949 The Franny Chicago Play, Judith Katz, 1973 Gantt, Harvey, 1990 Gay and lesbian theatre, local, 1991-1995 and undated Goddard College theatre, 1982-1984 Goodnight, Desdemona clippings and reviews, 1991 Goodnight, Desdemona notebook, 1991 (2 folders) Harris, Bertha, 1972 and undated Harris, Lois, 1986 Heyward, Carter, 1979-1980 Hicks Lynn, Full Circle Farm, 1992 Hoagland, Sarah, 1993 and undated Hopkins, Lea, Womyn I Have Known You, 1978 How I Learned to Drive, 1997 Important clippings, 1992-1993 and undated 5International Tribune testimony script, undated Isadora Duncan lecture, undated Isadora Duncan notes, undated Journal entries, 1989-1990 Justice, Willa poems, 1987-1991 Kendall, 1986-1987 Kitchen Table Women of Color Press, 1983 Langa, Helen, Reading the Fine Print: Art and Social Justice in the 1930s, 2000 January 07 Last Summer at Bluefish Cove, 1980 Lee, Anne, 1981 and undated The Lesbian Anti-Rape Packet, 1976 August Lesbian Clippings, 1992 and undated Lesbian Contradictions, 30, 1990 Spring Lesbian Health Center, undated Lesbian history, 1978; 1993 Lesbian publications, organizations, etcetera, 1992 and undated Lesbian publishing, 1976; 1990 and undated Lesbian theatre articles, 1990 and undated Lesbian Writer's Conference, 1976 Lesbians in academics questionnaire, 1994 The Libretto of the Opera of Marie Laveau, Aishah Rahman, circa 1981 Libraries and education, undated Local gay and lesbian activism, 1992-1994 and undated Love Song for an Amazon, Martha Boesing, undated 6Machinal, Sophie Treadwell, 1928 The Madwoman of Chaillot, undated Maiden Rock, 1978-1979 Margins, 23, 1975 August Mariani, Paul, The Sign, undated Material for poetry, 1989-1992 Matt and Millie, undated Matt and Millie discarded scenes, undated Matt and Millie older version, undated Matt and Millie, 1994 Matt and Millie play notes, 1981-1988 McDaniel, Judith poem, undated Miscellaneous notes, 1981-1986 and undated Miscellaneous writings by others, undated Morgan, Ramona funeral, 1997 October 19 7Morton, Nelle, 1977-1985 Murray, Gilbert, Jane Ellen Harrison: An Address, 1928 Narratives conference, 1991 National Lesbian Conference, 1989-1991 National Women's Studies Association, 1979 Nicholson, Mike, 1932-1966 and undated

Papers belonging to Nicholson's father or related to his death. Includes a condolence telegram from North Carolina Representative Charles Raper Jonas.

North Carolina Lesbian and Gay Political Action Agenda, 1992 Northwestern University, 1956-1957 Notebooks, 1983; 1987; 1993 and undated (3 folders) Notes on writing, 1979 and undated Oedipus play, undated Old Lesbians Organizing for Change, 1989-2004 (folders 1-2 of 3) 8Old Lesbians Organizing for Change, 1989-2004 (folder 3 of 3) Old Lesbians Organizing for Change (OLOC) Ageism, 1989-1990 Aging, 1987-1993 and undated Facilitator's handbook, Confronting Ageism, 1992 Healey, Shevy, 1991-1995 National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Durham conference, 1993 Summer gathering, 1998 University of Georgia leisure study, 1995 West Coast celebration, 1989-1990 Older Women's League (OWL), local, 1993-1994 An Oral Herstory of Lesbianism, 1979 Our Own Place grant application and Newsletter, 1992 Passages conference, 1993 9Photographic materials, 1897-2002 and undated

Photographs document Nicholson's life from childhood through 2002, including friends and relatives, animals, art, promotional theatre images, and her trips across the globe to Greece, England, Switzerland, and France. Travel pictures typically appear on color slides.

10Pinball, Allison Lyssa, 1983 August 07 Playbill, 1986; 1989 Play plots, undated Poems, early versions, 1974 and undated Portia Faces Life and Stands Up For Herself, for North Carolina AAUW Convention, 1975 Progressive causes, 1991 Psychology, 1976 and undated Queer theory articles, undated Rado, Maria, The Embrace, undated Rainbow Triangle Oral History Project, undated Randolph-Macon Woman's College theatre, 1957-1966 (2 folders) Retirement, North Carolina, 1989-1991 and undated Rich, Adrienne, Particularity, 1982 August Robinson, Margaret, Stroke, 1996 Rounds and canons songbook, 1976 Roomers of the House, Mary Moran, undated Sanskrit, v.5, no.2, 1974 Scenes from the Twentieth Century Stage: Black Theatre in Photographs, 1983 The Search for Emily, Brian Marsh, 1988 Sears, James T., Generations, 1995-2000 Segrest, Mab, Into the Twenty-first Century: The Dangers of Right-Wing Feminism, 1990 October 06 She is Still Burning e-journal, 2000-2001

Feminist web journal published by Harriet Ellenberger from 2000 to 2003.

Shewolf's Directory of Wimmin's Lands and Lesbian Communities, 1994-1995 11Sinister Wisdom, 1976-1981 About reviews, 1976-1977 Ads/Listings, 1976-1980 (4 folders) Age and aging, 1978 and undated Anthology, 1981 Artwork and layout, 1970s (2 folders) Book of procedures, 1980-1981 Bookstore correspondence of possible interest, 1976-1980 12Sinister Wisdom, 1976-1981 Boundary notes, undated Comments from subscribers, 1977-1980 (3 folders) Content ideas, 1976-1979 and undated Correspondence/subscriptions, 1976 Flyers and forms, samples, 1976-1979 and undated Humanism, 1970s Joan Corbin's copies of The Ladder, 1977 Journal, 1976; 1979-1980 (2 folders) 13Sinister Wisdom, 1975-1992 Origins, 1975-1992 Photographs, 1970s Post office information, 1978-1980 and undated Receipts, 1977-1979 Reviews, 1977-1980 Submission forms without correspondence, 1979-1980 Surviving Female, 1973; 1979 and undated Turnover, 1979-1981 Women in Distribution, 1977-1981 Sister Heathenspinster's Almanac and Lunation Calendar, 1976 Sleeping Beauty: A Lesbian Fairy Tale, 1971 Songbook for Seneca Falls Wimmin's Peace Encampment, circa 1983 Stansbury, Lucy drawings, undated Tarot, 1986 Theatre curricular, 1980s Thoughts on theatre, undated Tribes: A Play of Dreams, Judith Katz, 1980 14Twenty-two Short Plays from the Little Theatre of the Green Goose, undated Tyrel, Hailey, I'm Sorry, But I Must Decline (from an interview with C. Nicholson), undated Unfinished Women Cry in No Man's Land While a Bird Dies in a Gilded Cage, Aishah Rahman, 1977 University of North Carolina-Charlotte course, Surviving Female, 1976 University of North Carolina-Charlotte theatre, 1967-1971 War Torn photocopies, undated Wetzel, Kathryn, Erotic Story #1, 1982 What Difference Does Difference Make? conference, 1992 May 29-31 Women as artists, 1974-1975; 1994 and undated Women in cinema, 1975; 1990-1997 Women in print, 1976-1977 and undated Women in Theatre festival, Boston, 1986-1987 Women's Action Agenda, 1991 The Women's Experimental Theatre, 1980-1981 Women's Wisdom Corporation, 1974-1978 15Audio Cassettes, 1970s-1995 and undated

Primarily contains recordings about Jane Ellen Harrison (1850-1928), British scholar and early feminist who Nicholson became interested in during the 1970s. Also includes: Are We Really Out of the Closet?; recordings of co-op meetings; a recording of Nicholson's aunt Izora; Nelle Morton's 1979 address at the National Mission Conference; Nicholson with Susan Wood-Thompson; Nicholson with Harriet Ellensberger; Ralph presentation; Religion; Adrienne Rich's Soundings; Shoulder to Shoulder; and several unlabeled cassettes.

[Original recordings are closed to use. Listening copies must be made before contents can be accessed.]

16Vinyl Records, 1954-1982 Adam, Margie, Songwriter. Dixon, CA: Pleiades Records, 1976 Baez, Joan, Self-titled. New York: Vanguard Stereolab, circa 1960. Baez, Joan, From Every Stage. Hollywood, CA: A and M Records, 1976. Baez, Joan. Joan Baez in Concert Part 2. New York: Vanguard, 1963. Barrett, Sweet Emma. Sweet Emma Barrett and her New Orleans Music. New Orleans: Southland Records, 1963. Be Be K'Roche. Self-titled. Los Angeles: Olivia Records, 1976. Bishop, Heather. Grandmother's Song. Woodmore, Manitoba: Mother of Pearl Records, 1979. Christian, Meg. Face the Music. Los Angeles: Olivia Records, 1977. Christian, Meg, I Know You Know. Los Angeles: Olivia Records, 1974. The Clancy Brothers adn Tommy Makem, The Rising of the Moon. Los Angeles: Tradition Records, 1959. Dickens, Hazel and Alice Gerrard, Won't You Come and Sing For Me? New York: Folkways Records, 1978. Dobkin, Alix, xxAlix. New York: Women's Wax Works, 1980. Dobkin, Alix featuring the Lesbian Power Authority. Living with Lesbians. New York: Women's Wax Works, 1975. Elizabethan and Jacobean Music. New York: Vanguard, 1954. Fitzgerald, Ella and Count Basie. A Classy Pair. Beverly Hills, CA: Pablo Records, 1982. Garland, Judy. Judy at Carnegie Hall. Los Angeles: Capitol Records, 1961. Garland, Judy. The Best of Judy Garland. New York: Decca Records, 1963. 17Vinyl records, 1958-1988 and undated Gazette with Pete Seeger. Self-titled. New York: Folkways Records, 1958. Great American Speeches. New York: Caedmon Publishers, 1958. Holiday, Billie, The Original Recordings. New York: Columbia Records, 1973. Lang, K. D., Shadowland. New York: Sire Records, 1988. Lavender Jane. Loves Women. New York: Women's Wax Works, 1973. Lesbian Concentrate: A Lesbianthology of Songs and Poems. Los Angeles: Olivia Records, 1977. Lillie, Beatrice. An Evening with Beatrice Lillie. London: London Records, 1955. McRae, Carmen. Love Songs. New York: Accord Records, 1982. Minnelli, Liza. Liza With A "Z". New York: Columbia Records, 1972. Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus, Divertimenti for Wind Instruments. New York: The Musical Heritage Society, undated. Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus, Divertimento No. 15 In B Flat for Two Horns and Strings. New York: Nonesuch Records, undated. Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus, Four Piano Concertos. Music Guild Records, undated. Near, Holly. Fire in the Rain. Ukiah, CA: Redwood Records, 1981. Near, Holly. Imagine My Surprise! Ukiah, CA: Redwood Records, 1978. Near, Holly and Ronnie Gilbert. Lifeline. Oakland, CA: Redwood Records, 1983. Near, Holly with Jeff Langley. You Can Know All I Am. Ukiah, CA: Redwood Records, 1976. 18Vinyl records, 1954-1984 Parker, Pat and Judy Grahn, Where Would I Be Without You. Los Angeles: Olivia Records, 1976 Previn, Dory, Self-titled. Burbank, CA: Warner Bros. Records, 1974 Previn, Dory, Mary C. Brown and the Hollywood Sign. Los Angeles: United Artists Records, 1972. Russ, Joanna. Joanna Russ Interpreting Her Stories. New York: Alternate World Recordings, 1976. Shear, Linda. A Lesbian Portrait. Northampton, MA: Old Lady Blue Jeans, 1977. Smith, Bessie. Any Woman's Blues. New York: Columbia Records, 1970. Sweet Honey in the Rock. Self-titled. Chicago: Flying Fish Music, 1976. Thomas, Dylan, Dylan Thomas Reading His Complete Recorded Poetry. New York: Caedmon Records, 1963 Thomas, Dylan, Selections From the Writings of Dylan Thomas Read By the Poet. New York: Caedmon Records, 1957 The Threepenny Opera. New York: MGM Records, 1954. Trull, Teresa. The Ways A Woman Can Be. Los Angeles: Olivia Records, 1977. Tyson, Willie. Self-titled. Madison, TN: Lima Bean Records, 1979. Tyson, Willie. Full Count. Washington, D.C.: Lima Bean Records, 1974. Vaughan, Sarah. Sarah plus 2. New York: Roulette Records, 1962. Vogl, Nancy. Something to Go On. Oakland, CA: Redwood Records, 1984. Oversize Material 19Photographs and artwork

Materials featuring Nicholson or created by friends.

1Posters, 1970s-1990s Accession (2010-0068)1984-1985 and undated (1 box)

Addition (2010-0068) (28 items, .1 lin. ft.; dated 1984-1985 and undated) comprises letters and cards addressed to Harriet Ellenberger, primarily from Susan Thompson. Arranged chronologically.

20Letters and cards