RS 12/1/15
Helen LeBaron Hilton (1910-1993)
Papers, 1911-1993, n.d.

Special Collections Department
 403 Parks Library
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011-2140

 

Descriptive summary

creator:

Helen LaBaron Hilton

title:

Papers

dates:

1911-1993, n.d.

extent:

10.63 linear feet (12 document boxes, 4 small document boxes, 1 oversized box, and 1 map case folder)

collection number:

RS 12/1/15

repository:

University Archives, Special Collections Department, Iowa State University.

 

Administrative information

access:

Open for research

publication rights:

Consult Head, Special Collections Department

preferred citation:

Helen LeBaron Hilton, Papers, 1911-1993, n.d., RS 12/1/15, University Archives, Special Collections Department, Iowa State University Library

 

Biographical note


Helen LeBaron Hilton was born February 28, 1910, in Morrisville, Vermont, the only child of W.I and Ida (Norton) LeBaron.  She graduated in 1932 from the University of Vermont earning a Bachelor of Science, received a Master of Science degree in 1938 from Cornell University and was awarded the degree Doctor of Philosophy in 1946 from the University of Chicago.  In 1946, the University of Vermont conferred upon her the honorary degree, Doctor of Science.  After three years of teaching home economics at Enosburg Falls High School in Enosburg Falls, Vermont and three years as assistant supervisor of home economics education in the Vermont State Department of Education, she was appointed assistant professor in charge of home economic education at the University of Vermont and state supervisor of home economics in the Vermont State Department of Education.  From 1946-1952 she was professor and assistant dean of the College of Home Economics at Pennsylvania State University.

She came to Iowa State on September 1, 1952 and served as Dean of the College of Home Economics (now known as Family and Consumer Sciences) until June 30, 1975.  As dean, she had leadership responsibilities for the undergraduate and graduate program in home economics, the state-wide extension program, and research related to home and family life.  Hilton was in charge of the ten-year ISU-Baroda University project, sponsored and funded by the Ford Foundation to help the M.S. University of Baroda (India) develop a graduate and research program in home science (1960-1970).  Upon relinquishing administrative duties she became dean emeritus and served as retirement counselor for the University until her retirement May 31, 1980.

From 1954 to 1968 she was the college editor for home economics books for Harper and Rowe.  Her publications have appeared in the Journal of Home Economics, the Journal of the American Dietetics Association, the Bulletin of the National Association of Nursery Education, Religious Education, the Agricultural Education Magazine, Nutrition News, Canadian Home Economics Journal, Bulletin of National Association of Secondary School Principals, Journal of International Federation of Home Economics, and Omicron Nu.

Dr. Hilton was active in community and civic affairs.  She was the first woman to either run or be elected to the Ames City Council (1966-1970).  She helped organize and was president of the Ames Visiting Nurse Service; was a member of the Story County Health Planning assembly; a member of the Mary Greeley Hospital Advisory Board and Chairperson of that group from 1970-1973; chairman of the Ames/Gilbert United Way Campaign in 1977; member of the boards of Ames International Orchestra Festival Association, the Octagon, and the Wilson Elder Center.

At the state level, she was a member of the Governor’s Commission on Children and Youth in the 1960s; advisor to the American Home Department of the Iowa Federation of Women’s Clubs (1953-1975); a member of the Governor’s Commission of the Status of Women (1971); a board member of the Iowa Children’s and Family Service (1974-1979), and vice president (1976-1978).  In 1983 she was elected to the Iowa Women’s Hall of Fame.

At the national level, she served as a member of the panel of vocational education under President Kennedy’s administration and as a member of the National Committee for the 1960 White House Conference on Children and Youth under President Eisenhower.  She was a member of the Commission on the Education of Women, and Commission of Academic Affairs of the American Council of Education, and has held offices in the American Home Economic Association, the Land-Grant Association, and was the first president of the Association of Administrators of Home Economics.  She was chairperson of the Commission on Home Economics of the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges in 1970 and 1971.  She served a three-year term on the advisory committee of the American Dietetics Association.

She was the first woman member of two corporate boards of directors:  Jewel Companies, Inc.  (1971-1980) and S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. (1973-1980).

On May 24, 1970 she married James Harold Hilton (tenth president of Iowa State University) at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, North Carolina.  He died January 14, 1982, at Mary Greeley Hospital in Ames, Iowa.  Helen Hilton died August 10, 1993 at Mary Greeley Hospital in Ames, Iowa.

 

 

Collection description


The Helen Lebaron Hilton Papers (1924-1993) document her activities as Dean of the College of Family and Consumer Sciences at Iowa State University.  During her tenure as Dean she was involved in the Baroda India Project, a program funded by the Ford Foundation.  This program worked with colleges in India to establish programs of study for Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Home Economics.  Also included are the records of the Iowa State Home Economics Alumnae Advisory Council, publications by and about Hilton, and manuscripts and typescripts of the talks she gave over the span of her professional career as well as after her retirement.  Hilton’s personal life is represented with various ephemera and personal items.  Photographs of both her personal and professional life are included in the collection.

 

Organization


The Hilton papers are divided into two groups:  Personal Papers and Dean’s Records.  The Personal Papers are comprised of the following series of papers, which is arranged alphabetically within each series. :  

Series 1:  Biographical Materials,1924-1993, n.d.

Series 2: Education and Employing Institutions, 1943-1982, n.d.

Series 3: Retirement, 1975

Series 4: Property and Tax Records, 1967-1986, n.d.

5.  Awards, Honors, and Community Service, 1944-1990, n.d.

6.  Photographs, 1911-1978, n.d.

The Dean’s Records consists of the following series of records,  is arranged alphabetically, then chronologically, with the exception of the publications and the talks series which are arranged chronologically. : 

Series 7:  correspondence,1954-1989, n.d.

Series 8: Baroda India Project,1949-1992, n.d.

Series 9:  Home Economics Alumni Advisory Committee/Council,1952-1975

Series 10:  Subject files, 1946-1973, n.d.

Series 11:  Publications, 1961-1990, n.d.

Series 12:  Talks, 1938-1989, n.d.

Series 13: Photographs,1954-1974, n.d.

 

 

Description of series

 

 

 

Series 1

Personal Papers - Biographical Materials

 

extent:

0.42 linear feet (1 document t box)

 

description:

Within the personal papers there are biographical materials that include biographical information, daily reminder diaries, family history, newsclippings, notes and correspondence.  The geographical information and newsclippings cover her years at Iowa State through her death.  Her diaries document her teen years and the years at University of Vermont during her undergraduate study.  Family history includes genealogical information about Hilton’s maternal ancestors, her marriage to James Hilton and materials related to James Hilton's death.  This section also includes notes and correspondence related to her personal life from 1963-1990 on varied subjects.

 

  Container list 

Box

Folder

Title

Dates

1

1

Biographical information

1952-1993, n.d.

1

2

Calling cards

n.d.

1

3

Daily reminders (diaries)

1924, 1926-1928

1

4

Daily reminders (diaries)

1929-1931, 1988

1

5

Family history sheet (Mother)

n.d.

1

6

James Hilton’s death (Husband)

1982

1

7

Newsclippings

1952-1993, n.d.

1

8

Notes to herself

1968

1

9

Personal correspondence

1963-1990, n.d.

1

10

Wedding announcement

1970

1

11

Writings by Margaret Warning

1982-1983, 1986, n.d.

1

12

Typescript of interview with Eric Williams

1974

 

Description of series

 

 

 

Series 2

Personal Papers-Education and Employing Institutions

 

extent:

3.42 linear feet (1 document  box and 1 map case folder)

 

description:

The education and employing institutions section documents her employment at Pennsylvania State College.  Included are a contract for employment, convocation program, and newsclippings on the inauguration of the School of Home Economics.  Also included are farewells from co-workers.  Her employment with the State of Vermont is documented with a letter accepting her resignation.  In the same file is information about the dedication of the Bertha M. Terrill Home Economics Building.  Her education at the University of Chicago is represented by correspondence with the school, the convocation program, and her PhD diploma.  Education and honors from the University of Vermont are documented with a copy of her honorary Doctor of Science diploma, commencement program, a photograph, correspondence relating to the reorganization of the School of Home Economics, and a program from the Distinguished Service Award Ceremony.  A reunion booklet, correspondence, and a class list are included in the 50th class reunion file.  Also included are Hilton’s high school diploma and her diploma from the University of Vermont and her diploma from Cornell University.

 

 Container list 

Box

Folder

Title

Dates

2

1

Pennsylvania State College-Home Economics

1946, 1948-1949

2

2

Farewells from co-workers at Pennsylvania State College

1951, n.d.

2

3

State of Vermont-Home Economics

1946, 1951

2

4

University of Chicago-Doctor of Philosophy

1943-1946

2

5

University of Vermont-correspondence, honorary degree

1964,1980-1981, 1983

2

6

University of Vermont-50 year class reunion

1982

MAP

CASE

Diplomas:

 

 

 

People’s Academy and Morrisville Graded School

1928

 

 

University of Vermont and State Agricultural College

1932

 

 

Cornell University

1938

 

Description of series

 

 

 

Series 3

Personal Papers-Retirement

 

extent:

0.42 linear feet (1 document  box)

 

description:

Hilton’s two retirement files contain cards from friends and retirement letters gathered from colleagues which were presented to her at her Retirement Program.

 

Container list 

Box

Folder

Title

Dates

2

7

Correspondence-retirement cards and letters A-Z

1975

2

8

Retirement program letters

1975

 

Description of series

 

 

 

Series 4

Personal Papers-Property and Tax Records

 

extent:

0.42 linear feet (1 document  box)

 

description:

The property and tax records section documents the purchase and sale of a farm in Story County, Iowa; with copies of the warranty deed and the sale contract.  From Hilton’s involvement with Green Hills Retirement Village are Board of Directors correspondence, promotional materials, occupancy agreement, articles of incorporation, and bylaws.  Included in the tax records are receipts from charitable donations, as well as records of the assessment and sale of Hilton’s home on Gaskill Drive in Ames, Iowa.

 

Container list

 

Box

Folder

Title

Dates

2

9

Farm records

1967-1976

2

10

Green Hills Retirement Village materials

1978-1983

2

11

Tax records

1983, 1985-1986,  n.d.

 

Description of series

 

 

 

Series 5

Personal Papers-Awards, Honors, and Community Service

 

extent:

0.42 linear feet (1 document  box)

 

description:

The Awards, Honors and Community Service files contain certificates, programs, and correspondence relating to the awards bestowed on Hilton.  Her election to the Ames, Iowa, City council is documented with cards and letters of congratulations.

 

  Container list

Box

Folder

Title

Dates

2

12

AAUW Educational Foundation-names honored

1974-1975

2

13

Alpha Xi Delta-women of distinction

1990

2

14

Certificates of award

1944-1984, n.d.

2

15

Election to Ames, Iowa, City Council

1965

2

16

Helen LeBaron Hilton Fund

1976-1982

2

17

Iowa Women’s Hall of Fame Award

1983, n.d.

 

Description of series 

 

 

 

Series 6

Personal Papers-Photographs

 

extent:

0.21 linear feet (1 small document  box)

 

description:

The small number of photographs in the personal papers section reveal the personal life of Helen Hilton, special events in her life, and family and friendships during her lifetime.

 

 

Container list

 

Box

Folder

Title

Dates

3

1

Photos-family, friends, and special events

1911-1978, n.d.

3

2

Photos-Helen LeBaron Hilton

1934-1952, n.d.

 

Description of series

 

 

 

Series 7

Dean’s Records-Correspondence

 

extent:

0.42 linear feet (1 document  box)

 

description:

Included in the Dean’s records is correspondence with international students and visitors, as well as a small sample of correspondence documenting Hilton’s time as head of the Home Economics and Family and Consumer Sciences College.

 

Container list 

Box

Folder

Title

Dates

4

1

International students and visitors

1954-1989, n.d.

4

1a

Khrushchev, Nikita-visit

1959

4

2

University related

1960-1977

 

Description of series

 

 

 

   Series 8

Dean’s Records-Baroda India Project

 

extent:

0.84 linear feet (2 document  boxes)

 

description:

The Baroda India Project records consist of planning documents that include conference proceedings, degree requirements for various majors, job charts, proposals from the Baroda faculty, a program outline, and staffing needs.  Also included are lists of Indian faculty, lists of addresses, lists of participants and lists of U.S. Fellowship recipients.  An interpretation of the agreement between Iowa State and Baroda is included as well as a chart for the distribution of expenses.  Correspondence with the Baroda administrators and faculty includes personnel information and planning for acquisition of books and supplies, as well as plans for the content on the program.  Publications from the University of Baroda include Outlines of Courses (Syllabus), Appendix 49 to The Maharajah Sanajirao University of Baroda, and General Education Programme and Requirements for the year 1959-1960.  Progress reports, visitation reports and a final report summarize the events and accomplishments of the program.  A scrapbook of the 1959-1960 visit to Baroda, India, compiled by Hilton, is housed in Box 17 with other oversize materials

 

Box

Folder

Title

Dates

4

3

Addresses

n.d

4

4

Baroda Home Science Project U.S. fellowship recipients

1973

4

5

College publications

1955-1956, 1960

4

6

Conference-plans for further development of the postgraduate program

1962

4

7

Conferences

1962,1967, n.d.

4

8

Correspondence with Baroda administrators and faculty

1982-1992

4

9

Degree requirements-Child Development Department

1949-1959, n.d.

4

10

Degree requirements-Clothing and Textiles Department

n.d.

4

11

Degree requirements-Extension Education Department

n.d.

4

12

Degree requirements-Food and Nutrition Department

n.d.

4

13

Degree requirements-Home Management Department

1962, n.d.

4

14

Distribution of expenses

1962

4

15

E. Eppright’s notes on research of staff and graduate students

n.d.

4

16

Faculty lists

1953-1959

4

17

Final report

1970

4

18

Gulati, Leela file (correspondence and publications)

1977-1978, 1986

4

19

Interpretation of the agreement

1962

4

20

Job chart of Mukhya Sevikas

 

4

21

National Seminar Instructional Strategies for Home Science Education

1983

4

22

Newsclippings

1960-1969