Includes notes of interview with Neva Harding 1976 September 30

Manuscript

Brookings politics, history, economics

Confirmation is Episcopal Church - Alma Davies' influence

Includes Brookings Dairy Register article "Brookings' oldest resident dies" January 5, 1978

1977-09-06, 1977-10-07, 1978-01-14, 1978-06-16

Concerning Drury Townships and Drury's Landing

Includes reminiscences of association with Professor Albert and Neva Harding

Whaley family history

State of South Dakota, 53rd Session, Legislative Assembly, 1978, House Concurrent Resolution 1014 recognizing Neva Whaley Harding's contributions

Written in Latin

Discussion with Neva about her death

Tape T-12

Albert and Robert

Notes, also some notes on De Smet, South Dakota in 1880, college years, and married life and motherhood

Tape T-9

Discussions with Neva about Albert, Albert's work at Lincoln, politics, Albert's family, pets, State College Alumnus article April 1939

Side 1: Interview with Abbey and Father Thorburn on Neva's participation in church.
Side 2: blank

Side 1: January 12, 1978 - Interview with Adelaide Anderson about Neva Harding
Side 2: October 1976 - Interview with Neva Harding. Adoption of son, mothering him. Son's being baptized in Methodist Church, Albert playing with him. Taking him to Florida when he was really sick. Her deep regard for her home an needing to be care for. No desire for independence. Wasn't ever lonely during periods she was alone - had a few close friends. Camping and not liking it. Love of reading, Description of location of house, Albert's retirement, plumbing.

Side 1: Avilda (spelling? Alvida) Sorenson
Side 2: blank

Side 1: blank
Side 2 Bob Harding (inaudible)

Side 1: Interview with Eric and Elsie Green by Jane Alexander about memories of Neva Harding and history of the Episcopal Church in Brookings.
Neva's participation in guild, church, her marriage, and son. Neva's blond hair and health; her sudden interest in painting. Neva's love of controversy. Brookings during the depression. Development (residential) of eastern Brookings (pavement of roads, etc.). The rest concerns history of St. Paul's Episcopal Church the last several minutes concern old state church meetings.
Side 2: Blank

Side 1: Interview with Neva Harding (grandson, Ron)
Side 2: blank

Interview with Neva Harding [both sides - all of side 1, half of side 2]
Mostly about Illinois years and Neva's parents. Also some about Albert's family.

Interview with Neva Harding in Brookings, South Dakota by Arthur Vandall, Director of Alumni Affairs at SDSU. Recollection on Years in South Dakota and South Dakota State College. 36 minutes. 3 3/4 speed

Jane Alexander interviewing Neva Harding at the United Retirement Center in Brookings, South Dakota.
Side 1: Considered donating her body to science
Side 2: People's comments on the condition of Neva's legs. Mother's participation in WCTU and in education matters. Discussion of mentally retarded boy in school where Neva taught. Discussion of care for older people long ago. Social life in De Smet - company that stayed throughout the winter, dancing, and people's opposition to it. Discussion of WCTU and why Neva wasn't interested in it. Discussion of what women with and without a college degree could do in the late 1890s. Neva's teaching and the teacher's exam. Neva's "seeing things" despite her blindness - description of her fantasies. Discussion of the new Episcopal minister. Her plans for being cremated.

Side 1 and 2: Neva Harding

Side 1: Bob Harding and his mother, Neva
Side 2: Bob Harding

Side 1: Monologue about Jane Alexander's reaction to Neva's death
Side 2: Jane Alexander interviewing Neva Harding. Mother Whaley's contribution to Neva's knowledge of the family history. Father Whaley's. Reflections on grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Optimism-Father and Mother. Mother's unhappiness. How Whaley's stored food (cellar). Headaches, Nervousness as a child, Calmer as she grows older. Monthly periods. Feelings of closeness as an adoptive parent. Son's feelings as adopted child. Albert's story time. Didn't enjoy motherhood.

Side 1: Neva Harding - Christmases - how she helped her mother (or didn't)
Side 2: blank

Side 1: Interview with the Evenson's about Neva Harding
Side 2: Interview with Robert Harding (Neva's son) [blank for a long period of time]
Experience he remembers about his mother, housework, Neva's readings and Women's Club, Neva's organizing and management capabilities, independence of Albert and Neva, Albert's parents, Brookings-coal hauled to college, poorer people south of tracks, Depression circumstances, Albert and Neva's attitude toward education, Neva's art classes

Side 1: Interview with the Lachers
Side 2: blank
Tape number assigned by Archivist.

Lacher first name unknown

Pages are stuck together - conservation required

Purchase of home, homemaking abilities

Middle name is incorrect. It is Spencer not Sidney

1977 June - Interview with Bob Harding and Neva
1977 September 23 - Interview with Robert Harding. Experiences he remembers with this mother Neva

The Neva Whaley Harding Papers, curated by Jane Alexander, offer a comprehensive exploration of Neva's life, family heritage, and community engagement. The collection is composed of various mediums like manuscripts, correspondence, interviews, certificates, diplomas, and audio recordings, providing insights into Neva's life from her formative years to later life stages.

Topics covered include personal experiences, family history, genealogy, education, community involvement, and social issues. Interviews on open reel audiotape delve into Neva's personality, philosophy, and encounters, alongside reflections on significant historical events such as the Depression and World Wars. The collection also contains material related to Neva and her husband Albert's college education at South Dakota Agricultural College, providing insight into college life during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Through Jane Alexander's efforts, the collection serves as a testament to Neva's legacy and her influence on both her family and community.

Includes information about a cup Neva's mother gave her

Seeing things in old age, her last birthday, relationship with son, retirement, politics, activities, compliments about legs

Bean and Harding

Unsure of who is in these photographs