The Home Management and Practice Cottage records are composed of photographs and historical materials documenting the Home Management program at South Dakota State College. The collection includes baby books and anecdotal materials compiled by Grace Wasson Bonnell for Dean Alice Rosenberger, which feature photographs and narratives of children who participated in the Home Management baby program. Also included is a history of the program and documentation related to the planning and development of the Family Resource and Management Center, a modern successor to the original Practice Cottage. Photographic content is housed in two boxes and spans various stages of the program’s evolution.

This collection highlights the practical training approach central to home economics education in the early to mid-20th century, illustrating how domestic science was taught through immersive, hands-on experiences. The inclusion of baby programs and residential training underscores the period's educational emphasis on applied family management skills. These records offer valuable insight into women’s education, social roles, and professional preparation in domestic sciences at a land-grant institution.

Photographs

The Home Economics Club Records highlight the club’s role in fostering professional and social development among home economics students. They offer insight into the club’s operations, its affiliation with national organizations, and its contributions to the broader academic and community context.

The records consist of secretary books (including meeting minutes and the club constitution), scrapbooks, newsletters, handbooks, general club information, and materials from the American Home Economics Association. The secretary books date from the club's inception through 1956, documenting the organization’s activities, governance, and development.