Manuscript Collection

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Identifier

Accession 1895

Inclusive Dates

1890s-1960s, 2001

Restrictions

Open under the rules and regulations of the Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections

Collection Size

3.25 linear feet, 1200 pieces

Language

English;

Scope and Content Note

The Annie V. Dunn Papers document both the personal life and professional legacy of Ms. Annie Vredenburg Dunn (1876-1966), who served as head of the Winthrop College Department of Fine Arts for more than three decades from 1909-1947. The collection comprises correspondence, pamphlets, brochures, drawings, newspaper clippings, photographs, drawing instruments, and related materials that collectively illustrate her contributions to the development of Winthrop College’s Fine Arts Department, as well as her broader influence as an educator and member of her community.

Included within the collection are letters from family members, friends, and professional colleagues; records of contacts with various institutions and agencies; and newspaper coverage of contemporary events such as picketing, labor strikes, and civil unrest. These materials provide insight into the social and institutional contexts in which Ms. Dunn lived and worked. Notably, Ms. Dunn advocated on behalf of fine arts students, many of whom faced financial barriers to continuing their studies due to rising educational costs and reductions in state funding.

Of particular significance is a collection of Japanese woodblock prints assembled by Ms. Dunn, ranging in size from small postcards to large format works several feet in length. These prints predominantly depict landscapes, flora, fauna, and scenes of the natural world. The collection also contains a variety of artistic tools and artifacts, including two drafting kits, a standalone drafting instrument, a leather awl, a stamp remover, and five fountain pen nibs. In addition, several books on educational subjects are present. Together, these materials reflect Ms. Dunn’s enduring commitment to art, education, and scholarship.

Provenance

The papers of Annie Vredenburg Dunn, scholar, art educator, and advocate, were donated to the Archives in January 2026 by her great-great-niece, Christine Arnold Nelson. Ms. Dunn constructed her residence at 933 Charlotte Avenue in Rock Hill, South Carolina, in 1923 and lived there from 1924 until her death in 1966. Upon her passing, the home was bequeathed to her seven nieces and nephews, including Ella Holley (née Dunn), the grandmother of Christine Nelson. The property subsequently passed to Ella Holley’s daughter, Eloise Arnold (née Holley), Christine Nelson’s mother. The materials in this collection were recovered circa 2004 from the attic of the residence at 933 Charlotte Avenue. All items belonged to Annie Vredenburg Dunn.

Copyright

For information concerning copyright please contact the Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections at Winthrop University.

Annie V. Dunn Ppaers - Accession 1895

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