Carnegie-Vincent Library

The Grace Nettleton Home for Girls was established in 1900 and remained in operation under the aegis of Lincoln Memorial University until 1956.  The Home was founded by Mr. and Mrs. Franklin E. Nettleton of Scranton, Pennsylvania and named in memory of their daughter, Grace, who passed away when she was twelve years old.  The Grace Nettleton Memorial was incorporated in 1904 and became the “Girls’ Industrial Home and School.”

It began as a vision of Rev. Arthur Aaron Myers, a Congregation Minister who had settled at Cumberland Gap in 1889 with his wife Ellen, in their fulfillment of missionary work to advance the spirit, education, and qualities of life for the mountaineer children.  Mr. Myers’ vision led to the establishment of Lincoln Memorial University in 1897 and the Grace Nettleton Home three years later.

As a result of the Nettleton’s benevolence, Myers was able to purchase the vacant Harrogate Inn, which perched on a hill, and 19 acres of property overlooking the Lincoln Memorial University campus to the west.  The Home could accommodate approximately 40 girls each year.

The Home functioned in part as a girls’ industrial school.  Many of these girls left the home at age fourteen to complete their education through high school, and even college.  Over a thousand active citizens received their training at the Home, becoming teachers, nurses, and sound and resourceful homemakers.

Sources: 1) Suppiger, Joseph E.  Phoenix of the Mountains: The Story of Lincoln Memorial University. 3rd ed. Harrogate, Tenn.: Lincoln Memorial University Press, 2001.  2) Jackson, Elizabeth.  The Story of the Grace Nettleton Home. [Harrogate, Tenn.: Lincoln Memorial University Press, nd]

This finding aid is IN PROCESS. If you have any questions please contact the Archivist at: michelle.ganz@lmunet.edu or at 423-869-6304.

The collection is held in the University Archives of the Carnegie-Vincent Library of Lincoln Memorial University, Harrogate, Tennessee.

Box 1

F1. History of the Home

F2. – F38. Yearly folders: 1900-1939

Correspondences and legal documents

Box 2

F1. – F7. Yearly folders: 1914-1946

Correspondences, legal documents, and news clippings

F8. Guy Loomis Will and correspondence: 1947

F9. – F19. Yearly folders: 1948-1960

F20. History of LMU connection to the Home: CP Williams: nd

F21. Membership rolls and Applications: nd

F22. Stocks, securities, and insurance: 1915-1957

F23. Articles, booklets, and pamphlets: 1920-1937

F24. Articles and booklets: 1938-1968

F25. Photo: girls working in the field: nd

F26: Photo: Mary Howard (actress) playing with the girls: nd

F27. Blank stationary: nd

F28. Correspondence, legal documents, financial documents: nd