Repository:

Kent State University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives.

Title:

Bea McPherson papers

Inclusive Date(s):

1935-2016

Bulk Date(s):

1940-1993

Author:

Finding aid prepared by Edith Serkownek

Creation:

Finding aid encoded by Edith Serkownek using the OhioLINK EAD Application in 2011

Description Rules:

Finding aid prepared using DACS

Origination:

McPherson, Bea

Extent:

1 cubic feet (3 boxes = 1 document case, 1 slim document case and 1 small newspaper box)

Physical Location:

11th floor

Finding Aid Identifier:

OhKeUSC0125

Abstract:

This collection, dating from 1935-1993 includes material relating to Bea (Shaheen) McPherson's career as a student at Kent State University (1940-1943). The collection also includes material relating to McPherson's organization of reunions of the Military Mapping Corps, a group of women recruited from colleges to work for the Army Map Service during World War II.

Revision(s):

January 2018 - Revised by Cara Gilgenbach

Language(s):

The records are in English.

Biography of Bea McPherson

Originally from Canton, Ohio, Bea (Shaheen) McPherson, attended Kent State University from 1940 to 1943. As a senior elementary education and geography major, McPherson was recruited by her geography professor to receive special training. The training consisted of a 60-hour course in the basics of military mapmaking. With the approval of the US Department of Education and Civil Service Commission in 1942, the course was taught at numerous college campuses in order to quickly train and recruit the large numbers of employees needed for the Army Map Service's wartime efforts. Through these courses approximately 200 women from campuses all over the East and Midwest were recruited into the Army Map Service in 1942-1943. Upon graduation McPherson reported for work to the Service in Washington, D.C., and she continued to work as a mapmaker for the remainder of World War II. This group of women eventually became known as the Military Mapmaking Corps, the Military Mapmaking Maids or the 3M Girls.

Following the war, McPherson left the Service eventually moving back to Hartville, Ohio, with her husband James W. McPherson Jr. McPherson has continued to be active as a KSU alum, particularly as an early supporter and organizer of the KSU Museum, and she has also organized three Military Mapmaking Corps reunions.

Scope and Content

This collection includes material relating to Bea (Shaheen) McPherson as a Kent State University student (1940-1943) and active alum and includes a mathematics textbook McPherson used as a student and a scrapbook that McPerson kept during this period. The scrapbook includes ephemera relating to college life and activities including sorority and fraternity parties, theatrical events, area restaurant menus and newspaper clippings. Additional material in this collection relates to McPherson's service as a mapmaker for the Army Map Service during World World War II. McPherson organized reunions of the Military Mapmaking Corps members in 1968, 1976 and 1993. Reunion material includes correspondence, planning documents, publicity, photographs and Defense Mapping Agency promotional materials.

Statement of Arrangement

The Bea McPherson papers are divided into series as follows:

• Series 1: Kent State University Related Material
• Series 2: Military Mapmakers Related Material

Related Material

Further information concerning Bea McPherson's KSU Museum-related activities can be found in the Bea McPherson, KSU Museum and Fashion School papers.

Preferred Citation

Bea McPherson papers. Kent State University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives.

Acquisition Information

Bea McPherson donated this collection to Kent State University's Special Collection's and Archives in 2011.

Subject Headings

The following subjects are found in this collection:

Subjects:

• McPherson, Bea--Archives
• World War, 1939-1945--Cartography
• United States. Army Map Service
• Kent State University

Organizations/Corporations:

• United States. Army Map Service

Functions:

• Cartography--Study and teaching

Occupations:

• Cartographers
• College students

Material Types:

• Correspondence
• Photographs
• Personal papers
• Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)
• Scrapbooks

Detailed Description of the Collection