Clara Dennis fonds

1905-1957, predominant 1923-[194-?].

0.8 m textual records
ca. 2800 photographs

Clarissa Archibald Dennis was born 24 November 1881 in Truro, N.S. After attending Mount Allison College, Dalhousie University, and Halifax Business College, she worked for her father, Senator William Dennis, at the Halifax Herald office. As a reporter and author, she published numerous newspaper and magazine articles on topics including Nova Scotia history, prominent citizens, and Mi'kmaq folklore and customs. Her books include Down in Nova Scotia (1934), More about Nova Scotia (1937), and Cape Breton Over (1942). Clara Dennis died in Halifax on 26 February 1958.The estate of Clara Dennis was dispersed following her death and much of her material was lost or destroyed. The photograph albums were donated by Christina Shaw of Halifax in 1981 and 1983. Textual records were found in a vault of Atlantic Trust in Halifax when they were preparing to relocate in 1989, and were subsequently donated to the archives.

Fonds consists of documenting Clara Dennis' career as a reporter and author. Includes notebooks relating to her research of the Mi'kmaq, mainland Nova Scotia, Cape Breton and other subjects, 1923-1940s; business and personal correspondence, 1905-1942; newspaper clippings pertaining to Halifax and Dalhousie College and medical school, 1924-1947; research notes; addresses; published and unpublished articles; and booklets. Also includes photographs taken on her travels through Nova Scotia, as well as Sable Island, New Brunswick, and the Gaspe Peninsula between 1930 and 1940.

Notes:

Some albums in 1983 donation water damaged prior to acquisition.

Many photographs removed from albums for conservation reasons.

Item list of photographs available.

Additional photographs held by Nova Scotia Museum.

Retrieval Code:
Textual records: MG 1, vol. 2865-2869 and Graphic material: 1981-541, 1983-468.

Textual records file list (click the icons to view)

Clara Dennis fonds

MG 1 vol. 2865 Correspondence 1905-1943

MG 1 vol. 2866 Miscellaneous 1929-1940s

MG 1 vol. 2867 Notebooks - Nova Scotia 1923-1940s

MG 1 vol. 2868 Notebooks - Cape Breton

MG 1 vol. 2869 Other Material