Sister Mary Louise Vachon, S.P., papers, ca. 1895-1925.
Title:
Sister Mary Louise Vachon, S.P., papers, ca. 1895-1925.
Personal Author:
Physical Description:
0.25 cu. ft.
Abstract:
The collection consists primarily of photographs, with identifications by Sister Mary Louise (Merilu) Vachon, S.P. Most depict the Vachon family and the family business, a trading store in Tolovana, Alaska, but views of Fairbanks, Alaska, and Mount McKinley National Park (now Denali National Park and Preserve) are also included. Also found in the collection is a folder of family information.
Personal Subject:
Biographical/Historical Data:
Mary Louise Vachon (1911-1984) was born in St. Joseph's Hospital in Fairbanks, Alaska, and grew up in the Territory of Alaska. Her parents, John and Louise Vachon, owned a homestead on the winter trail between Fairbanks and Tanana, and operated a hostel for travelers between the two villages. Mary Louise attended Alaska public schools, but entered high school at Providence Academy in Vancouver, Washington. After graduation, she studied for one year at Holy Names Normal in Spokane, Washington. She then entered the Providence Novitiate in Seattle. As Sister Hubert of Jesus, she pronounced her first vows and began to teach at Holy Family School in West Seattle. For thirty-seven years she taught in Providence schools up and down the Pacific coast, including a year at Catholic Junior High School in Anchorage, Alaska. Her life in the classroom finished with six years at Monroe High School in Fairbanks. She then began a second career, serving for three years in various departments at St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Yakima, Washington, before returning to Fairbanks to research and write a history of the Sisters of Providence (The Dear Sourdoughs [Montreal, Quebec : Sisters of Providence, c1982]) under the pen name Merilu Vachon. She also published two books of poetry.
Restrictions on Access:
Access limited to Alaska and Polar Regions Collections research room hours.