Conditions Governing Access

This item is on permanent display in the Greenwood Library Learning Commons.

Custodial History

The window was originally located in the western wing of the Rotunda until the early 1990s, it was then removed and placed on permanent display in the library, it is unknown exactually when it was acquired by the library.

Biographical / Historical

In 1990, Jesse Grant discovered three signatures etched into a first-floor window of the western wing of the Rotunda while doing window repairs. He then told Dr. James Jordan about the signatures. Dr. Jordan interested in learning more about the three girls, Fanny, Estelle, and Lucy, started researching who they were and when they had attended the school. Through research with the help of Dr. Carolyn Wells and others they determined that the engraving was likely made with a diamond, and that Fannie's name was not etched as deep as the others. In addition, the handwriting was common of the time period. They also narrowed down the girls using alumni records and determined that Fannie was likely Fannie Jeffress who graduated in 1887, Estelle was likely Estelle Ransone also who graduated in 1887, and Lucy was likely Lucy Boswell who graduated in 1889.

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of the window hanging in a custom display case.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Boswell, Lucy
• Jeffress, Fannie P.
• Longwood University -- History
• Ransone, Estelle