Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research use.

Preferred Citation

MSS 16762, Verona Houghton memory book, Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library, University of Virginia Library.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

This collection was purchased from Eclectibles by the Small Special Collections Library at the University of Virginia Library on 28 April 2022.

Content Description

This collection contains the memory book and autograph album of Verona A. Houghton of Weymouth, Massachusetts. A birthday gift from her mother, the book includes signatures and inscriptions with locks of hair and remembrances, predominately from 1854 to1857. There are fifty-four signatures, forty-one of which include a lock of hair. The signers of the book came from various locations in the United States including Massachusetts, Connecticut, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Iowa The inscription at the front reads: "A birthday gift from my dear Mother -- Friendship's memorials are treasured here. A name, a sentiment, a lock of hair. Will oft remind me of the friends so dear. As time shall waft along each fleeting year. Fond "Memory's Leaves" the token still shall wear. Verona." The book was commercially produced; the printed title page includes this information: Memorys leaves, Moss and Brother, Philadelphia. It is a gilt-stamped album with engravings on the title page and five engraved plates through the book featuring women.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Women's Scrapbook/ Commonplace Book Collections (University of Virginia)
• Friendship
• Hairwork
• human hair