Biographical

Object Details

Scope and Contents
This series contains materials related to Mrs. Finlayson's employment as an educator, civic organization administrator, and journalist. Included are materials related to her pursuit of a doctorate from New York University, her career with the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS), and her work for various civic organizations. Most of the documents are from her tenure as principal at James G. Birney Elementary School (BES).
Date
1922 - 1977
Extent
1.39 Linear feet
Type
Archival materials
Collection Rights
The Alice Bell Finlayson papers are the physical property of the Anacostia Community Museum. Literary and copyright belong to the author/creator or their legal heirs and assigns. Rights to work produced during the normal course of Museum business resides with the Anacostia Community Museum. For further information, and to obtain permission to publish or reproduce, contact the Museum Archives.
Collection Citation
Alice Bell Finlayson papers, Anacostia Community Museum Archives, Smithsonian Institution.
Identifier
ACMA.06-003, Series 1

Related Content

1 result(s)
  • Alice Bell Finlayson papers
    Scope and Contents note
    This collection documents the life of Alice Bell Finlayson between 1922 and 1990. It contains materials related to Mrs. Finlayson's employment and community service. Included in the collection are academic writings, books, correspondence, curriculum, personnel records, photographs, and printed materials.
    Biographical/Historical note
    Alice Bell Finlayson was born in Washington, DC in 1902. She attended Paul Lawrence Dunbar High School, and in 1922, she graduated from Miner Teachers College. She went on to earn a bachelor's and a master's degree in sociology from Howard University. While pursuing her degrees she began working for the District of Columbia Public Schools. In 1922 she took a position as a 1st grade teacher at the Garrison-Cleveland School. For fourteen of her thirty-seven years with the District of Columbia Public Schools she served as principal of James G. Birney Elementary School. During her tenure at Birney she implemented several special programs designed to improve student outcomes. These programs addressed the needs of general education, gifted, and special education students. Students participated in reading and arts programs, as well as programs designed to promote healthy living and cultural awareness. Special education students developed life skills by working in building maintenance, and by providing other support services to the school. Mrs. Finlayson also established a research division within the school to develop testing instruments. As a result of these innovations, Birney became a training school for new teachers. Moreover, the District's Board of Education implemented some of the Birney programs district-wide. The school also won three Freedoms Foundation awards. Mrs. Finlayson resigned as principal in January of 1959 and went on to hold other employment. She was a lecturer at Morgan State University, a program assistant at Howard University, and coordinator for several community programs. Beyond her regular employment she worked with various local and national civic organizations. She was a founding member of the Community Coordinating Organization, which was a coalition of District of Columbia community organizations. As chairman of the Women's Civic Guild she raised funds for community projects and for other organizations such as the NAACP. She was an active member of the community up until her death on November 27, 2000.
    Date
    1901-1992
    bulk 1938-1972
    Extent
    5.16 Linear feet (7 boxes)
    Rights
    The Alice Bell Finlayson papers are the physical property of the Anacostia Community Museum. Literary and copyright belong to the author/creator or their legal heirs and assigns. Rights to work produced during the normal course of Museum business resides with the Anacostia Community Museum. For further information, and to obtain permission to publish or reproduce, contact the Museum Archives.
    Citation
    Alice Bell Finlayson papers, Anacostia Community Museum Archives, Smithsonian Institution.
    Type
    Collection descriptions
    Archival materials
    Clippings
    Scrapbooks
    Books
    Photographic prints
    Periodicals
    Photographs
    Papers
    Sketches
    Topic
    African American educators
    Community organization
    African American neighborhoods
    Place
    Washington (D.C.)
    Identifier
    ACMA.06-003
Back to Top