Muriel Vaughn and L. Francis Herreshoff Collection
Scope and Contents of the Papers
The Muriel Vaughn and L. Francis Herreshoff Collection is arranged by series as described below.
Series 1: Design specific correspondence and related information. 1926-1988
Series 2: L. Francis Herreshoff business papers.1931-1972
Series 3: L. Francis Herreshoff personal correspondence and papers.1895-1965
Series 4: Muriel Vaughn, business papers.1947-1985
Series 5: L. Francis Herreshoff patents, correspondence, applications, technical drawings. 1964-1983.
Series 6: Yacht measurement correspondence and papers. 1964-1983
Series 7: L. Francis Herreshoff Article and Book Chapter Copies and Correspondence. 1964-1983
Series 8: Article and newspaper clippings collected by L. Francis Herreshoff and Muriel Vaughn. 1901-1985
Series 9: Miscellaneous papers collected by or regarding L. Francis Herreshoff or Muriel Vaughn. 1968-1983
Series 10: Herreshoff Manufacturing Company and Herreshoff Museum, Papers, correspondence etc.1868-1974
Series 11: Nathanael G. Herreshoff, and Nathanael G. Herreshoff estate, correspondence and papers. 1874-1972
Series 12: Nathanael G. / L. Francis Herreshoff transcribed letters. 1925-1937
Dates
- Creation: 1926-1988
Language of Materials
EnglishLatin
Restrictions on Access
Available for use in the Manuscripts Division.
Restrictions on Use
Various copying restriction apply. Guidelines are available from the Manuscripts Division.
Biography of Muriel Vaughn
Muriel Vaughn (1915-1990) was the secretary and housekeeper for Lewis Francis Herreshoff (1890-1972), the noted naval architect, editor and author of numerous books and articles. As the executrix and sole beneficiary of his contested estate and against the wishes of the Herreshoff family, Mrs. Vaughn moved into L. Francis Herreshoff’s home in Marblehead, MA, The Castle.
She continued to carry on his correspondence and sell his designs, tirelessly campaigning to maintain not only the integrity of his plans but also his legacy. After his death she compiled his writings into two books, “Sensible Cruising Designs” and “An L. Francis Herreshoff Reader”. Upon her death, Mrs. Vaughn’s daughter, Elizabeth Vaughn, inherited the estate.
Extent
29 box(es) (8752 items)
Abstract
Collection, 1926-1988, contains the business and personal correspondence, poetry, drafts of “Rudder” magazine articles, school papers, Coast Guard ID, and personal journals of L. Francis Herreshoff collected by Muriel Vaughn as well as Mrs. Vaughn’s personal and business correspondence. This collection complements the L. Francis Herreshoff manuscript collection (Coll. 138) and ships plans collection (Coll. 38).
Genre / Form
Geographic
Occupation
- Authors, American–20th century
- Boatbuilding
- Naval architects–United States
- Yacht designers–United States
Topical
- Title
- Muriel Vaughn and L. Francis Herreshoff Collection (Coll. 339)
- Subtitle
- An Inventory of the Collection at the G.W. Blunt White Library, Mystic Seaport Museum
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Repository Details
Part of the Manuscripts Repository
G. W. Blunt White Library
Mystic Seaport Museum, Inc.
112 Greenmanville Avenue
Mystic CT 06355 United States
860.572.5367
collections@mysticseaport.org