Archives West Finding Aid

This series contains a variety of biographical information compiled by Ferguson on an unknown date, and two diaries from 1908 and 1920-1921.

This series contains a mix of personal and business correspondence, beginning with a substantial collection of letters received from Ferguson's father, Morton J. Elrod. After Elrod became disabled, the letters reflect the extent to which Ferguson became responsible for her father's affairs. There are numerous condolence letters sent after her father's death that are a valuable source of information about him. In addition, there is substantial late correspondence about the disposal of her book collection, which included many items from her father, in the late 1960s. There is also one folder of correspondence concerning Norwegian immigrant and Missoula resident Carl Sortveit, the janitor of the Episcopalian Church who willed his house to the Church, and his death. Morton Elrod's papers also contain a considerable correspondence between father and daughter that illuminates many aspects of their lives, particularly her childhood and early twenties.

This series consists of materials relating to the Museum and Northwest History Collection at the University of Montana and to Ferguson's time as Dean of Women. Museum-related items are mostly correspondence, inventories, and related legal papers concerning the donation of collections. There is also a register of museum visitors, 1969-1975, and a notebook of notes related to museum collections, including notes on local history, Native American tribes, and Helen Clark (born Judith Basin, 1848). The Dean of Women materials contain in part routine business correspondence. But more interestingly, they also contain several papers Ferguson authored for women attending the University of Montana: "The Life of The Women Students of the State University of Montana," "Women in the University," and "Orientation of Women in the University" (a radio talk from 1932). There is also a copy of a letter sent to the women students at the University of Oregon from their Dean of Women, Hazel P. Schwering, ca. early 1940s.

This series contains research notes compiled by Ferguson on a number of subjects, including Glacier National Park, Native Americans, and Missoula and Montana history. Some of this seems to have been related to her work as museum curator, but the work on Glacier National Park seems to be a continuation of some of her father's work with its focus on the origins of the names of park features.

This series contains a variety of invitations to social and official events, including dinners, University of Montana Commencement, and events in the Missoula community. There are also a variety of programs and dance cards from University of Montana events, particularly fraternity and sorority dances.

This series contains a variety of recipes collected by Ferguson. Some are hand-written in a hardbound notebook, but the majority are small pamphlets from commercial firms that include both recipes and instructions for canning, etc.

This series contains newspaper clippings collected by Ferguson. Most are feature and news articles about her as curator of the Museum or Dean of Women, but a number are about her father, including schools named after him, aspects of Glacier National Park, and stories about his work at the University of Montana.

This series contains mostly materials from the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority at the University of Montana, of which Ferguson was secretary. It includes some routine correspondence, meeting minutes, a 1927 and 1930 history of the chapter, and numerous programs and dance cards from sorority social events. The series also contains one folder of additional materials contains materials from Delta Kappa Gamma sorority and the Delta Sigma sorority. Ferguson's Penetralia pin from the University of Montana is also present.

This series contains three photos that were originally in Series II: Correspondence; two of Carl Sortveit home, and one is of the two Episcopalian priests who officiated at his funeral, Fathers Berrett and Boydston.

The series contains one framed and matted collection of butterfly drawings by Mary Elrod and Edith Ricker, 1893-1902.