Jane S. McKimmon Papers

Contributed by Molly Foley .

A newly acquired collection at the Special Collections Research Center, the Jane Simpson McKimmon Papers , documents McKimmon’s accomplishments and work in the home demonstration field from the 1910s to the 1960s. McKimmon was a prominent figure in home demonstration and economics in North Carolina. She held a position in the Farmer’s Institute and later worked as a State Demonstration Agent. From cooking and fashion to party planning and pumpkin farming, she helped women acquire the skills necessary to provide for their families and maintain a welcoming home. The collection contains many scripts from radio show broadcasts in which she shares success stories of women who made profits by selling things from their gardens and farms. She also describes her experiences with gardening and provides tips on various topics, such as finding good walking shoes, preventing moths from eating garments, and canning fruit.

Her demonstrated leadership in family and consumer science led her to speak at land grant meetings and write informational articles about the training of home agents, developing leadership among rural women, and home demonstration marketing. Her teaching endeavors helped women develop greater independence, especially during the World Wars when men were often drafted and women took on greater responsibilities in the home and in the workplace.

This small collection consists of personal writings, correspondence, newspaper clippings, and publications about Jane Simpson McKimmon’s personal life, work, and retirement. To access the Jane Simpson McKimmon Papers , please consult the collection guide and contact the Special Collections Research Center .