Jones, Bernice Starr, 1906 - 2000. Collection, 1956 - 1977.

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: SMHC Collection 0183

Staff Only

Abstract

The Bernice Starr Jones collection contains an oral history conducted between Jones and Marcia Mason in 1976, a second oral history conducted between Jones and Karin Thiem in 1977, and newspaper clippings and other related items. In the oral histories, Jones talks about her time as a musician, her involvement with music groups and clubs in Mankato, and her time as director of the Mankato Community Chorus. She also talks about the beginnings of the Mankato Symphony; her involvements with the YWCA, P.E.G. Sisterhood, and DAR; and her travels.

The items related to the Chorus are newspaper clippings, three Messiah musical show programs dated 1956, 1958, and 1960, and two typed copies of press releases for the Chorus's rehearsals in 1960.

Dates

1956-1977

Biographical / Historical

Bernice G. Olson was bom on 22 January 1906 in St. Paul, Minnesota. She grew up in Duluth and attended the University of Minnesota between 1922 and 1926. When she graduated college, Olson possessed a Bachelors of Education with a music major. Subsequently, she taught in Faribault, Minnesota until marrying Henrik Strom of Jackson, Minnesota. The couple moved to Mankato, Minnesota around 1928. They had two children, David and Elizabeth. Henrik Strom died in 1954. Bernice Starr remarried six years later to Robert Starr. However, Robert Starr died in 1973. Following her second husband's death, Bemice Starr married Ben Jones in 1976.