Although Daisie went to school at Simmons College in Boston, Massachusetts, she also spent a good deal of time in Vermont. Daisie was born and grew up in Brattleboro, Vermont. When she moved to Boston Daisie maintained a connection with family, friends, and even a beau left behind in Vermont.

John Putnam Helyar, whom Daisie would eventually marry, attended the University of Vermont while Daisie was attending Simmons College. The scrapbook contains many hints and clues to the time they spent together. On November 3rd, 1907 Daisie attended a “Smuggler’s Camp” outing with Helyar’s Alpha Zeta Fraternity in Burlington, Vermont.

Daisie also attended John Helyar’s graduation ceremony where Helyar received his degree of a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture in 1909. Helyar wrote his thesis on “The effects of artificial shade on soil factors.” During that weekend, Daisie went to senior class commencement exercises at the Strong Theatre in Burlington, Vermont. She also went to the Senior Class Promenade where out of twenty dances, Daisie danced a total of seven of them with Helyar – including the first and last dance.

John Helyar also came to several of Daisie’s dances at Simmons College. This may be seen in the various dance cards that Daisie kept in her scrapbook and the initials “J.P.H.” listed next to many of the dances. For example, Helyar came to the Class of 1910 Simmons College Junior Dance on April 16, 1909. At this party, Helyar danced a total of six dances with Daisie.

Another interesting experience Daisie had was attending the Vermont Banquet in honor of the current president, W. H. Taft and other foreign ambassadors.

Daisie’s love of Vermont is made apparent in the many postcards, programs and photographs that she saved from her many outings there.

Source:

University of Vermont. (2009). University of Vermont / Theses and Dissertations. Retrieved November 2nd, 2009, from http://library.uvm.edu/dissertations/index.php?search_type=author&letter=H