Phyllis Trimberger Schwartz Papers

Collection

Identifier: MDC-MS-064

Staff Only

This collection consists of the papers of Phyllis Trimberger Schwartz, Milwaukee-Downer College graduate of 1939, dating from 1930 to 2000. The collection documents her years as a student studying Home Economics at Milwaukee-Downer as well as her time as an involved alumna. Materials include course work, textile and stitching samples, photographs, scrapbooks, and correspondence.

Dates

1930-2000

Creator

Schwartz, Phyllis Trimberger (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Property rights and copyright reside with Lawrence University. For uses beyond those allowed for fair use under U. S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.), please contact the University Archivist.

Extent

2.17 Linear Feet (4 boxes)

Additional Description

Biographical or Historical Information

Phyllis Audrey Trimberger, born Milwaukee, Wisconsin, January 9, 1918 to Alice Ethel Payne Trimberger and Alfred George Trimberger. Attended Bay View High School. Moved with her parents when they purchased duplex at 3305 N. Frederick Avenue just at her senior year, but she graduated from Bay View in June 1935. She enrolled in Milwaukee-Downer College fall 1935. Intending to enroll as an English major, she entered the wrong registration line and became a Home Economics student. (Her family says that this was one of the most fortunate accidents in history!) She walked the three blocks to campus for four years and was the first of her relatives to graduate from college in June 1939, she earned the Bachelor of Science degree. She developed a life-long love for the College and its ideals. Her first job was teaching high school in the western Wisconsin village of Viroqua. The next school years were spent teaching high school home economics at West Division and North Division High Schools. A life-long Girl Scout, she loved the out-of-doors and worked for two summers as the dietician at Camp Alice Chester. Working there she met the only man on staff, the camp handyman Roger Joseph Schwartz. A native of the nearby Troy Center, Wisconsin, he worked at the camp in the summers. They married near the end of his senior year at Marquette University, May 23, 1942. Their first home, which they bought together, was 518 E. Hampton Road, Whitefish Bay. While there, two children, Virginia Carol and Richard Roger, were born April 27, 1944 and March 9, 1946. Early during World War II they moved into Milwaukee to the upper duplex in her parent’s home, 3305 N. Frederick. Due to Alice’s failing health, they bought a larger home at 2903 E. Kenwood Boulevard, moving her parents in with them January 9, 1951. It was in this home that Phyllis and her family welcomed her classmates from Milwaukee-Downer. She nurtured alumni for almost 60 years. Phyllis taught her family the love and joy of cooking. They also loved entertaining and guests were always pleased at the hospitality which they all embodied. Even the house seemed to like to entertain. Building on the Milwaukee-Downer experience, she grew in knowledge and extended her service to other areas of her life, including hospitality work at their church, Immanuel Presbyterian, the Milwaukee Protestant Home Auxiliary, and the College Women’s Club. She took great pleasure from trying new restaurants on family vacations and even reading cookbooks for relaxation. At the end of her life she taught her care-givers to cook. Phyllis died at home July 20, 2011.

Note written by Virginia and Richard Schwartz

Method of Acquisition

Donated to the Archives by Virginia and Richard Schwartz, 2015-11-17.

Separated Materials

Several artifacts separated and cataloged with Milwaukee-Downer College Artifact Collection. Separated to main library collection: West, Susan and Louise Sobye. A Handbook of Food Preparation. New York: Macmillan, 1937.