Spotts Family papers

Collection

Identifier: 04.SF

Staff Only

Abstract

The Spotts Family papers document the lives of Frank Spotts and Beatrice Hildebrandt while they were at the Michigan State Normal College in the mid 1930s and early 1940s. Most of the materials in the collection were collected by Beatrice and include materials collected through the activities she participated in on campus, including registration, examinations, attendance at campus events and then those activities specific to the Baptist Student Group and the Conservatory of Music. Also found in the collection are programs for area productions and concerts held in Ypsilanti, Ann Arbor and Detroit that Hildebrandt likely attended. Hildebrandt attended the Normal College between 1935 and 1939, Spotts attended between 1937 and 1941. They both went on to long careers in education living into their 90s. Hildebrandt died in 2012 and Spotts in 2014 and were both survived by their six children.

Dates

Creation: 1934 - 1997

Creator

Spotts, Frank J., 1919-2014 (Interviewer, Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Researchers are asked to request materials 24 hours prior to visiting the the University Archives.

Biographical / Historical

The Spotts Family papers documents Beatrice Dorothea Hildebrandt, born 1916 December 2 to Beatrice and Herman in Capac, Michigan, and Frank Joseph Spotts, born 1919 May 8.

Hildebrandt graduated from Capac High School in 1935 and attended the Michigan State Normal College, graduating in 1939 with a Bachelor of Science degree and a Life Certificate to teach. Spotts was born in Milford, Michigan to Lena and George who was the Superintendent of the Milford Public Schools. From there the family moved to Pontiac, Michigan where Frank graduated from High School in 1937. From there he also enrolled in the Michigan State Normal College, graduating in 1941. Both were active in the Baptist Student Group, meeting at an event held in Starkweather Hall. Married 1941 February 28, Beatrice and Frank lived in Detroit, Pontiac, Battle Creek, Clawson, Capac, Port Huron and finally settling in Fort Gratiot. Both worked in the field of education and education administration, Beatrice at the elementary levels and Frank in administration and the classroom, and were active in the church. Beatrice died 2012 January 6 and Frank 2014 November 20 both were survived by their six children, Elizabeth, Franklin, Dwight, Techla, Doss and Paul.

A more extensive history of their lives can be found in the folder Family History, which contains an account of their lives as told to eachother in 1997.