Skip to main content

Margaret Hoffman Collection

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 2019-0001

Scope and Contents

The Margaret Hoffman Collection includes 160 folders of documents, 48 sleeves of photographs, eight oversize folders, and an assoftment of physical objects and class notebooks. They are stored in three document cases, a single photograph box, two oversize boxes, and a single oversize folder inside the archive's map case.

The collection is organized into the following seven (7) series:

Series I: Correspondence consisting of letters sent by Margaret V. Hoffman (Gouldman) while living in Woodstock and while attending Madison College in Harrisonburg Virginia. The correspondence is dated 1916-1955 and is sorted chronologically.

Series II: Documents from the Hoffman family, activities in Woodstock Virginia, and activities in Harrisonburg Virginia. The documents are dated 1903-1945 and are sorted chronologically.

Series III: Camp Strawderman consists of documents, booklets, and marketing material from Camp Strawderman west of Edinburg Virginia. The materials are dated 1939-ca. 1960 and are sorted chronologically.

Series IV: Photographs consists of photographs primarily showing events and people at Camp Strawderman. The photographs are dated 1930-1947 and are sorted chronologically.

Series V: Notebooks consists of Camp Strawderman related notebooks and those from Margaret V. Hoffman's time at the Women's College of Frederick Maryland. They are dated 1888-1939 and are sorted by size.

Series VI: Objects consists of physical objects from Woodstock Virginia. They are dated ca. 1940 and are sorted by size.

Series VII: Oversize consists of oversize materials, primarily newspapers. They are dated 1893-1969 and are sorted chronologically.

Dates

  • Creation: 1893-1969

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open to researchers without restrictions. Researchers must register and agree to all copyright laws and archives policies before using the collection. Please contact the Shenandoah County Library before visiting to use this collection.

Biographical / Historical

Margaret Vance Hoffman (1889-1986) was the founder of Camp Strawderman, a recreational camp for girls in the Columbia Furnace section of Shenandoah County west of Edinburg. Her father had inherited the farm that is now the camp and she began bringing friends to the area in 1917. In 1929 the camp was officially founded and she remained its director for over 50 years. She grew up in Woodstock Virginia and attended the Women's College of Frederick Maryland. Her parents were Dr. Samuel Joseph Hoffman and Margaret Virginia Rinker Hoffman.

Her neice Margaret R. Hoffman Gouldman (1922-2020) worked at the camp and became the owner after her Aunt's death. She grew up in Woodstock Virginia and attended Madison College (now James Madison University).

Extent

8 Linear Feet (Six boxes, 203 folders)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

A collection of photographs, letters, and ephemera collected by Marguerite R. Hoffman. The majority of items date to the 1930s and 1940s. Many are related to the Hoffman family, particularly Margaret V. Hoffman and Margaret R. Hoffman Gouldman, and Camp Strawderman which the family founded and operated.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged into seven (7) series, organized by object type and date:

Series I: Correspondence, 1916-1955 (Box 1 and 2)

Series II: Documents, 1903-1945 (Box 3)

Series III: Camp Strawderman, 1939-ca. 1960 (Box 3)

Series IV: Photographs, 1930-1947 (Box 3 and 4)

Series V: Notebooks, 1888-1939 (Box 5)

Series VI: Objects, ca. 1940 (Box 5)

Series VII: Oversize, 1893-1969 (Box 6 and OVERSIZE FOLDER 1)

Physical Location

Shenandoah County Library, Truban Archives

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Purchased from the estate of Marguerite Hoffman on July 25, 2018.

Bibliography

"Our Story," Camp Strawderman, accessed January 10 2019, https://campstrawderman.com/about/our-story/.

Stickley, Judy Coffman. Someone You Knew II, Shenandoah County Virginia Necrology 1869-1989, Volume I. Self-Published, compiled 1997. Shenandoah Room, Shenandoah County Library, Edinburg, Virginia, USA.

Processing Information

Items were purchased from an auction. No original organization remained. Items were sorted by type and processed chronologically.

Title
Guide to Margaret Hoffman Collection
Author
Rachael Friedenberg
Date
June 6, 2025
Language of description
English
Script of description
Arabic

Repository Details

Part of the Shenandoah County Library: Truban Archives Repository

Contact:
514 Stoney Creek Blvd.
Edinburg VA 22824 United States
540-984-8200