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Carole Reid Burr and Sharon Reid Alden collection on Rose Marie Reid

 Collection
Identifier: MSS 8044

Scope and Contents

Collection contains materials pertaining to the life of Rose Marie Reid. It contains her personal and professional materials documenting the growth, popularity, and decline of her business in swimwear, including advertisements, legal documents, and swimsuits designed by Reid. Her personal papers include her correspondence, both private and related to her designs, and several speeches she gave as her fame and renown grew. Her ecclesiastical papers discuss her missionary work, contribution to the construction of the Los Angeles Temple, and other church assignments. Dated 1899 to 2004.

Dates

  • 1899-2004

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Donor restricted until 2030. Contact the Supervisor of Reference Services for permission to access.

Conditions Governing Use

It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances. Permission to use material from this collection must be obtained from Reference Services at specialcollections@byu.edu.

Biographical History

Carole Reid Burr was born Carole Marie Reid on July 18, 1940, to Rose Marie and Jack Reid in Vancouver, Canada. She attended York House school in Canada. Carole later graduated from Brigham Young University. She married James B. Burr in 1958, and had several children. She later divorced her husband. Carole authored a book on her mother, Rose Marie Reid. She lives in Provo, Utah.

Biographical History

Sharon Reid was born on October 2, 1938, in Vancouver, Canada, to Rose Marie and Jack Reid. She attended York House with her sister, Carole, in her childhood. In June 1949, they moved to California to be with their mother. Sharon went to the Annie Wright Seminary in Tacoma, Washington. After high school, she graduated from Brigham Young University. She married Paul Alden, a Jew who later was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They had several children. They currently live in Wyoming.

Biographical History

Rose Marie Reid was born on September 12, 1906 to Elvie and Marie Yancey in Cardston, Alberta, Canada. Reid grew up learning to sew alongside her mother. They moved to Idaho when Reid was ten years old. While they lived there, Reid and her mother opened up a small shop called "Rose Marie's" and Reid went to Boise to learn beauty work. She married Garreth Rhynhart in Salt Lake but divorced him in 1935. Reid was then living in Vancouver. She then met Jack Reid and married him on November 30, 1935. Jack had been previously married and had one child. Her introduction to swimsuits came in the 1930s when she started Reid's Holiday Togs, Ltd. The business spread from there. After having three children, Reid divorced her husband in 1946. She then became more interested in growing her business, so she moved to California. By 1956, the business had five regional offices, 1,200 employees, and was making much more money. She designed numerous swimsuits, including a sequined one to help fund the Los Angeles Temple. Reid was also heavily involved in missionary work, primarily with Jewish investigators. She married MacDonald Sommers in 1955, and divorced shortly thereafter due to Sommers' having another wife. Reid was successful in her career, and had a rose named after her in 1955. Reid died on December 19, 1978 in Provo, Utah.

Extent

30 boxes (15 linear ft.)

20 oversize boxes (34 linear ft.)

1 carton (1 linear ft.)

5 oversize folders (0.5 linear ft.)

1 folder (0.02 linear ft.)

Language of Materials

English

Arrangement

Contains three series: 1. Rose Marie Reid personal papers, approximately 1899-1998. 2. Rose Marie Reid professional papers, 1938-2004. 3. Rose Marie Reid ecclesiastical papers, 1943-1988.

Custodial History

Donated by Carole Reid Burr and Sharon Reid Alden, daughters of Rose Marie Reid, in 2012, 2013, and 2014. Life Magazine purchased in 2015.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Donated; Carole Reid Burr and Sharon Reid Alden; 2012, 2013, 2014.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Purchased; 2015.

Appraisal

LDS, Utah, and Western American Women (20th Century Western and Mormon Manuscripts collection development policy 5.V, August 2007).

Rose Marie Reid was an LDS woman who started a business in Canada and then brought it to the Western United States.

Processing Information

Processed; Kelsey Samuelsen, student manuscript processor, and John M. Murphy, curator; 2012, 2013.

Processing Information

Processed; Margaret Weddle; 2015.

Title
Register of the Carole Reid Burr and Sharon Reid Alden collection on Rose Marie Reid
Status
Completed
Author
Kelsey Samuelsen
Date
2012 May 15
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English in Latin script.

Repository Details

Part of the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Repository

Contact:
1130 HBLL
Brigham Young University
Provo Utah 84602 United States