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Isabella Hagen Collection

 Collection — Box: 1
Identifier: MS-688

Collection Scope and Content Summary

This collection documents aspects of the life of Isabella Hagen, a musician, music teacher, and theatrical performer from Calumet, Michigan. The majority of these documents were collected by Mrs. Hagen herself while others appear be gifts. The document types consist of newspaper clippings regarding local musical or theater productions, Michigan Technological University publications, personal photographs, postcards, and bulletins from a variety of local events. There is also a selection of biographic newspaper clippings and publications.

Dates

  • 1937-2007

Language of Material

English

Access

Available for use in the Michigan Technological University Archives and Copper Country Historical Collections.

Conditions Governing Use

Various copying restrictions apply. Guidelines are available from Michigan Technological University Archives & Copper Country Historical Collections.

Biography

Isabella (Nadeau) Hagen was an active and influential member of Michigan’s Keweenaw Community. She was born in 1911 in Calumet, Michigan and spent her young life in Houghton County where she learned to play piano and began playing as an accompanist for her church. Her passion for music led her to pursue a baccalaureate degree from Eastern Michigan University. She married Rob Hagen and moved with him to Ohio only to return in 1941 when he would begin his teaching career at Michigan Technological University in Mechanical Engineering.

For thirteen years Mrs. Hagen taught at Suomi College, now Finlandia University, while also playing organ and piano for several of the local churches. She achieved her master’s degree in 1970 from the University of Michigan in music education and a focus on piano. At one point she studied under Boris Goldovsky, a prominent music educator from the late 1940s to the mid 1980s. She was an educator through the Houghton High School music program and she taught piano to the youth of Houghton County, popularized through word of mouth. One document in the collection suggests that she never had to advertize. She was well respected in the community and her love of life and music were greatly appreciated.

Outside of her music career Mrs. Hagen also participated in local theater groups such as Michigan Tech’s Little Theater, Houghton High School’s Keweenaw Play House, and the Calumet Players at the Calumet Theater. Her community activism is represented through her volunteer work for the Pine Mountain Music Festival, participation in the Houghton County Historical Society, and her role in Michigan Tech’s Women’s Club. Isabella Hagen donated this collection to the MTU archives herself and this small collection represents not only her personal interest but also a range of documentation concerning local community events.

Extent

0.35 Cubic Feet (1 manuscript box (letter size))

Abstract

Collection, 1937-2007, of Isabella Hagen, a Calumet, Michigan native. Isabelle was actively involved with the local theater as well as being a talented piano teacher and performer. Includes programs, posters, clippings, and photographs from Isabella's involvement with the Little Theater and the Michigan Technological University Women's Club.

Arrangement

Arrangement is by material type and then chronological.

Acquisition

Material in this collection donated to the Michigan Technological University Archives and Copper Country Historical Collections by Isabella Hagen on October 15, 2002.

Title
Isabelle Hagen Collection
Author
Finding aid prepared by Jessica Peterson, revised by Erik Norderg.
Date
4/18/2012
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the Michigan Technological University Archives and Copper Country Historical Collections Repository

Contact:
1400 Townsend Drive
Houghton 49931 U.S.A. US