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Katherine Morgan Hobbie Storms
Papers, 1953-2016

SC23027

Quantity: 14 boxes (6 cubic ft.)
Access: Open to research
Acquisition: Gift of Katherine Morgan Hobbie Storms
Processed By: Manuscripts and Special Collections

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Biographical Note:

Katherine ("Kate") Morgan Hobbie Storms was raised in Sodus, New York, where she attended public schools.  She graduated from high school in 1964 and began collegiate studies the same year at Westminster College in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania. As an adult, Kate became involved with numerous social justice causes, which is reflected in her papers. She was active in the Walls Temple A.M.E. Zion Church as well as other A.M.E. Zion Churches in the region and around the state of New York. The A.M.E. Zion Church is the steward of the Harriet Tubman Home in Auburn, NY, and Kate took on an active role with the Harriet Tubman Home, Inc.'s Board of Directors. She was also active with the Underground Railroad History Project of the Capital Region and the planning of its conference each year.

Scope and Content Note:

The papers have been divided into series, which have been described in more detail below. Series I covers Kate's early life, up through college. A 2016 accretion to this collection added a small amount of personal ephemera from later in her life, but this first series is mostly related to her early life. Series II-IV relate to Kate's social justice work with religious institutions and cultural organizations in the capital region and throughout the state of New York.

Some abbreviations to be mindful of throughout:

A.M.E.: African Methodist Episcopal
WHOMS (or WH&OMS): Women's Home and Overseas Missionary Society
HTH: Harriet Tubman Home
UGRR: Underground Railroad
URHPCR: Underground Railroad History Project of the Capital Region

Series Descriptions:

Series I: Scrapbooks
(Box 1, Volume 1 – Box 4a)

1953-2009
This series is comprised mainly of scrapbooks related to the experiences and activities of Kate Storms, first as child growing up in Sodus, New York, and later as a student at Westminster College. Childhood scrapbooks include drawings, writings, school papers, newspaper clippings, and assorted mementos. The college scrapbooks include letters and photographs along with an array of printed memorabilia. Interest and participation in drama and music performances is indicated by the abundance of programs found in these scrapbooks. The scrapbooks for 1966-1967 are filled with mementos of her studies and travels in Europe. A 2016 accretion to the collection added holiday cards and other personal ephemera, circa 2000s, to this series.

Series II: African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
(Box 5, Folder 1 – Box 6, Folder 6)

1999-2007
This series consists of records related to the activities of the African Methodist Epsicopal (A.M.E.) Zion Church's New York districts, including: directories, conference materials, and educational/study materials. The Albany District and the Walls Temple A.M.E. Zion Church are well represented as this was Storms' home region. A significant amount of records exists for the Western NY District, and the remainder of the materials relate to Storms' work with the Women's Home and Overseas Missionary Society (WHOMS), an organization within the A.M.E. Zion Church.

Series III: The Harriet Tubman Home, Inc.
(Box 6, Folder 7 – Box 7, Folder 17)

1999-2008
This series consists of records related to the activities of the Harriet Tubman Home, Inc. Board of Directors, on which Storms served. Most of the records are related to Board of Directors meetings. A significant amount of records relate to fundraising projects, including those with the goal of restoring the HTH. Additionally, the series includes some records of related causes and organizations, including: The Harriet Tubman March 10 Coalition and the Freedom Trail Coalition.

Series IV: The Underground Railroad History Project of the Capital Region (Box 7, Folder 18 – Box 12, Folder 18)

2003-2016
This series consists of records related to the activities of the Underground Railroad History Project of the Capital Region (URHPCR). Primarily, the series documents the Underground Railroad (UGRR) History Conference put on by the URHPCR annually. Storms served on the Board of Directors of the URHPCR, served on the conference planning committee, and also presented workshops at the conference itself.

Container List:


Box Folder Description
1 1 Scrapbook – childhood art, ca. 1953; also includes drawings by sisters Beth (Elizabeth Kathleen Hobbie Jones) and Ellie (Ellen Charlton Hobbie)
1 2 Scrapbook – 6th grade, Sodus Central School. 1956-1957
1 3 Scrapbook – Sophomore and Junior Class, Sodus Central School, 1961-1963
2 4 Scrapbook – Westminster College (New Wilmington, Pennsylvania,) – Freshman Year, 1964-1965
2 5 Scrapbook – Girl Scout Roundup, Idaho, 1965 – After Kate's freshman year in college she spent the summer traveling to Farragut (Lake Pend Orielle), Idaho, to serve on the staff of the national Girl Scout encampment.  She traveled with her mother's first cousins, Mary and Jean Templeton, who also served on the staff. Jean held a full-time job with GSUSA in New York City at the time.
3 6 Scrapbook – Westminster College – Sophomore, 1965-1966
3 7 Scrapbook – Junior year studies at the Institute of European Studies, Vienna, Austria, 1966-1967
3 8 Scrapbook – Travels in Europe, 1966-1967
  • Trip across the Atlantic on Cunard's Queen Elizabeth
  • Trip by bus from Southampton, England, to Vienna by way of  Oxford, London, Bruges, Paris, Trier, Rothenberg, and Munich
  • Travels in Austria – Salzburg and Innsbruck
  • Trip to Turkey, Israel, and Greece, February 1967
  • Trip to Italy, April 1967
  • Weekend in Yugoslavia, May 1967
4 9 Scrapbook – Summers of 1966 and 1967
  • Kate lived with her sister, Mary, in Ithaca and worked at the Gannet Medical Clinic at Cornell University.  She had an active social life and sang in several musical groups including the Cornell Chorus which sang at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center – Beethoven's 9th and Die Fliedermaus
  • Kate attended summer school in 1967 at Stratford-on-Avon, England, in order to earn six credits in Shakespeare that she needed to graduate with her class at Westminster College in June 1968
4 10 Scrapbook – Westminster College – Senior, 1967-1968
4 11 Christmas Cards (-2009)
4a   NYSL Valentine's Day cards (2002-2009)
5 1 A.M.E. Zion Church : certificates (1999, 2003)
5 2 The A.M.E. Zion Church Quarterly Review (April, 2003; Vol. CXV No. 2)
5 3 The Albany District (A.M.E. Zion Church) Pastoral Appointments 2005-2006
5 4 The Albany District (A.M.E. Zion Church) Schedule : Worship Services and District Functions (2005-2006)
5 5 The Albany District Special Conference of the A.M.E. Zion Church (2006)
5 6 Walls Temple A.M.E. Zion Church Directory 2002-2003
5 7 Walls Temple A.M.E. Zion Church Directory 2003-2004
5 8 Walls Temple A.M.E. Zion Church Directory for the Conference Year 2004-2005
5 9 Walls Temple A.M.E. Zion Church meeting (2005)
5 10 Walls Temple A.M.E. Zion Church Directory for the Conference Year 2005-2006.
5 11 State Street African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church (1999)
5 12 A.M.E. Zion Church : Western NY District (1999-2006) (1)
5 13 A.M.E. Zion Church : Western NY District (1999-2006) (2)
5 14 A.M.E. Zion Church : Western NY District (1999-2006) (3)
5 15 A.M.E. Zion Church : Western NY District (1999-2006) (4)
5 16 A.M.E. Zion Church : Western NY District (1999-2006) (5)
5 17 A.M.E. Zion Church : Western NY District (1999-2006) (6)
5 18 A.M.E. Zion Church : Western NY District (1999-2006) (7)
5 19 A.M.E. Zion Church : Western NY District (1999-2006) (8)
5 20 Historical highlights of the Women's Home & Overseas Missionary Society of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church 1880-1999
5 21 WH&OMS Albany District newsletter (2003-2004)
5 22 Curriculum for the Parent Body Department : WH&OMS, A.M.E. Zion Church (2003-2004)
5 23 A Handbook for the Bureau of Overseas Supply of the Women's Home and Overseas Missionary Society
5 24 2003-2007 Handbook of Policies and Procedures for the Life Members Council : WH&OMS, A.M.E. Zion Church
5 25 Children's Mission Manual for "Victorious Living" (2003-2007) : WH&OMS, A.M.E. Zion Church
6 1 Children's Mission Manual for "Victorious Living" (2003-2007) Leader's Guide : WH&OMS, A.M.E. Zion Church
6 2 Our Victorious Journey Continues 2003-07. The Parent Body Society Study Book : WH&OMS, A.M.E. Zion Church
6 3 The Youth Missionary Society : WH&OMS, A.M.E. Zion Church (2003-2007)
6 4 Young Adult Missionary Society Thematic Study Guide (2003-2007) : WH&OMS, A.M.E. Zion Church
6 5 WH&OMS Reports of the Albany – Buffalo – Rochester – Syracuse Districts (2006)
6 6 Songs
6 7 Harriet Tubman Home : Annual Pilgrimage
6 8 Harriet Tubman Day : New York State Assembly Citation
6 9 Harriet Tubman Home : Financial Statements (December 31, 2002 & 2001)
6 10 Harriet Tubman Home : Restoration & Interpretation Project (1)
6 11 Harriet Tubman Home : Restoration & Interpretation Project (2)
6 12 Harriet Tubman Home : Restoration & Interpretation Project (3)
6 13 Harriet Tubman Home : Restoration & Interpretation Project (4)
6 14 Harriet Tubman Home : Reportable conditions and management suggestions
6 15 Harriet Tubman Home : Organizational Development/Fund Development Proposal (August 2003)
6 16 Harriet Tubman Home : Annual Pilgrimage (2003)
6 17 Harriet Tubman Home : Allied Organizations (2003)
6 18 Harriet Tubman Home : Board of Directors meeting (2003)
6 19 Harriet Tubman Home : Board of Directors meeting (2003) cont.
7 1 Harriet Tubman Home : Board of Directors meeting (2004)
7 2 Harriet Tubman Home : Board of Directors meeting (2005)
7 3 Harriet Tubman Home : Board of Directors meeting (2007)
7 4 Harriet Tubman Home : Board of Directors meeting (2007) cont.
7 5 Harriet Tubman Home : Board of Directors meeting (2008)
7 6 Harriet Tubman Home : Annual Membership Meeting & Board of Directors Meeting (2008)
7 7 Harriet Tubman Home : Special Resource Study – Environmental Assessment (2008)
7 8 Harriet Tubman Home : Policy Manual Draft
7 9 Harriet Tubman Home : Friends membership
7 10 Harriet Tubman Home : position descriptions & employment contracts
7 11 Harriet Tubman Home : press clippings
7 12 Harriet Tubman Home : March 10 Coalition
7 13 Freedom Trail Coalition
7 14 Freedom Trail Coalition : letter of intent
7 15 Freedom Trail Coalition : members
7 16 Freedom Trail Coalition : fundraising and conference planning
7 17 Freedom Heritage Trail : National Underground Freedom Center - Background
7 18 2002 UGRR History Conference
7 19 2003 UGRR History Conference
7 20 UGRR History Conference Fundraising (2003)
7 21 URHPCR (2003-2007)
8 1 2004 UGRR History Conference
8 2 2005 UGRR History Conference
8 3 URHPCR – The Freedom Seeker (2005-2016)
8 4 2006 UGRR History Conference Lesson Plans
8 5 2006 UGRR History Conference 1
8 6 2006 UGRR History Conference 2
8 7 2006 UGRR History Conference 3
8 8 2006-2008 UGRR History Conference : Continuity Binder Headings
8 9 2007 UGRR History Conference 1
8 10 2007 UGRR History Conference 2
8 11 2008 UGRR History Conference 1
8 12 2008 UGRR History Conference 2
8 13 2008 UGRR History Conference 3
8 14 2008 UGRR History Conference 4
9 1 2009 UGRR History Conference 1
9 2 2009 UGRR History Conference 2
9 3 2009 UGRR History Conference 3
9 4 2009 UGRR History Conference 4
9 5 2009 UGRR History Conference 5
9 6 2009 UGRR History Conference 6
9 7 2009 UGRR History Conference 7
9 8 2009 UGRR History Conference 8
9 9 2009 UGRR History Conference photos
9 10 2010 UGRR History Conference 1
9 11 2010 UGRR History Conference 2
9 12 2010 UGRR History Conference – Casey, Maureen
9 13 2010 UGRR History Conference – Storms, Katherine
9 14 2010 UGRR History Conference – Planning
9 15 2010 UGRR History Conference – Publicity
10 1 2010 UGRR History Conference – Room Assignments
10 2 2010 UGRR History Conference – Signage
10 3 2010 UGRR History Conference – Workshops (Adamu, Anderson, Boston, Childress, Christianson, D'Angelo, Dann, DeAmicis, Donohue)
10 4 2010 UGRR History Conference – Workshops (Fraser, Goodier, Goss, Green, Harris, Hyman, Johnson, LaCourt)
10 5 2010 UGRR History Conference – Workshops (Johnson)
10 6 2010 UGRR History Conference – Workshops (Lawson, Lunnaberry, Matthews, McDaniel, Mitchell, Sadlier, Shaquier, Singer, Skotnes, Smith, Stewart, Sundarajan, Washington, Williams)
10 7 2010 UGRR History Conference – Workshops (Storms)
10 8 2011 UGRR History Conference – Planning
10 9 2011 UGRR History Conference 1
10 10 2011 UGRR History Conference 2
10 11 2011 UGRR History Conference 3
10 12 2011 UGRR History Conference 4
10 13 2011 UGRR History Conference – Workshops
10 14 2011 UGRR History Conference – Workshops cont.
10 15 2012 UGRR History Conference
10 16 2012 UGRR History Conference – Educators' Workshop
11 1 2012 UGRR History Conference – Workshops 1
11 2 2012 UGRR History Conference – Workshops 2
11 3 2012 UGRR History Conference – Workshops 3
11 4 2012 UGRR History Conference – Workshops 4
11 5 2013 UGRR History Conference 1
11 6 2013 UGRR History Conference 2
11 7 2013 UGRR History Conference 3
11 8 2013 UGRR History Conference 4
11 9 2013 UGRR History Conference 5
11 10 2013 UGRR History Conference – Kate Storms
11 11 2013 UGRR History Conference – Kate Storms cont.
11 12 2013 UGRR History Conference – A Taste of Albany
11 13 2014 UGRR History Conference
11 14 2014 UGRR History Conference cont.
12 1 2014 UGRR History Conference – Workshops
12 2 2014 UGRR History Conference – Workshops cont.
12 3 2014 UGRR History Conference – Workshops (Anderson, Barrows, Caruso, Davis, Dziewulski, French, Hyman)
12 4 2014 UGRR History Conference – Workshops (Jaffe, Konhaus, Mincher, Mishler, Murray, Nuckles, Roberts, Rogers)
12 5 2014 UGRR History Conference – Workshops (Sacca, Senchyna, Singer, Stewart, Trimm, Von Huene, Wright)
12 6 2015 UGRR History Conference
12 7 2015 UGRR History Conference – Educators' Workshop
12 8 2016 UGRR History Conference
12 9 Abolitionist Songs Program – Planning (2009)
12 10 #1-#15 Abolitionist Song Program (2009)
12 11 Abolitionist Songs Program "Keith and Mary" (2009)
12 12 Bradford, Sarah
12 13 Character Analysis
12 14 Educational Resources
12 15 Frederick Douglass letters
12 16 Hoe Cakes
12 17 Learn more about the Underground Railroad and slavery in New York
12 18 URHPCR – The Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence
13 1 Ephemera
13 2 Ephemera
13 3 Ephemera
13 4 Puzzle Piece
Last Updated: February 24, 2022