The collection includes personal papers and books of Dr Casson and the Dorset House Principals, plus photographs, cine films and scrap books which document the history of Dorset House. The collection also includes a small number of books selected from the Dorset House Library.
Papers of the Dorset House School of Occupational Therapy
This material is held atOxford Brookes University Special Collections and Archives
- Reference
- GB 3080 DH
- Dates of Creation
- 1919-2005
- Name of Creator
- Language of Material
- English
- Physical Description
- 29 boxes and 17 shelves of books
Scope and Content
Administrative / Biographical History
Dorset House, the first School of Occupational Therapy in England, was established by its visionary Medical Director, Dr Elizabeth Casson, in the latter part of the 1920s. Over the years the School has moved from its original base in Bristol to Bromsgrove, and finally to Oxford, firstly in Nissen Huts in the grounds of the Churchill Hospital and then to London Road in 1964. In 1992 Dorset House School of Occupational Therapy became part of Oxford Polytechnic, which, later that year, was conferred with university status and was named Oxford Brookes University.
Arrangement
Chronological except for series relating to persons affiliated with the School which is alphabetical by surname.
Access Information
Before your first visit to the Special Collections Reading Room please complete a Reading Room registration form . The form is also available from the Headington Library Enquiry Desk. Internal staff and students will be asked to show their University ID card, and external applicants should bring proof of address
Applicants are bound by the Reading Room regulations .
The Reading Room is open between 1pm and 5pm, Monday to Friday, during the University semesters (dates available here ) and researchers can visit by prior appointment outside these times; Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm. Please email us to arrange a visit or if you have any queries: libraryenquiries@brookes.ac.uk
Other Finding Aids
A full online catalogue for the archival material is available.
Please use the Library Catalogue, available at www.brookes.ac.uk.library , to search for published items in this collection.
Archivist's Note
Catalogued by Eleanor Possart, 2008-2010.
Custodial History
Original collection on deposit from the Elizabeth Casson Trust.
Further deposits received from Jenny Butler and Sally Feaver.