Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, 1880-2009 | Dr. JoAnn Rayfield Archives at Illinois State University

The Records of the Illinois State University Department of Family and Consumer Sciences is arranged into five series by types of materials. These series are as follows: administrative files, academic affairs, publications, memorabilia and ephemera, and affiliations.

The Records of the Illinois State University Department of Family and Consumer Sciences contains materials relating to the administration of the department. These materials include name change documents, faculty information, program reviews, reports, curriculum information and materials, publications, memorabilia and ephemera, and affiliation meeting proceedings and invitations.

Department of Family and Consumer Science
Illinois State Normal University.
Illinois State University

Family and Consumer Sciences was first created in 1909 under the name Domestic Science. The program was implemented in the school year of 1910 and focused on training teachers who were certified at less than the baccalaureate level. The students completed the program in two regular school years and one summer term. In 1916 the name changed from Domestic Science to Household Science. In 1918, the Smith-Hughes program was offered for Household Science majors which allowed them to obtain a degree. In 1932-33, the curriculum was changed from a two year program to a four year program. In 1937, due to the program requiring all students in the Household Science program to live in a household on campus during their senior year, the Rambo House was constructed. It was named after Jessie E Rambo, who ran the department from 1922 to 1936. The house was designed to represent both traditional and modern homes, with the North side being traditionally furnished and the South side filled with modern furnishings and appliances. Required activities in the house included cleaning waffle irons, planning dinner parties, and learning how to fold a napkin to open across a lap with one gesture. Eventually, this requirement was ended and the Rambo House became home to Alumni Services and Development staff in 1972. In 1994, the department’s name was changed from Department of Home Economics to Department of Family and Consumer Sciences to reflect the nation-wide movement to more clearly focus the profession. Author: Alexa Parker

Home Economics.
Illinois State Normal University.
Illinois State University
Teachers -- Training of