Harris, Ruth Ketterer (1910-1990)

Ruth Ketterer Harris

Over the course of her life, Ruth Ketterer Harris found many ways to share her love of textiles with others. After she earned a BS (1931) in Home Economics Education and a MS (1932) in Home Economics at UW, she taught home economics at a high school until she married. From 1943 to 1945, she served as curator of the Wisconsin State Historical Society while her husband was in military service. In the 1950s, she taught weaving at the Madison Vocational School. During these years she also taught weaving courses at the UW when her close friend Helen Louise Allen was traveling. Harris' full-time tenure at UW began in 1968 when Allen passed away and Harris was appointed the first curator of the Helen Louise Allen Textile Collection. She continued as curator until 1977, when she retired as Curator Emeritus (assistant professor).

Upon her death, Harris bequeathed her extensive collection of books to the School of Family Resources and Consumer Sciences. The Ruth Ketterer Harris Book Collection opened in 1992.