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Start Over Date range 1931 Subjects Authors -- Letters and papers
West Virginia and Regional History Center

Alvena V. Seckar, Author and Artist, Writings, Photographs, Scrapbooks, and Other Material, 1927/2005

8.3 Linear Feet 8 ft. 3 1/2 in. (3 record cartons, 15 in. each); (1 record carton, 17 in.); (6 document cases, 5 in. each); (3 document cases, 2 1/2 in. each)

Papers of artist and author Alvena Seckar, who spent much of her early life in West Virginia. Includes writings by Seckar, including both autobiographical and fictional writings; photographs, mainly of Seckar, her family, and her artwork; family documents; correspondence; scrapbooks; and other material. Please be aware that parts of the collection have been minimally processed and therefore remain in their original physical and intellectual arrangement.

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Alvena V. Seckar, Author and Artist, Writings, Photographs, Scrapbooks, and Other Material, 1927/2005 8.3 Linear Feet 8 ft. 3 1/2 in. (3 record cartons, 15 in. each); (1 record carton, 17 in.); (6 document cases, 5 in. each); (3 document cases, 2 1/2 in. each)

Papers of artist and author Alvena Seckar, who spent much of her early life in West Virginia. Includes writings by Seckar, including both autobiographical and fictional writings; photographs, mainly of Seckar, her family, and her artwork; family documents; correspondence; scrapbooks; and other material. Please be aware that parts of the collection have been minimally processed and therefore remain in their original physical and intellectual arrangement.

West Virginia and Regional History Center

Anna Shue Atkins Papers, 1918/2013

3.75 Linear Feet Summary: 3 ft. 9 in. (3 record cartons, 15 in. each)
Papers of Anna Shue Atkins (1918-2010), a poet, writer, and schoolteacher who was born and spent her early life in Pocahontas County, West Virginia. Contains Atkins's poetry and autobiographical writings, as well as her genealogical research, legal documents, correspondence, newspaper clippings, and other material. See "Scope and Content Note" and "Historical Note" for further information.
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Anna Shue Atkins Papers, 1918/2013 3.75 Linear Feet Summary: 3 ft. 9 in. (3 record cartons, 15 in. each)

Atkins, Anna Blanche Shue, 1918-2010
Papers of Anna Shue Atkins (1918-2010), a poet, writer, and schoolteacher who was born and spent her early life in Pocahontas County, West Virginia. Contains Atkins's poetry and autobiographical writings, as well as her genealogical research, legal documents, correspondence, newspaper clippings, and other material. See "Scope and Content Note" and "Historical Note" for further information.
West Virginia and Regional History Center

Bessie Rowland James Papers, 1800/1972

3.75 Linear Feet 3 ft. 9 in. (9 document cases, 5 in. each)

Research notes, news clippings, photographs, and other materials gathered by James for her book, ANNE ROYALL'S USA, published by Rutgers University Press in 1972.

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Bessie Rowland James Papers, 1800/1972 3.75 Linear Feet 3 ft. 9 in. (9 document cases, 5 in. each)

James, Bessie Rowland, 1895-

Research notes, news clippings, photographs, and other materials gathered by James for her book, ANNE ROYALL'S USA, published by Rutgers University Press in 1972.

West Virginia and Regional History Center

Breece Pancake, Author, Papers, 1925/2000, bulk 1966/1994

4.7 Linear Feet Summary: 4 ft. 7 1/2 in. (nine 5 in. document cases, one 2 1/2 in. document case, one flat storage box [15 in. x 20 in. x 4 in.])
Papers of Breece D'J Pancake (1952-1979) of Milton, West Virginia, noted short story writer who depicted the Appalachian experience of rural West Virginians. Breece Pancake had two short stories published in The Atlantic Monthly before he died of an apparent suicide on 8 April 1979. His only collection of stories, The Stories of Breece D'J Pancake, was published posthumously in 1983. Correspondence, writings, biographical and genealogical materials, and subject files document Breece Pancake's personal life and writing career from the mid-1960s to April 1979 as well as efforts made by his mother, Helen Pancake, and author John Casey to publish his stories after his death. Collection also contains subject files and oversize materials taken from Breece's office at the University of Virginia after he died. See scope and content note for details.
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Breece Pancake, Author, Papers, 1925/2000, bulk 1966/1994 4.7 Linear Feet Summary: 4 ft. 7 1/2 in. (nine 5 in. document cases, one 2 1/2 in. document case, one flat storage box [15 in. x 20 in. x 4 in.])

Pancake, Breece D'J, 1952-1979
Papers of Breece D'J Pancake (1952-1979) of Milton, West Virginia, noted short story writer who depicted the Appalachian experience of rural West Virginians. Breece Pancake had two short stories published in The Atlantic Monthly before he died of an apparent suicide on 8 April 1979. His only collection of stories, The Stories of Breece D'J Pancake, was published posthumously in 1983. Correspondence, writings, biographical and genealogical materials, and subject files document Breece Pancake's personal life and writing career from the mid-1960s to April 1979 as well as efforts made by his mother, Helen Pancake, and author John Casey to publish his stories after his death. Collection also contains subject files and oversize materials taken from Breece's office at the University of Virginia after he died. See scope and content note for details.
West Virginia and Regional History Center

Charles Carpenter, Collector, Papers, 1829/1963

1.7 Linear Feet Summary: 1 ft. 8 in. (4 document cases, 5 in. each)

Scrapbooks maintained by Charles Carpenter, Grafton, between 1939-1963. Subjects include descriptions of libraries, book and manuscript collections, museums, rare and unusual books, magazines, book reviews, newspapers, and advertisements for books. There are items as early as 1838, 1875, 1898, 1905, 1917, but the mass of the collection is in the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s. Recurrent topics include book auctions, book burnings, the dime novel, the Freedom Train, the Gutenberg Bible, Hyde Park Library, Incunabula, the Library of Congress, "London Times Notes on Sales," The Morgan Library, New York Times magazine and book review, New York Times columnists (Philip Brooks, Edward Larocque Tinker, and Herbert W. Horwill), and stamps. There are also letters concerning books from Charles Carpenter's son. For more detailed description, see inventory sheet.

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Charles Carpenter, Collector, Papers, 1829/1963 1.7 Linear Feet Summary: 1 ft. 8 in. (4 document cases, 5 in. each)

Carpenter, Charles, 1889-1975

Scrapbooks maintained by Charles Carpenter, Grafton, between 1939-1963. Subjects include descriptions of libraries, book and manuscript collections, museums, rare and unusual books, magazines, book reviews, newspapers, and advertisements for books. There are items as early as 1838, 1875, 1898, 1905, 1917, but the mass of the collection is in the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s. Recurrent topics include book auctions, book burnings, the dime novel, the Freedom Train, the Gutenberg Bible, Hyde Park Library, Incunabula, the Library of Congress, "London Times Notes on Sales," The Morgan Library, New York Times magazine and book review, New York Times columnists (Philip Brooks, Edward Larocque Tinker, and Herbert W. Horwill), and stamps. There are also letters concerning books from Charles Carpenter's son. For more detailed description, see inventory sheet.

West Virginia and Regional History Center

Charles Carpenter, Collector, Papers, 1847/1965

0.5 Linear Feet Summary: 6 in. (2 small flat storage boxes, 3 in. each)

One notebook used by Mr. Carpenter while he was writing "History of American Schoolbooks." Collection also includes 4 notebooks and 14 small scrapbooks containing notes and clippings about William McGuffey and the McGuffey readers. Also included is a small tabloid newspaper and a letter to Reverend Ira Sherman from William McGuffey, November 5, 1847.

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Charles Carpenter, Collector, Papers, 1847/1965 0.5 Linear Feet Summary: 6 in. (2 small flat storage boxes, 3 in. each)

Carpenter, Charles, 1889-1975

One notebook used by Mr. Carpenter while he was writing "History of American Schoolbooks." Collection also includes 4 notebooks and 14 small scrapbooks containing notes and clippings about William McGuffey and the McGuffey readers. Also included is a small tabloid newspaper and a letter to Reverend Ira Sherman from William McGuffey, November 5, 1847.

West Virginia and Regional History Center

David Hunter Strother, Artist, Artwork and Papers, 1744/1996, bulk 1833/1887

15.50 Linear Feet Summary: 15 ft. 6 in. (3 document cases, 2.5 in. each); (9 document cases, 5 in. each); (2 large flat storage boxes, 3.5 in. each); (11 small flat storage boxes, 3 in. each); (23 large flat storage boxes, 3 in. each); (5 large flat storage boxes, 2.5 in. each); (3 flat storage boxes, 1.5 in. each); (4 folders, 0.5 in.); (4 reels of microfilm, 1.75 in. each); 3 framed paintings 0.1 Gigabytes 1 .pdf file
Correspondence, manuscripts, documents, memorabilia, photographs, journals, drawings, and sketchbooks of David Hunter Strother (1816-1888), a nineteenth century illustrator and writer for Harpers Magazine whose pseudonym, "Porte Crayon", was a household word. Other highlights of his career, all of which are reflected in this collection, are authorship of Virginia Illustrated (1857) and Charleston and its Resources (1878), his work as illustrator for Blackwater Chronicle (1853), service during the Civil War as a Union officer, stint as a newspaper editor, and Consul-Generalship to Mexico (1879-1885). According to Strother's biographer, Cecil D. Eby Jr., his writings linked the two traditions of literature in the south, "the genteel romanticism of the sentimental novelists and the earthy realism of the frontier humorists." In 1872-1875 Strother wrote The Mountains, which Eby considers the first important presentation of West Virginia in literature. The collection includes roughly 590 drawings and sketches, 44 volumes of journals, and several boxes of correspondence. An addendum of 2015/06/13 includes one drawing. An addendum of 2007/02/08 includes correspondence, newspaper clippings, announcements, and photographs regarding Strother and related families of the Eastern panhandle of West Virginia. An addendum of 2021/06/04 contains an abridged transcription by Cecil D. Eby Jr., of Strother's diary, 1879-1880, when Strother was General Consul to Mexico. For contents of the addenda and link to the digital collection: Drawings of David Hunter Strother, please see the Scope and Content Note.
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David Hunter Strother, Artist, Artwork and Papers, 1744/1996, bulk 1833/1887 15.50 Linear Feet Summary: 15 ft. 6 in. (3 document cases, 2.5 in. each); (9 document cases, 5 in. each); (2 large flat storage boxes, 3.5 in. each); (11 small flat storage boxes, 3 in. each); (23 large flat storage boxes, 3 in. each); (5 large flat storage boxes, 2.5 in. each); (3 flat storage boxes, 1.5 in. each); (4 folders, 0.5 in.); (4 reels of microfilm, 1.75 in. each); 3 framed paintings 0.1 Gigabytes 1 .pdf file

Strother, David Hunter, 1816-1888
Correspondence, manuscripts, documents, memorabilia, photographs, journals, drawings, and sketchbooks of David Hunter Strother (1816-1888), a nineteenth century illustrator and writer for Harpers Magazine whose pseudonym, "Porte Crayon", was a household word. Other highlights of his career, all of which are reflected in this collection, are authorship of Virginia Illustrated (1857) and Charleston and its Resources (1878), his work as illustrator for Blackwater Chronicle (1853), service during the Civil War as a Union officer, stint as a newspaper editor, and Consul-Generalship to Mexico (1879-1885). According to Strother's biographer, Cecil D. Eby Jr., his writings linked the two traditions of literature in the south, "the genteel romanticism of the sentimental novelists and the earthy realism of the frontier humorists." In 1872-1875 Strother wrote The Mountains, which Eby considers the first important presentation of West Virginia in literature. The collection includes roughly 590 drawings and sketches, 44 volumes of journals, and several boxes of correspondence. An addendum of 2015/06/13 includes one drawing. An addendum of 2007/02/08 includes correspondence, newspaper clippings, announcements, and photographs regarding Strother and related families of the Eastern panhandle of West Virginia. An addendum of 2021/06/04 contains an abridged transcription by Cecil D. Eby Jr., of Strother's diary, 1879-1880, when Strother was General Consul to Mexico. For contents of the addenda and link to the digital collection: Drawings of David Hunter Strother, please see the Scope and Content Note.
West Virginia and Regional History Center

Denise Giardina, Author, Papers, 1900/2016

3.84 Linear Feet 7 document cases, 2.5 in. each; 5 document cases, 5 in. each; 1 notecard box, 3 in.; 1 flat storage box, 1.5 in.; 1 flat storage box, 1 in. 0.22 Gigabytes 56 files, formats include .txt, .doc, .docx, and .po

Papers of Appalachian author Denise Giardina, whose 1987 novel Storming Heaven received the W. D. Weatherford Award, and 1992 novel The Unquiet Earth received the American Book Award and the Lillian Smith Book Award for fiction. The collection includes research notebooks and draft manuscripts of her historical novels Good King Harry, Storming Heaven, The Unquiet Earth, Saints and Villains, and Emily's Ghost.

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Denise Giardina, Author, Papers, 1900/2016 3.84 Linear Feet 7 document cases, 2.5 in. each; 5 document cases, 5 in. each; 1 notecard box, 3 in.; 1 flat storage box, 1.5 in.; 1 flat storage box, 1 in. 0.22 Gigabytes 56 files, formats include .txt, .doc, .docx, and .po

Giardina, Denise, 1951-

Papers of Appalachian author Denise Giardina, whose 1987 novel Storming Heaven received the W. D. Weatherford Award, and 1992 novel The Unquiet Earth received the American Book Award and the Lillian Smith Book Award for fiction. The collection includes research notebooks and draft manuscripts of her historical novels Good King Harry, Storming Heaven, The Unquiet Earth, Saints and Villains, and Emily's Ghost.

West Virginia and Regional History Center

Edward E. Meredith Papers, 1817/1954

0.20 Linear Feet Summary: 2 1/4 in. (1 folder, 1/2 in.); (1 item in 1 oversize folder, 0.1 in.); (1 reel of microfilm, 1.75 in.)
Clippings, letters, broadsides, and articles written or collected by E.E. Meredith, author of the newspaper column, "Do You Remember," which appeared in the Fairmont TIMES-WEST VIRGINIAN. There are: copies of theatre programs, 1917-1919; electoral tickets, 1860, 1864; a proclamation by George B. McClellan, commanding the Department of the Ohio, 1861; and an open letter, "Monongahela River Bridge Underwriting Syndicate Managers," concerning the construction of the million-dollar bridge in Fairmont. Subjects include: Marion County, West Virginia; Augusta County, Virginia; farming account books, ca.1853, 1888; Barnsville; Barrackville Covered Bridge; banks and banking in Marion County, 1842-1892; blacksmith shops; buffalo; Marion County Historical Society; coal industry in the Fairmont region; a West Virginia Gold Mining and Milling Company certificate; Grafton and Greenbrier Railroad Company stock certificate; stock of Weston and Fairmont Turnpike Company; school teaching, 1819, 1824, 1850, and 1858. Correspondents or persons mentioned include Charles H. Ambler, Edgar B. Sims, Lemuel Chenoweth, Eli Chenoweth, Paul M. Angle, J.M. Callahan, Ken McClain, William Haymond, Francis H. Pierpont, Ira E. Robinson, and Clem Shaver.
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Edward E. Meredith Papers, 1817/1954 0.20 Linear Feet Summary: 2 1/4 in. (1 folder, 1/2 in.); (1 item in 1 oversize folder, 0.1 in.); (1 reel of microfilm, 1.75 in.)

Meredith, Edward E.
Clippings, letters, broadsides, and articles written or collected by E.E. Meredith, author of the newspaper column, "Do You Remember," which appeared in the Fairmont TIMES-WEST VIRGINIAN. There are: copies of theatre programs, 1917-1919; electoral tickets, 1860, 1864; a proclamation by George B. McClellan, commanding the Department of the Ohio, 1861; and an open letter, "Monongahela River Bridge Underwriting Syndicate Managers," concerning the construction of the million-dollar bridge in Fairmont. Subjects include: Marion County, West Virginia; Augusta County, Virginia; farming account books, ca.1853, 1888; Barnsville; Barrackville Covered Bridge; banks and banking in Marion County, 1842-1892; blacksmith shops; buffalo; Marion County Historical Society; coal industry in the Fairmont region; a West Virginia Gold Mining and Milling Company certificate; Grafton and Greenbrier Railroad Company stock certificate; stock of Weston and Fairmont Turnpike Company; school teaching, 1819, 1824, 1850, and 1858. Correspondents or persons mentioned include Charles H. Ambler, Edgar B. Sims, Lemuel Chenoweth, Eli Chenoweth, Paul M. Angle, J.M. Callahan, Ken McClain, William Haymond, Francis H. Pierpont, Ira E. Robinson, and Clem Shaver.
West Virginia and Regional History Center

Emma Wickes Graham Scrapbook, 1931

0.1 Linear Feet Summary: 1/2 in. (1 folder)
In 1931 Graham compiled this scrapbook as a class project at East Fairmont High School. Includes ten letters from West Virginia authors which narrate experiences in their lives. Correspondents are: Robert A. Armstrong, J.M. Callahan, John Harrington Cox, J. Frank Marsh, Elizabeth Davis Richards, Frank S. Townsend, Ella May Turner, Grace Yoke White, and Bettie Bush Winter. Also includes original copy of sheet music for the song "Farewell W.V.U. Farewell" with autographed photograph of composer Elizabeth Davis Richards.
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Emma Wickes Graham Scrapbook, 1931 0.1 Linear Feet Summary: 1/2 in. (1 folder)

Graham, Emma Wickes
In 1931 Graham compiled this scrapbook as a class project at East Fairmont High School. Includes ten letters from West Virginia authors which narrate experiences in their lives. Correspondents are: Robert A. Armstrong, J.M. Callahan, John Harrington Cox, J. Frank Marsh, Elizabeth Davis Richards, Frank S. Townsend, Ella May Turner, Grace Yoke White, and Bettie Bush Winter. Also includes original copy of sheet music for the song "Farewell W.V.U. Farewell" with autographed photograph of composer Elizabeth Davis Richards.

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