Collections : [West Virginia and Regional History Center]

An essay concerning the beginning of education by travel at West Virginia University, by Daisy Chapman Dorsey, President of Dorsey Tours, Inc., (1977) 6 leaves. Also includes photocopies of journal articles, newspaper articles, and other material concerning the life of Daisy Chapman Dorsey and the development of Dorsey Tours, Inc. (11 items).

Typed transcription of a letter written by Lorena Brown to her aunt, Lucinda Dunham Powell. The letter, dated 28 March 1863, describes the Brown family's journey from the Kanawha Valley to Monroe County.

Correspondence, bills, and miscellaneous papers of Lucy Clark Wise, a student of Concord Normal School and teacher in Summers County, West Virginia. Subjects covered include: boyfriends, family news, and regulations at Concord Normal School with respect to female students.

Papers of Dr. Margaret Byrnside Ballard (1900-1991), regarding the history of Monroe County, West Virginia, and the Ballard family. As a genealogist and author of local history, she was an avid collector of the historical materials contained in this collection, most of which relate to her family and Monroe County. The collection includes personal papers, business records, historical and genealogical research material, scrapbooks, bibles, memorabilia, artifacts, photographs, broadsides, paintings, and postage stamps. See the Historical Note for more information about Dr. Ballard.

This collection consists of seven letters and one contract concerning Mary Williams of Morgantown, WV. Five of the letters concern her work as a singer and are dated 1934 to 1935. Two of these discuss her arrangements for auditions in New York; the other three discuss her returning to work in New York after a death in her family. The other two letters in the collection are a letter of reference for her from West Virginia Utilities Company of Morgantown, dated 1921, and a letter from her doctor, Dr. B.M. Stout of Morgantown, discussing some medical problems, dated 1935. The contract is between Mary Williams and a Fairmont, WV church, dated 1924, and concerns her services to the church as a singer.

Correspondence, financial papers, diaries, scrapbooks, newspaper clippings, and photographs relating to the Max Mathers family and Monongalia County, West Virginia. The activities of Anna DeGant Mathers, wife of Max Mathers, and Margaret Mathers Barrick, his daughter, as well as of Margaret's two sons, William Mathers Barrick and George Milton Barrick, Jr. are well represented in the family papers. Max Mather's own papers document his personal life, Republican party activities, genealogical and local history interests, and his participation in civil defense planning for Morgantown, as well as his service on the local selective service board. There are letters and financial records of earlier members of the Morgan family, mostly of the Civil War period and later, but including two early 19th century account books and some early letters. Some of the names of Morgan ancestors are Elijah Morgan, Elizabeth Morgan, H.M. Morgan, H.D. McGeorge, N.H. McGeorge, and John R. Morgan. Photographs are largely of the Mathers family, but there are a few of the 175th anniversary of Monongalia County, and the dedication of a monument to Col. Zackquill Morgan, ancestor of Mathers and founder of Morgantown. The newspaper clippings cover personal mentions of Max Mathers and his family as well as local history articles, local events, and the family's involvement in the search for missing soldiers after the Korean conflict. The scrapbook was put together by Eugene L. Mathers, Max Mathers' father, and documents Monongalia County events, 1838-1951. In addition, there is a collection of greeting cards covering the first half of the 20th century and a collection of broadsides going back to the 1850s.

A collection of account, record, and minute books, as well as ledgers relating to the history of Franklin and Pendleton County, West Virginia. Included are account books belonging to George Hammer (1859-1889); a minute book of the Franklin Water Works (1845-1877); a Pendleton County tax book (1826); and a book of bonds for the administrators and executors of estates from 1802 to 1820. Included are letters to Mary M. Colaw, from relatives in Pendleton County, mainly concerning family news, social events, schooling, and the like.

Most of the letters are to Helen M. Robinson of Fetterman, Taylor County, West Virginia, from relatives and friends. Subjects discussed include housekeeping, fashions, farming, schools, religion, and the Civil War from both the Confederate and Union perspectives. There are frequent, specific references to the political and military state-of-affairs in the upper Ohio Valley region.