Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Kenneth Valentine family letters

Abstract

The Kenneth Valentine family letters (dated 1915-1944; 0.21 cubic feet; 7 folders) comprises letters sent to Kenneth Valentine and his family from friends that document education and family life in Illinois in the early twentieth century.

Descriptive Summary

Title
Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Kenneth Valentine family letters
Date
1915-1944 (inclusive)
Creator
Valentine, Kenneth
Extent
0.21 Cubic Feet
Subjects
Letters.
Correspondence.
Family.
Illinois
Education
Friendship.
Education, Higher.
Sports tournaments
Sports.
Young men -- United States -- Social life and customs -- 20th century
Health
Man-woman relationships -- United States -- 20th century
Employment -- Illinois.
College students.
Arrangement
Collection is arranged by subject. The Wade Hall Collection of American Letters has been processed into discrete collections based on provenance.
Finding Aid Author
Sarah Coblentz
Preferred Citation
2009ms132.0727: [identification of item], Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Kenneth Valentine family letters, 1915-1944, University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.
Repository
University of Kentucky

Collection Overview

Biography / History
Kenneth Valentine (1908-1979) was born in Rockford, Illinois to John Gustaf Valentine (1873-1938) and Selma Thornblade (b. 1876). John worked as a superintendent at a furniture factory. Kenneth had three older brothers, Richard (b. 1901), Howard (1903-1989), and Ralph (b. 1906). By 1940, Kenneth was listed in the United States Census working as a drill operator. No other biographical information available.
American Letters collector Wade Hall (1934-2015) was a native of Union Springs, Alabama. Starting in 1962, he lived in Louisville, where he taught English and chaired the English and Humanities/Arts programs at Kentucky Southern College and Bellarmine University. He also taught at the University of Illinois and the University of Florida. He held degrees from Troy State University (B.S.), the University of Alabama (M.A.), and the University of Illinois (Ph.D.). He served for two years in the U.S. Army in the mid-fifties. Dr. Hall was the author of books, monographs, articles, plays, and reviews relating to Kentucky, Alabama, and Southern history and literature. His most recent books include A Visit with Harlan Hubbard; High Upon a Hill: A History of Bellarmine College; A Song in Native Pastures: Randy Atcher's Life in Country Music; and Waters of Life from Conecuh Ridge.
Scope and Content
The Kenneth Valentine family letters (dated 1915-1944; 0.21 cubic feet; 7 folders) comprises letters sent to Kenneth Valentine and his family from friends that document education and family life in Illinois in the early twentieth century. The letters to family members discuss the birth of a grandchild, personal health, visiting each other, and employment, school, and social outings with friends. The letters to Kenneth come from friends and girlfriends, discussing dates, attending sporting events, thoughts on basketball and football teams, studying for exams, fraternity participation, finding employment, and personal health.
The Kenneth Valentine family letters collection is part of the Wade Hall Collection of American Letters, which includes correspondence and diaries from all over North America covering the time period of the Civil to Korean Wars. The materials were collected by Wade Hall and document everyday men and women.

Restrictions on Access and Use

Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open to researchers by appointment.
Use Restrictions
The physical rights to the materials in this collection are held by the University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.

Contents of the Collection

Delphin W. Floberg to Kenneth Valentine, 1932

  • Box WH-79, folder 3
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Florence Fredericks to Kenneth Valentine, 1926-1927

  • Box WH-79, folder 4
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Irene Keppen to Kenneth Valentine, 1932

  • Box WH-79, folder 5
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Letters to Kenneth Valentine, 1931-1944

  • Box WH-79, folder 6
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Letters to Howard Valentine, 1922-1924

  • Box WH-79, folder 7
To top

Letters to Richard Valentine, 1915-1923

  • Box WH-79, folder 8
To top

Letters to Selma Valentine, 1930-1941

  • Box WH-79, folder 9
To top

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Questions? Contact SCRC via our Contact Form.

You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.

If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.

UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center is open Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm. Appointments are encouraged but not required. Schedule an appointment here.

Researchers must have an SCRC Researcher Account to request materials. View account set-up and use instructions here.

Questions? Contact SCRC via our Contact Form.

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You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.

If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.