Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Cessna family letters

Abstract

The Cessna family letters (dated 1921-1935; 0.16 cubic feet; 4 folders) comprise letters that document the Cessna family members daily activities and professional work in Kentucky and California in the 1920s and early 1930s.

Descriptive Summary

Title
Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Cessna family letters
Date
1921-1935 (inclusive)
Extent
0.16 Cubic Feet
Subjects
Family.
Letters.
Love-letters
Physicians -- Kentucky -- Louisville.
Arrangement
Collection is arranged chronologically. The Wade Hall Collection of American Letters has been processed into discrete collections based on provenance.
Finding Aid Author
Sarah Coblentz
Preferred Citation
2009ms132.0175: [identification of item], Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Cessna family letters, 1921-1935, University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.
Repository
University of Kentucky

Collection Overview

Biography / History
The Cessna family members are Frank Lee Cessna (1864-1929), a physician, his wife A. Mary Rowe (1859-1936), and his three sons, James Rowe Cessna (1895-1969), Frank Stewart Cessna (1898-1976), and Miles Hayes Cessna (1901-1987). James was married to Nellie Hardcastle (1899-1974) and worked as an embalmer, and Frank Stewart was married to Mary Chambers (1903-1965) and worked as a physician. Miles never married and worked in multiple trades, including carpentry, painting, and mechanics. The majority of the family resided in Louisville, Kentucky; James moved to Bowling Green, Kentucky when he married Nellie in the 1930s.
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 Cessna family letters (dated 1921-1935; 0.16 cubic feet; 4 folders) comprise letters that document the Cessna family members daily activities and professional work in Kentucky and California in the 1920s and early 1930s. The majority of the letters are sent to (Miles) Hayes from girlfriends and family members, they discuss misunderstandings, school, personal health, trips taken, the weather, and shopping. One letter from Anderson Rowe, brother of Mary Rowe, to his nephew Hayes includes a pornographic joke book. A few letters to Mary and Frank Cessna from their children and siblings discuss their travels, education, and finances.
The Cessna family letters ares 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
The 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

Letters to Hayes Cessna, 1921-1924

  • Box 249, folder 1
To top

Letters to Hayes Cessna and "Mother", 1925

  • Box 249, folder 2
To top

Letter to Cessna family, 1928-1935, undated

  • Box 249, folder 3-4
To top

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.

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.

Requests

No items have been requested.



Submit a request for SCRC materials.




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.