Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Grace Watterson papers

Abstract

The Grace Watterson papers (dated 1856-1857, 1892, 1913-1959, 1973-1984, undated; 0.33 cubic feet; 10 folders, 71 items) comprises letters, papers, and photographs that document the life of Grace Watterson and her relatives in Canada and the United States in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

Descriptive Summary

Title
Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Grace Watterson papers
Date
1856-1857, 1892, 1913-1959, 1973-1984, undated (inclusive)
Creator
Watterson, Grace
Extent
0.33 Cubic Feet
Subjects
Letters.
Poetry.
Genealogy.
Families.
World War, 1914-1918.
Travel.
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
2009ms132.1026: [identification of item], Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Grace Watterson papers, 1856-1857, 1892, 1913-1959, 1973-1984, undated, University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.
Repository
University of Kentucky

Collection Overview

Biography / History
Grace Watterson (b. 1905) was born in Montreal, Canada to Raleigh Andrews Wilson and Francis Alma Maple. In 1972, she married John Clarence Watterson (1897-1980). Eventually the couple relocated to Ormond Beach, Florida.
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 Grace Watterson papers (dated 1856-1857, 1892, 1913-1959, 1973-1984, undated; 0.33 cubic feet; 10 folders, 71 items) comprises letters, papers, and photographs that document the life of Grace Watterson and her relatives in Canada and the United States in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The letters are sent to and from Grace, her in-laws, and her relatives. Letters discuss the death of a son during World War I, travel, personal health, daily life, and genealogy research. The papers include notes on Grace's family ancestry, newspaper clippings, poetry, and a travel diary from Grace's husband detailing their trip around the world. The diary describes ocean and air travel, visiting the United States, Europe, and Asia; friends they meet and make along the way, their accommodations, and what sights they saw that each day. The photographs depict life in Canada for the Watterson and Wilson family members.
The Grace Watterson papers 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

Letters from Grace Watterson, 1930-1931

  • Box WH-137, folder 5
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Letters to Grace Watterson, 1929-1953

  • Box WH-137, folder 6
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Letters to Grace Watterson, 1973-1984, undated

  • Box WH-137, folder 7
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Letters to Mr. and Mrs. J.D. Watterson, 1917

  • Box WH-137, folder 8
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Wilson family letters, 1856-1857, 1892, 1914, undated

  • Box WH-137, folder 9
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Grace Watterson papers, 1913-1940, undated

  • Box WH-137, folder 10
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John Clarence Watterson travel diary, 1959

  • Box WH-137, folder 11
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Clippings, undated

  • Box WH-137, folder 12
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Poetry, 1918, 1940, undated

  • Box WH-137, folder 13
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Wilson family genealogy notes, undated

  • Box WH-137, folder 14
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Photographs, undated

  • Box WH-139, item 1-16
  • Box WH-140, item 17-20
  • Box WH-138, item 21-71
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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.

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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.

Requests

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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.