Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Mary E. Lucas papers

Abstract

The Mary E. Lucas papers (dated 1939-1947, undated; 0.24 cubic feet; 10 folders) comprise letters, papers, photographs, and awards that document the life of Mary E. Lucas and her participation in the US Naval Reserve unit Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVE) during World War II in Kentucky.

Descriptive Summary

Title
Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Mary E. Lucas papers
Date
1939-1947, undated (inclusive)
Creator
Lucas, Mary E.
Extent
0.24 Cubic Feet
Subjects
World War, 1939-1945.
World War, 1939-1945 -- Women.
Arrangement
Collection is arranged alphabetically 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
2009ms132.0293: [identification of item], Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Mary E. Lucas papers, 1939-1947, undated, University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.
Repository
University of Kentucky

Collection Overview

Biography / History
Mary E. Lucas (1915-2000) was born in Macon, Georgia. She moved to Louisville, Kentucky and during World War II, she was a part of Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES), a unit of the US Naval Reserve.
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 Mary E. Lucas papers (dated 1939-1947, undated; 0.24 cubic feet; 10 folders) comprise letters, papers, photographs, and awards that document the life of Mary E. Lucas and her participation in the US Naval Reserve unit Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVE) during World War II in Kentucky. The letters sent to Mary come from friends and the Navy Department, discussing the war, deployment, costs of living, having children, visiting each other, applying to pharmacy schools, and information on the completion of her work with WAVE. The papers include employment documents such as paycheck withholding, unemployment, and questionnaires for work in the Navy. The personal papers include newsletters, programs, and address lists. The photographs are most likely of Mary and friends, and the ribbon is for a unit commendation for Communication Intelligence Organization.
The Mary E. Lucas papers are 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

Mary E. Lucas letters, 1942-1947

  • Box WH-6, folder 8
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Bill Tennery letters to Mary E. Lucas, 1939-1944

  • Box WH-6, folder 9
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Jane letters to Mary E. Lucas, 1946-1947

  • Box WH-6, folder 10
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Jean letters to Mary E. Lucas, 1945-1947

  • Box WH-6, folder 11
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Navy Department letters to Mary E. Lucas, 1946, undated

  • Box WH-6, folder 12
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Renee Smith letters to Mary E. Lucas, 1947

  • Box WH-6, folder 13
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Employment papers, 1943-1947, undated

  • Box WH-6, folder 14
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Memorandums, 1941, 1944

  • Box WH-6, folder 15
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Personal papers, 1945-1947, undated

  • Box WH-6, folder 16
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Photographs and commendation ribbon, 1944-1946, undated

  • Box WH-6, folder 17
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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.