Mathews family papers
Abstract
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- Mathews family papers
- Date
- circa 1840-1980, undated
- Extent
- 6.75 Cubic feet
- Subjects
- Appalachian Region--Pictorial works.
- Erie, Lake--Pictorial works.
- Frankfort (Ky.)--Pictorial works.
- Gardens--Kentucky--Lexington.
- House construction--Kentucky--Costs.
- House construction--Kentucky--Estimates.
- Lexington (Ky.)--Pictorial works.
- New England--Pictorial works.
- Spanish American War, 1898--Kentucky--Lexington.
- Arrangement
- Collection is arranged by primary contributor and format. Each series is further divided into subseries based on subject.
- Preferred Citation
- 1984ua010 : [identification of item], Mathews family papera, circa 1860-1977, University of Kentucky Special Collections.
- Repository
- University of Kentucky
Collection Overview
- Biography / History
- The Mathews family lived quite comfortably in their house at 660 South Limestone (Lexington, Ky.) which Clarence Mathews had built in the first years of the 20th century. The house figures prominently throughout the collection, in photographs, letters, and memoirs. Living at the edge of the University of Kentucky campus, the Mathews family members were all active in University activities, and all surviving children attended UK. As a family and individually they traveled often: in the Kentucky region, to New England to visit family, to the mid-west, and to Europe. Daughter Ruth attributed their ability to travel so often to the typical "New England thrift" of her parents, who kept careful records of their expenditures and required their children to do so as well from an early age.
- Clarence Wentworth Mathews was born in Lancaster, Massachusetts in 1861. After raising money through a successful dairy which he started on his father's farm, he attended Cornell University, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in agriculture in 1891. He came to work at the University of Kentucky in January of 1892. He was Chairman of the Agriculture Department from 1892-1908, Dean of the College of Agriculture from 1908-1910, professor of horticulture and botany from 1908-1917, and professor in and head of the horticulture department from 1917 until his death in 1928. Mathews was also an active member of the local board of education, helping schools with projects such as a WWI war garden in 1918. The house and garden that Mathews built at 660 South Limestone became part of campus property in 1968 and the Old Agricultural Building on the University of Kentucky campus was re-named the Clarence Wentworth Mathews building in March of 1976.
- Henrietta Safford Mathews was a graduate of Bradford Academy in Massachusetts and went on to study for one year at the New England Conservatory, where she specialized in hand-painting china. She met Clarence Mathews when he delivered milk to her house from his horse-drawn sled; they married in the 1890s. From accounts written by her daughter, Ruth and family acquaintances, Henrietta did much of the cooking, cleaning, and entertaining for the Mathews family herself.
- Clarence and Henrietta Mathews had four children: Eleanor, Ruth, George and Paul. Eleanor died in 1912 at the age of 17 after what Ruth wrote was a "long illness" which, drawing on correspondence from that time period, was tuberculosis.
- Ruth E. Mathews was born in 1895 or 1896 in Lexington, where she attended the University of Kentucky, graduating as an honors student in 1918. She taught general science at Morton Junior High School in Lexington, 1918-1923; English at the former Lexington High School, 1924-1928; and English from 1928 till her retirement in 1966 at Lexington's Henry Clay High School where she was head of the English department, advisor of the debate team, and director of many senior plays. She was also active in and formerly presided over the Kentucky Council for Teachers of English, the Lexington Education Association, and the Audubon Society of Kentucky. She earned a master's degree from the University of Kentucky in 1933 and lived in the house and tended the garden her father built and planted at 660 South Limestone in Lexington until her death in 1986.
- Paul Mathews was the youngest Mathews sibling. He played the flute in the UK band and sang in the male quartet. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in horticulture from UK in 1925, spent a year studying music at the University of Wisconsin, and received a doctorate in Music Education from Columbia University. He went on to teach music in Ft. Wayne (Indiana), Louisville (Kentucky), and Knoxville (Tennessee). From 1933-1943 he was the music supervisor for Lexington public schools. From 1942-1949 he was the state music supervisor for the public schools of Alabama. He retired from the University of Missouri as a professor of music education where he wrote a book entitled You Can Teach Music in 1953. He and his wife Gertrude had three children, who were all born in Montgomery (Alabama): Dan, Eleanor and Carolyn. Paul died on-board a cruise ship in January 1971 during a vacation with Gertrude to visit her family in Australia.
- George Mathews was the only sibling to enter business instead of education. He worked as an advertising manager in Lexington, Louisiana, and Cincinnati. He and his wife Fan bought 100 acres in Woodford County on which they raised Hereford cattle and tobacco. He died November 22, 1958.
- Scope and Content
- The Mathews family papers (6.75 cubic feet, 40 boxes; dated circa 1840-1980, undated) comprise papers and photographs documenting the Mathews family professional and personal activities. Of the photographs, the collection includes approximately 180 glass negatives, 250 negatives, 220 gelatin silver prints, and 1,300 color transparencies. Many of the images provide a window into life in Lexington and on the University of Kentucky campus around the turn of the century. Of particular interest are images of Camp Hamilton in Lexington in 1898 and those showing troop training and parades on an unpaved Limestone Street in 1918. Subjects of other images include family members, trips to New Hampshire, Europe, and Camp Wyonegonic in Maine. The papers deal primarily with the finances and work-related notes of Clarence Mathews; family documents; correspondence to and from all members of the family; and diaries, collected programs and mementos of Ruth Mathews.
- Processing Info
- All nitrate negatives have been physically separated and housed in boxes 40 and 41; an intellectual arrangement has been retained within the finding aid.
Restrictions on Access and Use
- Conditions Governing Access
- Collection is open to researchers by appointment.
- Use Restrictions
- The intellectual rights to the materials in this collection are held by the University of Kentucky Special Collections and Digital Programs.
Contents of the Collection
Clarence W. Mathews photographs, 1894-1924, undated
Scope and Contents note
The Clarence W. Mathews photographs series consists of 140, 4" x 5" and 15, 5" x 7" glass negatives, and 73 film negatives, mostly images taken during Mathews' travels through New England, pictures of his house and garden, and a few images of soldiers camped in Lexington in 1898. The last three boxes of the series (Boxes 18-20) contain 12, 4" x 5" and 20, 5" x 7" glass negatives taken between 1895 and 1915.
Images of the Mathews home, 1900-1917, undated
Scope and Contents note
Twenty-five 4" x 5" glass negatives arranged by subject of the home Clarence Mathews had built, acting as his own contractor in 1900, at 660 South Limestone in Lexington, Kentucky.
Front view of house, undated
Front view of house, undated
Front view of house, undated
Front view of house, undated
Front view of house, undated
Front view of house, 1914 January 01
Front porch, 1911 April 03
Christmas tree inside house, undated
Christmas tree inside house, undated
Flowers and house, undated
Flowers and house, undated
Flowers and house, undated
House, woman in yard, 1915 August 01
Pear tree and back of house, undated
Bushes, back porch, undated
Bushes, back porch, undated
Bushes, back porch, undated
Side of house, garden, undated
Back of house, garden, undated
House during construction, 1900 May 10
People in garden, undated
Garden, 1903 June 29
Garden, 1903 June 29
Snow in yard, undated
Clematis paniculata rambling over shrubs, 1917 September 01
1894 trip to New England and 1895 images
Summer 1896 New England trip and Virginia images
Summer 1897 New York/New Hampshire trip images
Scope and Contents note
Twenty-one 4" x 5" glass negative images taken during Mathews' trip to New York and New Hampshire in the summer of 1897.
Images from New Hampshire, 1897
Images from New Hampshire and New York, 1897
New York -- man on road, 1897
Camp Hamilton and other war pictures, 1898
Scope and Contents note
Ten 4" x 5" glass negatives of soldiers at Camp Hamilton in Lexington, Kentucky, and other images taken during the Spanish-American War in 1898
Camp Hamilton, 1898
Camp Hamilton, 1898
Camp Hamilton, 1898
Camp Hamilton, 1898
Camp Hamilton, 1898
Camp Hamilton, 1898
Camp Hamilton, 1898
Camp Hamilton, 1898
Camp Hamilton, 1898
Camp Hamilton, 1898
1898-1901 images
Scope and Contents note
Eight 4" x 5" glass negatives taken during Mathews' 1898 summer trip to New England, his summer 1899 trips to Lake Michigan and Massachusetts, and an image taken in Massachusetts in 1901.
Massachusetts and Michigan images, 1898-1901
Massachusetts and Michigan images, 1898-1901
1916-1918 images
Scope and Contents note
Three 4" x 5" glass negative images that were in an envelope labeled "Manual Training, Junior High School, ca. 1916" with students sitting next to birdhouses, which they probably built in a class, as well as two 4" X 5" glass negative images from Kentucky in 1917 and 1918.
"Manual Training, Junior High School", circa 1916
"Manual Training, Junior High School", circa 1916
"Manual Training, Junior High School", circa 1916
"No. 598, roadside near Brooklyn Bridge over Kentucky River", 1917
"Auto picnic trip", Blue Lick Springs, Kentucky, 1918 July
Lexington, Kentucky images, undated
Scope and Contents note
Twelve 4" x 5" images from Lexington, Kentucky. Some were not labeled, but, based on being found with other dated and undated Lexington images, they appear to have been taken in Lexington.
Train at night on C&S railroad, undated
Train at night on C&S railroad, undated
Houses, street, undated
House, undated
House, undated
Houses, street, undated
Street, buildings, undated
View across the street from 660 S. Limestone, undated
Street, grocery store, undated
Street, buildings, undated
Horse farm barn and stables, undated
"No. 137--Residence of Mrs. J. M. Garritt, Fort Garritt [sic], KY", undated
Miscellaneous undated images from New England
Scope and Contents note
Thirteen 4" x 5" glass negatives from New England. Some of the images were not labeled, but, based on being found with other dated and undated New England images, they appear to have been taken in the same area.
Images of New England, undated
Images of New England, undated
Undated images, location uncertain
Scope and Contents note
Eleven 4" x 5" glass negatives with no indication of location.
11 dry plate negatives, miscellaneous subjects, undated
Clarence W. Mathews and family, 1897, undated
Scope and Contents note
Five 4" x 5" glass negatives of Clarence Mathews and his immediate family.
Clarence Mathews' parents, 1897 July 23
Clarence Mathews' parents, 1897 July 28
Son or daughter of Clarence Mathews, undated
Son or daughter of Clarence Mathews, undated
Clarence Wentworth Mathews, undated
Miscellaneous 5 x 7 glass negatives, 1891-1907, undated
Scope and Contents note
Twelve 5" x 7" glass negatives of Mathews' home in Lexington; images taken in Cincinnati; Cornell University, and other locations in New York state.
660 S. Limestone, interior, undated
660 S. Limestone, front, 1907 June
660 S. Limestone, interior, 1907 June
660 S. Limestone, side view, 1907
660 S. Limestone, side view, undated
660 S. Limestone, side view, undated
"Mohawk Valley, NY, taken from moving train", 1894 August 21
"Cornell University Dairy Building, Professor Roberts in doorway", 1894 August 21
"Milk wagon, 'Old Dave' and 'Arthur Wilbur'", 1894 August
"Mr. Hancock's house, Dec. 25", circa 1890s
"Art museum, Cincinnati, OH", undated
View of lake or river from train, undated
Plants used in Clarence Mathew's Cornell thesis, 1891
Plants used in Clarence Mathew's Cornell thesis, 1891
"Tomato crosses", undated
1907 New England trip
Scope and Contents note
Thirty-one 3.5" x 5.75" film negatives taken during Mathews' 1907 trip to New England.
Thirty-one New England images, 1907
Summer, 1921
Scope and Contents note
Twelve 3.5" x 6" film negatives taken during the summer of 1921, some in the Lake Erie area, but most unspecified as to location.
Lake Erie area images, 1921
Miscellaneous images, 1924, undated
Scope and Contents note
Twenty negatives, most undated.
View of 660 S. Limestone from across street, undated
660 S. Limestone, 2 children, undated
2 Mathews children (damaged), undated
Dirt road, trees and house, undated
River, mountain, undated
Waterfall, undated
House or fort (?), undated
Water, crop, mountains, undated
Paul, Ruth and George Mathews, undated
Garden, undated
Unidentified building, undated
Stream, trees, church, undated
River, undated
River, undated
Building with Egyptian friezes, undated
Perry Peace Memorial, Put-in-Bay, Ohio, undated
Four images of river and a house, circa 1924
Glass negatives, 1895-1915
Scope and Contents note
Twelve glass negatives taken in various locations in Kentucky. Items 220-231 measure 4 x 5 inches and items 232-251 measure 5 x 7 inches.
"Steamer on Mississippi River near Wickliffe, KY", 1896 August 8
"Bank of Mississippi river near Wickliffe, KY", 1896 August 8
"On North Elkhorn between Bryan Station and Maysville Pike", 1897 May 29
"Pathway to Natural Bridge", 1897 May 31
"Presentation of flag to regiment at fairgrounds", [?] May 18
Presentation of flag at fairgrounds, undated
Soldiers and cannons, undated
Aerial or hilltop view, undated
Kentucky State College campus, undated
Kentucky State College campus, undated
Kentucky State College campus, undated
Kentucky State College campus, undated
"Tunnel just beyond Torrent, KY", 1895 April 20
"Washington statue and surrounding flower beds", 1895 July 22
"Site of Dufour Vineyard, Jessamine Co., KY", 1895 September 3
"Extension", 1896 April 18
"Lexington Cemetery", 1896 April 25
"Lexington Cemetery", 1896 April 25
"group of Eulalias, Lexington Cemetery", 1896 October
"[Henry] Clay monument, Lexington Cemetery", 1896 [?]
"Kentucky State College, college lake", 1896
"Kentucky State College, college lake", 1896
"Back yard, residence J.G. White", 1897 June 11
"View of Experiment Station from 660 S. Limestone", 1907 June
"#203 house and grounds of C.W. Mathews farm, Miller subdivision", 1915 March 24
"5, propagating house interior", undated
"[Henry] Clay monument, Lexington Cemetery", undated
People, house at 660 S. Limestone, undated
Back yard/garden, view of Experiment Station at 660 S. Limestone, undated
People playing tennis on UK campus, undated
People sitting by stream next to cliff, undated
Magnified plant cross-sections [?], undated
Clarence W. Mathews papers, 1891-1928, undated
Scope and Contents note
The Clarence W. Mathews papers series contains documents relating to the construction of the family home, life insurance, notes on personal and family affairs, class-related materials, financial accounts, and correspondence.
House building papers, 1899-1920
Scope and Contents note
Documents pertaining to the construction of the Mathews home at 660 South Limestone in 1900, including a notice of sale of the land, correspondence, estimates, invoices, and bills. Organized alphabetically according to company.
Notice of sale for lots, one of which was 660 S. Limestone, 1899 June 15
Correspondence, estimates, invoices, and bills, 1900 March 3-December 6
- Box 13, Folder 2
Scope and Contents note
Includes items from: C.S. Brent: Commission Merchant of Grain and Field Seeds; C.F. Brower and Co.: Carpets, Wood Mantels, Draperies, Furniture, Wall Paper, Pictures, and Picture Frames; W.A. Clark and Co.: Heating and Ventilating Engineers: Manufacturers of the Celebrated Under-Feed and New Imperial Furnaces, Warming, Ventilating and Sanitary Apparatus for Public and Private Buildings; Combs Lumber Co.: Lumber Yard and Planning Mill; and William Curran: Successor to Bush & Curran, Dealer in Lumber, Laths, Shingles, Posts
Correspondence, estimates, invoices, and bills, 1900 January 18-July 30
- Box 13, Folder 3
Scope and Contents note
Includes items from: The Dayton Lumber and Manufacturing Co.: Lumber Lath & Shingles, Manufacturers of Doors, Sash, Blinds, etc., Hardwood Finishes, Fine Cabinet Work a Specialty; H.F. Hillenmeyer: Nurseryman; and David S. Hopkins: Architect and Publisher of Architectural Books
Correspondence, estimates, invoices, and bills, 1900 February 19-November 8
- Box 13, Folder 4
Scope and Contents note
Includes items from: J.T. Jackson: Dealer in Lumber, Laths, Shingles, Sash, Doors, Blinds, Steel Roofing, Builders' Hardware, and Mouldings; E.P. Johnson: Job Work a Specialty, Practical Plumbing, Gas fitting, Steam and Hot Water Heating, Wind Mills, Pumps, Tanks, etc.; George Land: Sole Agent for Pochanotas Smokeless Coal; Lexington Brick Company, Dr.: Builders, Contractors, and Brick Makers; Lexington Hydraulic & Manufacturing Co., Dr.; Lexington Plumbing Co.: Steam, Water, Gas, Wellsbach Lights, Wind Mills, Hot Water Heating, Sanitary Plumbing, Gas, Electric, and Combination Chandeliers, Globes, etc.; Lexington Railway Co. (same proprietors as Central Electric Co.); and L.P. Milward Mantel Department: Mantels, Builders' Hardware; and W.H. Mullins: Manufacturers of Architectural Sheet Metal Work and Statuary
Correspondence, estimates, invoices, and bills, 1900 February 22-September 8
- Box 14, Folder 1
Scope and Contents note
Includes items from: Poer & Bean: contractors and Dealers in Paints, Oils, Varnishes, Brushes, etc.; G.B. Sharp: Dealer in Stoves, Tinware, House Furnishing Goods; Sleath & Van Dyke: Cut Stone Contractors, Marble and Encaustic Tiling, Foundation, Curbing, Stone Work; The Storrs & Harrison Co.: Painesville Nurserymen, Florists, and Seedsmen; Van Deren Hardware Co.: Importers and Jobbers of Hardware, Cutlery, Guns, Pistols, Bar Iron and Steel, Buggy Wheels, Wagon Wood-Work, and etc.; and J.C. Vaughan: Seeds, Bulbs, and Plants
Miscellaneous hand-written notes, receipts, agreements and estimates, circa 1900 February-May
- Box 14, Folder 2
Scope and Contents note
Includes, amongst others, agreements with Joe Christopher, stone mason; George D. Hicks, plaster and cement work; and an estimate from J.H. Staples, plaster and cement work
Contracts and other financial documents, circa 1910-1920
- Box 14, Folder 3
Scope and Contents note
Includes a deed of sale for property owned by property owned by L.C. Price in 1910 and Caroline and Dr. O.L. Smith in 1920
Documents and work papers, 1891-1911, undated
Scope and Contents note
Contains life insurance documents, work-related papers and two series of note cards: one containing personal notes and documents; one containing teaching notes. Folders 8 and 9 are arranged chronologically; note cards retain original order.
Life insurance documents, receipts and correspondence, 1891-1911
- Box 14, Folder 4
Scope and Contents note
Life insurance documents from the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York and the Liverpool and London and Globe Insurance Company's Cincinnati Branch, including a policy, receipts, and correspondence
Documents listing students who finished Mathews' classes and deposits owed them, 1900-1902
Collection of notes on note cards filed by subject, undated
- Box 23
Scope and Contents note
Including lists of chores and payments of Mathews children; quotes; receipts; household bills.
Continuation of note cards filed by subject, undated
- Box 24
Scope and Contents note
Including lists of chores and payments of Mathews children; quotes; receipts; household bills.
Note cards relating to classes taught by Prof. Mathews including botany and horticulture, undated
Account books, 1898-1922
Scope and Contents note
Two account books containing detailed records of personal and family spending, including street car fare, cost of umbrellas, and postage stamps. The books contain a wealth of information on contemporary prices and typical expenditures.
Account book, 1898-1904, 1918-1922
Account book, 1908-1912
Correspondence, circa 1888-1928, undated
Scope and Contents note
Includes correspondence from family members, primarily sister Eva, brother Charlie, niece Mabel, nephew Frank, "M.S." Mathews and children Paul and Ruth Mathews. Arranged chronologically.
Correspondence, 1888-1905
Correspondence, 1906-1907
Correspondence, 1908-1909
Correspondence, 1910-1911
Correspondence, 1912
Correspondence, 1913-1914
Correspondence, 1915-1916
Correspondence, 1917-1918
Correspondence, 1919-1920
Correspondence, 1921-1928
Correspondence, undated
Ruth E. Mathews papers, 1911-1980
Scope and Contents note
The Ruth E. Mathews papers series includes general papers and memorabilia, daily diaries, account books, and correspondence.
Papers and memorabilia, 1918-1980
Scope and Contents note
Contains materials from trips to Europe and Maine; a significant amount of materials from Ruth's teaching years at Henry Clay High School; writer's conference documents; clippings; and various documents relating to the University of Kentucky. Materials are arranged by subject at folder level.
Travel memorabilia: Europe and Maine, 1926-1928, 1966
- Box 28, Folder 1
Scope and Contents note
Includes cruise ship menus and notes; brochures and postcards from Camp Wyonegonic in Denmark, Maine, circa 1926.
Travel memorabilia; photo of Ruth Mathews and "Kitty C." on board ship, 1928-1937, 1973
Miscellaneous notes and memorabilia, undated
- Box 28, Folder 3
Scope and Contents note
Includes notes for dramatic production, quotes and general lists.
Teaching-related materials, circa 1950-1971
Henry Clay High School playbills, 1935-1959
Henry Clay High School commencement and memorial programs, 1942-1958
Miscellaneous Henry Clay High School materials, circa 1940-1955
Breadloaf Writers' Conference materials, 1939
Clippings, circa 1927-1950
Clippings, circa 1960-1970
University of Kentucky documents: final grades, lease for house, circa 1918-1980
- Box 28, Folder 11
Scope and Contents note
Includes final grades, programs, and lease for 660 South Limestone
Various programs from Breadloaf, Concert and Lecture series and churches, circa 1938-1963
Diaries and account books, 1911-1971
Scope and Contents note
The diaries in this series mostly contain entries on events attended and comments relating to them, notes on wildlife, and notes to self. The account books are ledgers of personal finances and are as detailed as those of her father.
Travel diaries (2), 1928, 1966
Diaries (3), 1928-1932, 1942-1943
Diaries (3), 1945-1948
Diaries (3), 1951-1953
Diaries (3), 1954-1956
Diaries (3), 1957-1959
Diaries (3), 1960-1962
Diaries (3), 1963-1967
Diaries (3), 1968-1970
Diary (1), 1971
Account books (7), 1911-1922
Account books (5), 1923-1943
Correspondence, 1915-1974
Scope and Contents note
Includes letters from Paul, George, Clarence and Henrietta Mathews, and correspondence with fellow teachers, family members, and acquaintances. Materials are arranged in folders chronologically by year and therein by sender. Photographs enclosed in letters have been attached to same and described at item level.
Correspondence, 1915-1923
Correspondence, 1924-1927
Correspondence, 1928-1929
Correspondence, 1930-1937
Correspondence, 1938
Telegrams upon Henrietta Mathews' death, 1938
Correspondence, 1939
Correspondence, 1940-1941
Correspondence, 1942-1943
Correspondence, 1944
Correspondence, 1945-1948
Correspondence, circa 1950-1951
Correspondence, 1952, 1955-1959
Correspondence, 1960-1967
Correspondence, 1968-1970
Photos of Vietnam (aerial views, buildings, and river), attached to correspondence from P.M. Davenport, 1969
Photos of "Billy Sondgerath, 5 mos.", attached to correspondence from Betty Sondgerath, 1969 April
Photos of "Richard W. Marriott", attached to correspondence from Richard W. Marriott, 1970 May
Correspondence, 1971-1973
Photo of "Daddy and his sons. Bill Sondgerath, Billy and Andrew", 1971
Photo of "Billy, Barbara and Andrew Sondgerath. Christening day", 1971 February
Correspondence, 1974
Correspondence, undated
Ruth E. Mathews photographs, 1918-1976
Scope and Contents note
The Ruth E. Mathews photographs series consists of negatives, gelatin silver prints, and color transparencies. The negatives are mostly images of her students and other people, of the capitol and other buildings in Frankfort, of soldiers camped in Lexington in 1918, of a UK graduation and an unidentified UK game, and a cruise from New York to Europe. The last four boxes of the series (Boxes 21-22, 40) contain color transparencies of travel, family, and the house and gardens at 660 South Limestone.
1918 images
Scope and Contents note
Twenty 2.75" x 5" film negatives, including images of soldiers (most likely those stationed for training at UK, which served as a military post during 1918), Ruth Mathews' 1918 graduation from the University of Kentucky, and a few miscellaneous outdoor scenes. Found in envelope dated 1918.
Man in army uniform; boy in scout uniform, 1918
Airplanes in field, 1918
Unidentified woman holding flower, 1918
Group of graduates at University of Kentucky, 1918
Man in army uniform, 1918
People looking at army tank, 1918
Two female graduates, 1918
Professors in graduation regalia, 1918
Army tent camp along Palisades, 1918
People in field, Buell Armory in background, 1918
Cemetery, 1918
Army tent camp along Palisades, 1918
Tent and chairs at University of Kentucky graduation, 1918
Sergeant in army uniform, 1918
Three young women in row boat along Palisades, 1918
View of soldiers passing from 660 S. Limestone, 1918
Soldiers and tank, 1918
Unidentified man in suit on UK campus, 1918
Unidentified man in graduation regalia, 1918
Miscellaneous photos, 1918
1918 or 1919 images
Scope and Contents note
Twenty 2.75" x 4.5" film negatives of people, buildings, and landscapes. Found in envelope with both 1918 and 1919 written on it.
Lincoln birthplace site, Hodgenville, 1918-1919
Trees, church in background, 1918-1919
Lincoln cabin, Fort Harrod, KY, 1918-1919
Miscellaneous, unidentified photos, 1918-1919
View of UK campus from 660 S. Limestone with Experiment Station, 1918-1919
Baseball team at Morton Jr. High School, 1918-1919
Unidentified landscapes, 1918-1919
Person on rowboat on river beside palisades, 1918-1919
1920 images
Scope and Contents note
Five 2.75" x 4.5" negatives of women and outdoor scenes. There is one corresponding print. In envelope dated 1920.
Clarence and Henrietta Mathews, river, 1920
Landscape, river, 1920
Miscellaneous images, 1920
1921 images
Scope and Contents note
Twenty-one 2.75" x 4.5" film negatives of the Kentucky state capitol in Frankfort and its grounds, as well as images of gardens. Found in an envelope dated 1921.
Governor's mansion, Frankfort, KY, 1921
[Capitol Hotel?] Frankfort, KY, 1921
Governor's mansion, Frankfort, KY, 1921
Woman on capitol grounds, Frankfort, KY, 1921
Woman standing near hedge, Frankfort, KY, 1921
Woman standing near governor's mansion, Frankfort, KY, 1921
Trees, field, gazebo, river, Frankfort, KY, 1921
Capitol building, Frankfort, KY, 1921
Sailboat on Kentucky River, 1921
Inside capitol building, Frankfort, KY, 1921
Kentucky River, Frankfort, KY, 1921
Flagpole on Capitol grounds, Frankfort, KY, 1921
Capitol building, Frankfort, KY, 1921
Henrietta and Ruth Mathews in Mathews garden, 1921
Henrietta in Mathews garden, 1921
Ruth in Mathews garden, 1921
Man standing in Mathews garden, 1921
Morton Junior High, circa 1921-1923
Scope and Contents note
2.75" x 4.75" film negatives of some of Ruth Mathews' students at Morton Junior High School with four corresponding gelatin silver prints. There are three prints without corresponding negatives.
School children looking out windows, circa 1921-1923
Group of students and teachers, circa 1921-1923
Group of students and teachers, circa 1921-1923
Group of schoolgirls in [Woodland?] park, circa 1921-1923
Group of female students (gelatin silver print), 1921 June 6
Group of female students (gelatin silver print), 1921 June 6
Group of male students (negative and gelatin silver print), circa 1921-1923
Group of male students, circa 1921-1923
Basketball team, circa 1921-1923
Two boys in basketball uniforms, circa 1921-1923
Boy in basketball uniform, circa 1921-1923
Boy in basketball uniform, circa 1921-1923
Boy in basketball uniform, circa 1921-1923
Boy in basketball uniform (gelatin silver print), circa 1921-1923
Baseball team (negative and gelatin silver print), circa 1921-1923
Baseball team (negative and gelatin silver print), circa 1921-1923
Drama club [?] (negative and gelatin print), circa 1921-1923
UK Game, 1922 or 1923
Scope and Contents note
Four 2.75" x 4.5" film negatives taken at a UK game in 1922 or 1923. It is not clear what type of game was going on, but due to the absence of an athletic team, it is probably not a football game. Found in envelope labeled "UK Game" and dated 1922 or 1923.
People on stands and the field, circa 1922-1923
People in stands and men on horses, circa 1922-1923
People in stands and on field, circa 1922-1923
People at the game, circa 1922-1923
Miscellaneous images, 1927-1929, undated
Scope and Contents note
2.75" x 4.75" negatives and several gelatin silver prints of Christmas decor, winter scenes, and people. Also contains images of Ruth Mathews' students, landscapes from Kentucky and New England, and family members.
Christmas wreath, view out window at 660 S. Limestone, undated
Christmas wreath, view out window at 660 S. Limestone, undated
Snow, yard, house at 660 S. Limestone, undated
People in canoes and swimming, print, undated
Snowy yard, house at 660 S. Limestone (negative and gelatin print), undated
Three unidentified women (2 duplicate prints), undated
Photos with matching negatives, 1926
2 negatives and 10 prints, 1927
Christmas; group photo, 1927
- Box 35, Item 14
Scope and Contents note
Frederick, Annie and Mabel Safford; Paul, Henrietta, Clarence and George Mathews [negative and print].
Christmas; group photo, 1927
- Box 35, Item 15
Scope and Contents note
Frederick, Annie and Mabel Safford; Ruth, Clarence, George and Henrietta Mathews [negative and print].
Henrietta and Clarence Mathews (negative and print), 1928
Group of four girls, probably students at Morton Jr. High (negative and print), 1928
Group of seven boys, probably students at Morton Jr. High (negative and print), 1928
Group of ten young people, probably students at Morton Jr. High (print), 1928
Hand-tint of girl in white dress in garden, 1929
Images from Moose Lake, Maine (prints), 1929
Miscellaneous images (negatives and prints), undated
Fort Harrod, KY (negatives and prints), undated
Fort Harrod, KY (negatives and prints), undated
Fort Harrod, KY (negatives and prints), undated
Fort Harrod, KY (negatives and prints), undated
Miscellaneous images (prints), undated
George, Henrietta, Clarence and Ruth (holding camera) Mathews (print), undated
Young girl in bonnet with book in front of 660 S. Limestone (prints), undated
Miscellaneous prints, undated
George, Ruth and Paul Mathews (print), undated
Henrietta Mathews [?] in doorway of house (negative), undated
Clarence Mathews seen through gate of 660 S. Limestone (negative), undated
Paul Mathews outside 660 S. Limestone (negatives), undated
Mathews family beside automobile (negative), undated
George, Clarence, Henrietta, Ruth Mathews (negative), undated
Camp Wyonegonic images (negatives), undated
Miscellaneous images, mostly New England (negatives), undated
Images of trip to New England in envelope marked "Alfred Andrews" (negatives), circa 1928
Travel in Europe, 1928
Scope and Contents note
Twenty-five 2.75" x 4.75" film negatives and 83 gelatin silver prints from a trip to Europe made June 20-August 6, 1928. The images include fellow passengers on the R.M.S. Antonia, the ship itself, and landscapes and group snapshots in England, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, and France.
(22) negatives of European trip, 1928
Images of Europe, 1928
- Box 33, Item 1-86
Scope and Contents note
Includes images of Cologne; Venice; Interlaken; Windsor; the Rhine; and R.M.S. Antonia
Camp Wyonegonic, 1924
Scope and Contents note
Ruth first attended Camp Wyonegonic in Denmark, Maine (southeastern portion of the state), during the summer of 1921 and continued to go back every summer until 1930 except for 1928 when she traveled to Europe instead. Camp Wyonegonic is the oldest girls' camp in the U.S., and Ruth served as camp nature councilor there. Images in this series consist of 32 negatives and 27 gelatin silver prints in varying sizes and show campers in their sailor-style uniforms; cabins, tents and landscapes; and camp activities, including canoeing, swimming, hiking, and cooking over campfires. When negatives and photographs have been matched, they have been placed together and given the same number with a "p" or "n"to indicate their type. (Ex: 34:1p represents photograph1 in box 34 while and 34:1n is the negative).
Camp Wyonegonic prints and negatives, 1924
Transparencies, circa 1950-1976
Scope and Contents note
Approximately 1,300, 35mm color transparencies of Lexington (primarily of house and gardens at 660 South Limestone and UK campus) and other locales in Appalachia, Europe, Canada, and the western United States, circa 1950s-1976. Transparencies in boxes 21 and 22 are arranged in groups by subject. Transparencies in box 16 remain in their original housing and retain their original order.
Kentucky mountains; garden and visitors at 660 S. Limestone (22 images), 1966-1970
Garden and visitors at 660 S. Limestone (14 images), 1968-1969
Ruth Mathews, garden and visitors at 660 S. Limestone (15 images), 1968-1969
Garden, interior, visitors at 660 S. Limestone (16 images), 1972
Carter Caves; garden and visitors at 660 S. Limestone (20 images), 1972-1973
Garden at 660 S. Limestone, 1973-1974
Garden, interior, visitors at 660 S. Limestone (23 images), 1973-1974
UK campus; garden and visitors at 660 S. Limestone (19 images), 1975
UK campus; garden and visitors at 660 S. Limestone (16 images), 1975-1976
UK campus; 660 S. Limestone; Kentucky (16 images), 1967-1975
England (18 images), 1973
Eastbound (2 images), circa 1950s, 1973
West country (30 images), circa 1950s
Salisbury, Canterbury, London and Winchester areas, England (24 images), circa 1950s, 1966
Queen Elizabeth II's birthday (5 images), circa 1950s
English lakes (8 images), circa 1950s, 1966
Cambridge area, England (10 images), circa 1950s, 1966
London area (81 images), circa 1950s, 1966
Stratford-on-Avon, England (25 images), circa 1950s, 1970
Homeward bound, Queen Mary [ship] (9 images), circa 1950s
England, general (62 images), circa 1950s, 1966-1973
Oxford, England (28 images), circa 1950s, 1966-1970
Scotland (28 images), circa 1950s, 1958-1960
Monhegan; New England (17 images), 1955-1961
New England (14 images), 1958-1962, undated
UK campus and Trail Lale[?]r (19 images), 1964
England and Scotland (21 images), 1952,1966-1970
Atlantic crossing (10 images), circa 1950s,1966-1970
Netherlands and Belgium (9 images), circa 1950s, 1966-1970
Switzerland (76 images), circa 1950s, 1970-1973
Geneva, Switzerland (11 images), 1970
Germany (38 images), circa 1950s, 1966-1970
Denmark (14 images), 1966-1973
Norway (3 images), 1973
Sweden (9 images), 1966-1973
Paris and Le Havre areas, France (11 images), circa 1950s-1970
Italy (2 images), 1970
660 S. Limestone interior and exterior (17 images), 1966-1970
Natural Bridge State Park (17 images), 1968
Appalachia (40 images), 1968-1969
Nova Scotia (37 images), 1969
Western U.S. (91 images), 1972
20 original Kodak boxes containing color transparencies, circa 1956-1972
Family papers, circa 1840-1970
Scope and Contents note
The Family papers series contains correspondence, documents, and photographic images that relate to either the family as a whole, or to Henrietta, Paul, or George Mathews. Also included are documents pertaining to the settlement of Henrietta's mother's estate. Because there were more materials pertaining to Paul Mathews than to the others, a subseries was created for him. The remainder of the materials are arranged according to genre and therein by name.
Paul Mathews, circa 1919-1970
Scope and Contents note
Correspondence written by Ruth and Henrietta Mathews, professional acquaintances, and Peg Lathrope; his thesis for the Doctorate of Music Education degree from Columbia University; financial records; programs; and negatives and gelatin silver prints. Materials are arranged chronologically within folders.
Correspondence, 1919-1970
Thesis statement for Doctorate of Music Education degree, 1941
Financial documents, circa 1920s
- Box 37, Folder 3
Scope and Contents note
Includes check stubs for school supplies, a personal account book and a school account book for Ft. Wayne, Indiana.
(1) UK commencement program; (1) Northside High School commencement program; (1) daily journal, 1925-1929
(6) prints and (3) duplicates of Paul, some family members and unidentified persons, undated
(2) prints of Wisconsin High School band, circa 1927-1928
(3) prints and (2) duplicates of an automobile, circa 1927
(3) prints of the 1928 flood in Lexington, 1928
(7) negatives from Marblehead and Lake Erie area, 1927
(6) prints and (3) matching negatives of Great Lakes area, circa 1927
(8) prints of miscellaneous subjects, including Clarence and Henrietta Mathews and unidentified persons, undated
(3) prints and (2) duplicates of Paul Mathews' portraits, undated
Correspondence, circa 1840-1948
Scope and Contents note
Letters of sympathy to Henrietta Mathews on the death of Clarence in 1928, correspondence written by Henrietta and Clarence or other family members to the children as a group, correspondence addressed to the entire Mathews family, and a small collection of letters written by or to Clarence Mathews' parents in the 1840s-1850s. Correspondence is arranged by recipient and chronologically therein.
Clarence Mathews' parents: This group of letters was sent to Ruth Mathews by her cousin Mabel Emerson in 1942., circa 1840-1860
Henrietta Mathews, 1892-1916
Henrietta Mathews, 1917-1938, undated
Jointly addressed to Clarence and Henrietta, 1917-1919, 1928, undated
George Mathews, 1914-1944
Jointly addressed to Ruth, Paul and George, 1938-1945
Addressed to whole Mathews family, circa 1907-1948
Addressed to members outside immediate family, circa 1907-1940
- Box 38, Folder 8
Scope and Contents note
Includes letters addressed to Clarence's sister Eva, his brother Marcelle, his father and niece Mabel.
Sarah Safford estate, circa 1882-1928
Scope and Contents note
The majority of materials pertain to the settlement of the estate of Sarah Safford, Henrietta Mathews' mother, who was living with them in Lexington at the time of her death in 1926. These include financial materials, her will, tax information, funeral expenses, petitions and general settling of accounts. Also in this subseries are documents of the Mathews family including financial records and miscellaneous materials. The Sarah Safford estate documents retain their original order, which is somewhat organized by topic. The miscellaneous documents are arranged chronologically.
Receipts and cancelled checks, 1917-1927
Account books and check stubs, 1926-1927
Cemetery lot, headstone, funeral expenses, 1860-1926
Attempts to collect on bonds, settling and closing out of accounts and subscriptions., 1926-1927
Appeals for signatures and information concerning petition for collection of bonds., 1926-1927
More documents pertaining to petition for collection of bonds, Sarah Safford's will, paperwork naming Clarence Mathews as executor, settling of estate in Massachusetts., 1926-1927
Final settlement, 1926-1927
Miscellaneous documents, circa 1888-1928
- Box 39, Folder 8
Scope and Contents note
Includes sale of Clarence Mathews' dairy/milk delivery business, assets/debts of family, IOUs from Paul to Clarence and Henrietta to pay back loans for post-graduate studies (with interest), George Mathews' grades from UK, paper likely written by Clarence Mathews on home gardening in 1921
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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.
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.
