Hillenmeyer family papers

Abstract

These are the personal and business papers of the Hillenmeyer family and their nursery business, Hillenmeyer Nurseries. The Hillenmeyers are one of Kentucky's biggest and oldest horticultural families, dating back to the family's arrival in the United States in the 1835, and settlement in Lexington, Kentucky in 1844. Their materials span five generations of nurserymen, and include business and personal correspondence, bills and receipts, catalogs, advertisements, legal papers, memorabilia, and photographs.

Descriptive Summary

Title
Hillenmeyer family papers
Date
1818-2006, Bulk 1836-1966
Extent
10.62 Cubic feet
Subjects
Advertising.
Agricultural laborers--Photographs.
Agricultural laws and legislation.
Agricultural machinery and implements--United States--Photographs.
Agriculture--Europe.
Agriculture--Kentucky--Lexington.
Agriculturists--Kentucky.
Associations, institutions, etc.--United States
Bills of sale.
Business names--Kentucky--Lexington.
Business records--Kentucky--Fayette County.
Business records--Kentucky--Lexington.
Businessmen--Correspondence.
Businessmen--Kentucky.
Catalogs.
Catholic Church--United States--History.
City planning--Kentucky--Lexington.
College students--Kentucky--Lexington
Deeds--Kentucky.
Families--History--19th century.
Families--Kentucky--History--19th century.
Families--Photographs.
Family archives--Kentucky--Lexington.
Family farms
Farm management--Kentucky--Records and correspondence.
Farm produce
Farms--Kentucky.
Farms--Photographs.
Historic farms--Kentucky.
Horticulture--Kentucky--Lexington.
Immigrants
Labor disputes--Kentucky.
Labor unions--Kentucky--Records and correspondence.
Labor unions--Organizing
Meteorology, Agricultural--Kentucky.
Pamphlets.
Photographs, Agricultural--United States
Plants--Catalogs.
Retail trade--Kentucky--Lexington.
Universities and colleges--Kentucky--Lexington
Video tapes.
World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American.
Arrangement
Collection is arranged by subject.
Finding Aid Author
Finding aid prepared by Eli Riveire
Preferred Citation
1997MS213: [identification of item], Hillenmeyer family papers, 1818-2006, Bulk 1836-1966, University of Kentucky Special Collections.
Repository
University of Kentucky

Collection Overview

Biography / History
Hillenmeyer Nurseries began with Francis X. Hillenmeyer, a French nurseryman who came to the United States in the 1830s. Beginning his career in Savannah, Georgia as a gardener, Francis made his first order for nursery stock in 1840, ordering from the French nursery Baumann Brothers. This particular nursery not only consisted of Francis' cousins and uncle - it was where he had apprenticed as a young man to learn the nursery business. Francis later settled in the Lexington, Kentucky, area of Greendale (part of present-day Lexington, Kentucky, and where he remarked that the soil more closely resembled that of his home in Alsace, France) in 1844 with his growing family and bought his first tract of land in 1846. Francis used the twenty acres for test orchards, vineyards, and nursery plants.
Francis' son Hector F. Hillenmeyer grew up working with his father, and took over the family business when he bought a hundred-acre plot in the nearby area of Sandersville, Kentucky, (part of present-day Lexington, Kentucky) in 1874. Hector maintained a vineyard and a peach orchard, and kept up with regular nursery stock, including newly popular landscaping elements like trees and shrubs. With transportation easing and extending during this period, Hector expanded the business to include clients outside of the direct Central Kentucky area. In addition to writing horticultural publications, Hector also kept detailed weather records. At one time in the late 1800s, Hector's records were the only such records being kept in the Lexington, Kentucky, area.
The third generation in the business began in 1910, when Hector's youngest sons Louis and Walter took over. Louis and Walter continued the traditional elements of nursery stock (like fruit trees and plants), but also began to include ornamental and decorative trees and plants as well, in an enhanced emphasis on landscaping. The company's client base grew even more when the nursery began to sell through the Sears Roebuck and Co. catalog, as well as through their own catalogs, during the 1920s. This new practice, as well as Walter's involvement with the American Association of Nurserymen, spread the Hillenmeyer name across the country.
Louis and Walter's partnership ended in 1935 with Walter's death; at this time, the two mens' sons joined the business. The company's fourth generation of Louis, Jr. and Walter, Jr. partnered with Louis, Sr. in 1936, during a time when American nurseries everywhere were about to go through major battles with labor issues and the National Labor Relations Board. In the late 1930s through the early 1940s, Hillenmeyer Nurseries went through a labor dispute of their own, while supporting other nurseries facing similar issues. In the realm of the business, this time also featured an even more decreased emphasis on fruit trees, and an increased emphasis on ornamental elements and landscaping. In 1951, the company moved into retail for the first time, opening its first Garden Center. The first Garden Center was located at the nursery's Sandersville location, but the nursery later opened several smaller Garden Centers in various locations around Lexington. In 1964, Walter, Jr. left the company, and Louis, Sr. and Louis, Jr. were joined by one of Louis, Sr.'s other sons, Robert. Louis, Sr. died in 1965, leaving Louis, Jr. and Robert with the company; Louis, Jr. died in 1982, leaving only Robert.
In 1985, Robert sold the business to three of his nephews (Louis, Jr.'s sons): Louis, III, Christopher, and Stephen. The three brothers more than doubled the nursery's revenues over a six-year span: by 1991, they'd grown annual sales from $3 million a year to $7 million a year (Jordan, A8). Louis, III left the business in 1992 to start his own growing operation (Louis' Flower Power Shop), leaving Christopher and Stephen. Christopher took over production, growing, and greenhouses; Stephen concentrated on landscaping and lawn maintenance. Christopher formally left the company in 2000 (but continued to run at least two of the company's Garden Centers until 2005), leaving Stephen the sole owner.
As of 2011, Hillenmeyer Nurseries exists as Stephen Hillenmeyer's Landscape Services, and the Hillenmeyer name still lives in Lexington garden shops, both permanent and seasonal. The Hillenmeyer family horticultural tradition continues into the future. Though not associated with his uncle's company, Louis, III's son Joseph Hillenmeyer runs his own landscape design company called Joseph Hillenmeyer and Associates. Stephen Hillenmeyer's son Chase Hillenmeyer joined his father's business in 2007, and is being trained to one day take the business into its sixth generation.
Hillenmeyer Nurseries has been the second-oldest business in Lexington, Kentucky, (Jordan, A8) and according to the family, the second-oldest plant nursery business in the United States.
Additionally, the Hillenmeyer land and property has some historical distinctions. The land first bought by Francis X. Hillenmeyer in 1846 was part of "Sanders' Garden," a piece of property owned by the family and descendants of Revolutionary War hero Colonel George Nicholas. Some of the land at Sandersville, as well as the office building, was also once owned and used by Robert Smith Todd, father of Mary Todd Lincoln and father-in-law of President Abraham Lincoln. President Lincoln is storied to have spent significant time at his father-in-law's office during his courtship with Mary Todd.
Jordan, Jim. "Hillenmeyer Nurseries Turning 150 This Week." Lexington Herald-Leader, 14 Aug.1991: A8.
"Lexington Landscaping History, Hillenmeyer Nursery History." Hillenmeyers.com. Stephen Hillenmeyer Landscaping Services, n.d. Web. 22 Nov. 2011.
This comprehensive biographical note focuses primarily on individuals from the Hillenmeyer family actually represented within this collection.
First Generation: Francis Xavier Remigius Hillenmeyer was born October 1, 1804 in Alsace, France to parents Fortunatus and Kate (Nance) Hillenmeyer. Francis had at least four sisters (Kate, Jane, Maria, and Dominique), and at least one unidentified brother. Though Fortunatus was a tanner, his brother-in-law was one of the French Baumann brothers, known to be the leading horticulturalists of ninenteenth-century France. Through this family arrangement, Francis was given the opportunity of an apprenticeship with his uncles' nursery to learn the horticultural business.
Francis first sailed to the United States in 1835, spending time in New York, Philadelphia, and in Texas (serving with Sam Houston's army) before settling in Savannah, Georgia. After a brief trip back to Alsace to marry Mary Caroline (Carrie) Haan in 1840, the couple returned to Savannah, where Francis established himself as a gardener. Francis and Carrie then moved to Lexington, Kentucky in 1844. After buying his first piece of Lexington property in 1846, Francis' horticultural business began.
Francis and Carrie had five children: Jane (b 1841), Carrie (b 1844), Catherine "Kate" (b 1845), Alfred (b 1848), and Hector (b 1849). Education was important to this early Hillenmeyer family, and all five children were sent to top schools in the region. After finishing school, Hector came back to Lexington to work with his father in the nursery business (mostly fruit growing at the time), before buying his own plantation in 1874. It was at this point that Hector Hillenmeyer took over the Hillenmeyer Nurseries family business. Francis Hillenmeyer died in 1894, four years after his wife Carrie.
Second Generation: Hector Francis Hillenmeyer was born in Greendale (just outside of Lexington), Kentucky, on August 28, 1849 to parents Francis and Carrie Hillenmeyer. The children of a nurseryman, Hector and his four siblings grew up on a fruit-growing plantation, thus exposed to the business since birth. At age thirteen, Hector went off to St. Mary's College in Lebanon, Ohio, and returned to his father's nursery business after graduating from school in 1867. Hector bought his own land for a plantation in 1874 in the Sandersville area near Lexington, effectively taking over the family business from his aging father. Hector's era with Hillenmeyer Nurseries expanded the business out from mainly fruit to other nursery plants, as well as vineyards for wine-making.
Hector married Cincinnatian Mary Ossenbeck (b 1856) in 1877, and the couple had six children: Herbert (b 1878), Ernest (b 1880), Raymond (b 1881), Mary "Maysie" (b 1883), Louis (b 1885), and Walter (1890). Though all six of Hector and Mary's children grew up immersed in the family business, it was Louis and Walter who became the next generation of Hillenmeyer Nurseries in 1910. Hector Hillenmeyer died on March 3, 1923; Mary Hillenmeyer followed ten years later, passing on February 27, 1933.
Hector had relationships with his siblings, specifically his sister Carrie, who never married. Carrie lived with her parents for much of her life, before living with Hector and Mary's family until her death in 1934. Hector's sister Kate married Joseph Seep (b 1836) in 1866, who had recently become Standard Oil's Chief Oil Buyer. The couple settled in Titusville, Pennsylvania (the birthplace of America's oil industry), and had eleven children. Kate died in 1917; her husband in 1928. Hector's brother Alfred settled in Erie, Pennsylvania near Kate and Joseph Seep. Alfred and his wife Jennie "Eliza" had at least five children. The eldest sister, Mary Jane, married businessman William Harting in 1864. Remaining and well-known in Lexington, the couple had seven children. William died in 1887; Mary Jane in 1920.
Related to his work with the nursery, Hector was also interested in weather, and kept detailed records of rainfall, temperatures, and other phenomena. This tradition was passed down to his sons, specifically Ernest and Louis, and these records of conditions at the nursery were kept from 1872 to 1953. These records can be found in Box 32.
Third Generation: Herbert Francis Hillenmeyer was born on August 9, 1878, the first child of his parents Hector and Mary Hillenmeyer. Though his father and grandfather (and later, younger brothers) were distinguished in the horticultural and nursery business, Herbert took up theology, studying at Mount St. Mary's Seminary in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Hillenmeyer family was Catholic, and Herbert was ordained as a Catholic priest in 1902. Spending five years as assistant pastor at St. Mary's Cathedral in Covington, Kentucky; and six years as pastor at St. Joseph's Church in Winchester, Herbert became the secretary and chancellor of the Diocese of Covington in 1915. Herbert returned to the role of pastor at St. Thomas Church in Covington in 1925 until his retirement in 1968. The pastor received many honors within the Catholic church during his service, including being named Monsignor, Domestic Preate, Protonary Aspostoic, and Vicar General. As a Catholic priest, Herbert never married or had children, but was beloved by his many siblings, nieces, and nephews; as well as his communities and congregations. Herbert Hillenmeyer passed away in 1975.
Ernest Bernard Hillenmeyer was born on January 6, 1880 to parents Hector and Mary. Beginning his professional career with his father's nursery business, Ernest later set out to establish a farm of his own in the Lexington area, where the chief crop was tobacco. He married Matilda Scott (1884-1971) in 1913, and the couple had at least three children: Eleanor (1914-1996), Ernest, Jr. (1924- ), and Mary (1926- ). Ernest Hillenmeyer died on May 12, 1963.
Raymond Joseph Hillenmeyer was born December 10, 1881 to parents Hector and Mary; and died September 23, 1972.
Mary "Maysie" Bernice Hillenmeyer was born September 27 1883, to parents Hector and Mary. She married Edward Thomas Houlihan (1886-1937) (of another large and prominent Kentucky family) in the early 1900s, and the couple had at least three sons: Edward (1913-1982), Robert (1918-1999), and Herbert (1920-?). Maysie Hillenmeyer died April 10, 1969. Maysie is referred to as "Masie" as the caption on her baby picture from the 1880s, but in all other instances, is referred to as "Maysie."
Louis Edward Hillenmeyer was born November 22, 1885, to parents Hector and Mary. He excelled in sports at the University of Kentucky, particularly in baseball, and began working with his father's nursery business upon graduation in 1907. He and his younger brother Walter partnered in 1910 to run the nursery together full-time, Louis in control of the outdoor nursery operations. Louis continued to maintain Hillenmeyer Nurseries after Walter's death in 1935 with his son Louis, Jr., and his nephew Walter, Jr., Louis married Anna Bain (1886-1976) in 1912, and the couple had at least four children: Anna Bain (1913-2006), Louis, Jr. (1915-1982), Dorothy (1918-2008), and Robert (1921-1999). Louis Hillenmeyer died May 31, 1965.
Walter William Hillenmeyer was born August 27, 1891, the last child of parents Hector and Mary. When he and his brother Louis took over the family nursery business in 1910, Walter maintained the office operations, beginning a rich tradition of correspondence. Walter became heavily involved with the American Association of Nurserymen, serving as Vice President for a time in the mid-1920s, and served as President from 1927-1928. Walter married Louisvillian Mary C. Reiling (1891-1955) in 1915, and the couple had at least four sons: Walter, Jr. (1917-1990), Herbert (1918-1996), Henry (1920-1945), and Donald (1922-1974). Walter Hillenmeyer died in 1935.
Fourth Generation: Ernest Bernard Hillenmeyer, Jr. was born in 1924 to parents Ernest, Sr. and Matilda. Ernest is married to Ellen Parker, and as of 2011, still serves as a Deacon within the Catholic church in Maysville, Kentucky. Deacon Hillenmeyer donated several personal materials relating to his grandparents Hector and Mary Hillenmeyer from the estate of his father, Ernest, Sr., in 2006; and most of the materials related to his uncle, Monsignor Herbert Hillenmeyer, in 2007.
Louis Edward Hillenmeyer, Jr. was born August 7, 1915 to parents Louis, Sr. and Anna Bain. After attending the University of Kentucky, Louis, Jr. (with his cousin Walter, Jr.) went into the nursery business with Louis, Sr. after Walter, Sr.'s death in 1935, and stayed part of the business until his own death in 1982. Louis, Jr. was also involved with the American Association of Nurserymen, serving as President 1974-1975. Louis, Jr. married Martha Alexander (1917-1987), and the couple had at least eight children, including three sons who would later continue the nursery business: Louis, III (1944- ), Christopher (1954- ), and Stephen (1958- ).
Robert "Bob" Hector Hillenmeyer was born July 10, 1921 to parents Louis, Sr. and Anna Bain. Entering the nursery business after a personal career, Robert joined his father and brother (Louis, Sr. and Louis, Jr.) after Walter, Jr. left the group in 1964. He stayed on with the nursery until 1982, when his three nephews (Louis, III, Christopher, and Stephen) took over the business. Robert married Eileen Sullivan, and the couple had at least three children. In 1991, the 150th anniversary of Hillenmeyer Nurseries, Robert donated the majority of this collection to University of Kentucky Special Collections. Robert Hillenmeyer died in 1999.
Walter William Hillenmeyer, Jr. was born January 13, 1917 to parents Walter, Sr. and Mary. Walter, Jr. partnered with his cousin Louis, Jr. and uncle Louis, Sr. in the family nursery business after his father's death in 1935. Serving in World War II, a few of Walter, Jr.'s letters to his brother Herbert (also a solider) during this time appear in this collection. Walter, Jr. left the nursery company in 1964 to work with First Security National Bank and Trust Co., eventually becoming President (Davis, D3). Walter, Jr. married Frances Woods (1916-1981), and the couple had at least three children. Walter Hillenmeyer, Jr. died in 1990.
Herbert Francis Hillenmeyer was born July 4, 1918 to parents Walter, Sr. and Mary. Herbert attended the University of Kentucky, where he excelled on the school's swimming team, and held a school record for the 150-meter relay at least until the late 1990s ("Player Bio: Maureen Hillenmeyer"). Herbert served in World War II, and wrote many letters to his fellow soldier and brother Walter, Jr., a few of which are present in this collection. Herbert married Marjorie Wood (1919-2002), and the couple had at least seven children. Herbert Hillenmeyer died in 1996.
Henry "Henny" Reiling Hillenmeyer was born December 24, 1920, to parents Walter, Sr. and Mary. Henry attended the University of Kentucky, and was a storied athlete on the school's swimming and diving team. Henry married Lucy Carolyn Taylor (1921-2004), and the couple had one son, Henry Hillenmeyer, Jr. (1943- ). Henry served in the US military as an Army Captain, and was killed by an explosion in 1945 while stationed in Kunsan, Korea. The base where the explosion occurred was originally called Camp Iri, and later Camp Kunsan, but was renamed Camp Hillenmeyer in 1947 to honor Henry's memory (Kalani).
Henry Hillenmeyer, Sr.'s grandson, Hunter Hillenmeyer (1980- ), has been an NFL football player since 2003 ("Hunter Hillenmeyer").
Donald Joseph Hillenmeyer was born September 20, 1922, to parents Walter, Sr. and Mary. Donald attended the University of Kentucky, and like his brothers Herbert and Henry, excelled on the school's swimming team, as well as serving in the U.S. Army during World War II. After working with the family nursery for a time, Donald left in the 1950s to begin his own growing operation. Donald married Margaret Wharton, and the couple had at least four children. Donald Hillenmeyer died in 1974.
Fifth Generation: Louis Francis Hillenmeyer, III was born October 20, 1944 to parents Louis, Jr. and Martha. Louis, III grew up working in his family's nursery business, and after attending the University of Kentucky, took over the business with his brothers Christopher and Stephen in 1985. Louis, III later sold his part of the company to his brothers in 1992 to run his own growing company, Louis' Flower Power Shop, which still operates in Lexington. Taking after his father and great uncle, Louis, III served as the American Association of Nurserymen President in 2000-2001. Louis, III married Betsy Boggs (1945- ), and the couple have at least three children.
Christopher Day Hillenmeyer was born November 14, 1954 to parents Louis, Jr. and Martha. Christopher married Beverly O. Peel (1957- ), and the couple have at least four children. Christopher, along with his brothers Louis, III and Stephen, took the reigns of Hillenmeyer Nurseries in 1985, becoming secretary in charge of growing production (Jordan, A8). In 2000, Christopher sold his interest to his brother Stephen, but stayed on as the owner of the Nursery's main Garden Center on Sandersville Road until it closed in 2005 (Fortune, B1).
Stephen F. Hillenmeyer was born January 31, 1958 to parents Louis, Jr. and Martha. Stephen, with his brothers Louis, III and Christopher took over the family nursery business in 1985, and Stephen's main area became landscaping and lawn maintenance (Jordan, A8). After both of his brothers had divested from the company by 2000, Stephen became the sole owner and proprietor of Hillenmeyer Nurseries. Stephen married Karen S. Murrell (1959- ), and the couple have at least two children. One of Stephen's sons, Stephen "Chase" Hillenmeyer (1984- ), joined the business after graduating from Miami University of Ohio in 2007, and according to Stephen, Chase is poised to one day take the company into its sixth generation (Yang, C1).
Connelly, William Elsey and Ellis Merton Coulter. History of Kentucky, Volume 3.Washington, DC: The American Historical Society, 1922. Print.
Davis, Merlene. "Fifth Generation Digs Into Hillenmeyer Nurseries." Lexington Herald-Leader, 7 Jan. 1985: D3.
"Dean of Oil Men, Joseph Seep, Dies: Former Rockefeller Associate Succumbs After Month's Illness in His 90th Year." New York Times 1 April 1928: 17. Print.
"Family Group." Rootsweb of Ancestry.com, 17 Oct. 2008. Web. 22 Nov. 2011.
Fortune, Beverly. "Lofty Plans Made For Ex-Garden Center - Hillenmeyer Warehouse Would Be Converted Into Housing." Lexington Herald-Leader, 2 Jun. 2006: B1.
"Genealogy, Family Trees, and Family History Records Online." Ancestry.com, 2011. Web. 22 Nov. 2011.
"Hunter Hillenmeyer." Wikipedia.com. Wikipedia, n.d. Web. 21 Nov. 2011.
Jordan, Jim. "Hillenmeyer Nurseries Turning 150 This Week." Lexington Herald-Leader, 14 Aug.1991: A8.
Kalani. "Kunsan AB Vignette: Occupation Period (1945-1948) — Camp Hillenmeyer" RockDrop.com. Rock Drop: Korea from North to South, 5 Aug 2008. Web. 21 Nov. 2011.
"Lexington Landscaping History, Hillenmeyer Nursery History." Hillenmeyers.com. Stephen Hillenmeyer Landscaping Services, n.d. Web. 22 Nov. 2011.
Peter, Robert. History of Fayette County, Ky. Chicago: O.L. Baskin & Co., Historical Publishers, 1882. Print.
"Player Bio: Maureen Hillenmeyer." UND.com. University of Notre Dame, n.d. Web. 21 Nov. 2011.
Yang, Victor. "For these six dads, work and family are mutually inclusive." Lexington Herald-Leader, 22 June 2009: C1.
Scope and Content
The Hillenmeyer family papers are comprised of personal materials kept by members of the Hillenmeyer family of Lexington, Kentucky, as well as various records used to maintain their multi-generational family nursery business, Hillenmeyer Nurseries. Divided into four different series (Business Records, Family Records, Audio/Visual Materials, and Realia), the collection consists of various correspondence, both personally held and with nursery customers and colleagues; annually-produced nursery stock catalogs from 1878-1962; Hillenmeyer-produced and horticultural industry advertisements and literature; detailed Fayette County, Kentucky weather records spanning from 1872-1953; legal documents such as land deeds, wills, tax records, and citizenship papers; over 600 photographs depicting members of the Hillenmeyer family, the Hillenmeyer Nurseries' property, and the nursery's landscaping projects; and artifacts, including used soil bags, copper printing plates and blocks, and family awarded honors in the form of certificates and plaques.

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.

Contents of the Collection

Business records, 1840-2006

Scope and Contents note

The Business records series consists of records that were used by the Hillenmeyer family and their associates to run Hillenmeyer Nurseries beginning in 1841. A large portion of these records are in the form of customer correspondence and bills and receipts. There is also a large amount of printed material, consisting of the nursery's stock catalogs (kept from 1878-1962) and material used to produce these catalogs, various nursery advertisements, media about Hillenmeyer nurseries, and horticultural literature. Another major part of this series is materials used and collected while the nursery was fighting various legal battles. These battles include a shipping dispute, new laws proposed for nurseries on fumigation and inspection, and a major labor dispute with the National Labor Relations Board involving Hillenmeyer Nurseries and all other major American nurseries. Hector Hillenmeyer's weather records and record books are present, as well as those later used by his sons Louis and Ernest. Finally, there are records present related to the American Association of Nurserymen during the time of Walter Hillenmeyer's tenue of Vice President in the 1920s. Much of these materials are correspondence with other AAN members on a variety of issues, especially regarding the AAN convention in Louisville in 1926; as well as various reports compiled and published by the organization.

General, 1840-1992

Scope and Contents note

The General subseries contains materials that fall out of the primary date range of the majority of the nursery business' records in this collection, but include correspondence, legal documents such as land deeds, and material used to maintain Hillenmeyer Nurseries over the course of its business life. Of note is the original invoice used by Francis Hillenmeyer to purchase his first nursery stock from Baumann Brothers Nursery in 1840.

Bank Books, 1918-1923, 1927-1935, 1940-1943

  • Box 15, Folder 1
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Business Correspondence and Receipts, 1842, 1877-1889, 1883, 1892,1896, 1907, 1914, undated

  • Box 15, Folder 2
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Business Correspondence and Receipts, 1925-1928, 1930, 1931, 1934, 1940

  • Box 15, Folder 3
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Business Ephemera, 1916-1919

  • Box 15, Folder 4
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Business Ephemera, undated

  • Box 15, Folder 5
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Business Materials, 1846-1847, undated

  • Box 15, Folder 6
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Business Materials, 1951-1952, 1962, 1964, 1966, 1992

  • Box 15, Folder 7
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Facsimile of Newspaper Ad and Explanatory Correspondence, 1845, 1983

  • Box 15, Folder 8
Scope and Contents note

This is a personal ad placed by Francis and accompanying explanation of the ad.

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Keeneland Association Stock, 1935-1936, 1940, 1951, 1954

  • Box 15, Folder 9
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Land Deeds, 1873, 1911, 1923, 1930, 1933, 1965

  • Box 15, Folder 10
Scope and Contents note

Includes sale transfers of buildings from the Commonwealth Distillery Company; and the office building, which was once before owned by Henry Clay.

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Order Sheets and Letterhead Inspiration, undated

  • Box 15, Folder 11
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Original Invoice of Nursery Stock, 1840

  • Box 40, Folder 2
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Bills and Receipts, 1921-1922

Scope and Contents note

The Bills and Receipts subseries is comprised of detailed records of Hillenmeyer Nurseries' customers' purchases, and regular correspondence regarding bills paid, and debts owed. These bills and receipts all come from the early 1920s, during the business tenure of Walter, Sr. and Louis, Sr.

This correspondence is organized first alphabetically by the customer's last or business name, and where applicable, chronologically by specific date. When the customer's original correspondence to the Hillenmeyers exists, it has been kept with the corresponding outgoing letter or receipt (presumably for context). Many of the copies of outgoing letters have been later photocopied, and when a photocopy existed, it was kept in the collection in place of the brittle original copy paper.

Bills and Receipts A, 1922

  • Box 17, Folder 1
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Bills and Receipts B-C, 1922

  • Box 17, Folder 2
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Bills and Receipts D-F, 1921, 1922

  • Box 17, Folder 3
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Bills and Receipts G-H, J, 1921, 1922

  • Box 17, Folder 4
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Bills and Receipts K-L, 1922

  • Box 17, Folder 5
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Bills and Receipts M-N, P, 1921, 1922

  • Box 17, Folder 6
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Bills and Receipts R-S, 1922

  • Box 17, Folder 7
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Bills and Receipts T-W, 1922

  • Box 17, Folder 8
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Customer Correspondence, 1916-1923

Scope and Contents note

The Customer Correspondence subseries consists of correspondence kept with Hillenmeyer Nurseries from 1916-1923, during the business tenure of Walter, Sr. and Louis, Sr. These letters include orders placed and requests for catalogs, advice about growing and keeping particular plants healthy, and complaints about failed plants or crops.

This correspondence is organized chronologically and then alphabetically by the customer's last or business name, and finally, where applicable, by specific date within the year grouping. When the customer's original correspondence to the Hillenmeyers exists, it has been kept with the corresponding outgoing letter (presumably for context). Many of the copies of outgoing letters have been photocopied, and when a photocopy existed, it was kept in the collection in place of the brittle original copy paper.

1916-1919, 1916-1919

Scope and Contents note

Customer Correspondence kept from 1916-1919 by Louis and Walter Hillenmeyer, Sr.

General, [1916-1918]

  • Box 18, Folder 1
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A, 1916-1918

  • Box 18, Folder 2
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B, 1916-1918

  • Box 18, Folder 3
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C-D, 1916-1918

  • Box 18, Folder 4
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E, 1916

  • Box 18, Folder 5
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F, 1916-1918

  • Box 18, Folder 6
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G, 1916-1918

  • Box 18, Folder 7
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H-J, 1916-1918

  • Box 18, Folder 8
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K, 1916-1919

  • Box 18, Folder 9
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L, 1916-1918

  • Box 18, Folder 10
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M, 1916-1918

  • Box 18, Folder 11
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N-O, 1916-1918

  • Box 18, Folder 12
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P, 1916-1918

  • Box 18, Folder 13
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R, 1916-1918

  • Box 18, Folder 14
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S, 1916-1918

  • Box 18, Folder 15
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T-V, 1916-1918

  • Box 18, Folder 16
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W, 1916-1919

  • Box 18, Folder 17
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1920-1921, 1920-1921

Scope and Contents note

Customer Correspondence kept from 1920-1921 by Louis and Walter Hillenmeyer, Sr.

A, 1921

  • Box 19, Folder 1
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B, 1920-1921

  • Box 19, Folder 2
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C, 1921

  • Box 19, Folder 3
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Central State Hospital, 1921

  • Box 19, Folder 4
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D, 1920-1921

  • Box 19, Folder 5
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Dixie View Farm, 1921

  • Box 19, Folder 6
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E-G, 1921

  • Box 19, Folder 7
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H, 1921

  • Box 19, Folder 8
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I-L, 1920-1921

  • Box 19, Folder 9
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M, 1921

  • Box 19, Folder 10
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N-Q, 1921

  • Box 20, Folder 1
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R, 1921

  • Box 20, Folder 2
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S, 1921

  • Box 20, Folder 3
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T-V, 1921

  • Box 20, Folder 4
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W, Y, 1921

  • Box 20, Folder 5
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1922-1923, 1922-1923

Scope and Contents note

Customer Correspondence kept from 1922-1923 by Louis and Walter Hillenmeyer, Sr.

A-B, 1922

  • Box 21, Folder 1
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C, 1922

  • Box 21, Folder 2
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D, 1922

  • Box 21, Folder 3
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E-F, 1922

  • Box 21, Folder 4
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G, 1922

  • Box 21, Folder 5
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H, 1922

  • Box 21, Folder 6
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I-J, 1922

  • Box 21, Folder 7
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K-L, 1922

  • Box 21, Folder 8
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M, 1922

  • Box 21, Folder 9
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N-O, 1922

  • Box 21, Folder 10
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P,R, 1922

  • Box 21, Folder 11
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S, 1922

  • Box 21, Folder 12
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T-W, Y-Z, 1922

  • Box 21, Folder 13
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Customer Correspondence, 1923

  • Box 21, Folder 14
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Printed Material, 1878-1975

Scope and Contents note

The Printed Material subseries consists of material produced and compiled by Hillenmeyer Nurseries. It includes a range of catalogs spanning much of the nursery's lifespan (as well as collections of book-bound catalogs, four of which were given to Louis, Jr. from his father Louis, Sr. for Christmas in 1943), correspondence with publishers regarding the production of catalogs, advertisements and promotional materials produced by the Hillenmeyers and other nurseries, horticultural writing, and published media about Hillenmeyer Nurseries.

Catalogs, 1878-1962

Scope and Contents note

The Catalogs subseries includes a nursery catalog produced every year from the late 1870s to the early 1960s, which was mailed to the nursery's customers, providing an updated price and product list related to the available nursery stock. These catalogs begin as printed text on folded paper, and gradually grow to full-color publications with pictures, illustrations, and information about the family and the business. The catalog produced for the nursery's 100th anniversary, in 1941, is the basis for the entirety of the series of copper printing plates in this collection.

Some catalogs were individually bound and were kept with the bulk collection. In 1943, Louis, Sr. bound copies of each of the catalogs up until the present year in multiple-issue books, and gave them to his son Louis, Jr. for Christmas of that year (according to the note written in each of the books).

Catalogs, 1878-1879, 1890, 1894-1895, 1901-1904, 1908-1909, 1911-1912, undated

  • Box 23, Folder 1
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Catalogs, 1912-1924

  • Box 23, Folder 2
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Catalogs, 1924-1929

  • Box 23, Folder 3
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Catalogs, 1930-1937

  • Box 23, Folder 4
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Catalogs, 1937-1941

  • Box 23, Folder 5
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Catalogs, 1942-1950

  • Box 23, Folder 6
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Catalogs, 1950-1962

  • Box 23, Folder 7
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Multiple-Issue-Bound Catalogs, 1895-1912, 1943

  • Box 24, Folder 1
Scope and Contents note

The 1943 date refers to the note written in book, when it was given as a gift.

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Multiple-Issue-Bound Catalogs, 1912-1917, 1943

  • Box 24, Folder 2
Scope and Contents note

The 1943 date refers to the note written in book, when it was given as a gift.

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Multiple-Issue-Bound Catalogs, 1916-1923, 1943

  • Box 24, Folder 3
Scope and Contents note

The 1943 date refers to the note written in book, when it was given as a gift.

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Multiple-Issue-Bound Catalogs, 1924-1941, 1943

  • Box 24, Folder 4
Scope and Contents note

The 1943 date refers to the note written in book, when it was given as a gift.

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Single-Issue-Bound Catalog, 1952-1953

  • Box 25, Folder 1
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Single-Issue-Bound Catalogs, 1955-1958

  • Box 25, Folder 2
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Single-Issue-Bound Catalogs, 1958-1961

  • Box 25, Folder 3
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Catalog Planning and Preparations, 1926-1930

Scope and Contents note

The Catalog Planning and Preparations subseries contains correspondence with the catalog's publisher L.W. Ramsey, as well as various mockups, drafts, and layouts.

100th Anniversary Catalog Front Cover Proof on Copper Plate Wrapping, 1941

  • Box 26, Folder 1
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Catalog Copy and Images, undated

  • Box 26, Folder 1
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Catalog Inspiration and Material, 1928-1930, undated

  • Box 26, Folder 2
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Correspondence about Catalogs, 1926-1928

  • Box 26, Folder 3
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Correspondence with L.W. Ramsey about Catalog, 1930

  • Box 26, Folder 4
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Photographs from Poster and Remaining Poster, undated

  • Box 26, Folder 6
Scope and Contents note

These photos of aerial nursery views were gathered together on a poster for laying out a composite image to be used in one of the Hillenmeyer Nurseries catalogs. They have been removed from the poster for better preservation. The poster has been labeled with the photos' numbers to help maintain original order.

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Advertisements, 1918-1959

Scope and Contents note

The Advertisements subseries contains ads produced by Hillenmeyer Nurseries (including specific Christmas ads, and educational gardening pamphlets), as well as ads from other major nurseries.

General Hillenmeyer Advertisements, 1959, undated

  • Box 27, Folder 1
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Advertisements and Ephemera from Other Nurseries, 1918, 1923, 1924, 1928, undated

  • Box 27, Folder 2
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Educational and Promotional Material by Hillenmeyer Nurseries, 1927, 1930, 1934, 1954, undated

  • Box 27, Folder 4
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Hillenmeyer Christmas Promotional Materials, 1951, 1953, undated

  • Box 27, Folder 5
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Price Lists and Catalog Supplements, 1922, 1933, 1953, 1955, 1957, 1960, 1962-1963, 1991, undated

  • Box 27, Folder 10
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Writing and Literature, 1905-1975

Scope and Contents note

The Writing and Literature subseries consists of literature produced by the Hillenmeyers and other horticultural figures on topics related to nurseries and planting. Of particular note is "Leguminosae," an encyclopedia-like document hand-written and drawn by Louis Hillenmeyer, Sr. in 1905 on the subject of the legume family. There are also several industry magazines featuring interviews or articles about Hillenmeyer Nurseries.

Correspondence Interview and Resulting Magazine with Article about Hillenmeyer Nurseries, 1961-1962

  • Box 27, Folder 3
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Hillenmeyer Garden News Newsletters, 1954, 1956-1958, 1963

  • Box 27, Folder 6
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Horticultural Writing by Hillenmeyers, 1911, 1922, 1924, undated

  • Box 27, Folder 7
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"Leguminosae" by L. E. Hillenmeyer, 1905

  • Box 27, Folder 8
Scope and Contents note

Hand-written and hand-drawn encyclopedia-like manual about plants and legumes.

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Magazines Featuring Articles about Hillenmeyers, 1931, 1955, 1958, 1962, 1975

  • Box 27, Folder 9
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Professional Horticulture Literature, 1923-1924, 1933, 1939, 1940, undated

  • Box 27, Folder 11
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Nursery Cases and Disputes, 1916-1942

Scope and Contents note

The Nursery Cases and Disputes subseries consists of records of legal disputes and battles involving Hillenmeyer Nurseries over the years. The records begin in 1916 with correspondence and documents with a Dutch company, Ottolander and Hooftman, regarding payment for an incorrectly-received shipment of nursery stock; as well as documents used to fight a proposed national bill to institute harsher inspection and fumigation requirements for farms and nurseries. The remaining materials relate to the labor battles fought by many American nurseries in the late 1930s and early 1940s, including correspondence between the National Labor Relations Board and Hillenmeyer Nurseries regarding a union strike; correspondence with other American Association of Nurserymen nurseries in support of the Stark Brothers Nursery in Missouri, who the Hillenmeyers felt had been made a test case for further nursery labor disputes. The Hillenmeyers also collected related documents during this period, as well as hand-held copies of laws.

Inspection and Fumigation Bills, 1916, 1918

  • Box 22, Folder 1
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Ottolander and Hooftman Shipping Dispute, 1916-1918

  • Box 22, Folder 2
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Labor and Wage Decisions, 1938-1963

  • Box 22, Folder 3
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Labor Decisions: Nursery as Agriculture, 1938-1942

  • Box 22, Folder 4
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Labor Disputes/Hillenmeyer Strike, 1938-1941

  • Box 22, Folder 5
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Labor Dispute/Beginning of Stark Case, 1941-1942

  • Box 22, Folder 6
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Legal and Tax References, 1939-1944

  • Box 22, Folder 7
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Legal Materials Sent from Richard White, 1937-1941

  • Box 22, Folder 8
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Stark Case Fund, 1942

  • Box 22, Folder 9
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Weather Books and Reports, 1872-2006

Scope and Contents note

The Weather Books and Reports subseries consists of records first kept by Hector Hillenmeyer to keep track of weather patterns in Fayette County. They include accounts of variables like temperature, rain or snowfall, and any other particularly interesting weather occurrences. Hector's records begin in 1872-1873, and after picking back up again in 1880, span the rest of Hector's lifetime (until his death in 1923). Hector's sons Louis and Ernest continued keeping such records until at least 1953, using their own record books.

Hector also wrote a weather column for the newspaper Lexington Leader in the early twentieth century, and for a span of time in the late nineteenth century, his weather records were the only such records in existence in Fayette County.

Locations of Lexington Weather Bureau, 1876-1971

  • Box 32, Folder 1
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Meteorological Summaries, 1912, 1918-1923

  • Box 32, Folder 2
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"The Weather in Kentucky!" by Hector Hillenmeyer and transcription by Ernest Hillenmeyer, Jr., undated, 2006

  • Box 32, Folder 3
Scope and Contents note

The original piece is undated, but the transcription by Ernest, Jr. is from 2006.

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Weather Charts, 1880-1921

  • Box 32, Folder 4
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Weather Record Book, 1872-1873

  • Box 32, Folder 5
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Weather Record Book, 1879-1926

  • Box 32, Folder 6
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Weather Record Book by Ernest Hillenmeyer, Sr., 1926-1952

  • Box 32, Folder 7
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Weather Record Book by Louis Hillenmeyer, Sr., 1931-1953

  • Box 32, Folder 8
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American Association of Nurserymen records, 1916-1933

Scope and Contents note

The American Association of Nurserymen records consist of materials kept primarily by Walter Hillenmeyer, Sr. during his tenure as the organization's Vice President in the 1920s. These records are comprised mostly of correspondence with the group's members from all over the country on a variety of issues related to the nursery business, including legal cases and the proposed founding of a horticultural identification school. There is also a large portion of correspondence and documents related to the planning and implementation of the group's 1926 convention in Louisville, Kentucky.

Walter later served as the American Association of Nurserymen President from 1927-1928; Louis, Jr. served as President from 1974-1975; and Louis, III became the group's (then called the American Nursery and Landscape Association) first third-generation President, serving from 2000-2001 (Piggott).

Piggott, Erica. "Hillenmeyer Elected ANLA President" ANLA.org. ANLA, 24 Aug. 2000. Web. 15 Nov. 2011.

General Correspondence A-C, 1924-1929

  • Box 16, Folder 1
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General Correspondence D, 1925-1926

  • Box 16, Folder 2
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General Correspondence F-H, J-L, 1925-1927

  • Box 16, Folder 3
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General Correspondence M, 1925-1927

  • Box 16, Folder 4
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General Correspondence N, P, 1925-1927

  • Box 16, Folder 5
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General Correspondence S, 1925-1927

  • Box 16, Folder 6
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General Correspondence U, W, 1925-1926

  • Box 16, Folder 7
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General Writing and Documents, 1918, 1923-1926

  • Box 16, Folder 8
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Correspondence Regarding Shaw Identification School, 1926-1927

  • Box 16, Folder 9
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Correspondence Regarding Southern Nursery Chattin Case, 1926

  • Box 16, Folder 10
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Credit and Collection Bureau Notification Sheets, 1916-1918

  • Box 16, Folder 11
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Louisville Convention Correspondence, 1925

  • Box 16, Folder 12
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Louisville Convention Correspondence and Documents, 1926

  • Box 16, Folder 13
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Secretary and Traffic Manager's Reports, 1925-1926

  • Box 16, Folder 14
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American Association of Nurserymen - The Bulletin, 1917-1918, 1933

  • Box 40, Folder 4
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Family papers, 1818-2002

Scope and Contents note

The Family papers are the personal materials of members of the Hillenmeyer family in this collection. They are separated by topic into subseries, relating to particular generations or members of the family (Francis Xavier, Hector and Mary, and Monsignor Herbert), as well as one subseries of general family material. Each subseries contains correspondence, legal documents, receipts, and ledgers.

General, 1818-1991

Scope and Contents note

The General subseries contains materials related to the Hillenmeyer family's personal relationships, both within and outside the family, but yet, don't fit with the more specific realms of materials related to Francis, Hector, or Herbert. Included is correspondence, copies made of maps, ephemera of the period (such as a pocket-size US Constitution), and a collection of written histories of the Hillenmeyer family and their properties, taken from published books, newspaper articles, correspondence and the family's original writing. There is also correspondence between fourth-generation brothers Herbert and Walter, Jr. while they were serving abroad during World War II.

Card from Julia and Matt Darnell, undated

  • Box 33, Folder 1
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Northern France and Fayette County maps (photocopies), 1912, undated

  • Box 33, Folder 3
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Walter, Jr. and Herbert correspondence, 1943-1944, 1987, 1991

  • Box 33, Folder 4
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Elizabeth "Betty" Simpson correspondence, 1870, 1873

  • Box 33, Folder 5
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Kentucky Nurserymen's Association Convention Programs, 1927, 1961

  • Box 33, Folder 7
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Invitation to Hillenmeyer Nurseries' 125th Anniversary Party, with checklist on back, 1966

  • Box 33, Folder 8
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Lexington Quotations, undated

  • Box 33, Folder 9
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Louis and Walter, Sr., and Anna Bain Hillenmeyer material, 1922, 1947

  • Box 33, Folder 10
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Pocket United States Constitution from Constitution Week Celebration, 1923

  • Box 33, Folder 11
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Promissory Note from Sanders' Manufacturing Co., and Corresponding Letter from E.I. Thompson to Robert Hillenmeyer, 1818, undated

  • Box 33, Folder 12
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Written accounts of Hillenmeyer family history, [1880], 1915, [1920s], [1939-1940], 1941, 1962

  • Box 33, Folder 13
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Francis Xavier Hillenmeyer, 1836-1892

Scope and Contents note

The Francis Xavier Hillenmeyer subseries consists of materials from Francis's personal life: including correspondence with his remaining family in Europe, correspondence with gardening clients in Savannah, a French passport, his certificate of apprenticeship from the Baumann Brothers, his certificate of American citizenship, the land indenture from the first-bought family Kentucky land, and personal receipts for all sorts of services and endeavors. Much of the correspondence in this subseries is in French and German. Some letters have been previously translated, and include a translation clipped to the original letter. Further foreign-language or otherwise unreadable correspondence has been collected into its own folder. This subseries contains several historically significant items, such as an order placed by John C. Breckinridge (who later became Vice President of the United States), found in Folder 2; and two receipts for the purchase of slaves, found in Folder 3.

General correspondence, undated

  • Box 34, Folder 1
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General correspondence, 1840-1852, 1860-1869, 1872, 1874

  • Box 34, Folder 2
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General correspondence, 1842, 1846, 1851-1852, 1865-1866

  • Box 34, Folder 9
Scope and Contents note

This folder contains letters written in French and German that have not been translated. In addition, some of the letter are illegible due to age.

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General receipts, 1841-1861, 1865, 1867, 1870, 1887-1888

  • Box 34, Folder 3
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Bank Notes, 1857-1858, 1871-1873, 1880-1881, 1892-1893

  • Box 34, Folder 4
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Correspondence with brother at St. John's College, 1850-1852

  • Box 34, Folder 5
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Correspondence with cousins, 1840-1841, 1851

  • Box 34, Folder 6
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Correspondence with family in Europe, 1843, 1850-1851, undated

  • Box 34, Folder 7
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County, State, and IRS tax receipts and documents, 1846-1891

  • Box 34, Folder 8
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Indenture for land to Francis Hillenmeyer from John and Mary McCauley, 1846

  • Box 34, Folder 10
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Newspaper, post office, and delivery receipts, 1852-1891

  • Box 34, Folder 11
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Personal documents and ephemera, 1836, 1840-1843, 1851, 1891

  • Box 34, Folder 12
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Rent receipts from Savannah, Georgia, 1841-1843

  • Box 34, Folder 13
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Receipts for children's education costs, 1854-1861, 1863-1865

  • Box 34, Folder 14
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Certificate of Apprenticeship from Baumann Brothers, 1836

  • Box 40, Folder 1
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Hector and Mary Hillenmeyer and Siblings, [1860s]-1933

Scope and Contents note

The Hector and Mary Hillenmeyer and Siblings subseries contains materials that were kept and used in Hector and Mary Hillenmeyer's household, including receipts, checkbooks, ledgers, and documents related to the Hillenmeyer estate. Hector's sister Carrie lived with the family for some time, and her legal documents and correspondence are also represented, as well as legal agreements between Hector and his brother Alfred and brother-in-law Joseph Seep.

Carrie Hillenmeyer papers, [1860s], 1887-1896, 1914, 1926-1932

  • Box 35, Folder 1
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Kate and Joseph Seep, and Alfred and Jennie Hillenmeyer papers, 1864-1865

  • Box 35, Folder 2
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Hector and Mary Hillenmeyer IRS estate taxes, 1932 March - 1926 February

  • Box 35, Folder 3
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Hector and Mary Hillenmeyer family trusts, stocks, and estate papers, 1885, 1922-1933

  • Box 35, Folder 4
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Editorial about Hector Hillenmeyer's death, 1923

  • Box 35, Folder 5
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Ernest Hillenmeyer's checkbook for care of his mother, Mary, 1932-1933

  • Box 35, Folder 6
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Hector and Mary Hillenmeyer's taxes, receipts, and utilities contracts, 1871-1877, 1880, 1908, 1915, 1921, 1925

  • Box 35, Folder 7
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Hector Hillenmeyer's ledger, 1895-1916

  • Box 35, Folder 8
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Hector Hillenmeyer's original writing, 1864

  • Box 35, Folder 9
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Hector Hillenmeyer letter to Jno. G. Stoll, Esq., 1924

  • Box 35, Folder 10
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Mary Hillenmeyer's checkbook, 1932 November 3-1933 February 18

  • Box 35, Folder 11
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Mary Hillenmeyer's ledger, 1924-1933

  • Box 35, Folder 12
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"Hillenmeyer and Seep to James A. Headley", 1894

  • Box 40, Folder 3
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Monsignor Herbert Hillenmeyer, 1902-2002

Scope and Contents note

The Monsignor Herbert Hillenmeyer subseries contains materials related to Monsignor Herbert Hillenmeyer's life and career as a Catholic priest. Included are church materials, correspondence with Herbert's siblings, and press about Herbert. Also present is correspondence planning to establish a memorial scholarship fund and lecture series in Monsignor Hillenmeyer's name at Thomas More College; as well as Herbert's personal writing, including a travel diary from a trip to Rome and the Vatican, short biographical memoirs of his parents, siblings, childhood in general, and rise to adulthood in his career.

Church materials and programs, 1902, 1949, 1952, 1962, 1968, 1975, 2002

  • Box 36, Folder 1
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Monsignor Hillenmeyer Lecture Series and Scholarship Fund at Thomas More College, 1972, 1974, 1986, 1994-1995

  • Box 36, Folder 2
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Correspondence regarding Herbert Hillenmeyer, 1968-1970, 1975-1976, 1990

  • Box 36, Folder 3
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Correspondence with Herbert Hillenmeyer, 1934, 1969-1974

  • Box 36, Folder 4
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Research and writing by Herbert Hillenmeyer, 1929, 1969-1972

  • Box 36, Folder 5
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Writing and press about Herbert Hillenmeyer, 1902, 1926, 1968, 1971, 1975

  • Box 36, Folder 6
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Audio-Visual, [1880s]-2003

Scope and Contents note

The Audio-Visual series consists of hundreds of photographs and videotapes depicting a roundtable with the Hillenmeyer family during the nursery's 150th anniversary in 1991. The photographs in this series range from personal portraits to scenes of nursery life, including a large amount of residential landscaping photographs, as well as various trees, plants, and nursery property images.

Photographs, [1880s]-2003

Scope and Contents note

The Photographs subseries features hundreds of photographs from all aspects of life surrounding the Hillenmeyer family. The bulk of the photographs document the nurseries' residential landscaping projects, images of various plants, and scenes from the nursery grounds and employees. There are a smaller number of photographs of members of the Hillenmeyer family, particularly of Hector and his wife Mary, and their children.

The photographs labeled "Photos from Frames" were taken from an envelope of the same title.

Residential Landscaping, undated

  • Box 12, Item 2
  • Box 6, Item 1-20
  • Box 9, Item 1-56
  • Box 4, Item 1-73
  • Box 5, Item 1-80
  • Box 1, Item 1-60
  • Box 2, Item 1-15
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Residential Landscaping - Jos. Harting, undated

  • Box 2, Item 16
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Residential Landscaping - Stevens, undated

  • Box 2, Item 17
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Residential Landscaping - 337 Desha Road, 1925

  • Box 6, Item 21
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Residential Landscaping - Bluegrass Sanatorium, 1925

  • Box 6, Item 22-24
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Residential Landscaping - Desha and Fincastle, 1925

  • Box 6, Item 25
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Residential Landscaping - Desha and Ghent, 1925

  • Box 6, Item 26
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Residential Landscaping - Gratz Park, 1925

  • Box 6, Item 27
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Residential Landscaping - Irvine Road, 1925

  • Box 6, Item 28
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Residential Landscaping - Les McCormick, 1925

  • Box 6, Item 29
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Residential Landscaping - Mrs. Jas C. Stone, 1925

  • Box 6, Item 30
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Residential Landscaping - Mrs. L.B. Mitchell, 210 Hancock St., Henderson, undated

  • Box 9, Item 57
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Residential Landscaping - South Hanover, 1925

  • Box 6, Item 31-32
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Residential Landscaping - Lyndhurst Apartments, Kalmia Ave, undated

  • Box 6, Item 33
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Residential Landscaping - Richmond Road, undated

  • Box 6, Item 34
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Governor's Mansion Landscaping, undated

  • Box 2, Item 18
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Henry Clay Monument Landscaping, undated

  • Box 6, Item 73-76
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Spindletop Landscaping, undated

  • Box 2, Item 20-22
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Views of Shrubs, Trees, Fields, undated

  • Box 2, Item 23-47
  • Box 6, Item 35-67
  • Box 10, Item 14-22
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Views of Shrubs, Trees, Fields, 1933

  • Box 2, Item 49
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Views of Shrubs, Trees, Fields - Norway Maples, undated

  • Box 2, Item 48
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Views of Shrubs, Trees, Fields - Hemlock, undated

  • Box 10, Item 23
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Views of Shrubs, Trees, Fields - Coldstream Farm Road to Mansion, 1925

  • Box 6, Item 68
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Views of Shrubs, Trees, Fields - Ginko Tree, Good Samaritan Yard, 1925

  • Box 6, Item 69-70
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Views of Shrubs, Trees, Fields - Walnut Hall Farm, 1925

  • Box 6, Item 71
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Views of Shrubs, Trees, Fields - Ulurus Americana "Rex", 1934

  • Box 6, Item 72
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Garden Centers, undated

  • Box 10, Item 1-6
  • Box 3, Item 1-2
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Garden Centers, 1960

  • Box 10, Item 7
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Garden Centers, 1990

  • Box 10, Item 8-12
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Aerial Views of Nursery Grounds, 1953

  • Box 3, Item 25-29
  • Box 7, Item 1-10
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Nursery Grounds, undated

  • Box 3, Group 3-8
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Nursery Grounds - Boys, undated

  • Box 7, Item 11
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Nursery Grounds - Employees, undated

  • Box 3, Item 9-10
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Nursery Grounds - Truck, undated

  • Box 7, Item 12-15
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Nursey Nativity Scene, undated

  • Box 2, Item 19
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Nursery Office, undated

  • Box 3, Item 53
  • Box 7, Item 16-21
  • Box 3, Item 11-14
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Nursery Office - Mounted Print, undated

  • Box 12, Item 1
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Nursery Office and Warehouse, undated

  • Box 7, Item 22-26
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Nursery Office and Warehouse, 1925

  • Box 7, Item 27
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Nursery Warehouse, undated

  • Box 7, Item 28-31
  • Box 3, Item 15-16
  • Box 10, Item 13
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Catalog - Employees, undated

  • Box 7, Item 33
  • Box 3, Item 17-20
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Catalog - Equipment and Employees, undated

  • Box 3, Item 21-23
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Catalog - Francis Hillenmeyer, undated

  • Box 7, Item 34
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Catalog - Hector Hillenmeyer, undated

  • Box 7, Item 35
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Catalog - Hillenmeyer Children, Fourth Generation - "Our Best Row of Nursery Stock", [1925]

  • Box 7, Item 36
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Catalog - Residence of H.F. Hillenmeyer, undated

  • Box 3, Item 24
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Catalog - "Uncle Billy" Jones, 1941

  • Box 7, Item 32
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Transplant Posters, undated

  • Box 12, Item 3-14
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125th Anniversary Party, 1966

  • Box 3, Item 30-41
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Album, 1968

  • Box 11, Item 23-49
Scope and Contents note

These photos (Box 11, Items 23-49) were removed from a photo album, for preservation purposes. They depict the Hillenmeyers' 125th Anniversary Party, and include photos of the fifth generation of Hillenmeyer children.

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Negative - Nursery Office, 1938

  • Box 10, Item 24-25
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Negative - Nursery Truck, 1938

  • Box 8, Item 1-6
  • Box 10, Item 26-27
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Negative - Residential Landscaping, undated

  • Box 8, Item 72
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Negative - Residential Landscaping, 1938

  • Box 8, Item 7-47
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Negative - Residential Landscaping, 1939

  • Box 8, Item 48-68
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Negative - Residential Landscaping, 1940

  • Box 10, Item 28
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Negative - Cemetary Landscaping, 1939

  • Box 8, Item 69-71
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Negative - Unknown Couple, undated

  • Box 10, Item 29
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Donald Hillenmeyer, [1940s-1950s]

  • Box 3, Item 44
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Ernest Hillenmeyer, [1884]

  • Box 10, Item 30
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Ernest Hillenmeyer, [1890s]

  • Box 3, Item 43
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Francis Hillenmeyer with two men, undated

  • Box 3, Item 42
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[Hector Hillenmeyer], undated

  • Box 10, Item 44
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Hector Hillenmeyer, [1894]

  • Box 7, Item 39
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Hector and Mary Hillenmeyer, undated

  • Box 7, Item 37
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Hector and Mary Hillenmeyer, 1922

  • Box 7, Item 41
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Herbert Hillenmeyer, [1884]

  • Box 10, Item 31
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Herbert Hillenmeyer and Joseph Seep, 1923

  • Box 10, Item 35
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Hillenmeyer Children, Fourth Generation: Robert, Dorothy Crutcher, Louis, Jr., Anna Bain, Walter, Jr., Herbert, Henry, and Donald, [1925, 1926]

  • Box 7, Item 52
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Hillenmeyer Group - Sound of Music Performance, 1968

  • Box 3, Item 51
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Hillenmeyer Group - Reunion at Keeneland, 2003

  • Box 12, Item 15
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Hillenmeyer Group, [1970s-1980s]

  • Box 3, Item 52
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Louis Hillenmeyer, Jr. presenting engraved bowl, [1979]

  • Box 11, Item 20
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Louis Hillenmeyer, Jr. with fourteen men in tuxedos, [1979]

  • Box 11, Item 21
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Mary "Maysie" Hillenmeyer, [1884]

  • Box 10, Item 32
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Mary Hillenmeyer, undated

  • Box 7, Item 38
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Mary Hillenmeyer, [1880s-1890s]

  • Box 10, Item 33
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Mary Hillenmeyer, [1894]

  • Box 7, Item 40
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Monsignor Herbert Hillenmeyer, 1924-1925

  • Box 3, Item 47
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Monsignor Herbert Hillenmeyer, [1920s]

  • Box 3, Item 48
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Monsignor Herbert Hillenmeyer, [1930s-1940s]

  • Box 3, Item 49
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Monsignor Herbert Hillenmeyer, 1972

  • Box 10, Item 36
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Monsignor Herbert Hillenmeyer, [1970s]

  • Box 10, Item 37
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Monsignor Herbert Hillenmeyer in church service, undated

  • Box 3, Item 45
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Monsignor Herbert Hillenmeyer with church officials, undated

  • Box 3, Item 46
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Monsignor Herbert Hillenmeyer with nun, [1970s]

  • Box 10, Item 38
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Margaret Ossenbeck, undated

  • Box 7, Item 43
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Catherine "Kate" Seep, undated

  • Box 7, Item 42
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Josephine Seep, [1880s-1890s]

  • Box 10, Item 34
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Group of men and women in front of boats, undated

  • Box 11, Item 22
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Man holding hat, undated

  • Box 7, Item 44
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R.P. Gilbert, undated

  • Box 10, Item 39
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Two men standing in front of pond and field, undated

  • Box 3, Item 50
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"Uncle Billy" Jones, undated

  • Box 7, Item 50
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Photos from Frames - Francis Hillenmeyer, drawing, undated

  • Box 11, Item 1
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Photos from Frames - Hector Hillenmeyer, drawing, undated

  • Box 11, Item 2
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Photos from Frames - Louis Hillenmeyer, undated

  • Box 11, Item 3
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Photos from Frames - Louis Hillenmeyer, Jr., drawing, undated

  • Box 11, Item 4
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Photos from Frames - Robert Hillenmeyer, drawing, undated

  • Box 11, Item 5
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Photos from Frames - Walter Hillenmeyer, drawing, undated

  • Box 11, Item 6
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Photos from Frames - Walter Hillenmeyer, Jr., drawing, undated

  • Box 11, Item 7
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Photos from Frames - Calumet Landscaping, undated

  • Box 11, Item 8
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Photos from Frames - Garden Center, undated

  • Box 10, Item 40-42
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Photos from Frames - Garden Center, South, undated

  • Box 10, Item 43
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Photos from Frames - Henry Clay Monument, undated

  • Box 7, Item 45
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Photos from Frames - Hillenmeyer Nurseries Receives Certificate of Merit, undated

  • Box 11, Item 17
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Photos from Frames - Hillenmeyer Truck Outside Lexington Leader Office, 1930

  • Box 11, Item 18
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Photos from Frames - Landscape Plan, Photo by B.F. Conigsky, undated

  • Box 11, Item 16
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Photos from Frames - Landscaping, undated

  • Box 11, Item 9-12
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Photos from Frames - Louis Hillenmeyer, Jr Receives Award from Mrs. Richard Nixon, [1977]

  • Box 11, Item 19
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Photos from Frames - Residential Landscaping, Dr. Rufus Alley, Burrow Road, undated

  • Box 11, Item 13
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Photos from Frames - Residential Landscaping, Richmond Road, undated

  • Box 11, Item 14
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Photos from Frames - Spindletop Farm, undated

  • Box 11, Item 15
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Photos from Frames - Urban Landscaping, 1971

  • Box 7, Item 46-49
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Unidentified, undated

  • Box 13, Folder 1
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Album - Landscaping, Nursery Grounds, and Stock, undated

  • Box 13, Folder 2
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Envelopes and receipts, 1938-1940

  • Box 13, Folder 3
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Scrapbook - clippings, correspondence, images, 1957-1977

  • Box 13, Folder 4
Scope and Contents note

These items were removed from a scrapbook for preservation purposes.

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Videotapes, 1991

Scope and Contents note

The Videotapes subseries consists of three VHS tapes of a roundtable with the Hillenmeyer family, from the year of the nursery's 150th anniversary, 1991.

Videotapes (VHS)-Round Table:The Hillenmeyer Collection, 1991 October

  • Box 14, Folder 1
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Realia, 1941-1991

Scope and Contents note

The Realia series consists of artifacts present with the collection, including an engraved pocket knife, a grocery label, soil bags used by the nursery, a collection of copper printing plates that were used to produce the Hillenmeyer Nurseries' 100th anniversary catalog in 1941, and certificates and plaques presented to the nursery or members of the Hillenmeyer family throughout the years.

General, 1991, undated

Scope and Contents note

The General subseries consists of three artifacts present within the Hillenmeyer family papers. The first artifact is a golden, engraved pocket knife, which celebrates the nursery's 150th anniversary in 1991. The second is a "Country Skillet Frying Chickens" grocery label. The third is a large map of the Southeastern (though showing as north as Lake Erie and as west as present-day Texas) as it was in 1718, written in French. Its place in this collection suggests it was maybe used and kept by Francis Hillenmeyer as he immigrated from France to the United States in 1835.

Pocket Knife, 1991

  • Box 38, Item 1
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Country Skillet Frying Chickens label, undated

  • Box 33, Folder 6
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Map of Southeastern America as of 1718, written in French, undated

  • Case 6, Drawer 2
Scope and Contents note

The map portrays the land of America as it appeared in 1718, as north as Lake Erie and as west as present-day Texas. Though the date 1718 does appear, the map's paper and condition suggest that it is not actually that old, and is otherwise undated.

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Soil Bags, 1991

Scope and Contents note

The Soil Bags subseries consists of nine soil bags which were custom-designed for Hillenmeyer Nurseries, and used to sell soil, fertilizer, and plant feed to customers. No visible soil remains, but as there is a definite soil smell lingering, they have been wrapped together and boxed to separate them from the rest of the collection.

Hillenmeyer Nurseries' Soil Bags, 1991

  • Box 39, Item 1
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Copper Printing Plates, 1941

Scope and Contents note

The Copper Printing Plates subseries is made up of several of the plates that were used to produce the 100th Anniversary edition of the Hillenmeyer Nursies annual catalog in 1941. Included are page-size cuts of the front cover, as well as smaller blocks of individual photographs (like Hillenmeyer portraits, views of the nursery grounds, and various important documents) and page print elements.

Generational Portraits - Hector and Francis, Walter, Sr. and Louis, Sr., Fourth Generation Children, 1941

  • Box 28, Item 1
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Aerial Views of the Hillenmeyer Nurseries, 1941

  • Box 28, Item 2
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Copy of Original Invoice of Nursery Stock, 1941

  • Box 28, Item 3
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Front Cover, 1941

  • Box 28, Item 4
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Front Cover - Red Print Elements, 1941

  • Box 28, Item 5
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Front Cover - Yellow Print Elements, 1941

  • Box 28, Item 6
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Front Cover - Black Print Elements, 1941

  • Box 28, Item 7
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Inside Front Cover, 1941

  • Box 28, Item 8
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Nursery Equipment and Employees, 1941

  • Box 29, Item 1
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Aerial View of Julius Marks Sanatorium, 1941

  • Box 29, Item 2
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Residence of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Wile, Barrow Rd., 1941

  • Box 29, Item 3
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John C. Breckinridge note, 1941

  • Box 29, Item 4
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John C. Breckinridge, 1941

  • Box 29, Item 5
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"Hillenmeyer" Engraved Plate, 1941

  • Box 29, Item 6
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"Uncle Billy" Jones - Oldest Employee, 1941

  • Box 30, Item 1
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Walter Hillenmeyer, Jr., 1941

  • Box 30, Item 2
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Louis Hillenmeyer, Jr., 1941

  • Box 30, Item 3
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Nursery Office, 1941

  • Box 30, Item 4
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Louis Hillenmeyer, Sr., 1941

  • Box 30, Item 5
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Nursery Warehouse, 1941

  • Box 30, Item 6
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Hector Hillenmeyer, 1941

  • Box 30, Item 7
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Francis Hillenmeyer's Certificate of Apprenticeship, 1941

  • Box 31, Item 1
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"Six Veterans" - Employees, 1941

  • Box 31, Item 2
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"Nine Old Men" - Employees, 1941

  • Box 31, Item 3
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"100 Years" - Page Headers, 1941

  • Box 31, Item 4
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Certificates, 1971-1981

Scope and Contents note

The Certificates subseries consists of certificates presented to Hillenmeyer Nurseries, and individual members of the family. Included are two certificates for national awards, signed and presented by First Lady Thelma "Pat" Nixon (1971), and First Lady Nancy Reagan (1981); as well as a certificate presented to Louis, Sr., Louis, Jr., Walter, Jr., and Robert Hillenmeyer by the University of Kentucky Alumni Association.

Most of these certificates were originally in frames, but have been removed from their frames for preservation purposes.

Certificates presented to Hillenmeyer Nurseries, 1971, 1974, 1981

  • Box 40, Folder 5
Scope and Contents note

Two of these certificates were presented and signed by First Lady Nixon and First Lady Reagan.

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Certificate given to Louis, Louis, Jr., Walter, Jr., and Robert by the University of Kentucky Alumni Association, undated

  • Box 33, Folder 2
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Plaques, 1974, 1989

Scope and Contents note

The Plaques subseries consists of two plaques presented to Hillenmeyer Nurseries in 1974 and 1989.

Plaques, 1974, 1989

  • Box 33, Folder 14
  • Box 37, Item 1
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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.