Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Norman Wagner Jones papers

Abstract

The Norman Wagner Jones papers (dated 1922-1960, undated; 0.37 cubic feet; 5 boxes, 5 folders) comprises letters and photographs that document the life of Norman Jones and his family and friends living in Kentucky and Alabama in the first half of the twentieth century.

Descriptive Summary

Title
Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Norman Wagner Jones papers
Date
1922-1960, undated (inclusive)
Creator
Jones, Norman Wagner
Extent
0.37 Cubic Feet
Subjects
Letters.
Love-letters
Education, Higher.
African Americans -- Kentucky
African Americans -- Education (Higher)
Family.
Travel.
Friendship.
Man-woman relationships -- United States -- 20th century
Arrangement
Collection is arranged by format. The Wade Hall Collection of American Letters has been processed into discrete collections based on provenance.
Finding Aid Author
Sarah Coblentz
Preferred Citation
2009ms132.0833: [identification of item], Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Norman Wagner Jones papers, 1922-1960, undated, University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.
Repository
University of Kentucky

Collection Overview

Biography / History
Norman Wagner Jones (1930-2008), an African-American man, was born in Louisville, Kentucky to Eddie (1876-1951) and Hattie Jones (b. 1904). Between 1952 and 1954, Jones served in the air force. No other biographical information available.
American Letters collector Wade Hall (1934-2015) was a native of Union Springs, Alabama. Starting in 1962, he lived in Louisville, where he taught English and chaired the English and Humanities/Arts programs at Kentucky Southern College and Bellarmine University. He also taught at the University of Illinois and the University of Florida. He held degrees from Troy State University (B.S.), the University of Alabama (M.A.), and the University of Illinois (Ph.D.). He served for two years in the U.S. Army in the mid-fifties. Dr. Hall was the author of books, monographs, articles, plays, and reviews relating to Kentucky, Alabama, and Southern history and literature. His most recent books include A Visit with Harlan Hubbard; High Upon a Hill: A History of Bellarmine College; A Song in Native Pastures: Randy Atcher's Life in Country Music; and Waters of Life from Conecuh Ridge.
Scope and Content
The Norman Wagner Jones papers (dated 1922-1960, undated; 0.37 cubic feet; 5 boxes, 5 folders) comprises letters and photographs that document the life of Norman Jones and his family and friends living in Kentucky and Alabama in the first half of the twentieth century. The letters are sent to Norman mainly from different girlfriends, both discussing attending school, spending time with friends, traveling to different cities, visiting with his family, and how much they miss him. The first girlfriend writes to him while he is attending Tuskegee Institute in the late 1940s and the second girlfriend writes to him after he returned to Louisville from military service in the late 1950s. The photographs in the collection depict the life of an African-American family in the mid-twentieth century, including weddings, picnics, graduations, vacations, relatives, holidays, and employment.
The Norman Wagner Jones papers collection is part of the Wade Hall Collection of American Letters, which includes correspondence and diaries from all over North America covering the time period of the Civil to Korean Wars. The materials were collected by Wade Hall and document everyday men and women.

Restrictions on Access and Use

Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open to researchers by appointment.
Use Restrictions
The physical rights to the materials in this collection are held by the University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.

Contents of the Collection

Mary E. Smith to Norman W. Jones, 1948

  • Box WH-92, folder 1
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Mary E. Smith to Norman W. Jones, 1949

  • Box WH-92, folder 2
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Lillie to Norman W. Jones, 1955

  • Box WH-92, folder 3
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Letters to Norman W. Jones, 1953-1956

  • Box WH-92, folder 4
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Newspaper clippings, 1952-1955, undated

  • Box WH-92, folder 5
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Photographs, 1922-1960, undated

  • Box 1, item 1-101
  • Box 2, item 102-201
  • Box 3, item 202-231
  • Box WH-70, item 232-246
  • Box WH-75, item 247-254
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Questions? Contact SCRC via our Contact Form.

You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.

If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.

UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center is open Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm. Appointments are encouraged but not required. Schedule an appointment here.

Researchers must have an SCRC Researcher Account to request materials. View account set-up and use instructions here.

Questions? Contact SCRC via our Contact Form.

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You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.

If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.