Nancy Lewis Greene papers

Abstract

The Nancy Lewis Greene papers (dated 1816-1951, undated; 2.6 cubic feet, 11 boxes) comprise personal, family, and professional correspondence; drafts and writings; photographs; and notebooks documenting Greene's career as an author.

Descriptive Summary

Title
Nancy Lewis Greene papers
Date
1816-1951, undated (inclusive)
Extent
2.6 Cubic Feet
Subjects
Manuscripts, American -- Kentucky.
Authors -- Correspondence.
Women authors, American -- Kentucky -- Lexington
Editorials.
Publishers and publishing -- Kentucky.
Books -- Kentucky.
Education -- Kentucky -- Lexington.
Arrangement
Collection is arranged by format.
Finding Aid Author
Nicole Priest, Qaaim Stainbeck
Preferred Citation
1997ms449: [identification of item], Nancy Lewis Greene papers, 1816-1951, undated, University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.
Repository
University of Kentucky

Collection Overview

Biography / History
Author Nancy Lewis Greene was born in Lexington, Kentucky, in 1882. Her father, Francis M. Greene, was a doctor and her mother, Theodosia Greene, was a homemaker. Nancy Lewis Greene attended Sayre School for Girls in Lexington and later wrote a history of the school. Greene frequently wrote about Shakertown and Harrodsburg. Additionally, she wrote a novel called Ye Old Shaker Bells in 1930 about life in Shakertown. She co-wrote Country Estates of the Bluegrass with author Thomas A. Knight in 1904. Additionally, she wrote many short stories and newspaper editorials for the Lexington Herald. Greene was a distant cousin of Kentucky suffragist Laura Clay. Greene was never married nor did she have any children. She died in 1959 in Lexington.
Sources:
"Clark County Chronicles." Winchester Sun. Clark County, Ky., circa-1920.
Scope and Content
The Nancy Lewis Greene papers (dated 1816-1951, undated; 2.6 cubic feet, 11 boxes) comprise personal, family, and professional correspondence; drafts and writings; photographs; and notebooks documenting Greene's career as an author. The material relates to her research interests, her creative process, and her writing career as well as Greene family history. Greene’s literary output is documented through her correspondence with publishers and professional contacts; research files; notebooks and drafts; and writings, including poems, short stories, letters to the editor, newspaper editorials, and Greene's novel "Ye Old Shaker Bells". The research files focus on Kentucky, especially covering Shakers, Harrodsburg, Ky., and the Sayre School for Girls (Lexington, Ky.). There are also photographs of the Greene family and of historic buildings, including Sayre School. Greene family history is documented in the collection through the medical notebooks of Dr. Francis M. Greene (Greene’s father) as well as correspondence to and from Francis, Greene's mother, Theodosia Greene, and her sister, Cora Greene.
The collection includes considerable research on the topics that Greene was passionate about and the ones she eventually wrote books about. Her research and notes indicate that she was interested in Shakertown, for instance, because of the ways they worshipped and expressed their faith. "Country Estates of the Bluegrass" focused on her love of rural areas, as evidenced through letters she wrote the Lexington Herald about preserving those spaces.
The Correspondence series includes letters from Greene's father, Dr. Francis M. Greene, to her mother, Theodosia Greene; letters to and from her sister Cora Greene; letters to and from publishers and libraries regarding her book, "Ye Old Shaker Bells,"; letters to the editor of Lexington and Florida daily newspapers such as the Lexington Herald; and letters to other friends and family.

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

Literary work, 1865-1948, undated

Scope and Contents

The Literary work series comprises biographical writings about Nancy Lewis Greene that were included in books she wrote; newspaper clippings of letters to the editor; article drafts; research notes; poems; her "Bells of Shakertown" manuscript; and writing tablets in which she drafted correspondence.

1902-1919

  • Box 1, folder 1
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1921-1929

  • Box 1, folder 2
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1931-1939

  • Box 1, folder 3
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"Bells of Shakertown" manuscript, undated

  • Box 1, folder 4
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Book bios, undated

  • Box 1, folder 5
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Essays, 1920-1948, undated

  • Box 1, folder 6-8
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Manuscripts, undated

  • Box 1, folder 9
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Newspaper clippings, 1918, undated

  • Box 1, folder 10
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Poems, undated

  • Box 1, folder 11
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Publications, 1897-1933

  • Box 1, folder 11
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Tablets, 1865-1920

  • Box 1, folder 12-14
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Research, 1897-1951, undated

Scope and Contents

The Research series comprises news clippings, correspondence and general research information, such as magazines and brochures, about three locations Greene frequently wrote about: Shakertown, Ky., Harrodsburg, Ky., and The Sayre School, located in Lexington, Ky. Arranged in four subseries by subject (Shakertown, Pleasant Hill, Ky.; Harrodsburg, Ky.; Sayre School for Girls; Magazines) and thereunder chronologically.

Shakertown, Pleasant Hill, Ky., 1921-1933, undated

Shakertown research, 1921-1930

  • Box 2, folder 1
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"Ye Old Shaker Bells" reviews, 1930

  • Box 2, folder 3
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Shakertown photographs, 1933, undated

  • Box 2, folder 3
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Ye Old Shaker Bells correspondence, 1933, undated

  • Box 2, folder 4
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Shakertown clippings, 1930

  • Box 2, folder 5
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Harrodsburg, Ky., 1927-1951, undated

Harrodsburg correspondence, 1927-1936

  • Box 2, folder 6
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Harrodsburg clippings, 1931-1934

  • Box 2, folder 7
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Photographs, 1951

  • Box 2, folder 8
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Miscellaneous, undated

  • Box 2, folder 9
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Sayre School for Girls, 1897-1954, undated

Sayre correspondence, 1914-1941

  • Box 2, folder 10
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Sayre publications, 1907-1954

  • Box 2, folder 11
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Essays, undated

  • Box 2, folder 12
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Sayre clippings, 1923-1947

  • Box 3, folder 1
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Sayre advertisements, 1924-1936, undated

  • Box 3, folder 2
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Sayre photographs, 1897-1933

  • Box 3, folder 3
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Magazines, 1897-1933

  • Box 3, folder 4
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Correspondence, 1892-1955, undated

Scope and Contents

The Correspondence series comprises letters to and from Nancy Lewis Greene's sister Cora; her father, Dr. Francis M. Greene; and her mother, Theodosia, about domestic activites. Also includes letters Greene wrote to government and military figures about subjects in which she was interested.

Family correspondence, 1892-1906

1892-1906

  • Box 3, folder 5
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1907-1918

  • Box 3, folder 6
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1919-1928

  • Box 3, folder 7
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1930-1933

  • Box 3, folder 8
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1936-1937

  • Box 3, folder 9
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1938-1939

  • Box 3, folder 10
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1940-1954

  • Box 4, folder 1
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Correspondence from government, 1909-1955, undated

  • Box 4, folder 2
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Correspondence from military, 1918-1919

  • Box 4, folder 3
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Correspondence to organizations, 1918-1954, undated

  • Box 4, folder 4
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Notebooks, 1870-1944, undated

Scope and Contents

The Notebooks series comprises medical notebooks (mainly documenting billing and supplies) and journals belonging to Nancy Lewis Greene's father, Dr. Francis M. Greene; notebooks of jokes, unsent letters, and journal entries pertaining to her books and everyday life; and notebooks with poems and personal essays.

Date books, 1913, 1915

  • Box 4, folder 5
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"The Anderson-Greene Jokebook", undated

  • Box 4, folder 6
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Cora Greene journal, 1918-1944

  • Box 4, folder 7
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Composition notebook and journal, 1886, 1929

  • Box 4, folder 8
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Medical Code of Ethics, 1880

  • Box 4, folder 9
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Physicians' Visiting List, 1870, 1898

  • Box 5, folder 1
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Physicians' Memorandum, 1908, 1910

  • Box 5, folder 2
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Notebooks, 1890-1942

  • Box 5, folder 3
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Miscellaneous, 1816-1947, undated

Scope and Contents

The Miscellaneous series comprises documents unrelated to Nancy Lewis Greene's publishing career or research. The series includes several folders of genealogical records and family papers from the early 19th century, her sister Cora's license to teach kindergarten in the Lexington (Ky.) Public Schools, receipts for hotels and printing costs, theatre playbills, and newspaper clippings concerning local Lexington events. Additionally, the series contains Greene's notes from meetings of the Women's Democratic Club.

Genealogical records, 1816-1898, undated

  • Box 5, folder 4
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Greene family documents, 1835-1899

  • Box 5, folder 5
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Greene family documents, 1923-1947

  • Box 5, folder 6
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Receipts, 1905-1941, undated

  • Box 5, folder 7
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Women's Democratic Club, 1920

  • Box 5, folder 8
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News clippings, theater programs, legal documents, journal entries, 1885-1946, undated

  • Box 6, folder 1-6
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Photographs, 1898-1934, undated

Scope and Contents

The Photographs series comprises portraits of Nancy Lewis Greene, her sister Cora Greene, her cousin Laura Clay, and father Francis M. Greene as well as undientified portraits.

Family, 1905-1922, undated

Oakwood, corner of living room, undated

  • Box 7, item 1
Scope and Contents

On the back of photograph: "Corner of living room at Oakwoods, Pa. Home of Cousin Kate Maker"

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Cora Greene and Virginia Hamilton, 1920 February 3

  • Box 7, item 2
Scope and Contents

On back of photograph: "This is a miserable picture of Virginia."

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"Cora [Greene] and Mrs. [Viginia] Hamilton", 1920 February 3

  • Box 7, item 3
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"Cora Greene and Mrs. [Virginia] Hamilton", 1920 February 3

  • Box 7, item 4
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"Nancy Lewis Greene, Patricia Hamilton, Mildred Wheeler", 1922 June 4

  • Box 7, item 5
Scope and Contents

"Taken in the garden at Kirklevington. Pat's 4th birthday."

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"Nancy Lewis Greene, Mildred Wheeler", 1922 June 4

  • Box 7, item 6
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"Patricia Hamilton, 4 years old, Mildred Wheeler, 4 years old", 1922 June 4

  • Box 7, item 7
Scope and Contents

"Taken on Pat's birthday june 4, 1922 at Kirklevington. In the garden."

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"Mildred Wheeler, Patricia Hamilton. Taken in the garden at Kirklevington by Dr. Wheeler", 1922 June 4

  • Box 7, item 8
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Katherine Paul Maker, undated

  • Box 7, item 9
Scope and Contents

On back of photograph: "Katherine Paul Maker on right. Grandaughter of Elizabeth Payne Lewis 'Aunt Bettie' McGrath. The one this side is Kate - with hat turned up on the side - she sends love to you."

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Oakwood, home of Lizze McGrath Maker and Kate Maker in Pennsylvania, undated

  • Box 7, item 10
Scope and Contents

On back of photograph: "Walk to the mail box over which Pat (the Irish Setter) and I went each morning for the mail at 'Oakwood" home of Kate Maker in Pennsylvania. Don't you love the big old trees we, set for back from the Pike"

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Oakwood, front of house, undated

  • Box 7, item 11
Scope and Contents

On back of photograph: "'Oakwood' home of cousins Lizzie McGrath Maker and her daughter Katherine Paul Maker."

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Oakwood, back porch, undated

  • Box 7, item 12
Scope and Contents

On back of photograph: "Home of Kate Maker, Near Norristown Pa. Daughter of Cousin Lizzie McGrath. Side view of house and kitchen entrance."

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Oakwood, dining room, undated

  • Box 7, item 13
Scope and Contents

On back of photograph: "At Oakwood in Pa. Home of Kate Maker and Cousin Lizzie McGrath, her mother. View of the dining room. I see our cat on the chair."

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Logan Lewis, 1905

  • Box 8, item 1
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Cora Green and Nancy Lewis Greene on porch of Rose Street Cottage, 1917

  • Box 8, item 2
Scope and Contents

On back of photograph: "Cora L. Greene, Nancy Lewis Greene. Taken on porch of Rose Street Cottage. By Lieutenant Sapp."

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Dr. McClure, Nancy Lewis Greene, Cora L. Greene, Dean and Mrs. Lee and their children, undated

  • Box 9, item 1
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Francis M. Greene, undated

  • Box 10, item 1-5
  • Box 8, item 3-6
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Landscapes, circa 1917-1919, undated

Photographic postcard, "At Sunset Tarpon Springs, Fla.", undated

  • Box 7, item 14
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Benjamin H. Helm monument at Chickamauga, undated

  • Box 8, item 7
Scope and Contents

On back of photograph: "One of the monuments erected by the Government at Chickamauga." Monument reads "Benjamine H. Helm, Brg. Gen. C.S.A. Commanding Brigade. Breckinridge's Division, Mortally wounded here about 10 A.M. Sept. 20 1883."

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Log cabins, undated

  • Box 8, item 8
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Monument to Confederate War Dead in Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond’s Oregon Hill neighborhood, undated

  • Box 8, item 9
Scope and Contents

On front of photograph: "Where Nature lent a helping hand to loving hearts in forming a beautiful memorial. (Confederate Monument)"

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House and porch, undated

  • Box 8, item 10
Scope and Contents

On front of photograph: "The Mansion upon it stood the ravages of time in soldi substantiability."

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Horses along Versailles road, undated

  • Box 8, item 11
Scope and Contents

On the back of the photograph: "Fine thoroughbreds drinking from a little chrystal lake on Varsailles road."

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Farmland, undated

  • Box 8, item 12
Scope and Contents

On back of photograph: "An exquisite view of a winding stream bordered by fragment mints and cresses."

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Cottage at Beaumont, undated

  • Box 8, item 13
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Tree, undated

  • Box 10, item 6
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Lake, undated

  • Box 10, item 7-9
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High Bridge, Kentucky, undated

  • Box 10, item 10-11
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World War I images of trench warfare and devastated landscapes, circa 1917-1919

  • Box 10, item 12-31
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Laura Clay, 1933, undated

Laura Clay with book, undated

  • Box 8, item 14
Scope and Contents

Copyright Gerhard Sisters, St. Louis.

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Laura Clay, undated

  • Box 8, item 15
Scope and Contents

On back of photograph: "Cousin Laura Clay". Came with card: "Miss Laura Clay. Graduate of Sayre 1865. Internationally known leader Woman's Suffrage Movement. The first woman to receive a vote for the nomination for President of the United States by one of the major parties. This occurred at the National Democratic Convention in San Francisco Cal. in 1920."

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Laura Clay looking at book, undated

  • Box 9, item 3
Scope and Contents

Copyrighted by Gerard Sisters, St. Louis.

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Kentucky Governor Ruby Laffoon and Laura Clay, acting as temporary chairman of the Kentucky Convention to ratify the Twenty-first Amendment to the Constitution, 1933 November 27

  • Box 9, item 4
Scope and Contents

On front of photograph: "Gov. Ruby Lafoon handing gavel to Miss Laura Clay, temporary chairman of Kentucky convention to ratify the Twenty-first Amendment to the Federal Constitution."

On back of photograph: Entire address of Laura Clay at the Kentucky Convention.

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Nancy Lewis Greene, 1929-1934

Nancy Lewis Greene, 1898 July 2

  • Box 7, item 15
Scope and Contents

On back of photograph: "Dear Cousin Laura."

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"Nancy Lewis Greene at 187 North Mill, Lexington, Kentucky", circa 1920s

  • Box 7, item 16
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Negative of Nancy Lewis Greene at 187 North Mill, Lexington, Kentucky, circa 1920

  • Box 7, item 17
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Nancy Lewis Greene taken in doorway of the historic Gratz House, Lexington, Kentucky, circa 1920s

  • Box 7, item 18
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Nancy Lewis Greene, undated

  • Box 7, item 19
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Nancy Lewis Greene with horse, undated

  • Box 7, item 20
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Mr. and Mrs. G. R. Mayfield, Miss Hasslock, Miss Nancy Lewis Greene, Miss Margaret B. Clark at Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tenn., undated

  • Box 7, item 21
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Head shot of Nancy Lewis Greene cut out and pasted on her calling card, undated

  • Box 7, item 22
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Head shot, Nancy Lewis Greene, 1934

  • Box 7, item 23-25
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Nancy Lewis Greene, undated

  • Box 7, item 26-30
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Nancy Lewis Green, taken at guest house Shakertown, 1933

  • Box 7, item 31
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Nancy Lewis Greene at Graham Springs Hotel, Harrodsburg, Kentucky, 1929

  • Box 7, item 32-36
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Nancy Lewis Greene, taken in St. Augustine, Fla., undated

  • Box 10, item 32
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Portraits (identified), 1902-1941, undated

Paulie Henisely, 1941

  • Box 7, item 37
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Sarah Clay Garland, undated

  • Box 7, item 38
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Negative of Sarah Clay Garland, undated

  • Box 7, item 39
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John Beasley, elderly African-American man, 1908

  • Box 8, item 17-18
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Hamilton Roberts, 1908 July 1

  • Box 8, item 19
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Corey Sydnor Hall, College Hill, Cincinnati, Ohio Military Institute, 1902 January 11

  • Box 8, item 20
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"Fannie" and Betty Night, 1936 Summer

  • Box 8, item 21
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Mary Leonard, undated

  • Box 8, item 22
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"Teddy" Lieutenant E.R. Sappe, 1917

  • Box 8, item 23
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Baker P. Lee, 1907

  • Box 9, item 5
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Russell B. McCoy, undated

  • Box 9, item 6
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"Master Dudley Wilson Ocvee, Florida", undated

  • Box 9, item 7
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Charles Allen Thomas, 1908 June 6

  • Box 9, item 8
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"Closed and left in the keeping of an aged negro", undated

  • Box 9, item 9
  • Box 8, item 16
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"Else Weinbert, New York City", hospital scene, undated

  • Box 10, item 33
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Sal Poyntz, African-American man in a suit, undated

  • Box 10, item 34
Scope and Contents

On back of photograph: "Sal Poyntz or Lewis, owned by Alpheus Lewis valet to young Ack Lewis. Before and after the Civil War."

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Horse Ornament and owner H. P. Headley, Lexington, Kentucky, undated

  • Box 10, item 35
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Horse Sanders held by H. P. Headley, undated

  • Box 10, item 36
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Portraits (unidentified), undated

Tintype of unidentified man, undated

  • Box 11, item 1
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Tintype of unidentified woman, undated

  • Box 11, item 2
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Unidentified portraits, undated

  • Box 7, item 40-63
  • Box 8, item 24-34
  • Box 9, item 10
  • Box 10, item 37-51
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Viola Allen Patchen Wilkes, undated

  • Box 7, item 64-66
  • Box 8, item 35-40
  • Box 10, item 52-53
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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.

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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.