Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Wilma Welker letters

Abstract

The Wilma Welker letters (dated 1918-1919, undated; 0.07 cubic feet; 1 folder, 2 photographs) comprises photographs and letters to Wilma Welker from two of her nephews that document their experiences as soldiers during World War I.

Descriptive Summary

Title
Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Wilma Welker letters
Date
1918-1919, undated (inclusive)
Creator
Welker, Wilma
Extent
0.07 Cubic Feet
Subjects
Letters.
Correspondence.
Military life.
World War, 1914-1918.
Family.
World War, 1914-1918 -- France.
Military training camps.
Health
Arrangement
Collection is arranged chronologically. The Wade Hall Collection of American Letters has been processed into discrete collections based on provenance.
Finding Aid Author
Sarah Coblentz
Preferred Citation
2009ms132.0690: [identification of item], Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Wilma Welker letters, 1918-1919, University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.
Repository
University of Kentucky

Collection Overview

Biography / History
Wilma Welker (b. 1878) was born in Germany, and immigrated to the United States in 1887. She lived in New York City with her sister and brother-in-law. 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 Wilma Welker letters (dated 1918-1919, undated; 0.07 cubic feet; 1 folder and 2 photographs) comprises photographs and letters to Wilma Welker from two of her nephews that document their experiences as soldiers during World War I. In the letters, they discuss participating in drills, going to the rifle range, getting orders to go overseas, and receiving passes to visit home. One nephew goes overseas, and he writes about not having seen any Germans yet, doing drills, and seeing women participate in the war effort. The other nephew is a bugler and writes mainly about having simple duties to follow, seeing his family, and his personal health. The two photos are portraits of unidentified soldiers.
The Wilma Welker letters 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

Letters to Wilma Welker, 1918-1919

  • Box WH-71, folder 7
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Photographs, undated

  • Box WH-70, item 1-2
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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.

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.