Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Wintersteen family letters

Abstract

The Wintersteen family letters collection (dated 1911-1950; 0.2 cubic feet; 6 folders) comprise letters that document the relationships between family and lovers in the first half of the twentieth century.

Descriptive Summary

Title
Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Wintersteen family letters
Date
1911-1950 (inclusive)
Creator
Wintersteen, Gordon, 1909-1987
Extent
0.2 Cubic Feet
Subjects
Courtship
Farm life -- Ohio
Letters.
Love-letters
Piano music.
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
2009ms132.0100: [identification of item], Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Wintersteen family letters, 1911-1950, University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.
Repository
University of Kentucky

Collection Overview

Biography / History
Gordon Wintersteen (1909-1987) was born in Butler County, Ohio to Frank Wintersteen (1875-1940), a farmer, and Cora Phares Wintersteen (1869-1966). Florence Mae Wintersteen (1912-2003) was born Florence Mae Stock in Hamilton, Ohio to Christopher Frederick Stock (1874-1968) and Cora Phares Stock (1880-1950). Gordon worked as a farmer upon reaching adulthood and Florence taught piano lessons to students and worked for the Hamilton telephone exchange as an operator until the company went to a self-dialing system.
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 Wintersteen family letters (dated 1911-1950; 0.2 cubic feet; 6 folders) comprise letters that document the relationships between family and lovers in the first half of the twentieth century. The majority of the letters are from Florence Mae to Gordon, that discuss the piano lessons she taught, her health, gossip from home (Hamilton, OH), and the activities and well-being of her family. There are some letters between the Wintersteen family members that discuss visiting each other and how everyone is doing, and some letters from friends to Gordon and Florence congratulating them on their marriage.
The Wintersteen family letters are 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
The 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

Wintersteen family letters, 1911-1923

  • Box 60, folder 7
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Wintersteen family letters, 1925-1926

  • Box 60, folder 8
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Wintersteen family letters, 1929

  • Box 60, folder 9
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Wintersteen family letters, 1937-1938

  • Box 60, folder 10
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Wintersteen family letters, 1939-1941

  • Box 60, folder 11
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Wintersteen family letters, 1942-1950

  • Box 60, folder 12
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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.