Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Pearl Burtnett letters

Abstract

The Pearl Burtnett letters (dated 1873-1879, 1911-1923, undated; 0.32 cubic feet; 10 folders) comprises letters sent to Pearl from friends and family that document the lives of young men and women in upper class Philadelphia, Pennsylvania society in the early twentieth century.

Descriptive Summary

Title
Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Pearl Burtnett letters
Date
1873-1879, 1911-1923, undated (inclusive)
Creator
Burtnett, Pearl
Extent
0.32 Cubic Feet
Subjects
Letters.
Correspondence.
Love-letters
Family.
Friendship.
Female friendship -- United States.
Young women -- United States -- Social life and customs -- 20th century
Young women -- United States -- Correspondence -- 20th century
Women in education.
Pennsylvania
Gossip.
Health
Education
Arrangement
Collection is arranged by subject. The Wade Hall Collection of American Letters has been processed into discrete collections based on provenance.
Finding Aid Author
Sarah Coblentz
Preferred Citation
2009ms132.0613: [identification of item], Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Pearl Burtnett letters, 1873-1879, 1911-1923, undated, University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.
Repository
University of Kentucky

Collection Overview

Biography / History
Pearl Burtnett (1896-1981) was born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania to Charles Burtnett (1870-1943) and Mary Ellen Stahlnecker (1874-1956). Pearl never married and worked as an office manager in a broker's office in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Pearl Burtnett letters (dated 1873-1879, 1911-1923, undated; 0.32 cubic feet; 10 folders) comprises letters sent to Pearl from friends and family that document the lives of young men and women in upper class Philadelphia, Pennsylvania society in the early twentieth century. The letters to Pearl discuss education, dating, gossip, shopping, social events, trips taken, personal health, marriages, and family. Her mother is a frequent letter writer, updating Pearl on the family at home, activities around the house, personal health, and seeing whether she can assist with other family members getting into specific schools.
The Pearl Burtnett 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

Bob to Pearl Burtnett, 1920-1922, undated

  • Box WH-58, folder 4
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Earle to Pearl Burtnett, 1911-1915

  • Box WH-58, folder 5
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John to Pearl Burtnett, 1919-1923, undated

  • Box WH-58, folder 6
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Lillian Bloom to Pearl Burtnett, 1912-1917

  • Box WH-58, folder 7
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Mother to Pearl Burtnett, 1915-1922, undated

  • Box WH-58, folder 8
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Letters to Pearl Burtnett, 1912-1916

  • Box WH-58, folder 9
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Letters to Pearl Burtnett, 1917-1922

  • Box WH-58, folder 10
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Letters to Pearl Burtnett, undated

  • Box WH-58, folder 11
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Letters from Pearl Burtnett, 1919-1921

  • Box WH-58, folder 12
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General letters, 1873-1879, 1912-1922, undated

  • Box WH-58, folder 13
To top

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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.

Requests

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Submit a request for SCRC materials.




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.