Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Helen Hungerford papers

Abstract

The Helen Hungerford papers (dated 1905-1992, bulk 1912-1920; 1.05 cubic feet; 3 boxes) comprise letters and other papers from former male and female classmates, boyfriends, and relatives that document daily life in Washington and Rochelle, Illinois during the period just prior to, during, and after World War I.

Descriptive Summary

Title
Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Helen Hungerford papers
Date
1905-1992 (inclusive)
1912-1920 (bulk)
Creator
Hungerford, Helen, 1893-1985
Extent
1.05 Cubic Feet
Subjects
Correspondence.
Illinois
Influenza Epidemic, 1918-1919
Music -- 20th century.
World War, 1914-1918.
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
2009ms132.0102: [identification of item], Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Helen Hungerford papers, 1905-1992, bulk 1912-1920, University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.
Repository
University of Kentucky

Collection Overview

Biography / History
Helen Hungerford (1893-1985) was born in Washington, Illinois to Frank Hungerford (1871-1943) and Melissa Belle Smith Hungerford (1871-19667). In 1917, Helen and her family moved north to a farm just outside Rochelle, Illinois. Helen worked for a short time as a bookkeeper and was an accomplished cornet player who played in an all-women band named the Ladies Orchestra of Washington. She also did many local performances as a soloist. Although she had several male friends, Helen never married but was so active civically that the Rochelle Community Hospital named its Cultural Arts lobby after her in 1992.
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 Helen Hungerford papers (dated 1905-1992, bulk 1912-1920; 1.05 cubic feet; 3 boxes) comprise letters and other papers from former male and female classmates, boyfriends, and relatives that document daily life in Washington and Rochelle, Illinois during the period just prior to, during, and after World War I. Several of the letters discuss the onset of the war, the United States involvement, the draft and its effects on the community, interest in joining the Red Cross, and the flu epidemic of 1918. There are also several letters pertaining to the Eaton family; however, the connection to Helen or the Hungerford family is unknown.
The Helen Hungerford papers 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

Correspondence, 1905-1920, undated

Helen Hungerford letters, 1905-1911

  • Box 62, folder 1
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Helen Hungerford letters, 1912

  • Box 62, folder 2
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Helen Hungerford letters, 1913

  • Box 62, folder 3-5
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Helen Hungerford letters, 1914

  • Box 62, folder 6
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Helen Hungerford letters, 1915

  • Box 62, folder 7
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Helen Hungerford letters, 1916

  • Box 62, folder 8
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Helen Hungerford letters, 1917

  • Box 62, folder 9-11
  • Box 63, folder 1-3
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Helen Hungerford letters, 1918

  • Box 63, folder 4-7
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Helen Hungerford letters, 1919

  • Box 63, folder 8-11
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Helen Hungerford letters, 1920

  • Box 64, folder 1-3
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Helen Hungerford letters, undated

  • Box 64, folder 4-5
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Marriage Certificate (parents), 1892 December 22

  • Box 64, folder 6
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Dance cards, invitations, programs, 1912-1917

  • Box 64, folder 7
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Peoria Musical College Annual Catalog, 1916-1917

  • Box 64, folder 8
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Newspaper clippings, 1917, 1992

  • Box 64, folder 9
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Eaton family papers, 1926, 1941-1957

  • Box 64, folder 10
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Helen Hungerford papers, undated

  • Box 64, folder 11
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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.