Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: John Louis Martin sketchbook

Abstract

The John Louis Martin sketchbook (dated 1908-1918, 1989, undated; 0.03 cubic feet; 2 folders) comprises a single sketchbook belonging to John Louis Martin, a stagehand and set designer at the Buckingham Theatre in Louisville, Kentucky during the first part of the twentieth century.

Descriptive Summary

Title
Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: John Louis Martin sketchbook
Date
1908-1918, 1989, undated (inclusive)
Creator
Martin, John Louis, 1877-1952
Extent
0.03 Cubic Feet
Subjects
Sketches.
sketchbooks
Drawing.
Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)
Theaters -- Kentucky -- Louisville.
Louisville (Ky.)
Kentucky.
Steamboats.
Martin, John Louis, 1877-1952
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
Hanna Rumbarger
Preferred Citation
2009ms132.0879: [identification of item], Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: John Louis Martin sketchbook, 1908-1918, 1989, undated, University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.
Repository
University of Kentucky

Collection Overview

Biography / History
John Louis Martin (1877-1952) was born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky. He married Mary Caroline Woetring (1881-1989) in 1905, and the couple had three children together, John Raymond Martin (1915-1978), Edward Martin (1915-1946) and Sarah Jane Martin (1920-1987). John worked at The Buckingham Theatre from around 1910-1940, according to US Census records.
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 John Louis Martin sketchbook (dated 1908-1918, 1989, undated; 0.03 cubic feet; 2 folders) comprises a single sketchbook belonging to John Louis Martin, a stagehand and set designer at the Buckingham Theatre in Louisville, Kentucky during the first part of the twentieth century. The sketchbook features vibrant sketches and paintings of various stage designs, architectural designs, nature sketches, landscape paintings and sketches of steamboats. The sketches are either in color or simple pencil. The stage designs, landscapes and steamboat sketches are very detailed and intricate for their small size. One of the sketches is of a rough head steamboat on the Cincinnati River near Louisville. Also featured are multiple sketches of downtown Louisville and the outside of The Buckingham Theatre. Also included in this collection are two newspaper clippings from the Louisville Courier-Journal about the history of The Buckingham Theatre, renamed The Savoy Theatre in 1894, and the permanent closing of the theater in 1989.
The John Louis Martin sketchbook 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

John L. Martin sketchbook, 1908-1918

  • Box WH-102, folder 10
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Louisville Courier-Journal newspaper clippings, 1989, undated

  • Box WH-102, folder 11
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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.