Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Vera Liston letters

Abstract

The Vera Liston letters (dated 1917-1928, undated; 0.12 cubic feet; 2 folders) comprise letters sent to Vera Liston that document the relationships held by her among friends and family in Iowa in the early twentieth century.

Descriptive Summary

Title
Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Vera Liston letters
Date
1917-1928, undated (inclusive)
Creator
Liston, Vera
Extent
0.12 Cubic Feet
Subjects
Letters.
Families.
Friendship.
Education -- Women.
Farm life
Religion
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
2009ms132.1104: [identification of item], Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Vera Liston letters, 1917-1928, undated, University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.
Repository
University of Kentucky

Collection Overview

Biography / History
Vera Liston (1907-1983) was born in Oklahoma to Phillip H. Liston (1883-1955) and Minerva Scott (1880-1907). Later that year, her family moved to Liston, New Mexico where her father and grandfather operated a general store and post office. About 1912, Vera, her father, stepmother, and half-brother relocated to a farm just outside Gravity, Iowa. In 1923, she married James Wilburn Reed (1901-1960), a building plasterer, and together they had three children: Eugene Fay (1924-1945), Wilburn Wayne (1928-1969), and Robert D. (1942-1985).
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 Vera Liston letters (dated 1917-1928, undated; 0.12 cubic feet; 2 folders) comprise letters sent to Vera Liston that document the relationships held by her among friends and family in Iowa in the early twentieth century. Letters are sent from relatives and classmates, discussing school, performance in various subjects, working on a farm, raising livestock, harvesting crops, personal health, attending religious services, spending time with family and friends, travel, and the birth of new siblings. There are also a few letters from friends to Vera's stepmother, discussing personal health, temperaments, and religion.
The Vera Liston 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 Vera Liston, 1917-1921, undated

  • Box WH-157, folder 4
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Letters to Lillian Liston, 1928

  • Box WH-157, folder 5
To top

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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.