Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Isabelle Edwards family papers

Abstract

The Isabelle Edwards family papers (dated 1921-1925, 1942-1955, undated; 0.20 cubic feet; 4 folders, 108 photographs) comprises a diary, letters, personal papers, and photographs that document the life of Isabelle Edwards and her family members in Alabama, Michigan, and Georgia in the first half of the twentieth century.

Descriptive Summary

Title
Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Isabelle Edwards family papers
Date
1921-1925, 1942-1955, undated (inclusive)
Creator
Edwards, Isabelle
Extent
0.20 Cubic Feet
Subjects
Letters.
Correspondence.
Family.
Friendship.
Marriage
Gossip.
Travel.
Arrangement
Collection is arranged by format. The Wade Hall Collection of American Letters has been processed into discrete collections based on provenance.
Finding Aid Author
Sarah Coblentz
Preferred Citation
2009ms132.0671: [identification of item], Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Isabelle Edwards family papers, 1921-1925, 1942-1955, undated, University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.
Repository
University of Kentucky

Collection Overview

Biography / History
Isabelle Edwards (1906-1991) was born in Jasper, Alabama to Henry Edwards (1876-1949) and Alice Hill (b. 1881). She was married at least three times; all that is known about her first husband is his last name – Nichols, her second husband was Albert C. Guldner (1897-1949) who she married in 1945, and her third husband was Isaac "Ike" W. Laird (1895-1963) who she married in 1950. While married to Albert, the couple lived in Pontiac, Michigan where Albert worked at General Motors Truck Division. While married to Ike, the couple lived in Decatur, Georgia where Ike owned and operated a dairy farm. 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 Isabelle Edwards family papers (dated 1921-1925, 1942-1955, undated; 0.20 cubic feet; 4 folders, 108 photographs) comprises a diary, letters, personal papers, and photographs that document the life of Isabelle Edwards and her family members in Alabama, Michigan, and Georgia in the first half of the twentieth century. The diary documents Isabelle's daily life while living in Michigan, discussing chores done at home, meals made, the weather, friends and family that visited, and little trips taken by her and her husband. The letters come mainly from family members, discussing daily life, gossip, and personal health. The papers are menus for meals held over one weekend, and the photographs depict family life in the rural south, births and deaths, and relatives going to school.
The Isabelle Edwards family papers 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

Isabelle Edwards family letters, 1925, 1951-1955, undated

  • Box WH-67, folder 1
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Isabelle Edwards Guldner diary, 1947

  • Box WH-67, folder 2
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Newspaper clippings, undated

  • Box WH-67, folder 3
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Weekend meals menu, 1955 May 21-22

  • Box WH-67, folder 4
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Photographs, 1921, 1942-1950, undated

  • Box 1, item 1-107
  • Box WH-60, item 108
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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.