Collection is open to researchers by appointment.
The Mary E. Wharton papers (dated 1856-1993; 20.49 cubic feet; 52 boxes) consist of diaries, correspondence, notebooks, realia, photographs, and research files documenting the work of botanist Mary E. Wharton. Included in the Mary E. Wharton papers are family genealogical materials; the diaries of Mary's father Joseph F. Wharton and correspondence from her mother, Mary Davis Wharton, 1897-1947; publications and school papers, notebooks, a dissertation draft, etc. from Dr. Wharton's days at Hamilton College, Morehead State University, the University of Kentucky, and the University of Michigan; Dr. Wharton's personal correspondence (1936-1991); and Georgetown College lecture notes, and examinations, etc. There are also field notes examining and detailing flora and fauna and plant distribution throughout Kentucky. Also included in the collection are notes and manuscript drafts pertaining to her publications on the horse industry, the Civil War in the Bluegrass, and on the history and physical features of the Bluegrass region. Other research notes, reports, correspondence and writings in the collection reflect her activism on behalf of the Red River Gorge (1967-1976), the Kentucky River navigation and water quality, endangered or threatened species(1969-1991), the future of Coldstream farm (1985-1991), and the expansion of the Paris Pike (1975-1991). The collection contains publications and correspondence on The Nature Conservancy and the Land and Nature Trust of the Bluegrass. In addition, the collection includes several hundred family photographs, images of Mary herself, sound recordings, post cards, and realia. Finally, present are Dr. Wharton's religious writings and publications, her Colonial Dames, Daughters of the American Revolution, and United Daughters of the Confederacy files, and tour guides, maps, and notes of her trips to Great Britain (1967-1982).
Dr. Mary E. Wharton (1912-1991) was a native of Jessamine County, Kentucky and longtime Lexington resident. Wharton was a Professor of Botany and the chair of the Department of Biological Sciences at Georgetown College during the period 1947-1974. A graduate of the University of Kentucky, Dr. Wharton received her Ph.D from the University of Michigan in 1945. She was the author and coauthor of several books including
1997MS138 : [identification of item], Mary E. Wharton papers, 1856-1993, University of Kentucky Special Collections.
Collection is arranged by format.
Property rights reside with the University of Kentucky. The University of Kentucky holds the copyright for materials created in the course of business by University of Kentucky employees. Copyright for all other materials has not been assigned to the University of Kentucky. For information about permission to reproduce or publish, please contact Special Collections.
Gift, 1992
The Audio-Visual series includes photographs of family members and friends, plants and landscapes for dissertation and thesis material, and home interior images. The series also contains 3 cassette tapes of Dr. Elvis J. Stahr, a videotape regarding MEW Book, and postcards.
The Photographs subseries includes images of family members and friends, plants and landscapes for dissertation and thesis material, and home interior images.
The Postcards subseries features a variety of postcards from various regions in the United States and abroad.
The Tapes subseries contains 3 cassette tapes of Dr. Elvis J. Stahr, and a videotape regarding MEW Book.
The Academics series contains college commencement programs, a variety of exams, syllabi, college research notes, school papers, and other college memorabilia such as a yearbook and college publications.
The Correspondence series consists of personal letters from friends and family, past students, Christmas cards, and birthday cards. Also included is correspondence between Raymond Athey and other individuals and institutions concerning the preservation of lands important for the study of plant life; correspondence regarding Helmuth Scherer's dismissal from the University of Kentucky Medical School, the financial help Scherer received with the Rural Kentucky Scholarship Fund, and Scherer's financial difficulties; correspondence pertaining to different aspects of business such as property purchases, research inquiries and requests, notices of meetings, and letters of gratitude for various contributions; and finally, correspondence regarding travel abroad such as itinerary information, upcoming events, and hotel arrangements.
The Personal subseries consists of personal letters from friends and family, past students, Christmas cards, and birthday cards.
The Business subseries includes correspondence pertaining to different aspects of business such as property purchases, research inquiries and requests, botany research and work, notices of meetings, and letters of gratitude for various contributions.
The Travel Abroad subseries contains correspondence regarding travel abroad such as itinerary information, upcoming events, and hotel arrangements.
The Literary Works series consists of works written by Mary Wharton and/or members of the Wharton/Davis family, including poems, stories, and article. Included are two books written by Mary Wharton, one which focuses on the wildlife and land in the state of Kentucky, and the other focuses on life in Kentucky during the Civil War.
The General subseries consists of poems, stories, and articles written mainly by Mary Wharton. Additional poems and stories are written by members of the Wharton/Davis family.
Mary Wharton was the associate editor of the book,
The Organizations series consists of materials regarding various professional and social organizations, fraternities, and societies.
The Red River Gorge series includes statements, reports, proposals, and correspondence regarding the Red River Gorge and issues such as the environmental quality of the area, flood control, general recreation, water supply, and fish and wildlife recreation. Also contains proposals, testimony, maps, brochures, and petitions concerning Red River Gorge.
The Research series contains Mary Wharton's research on genealogy, the horse industry, Kentucky, and botany.
The General subseries includes Wharton's research on miscellaneous topics.
The Genealogy subseries contains charts, family trees, notes and correspondence regarding genealogical research, which traces several different family lines from overseas and the United States.
The Horse Industry subseries contains research notes, records, statistics, articles, and reports on the horse industry, various types of horses, and horse farms. Included is information on the history of the horse industry and horse farms in Kentucky.
The Kentucky subseries includes documents such as research notes, reports, and statements on environmental, developmental, and conservation issues in Kentucky. Also included are reports, surveys, and maps pertaining to a group called Bluegrass Tomorrow. There are reports and studies regarding the Kentucky River and Paris Pike. Included are Kentucky maps, brochures, and an atlas of Woodford County.
The General subseries contains research notes ranging from Kentucky architecture, and the Civil War to cattle and stockmen. There are research notes, reports, and statements on various environmental, developmental, and conservation issues in Kentucky as well as reports and statements regarding various industries in the Kentucky area such as the Toyota Plant. Also contains Kentucky maps, brochures, and an atlas of the Woodford County area.
The Bluegrass Tomorrow subseries contains reports, surveys, maps, articles, and correspondence by members, consultants, and focus groups of Bluegrass Tomorrow in which they address issues regarding future developments of Bluegrass landscape as well as its preservation.
The Kentucky River subseries contains reports, studies, statements, and correspondence regarding Kentucky River water supply issues and needs, environmental issues pertaining to the Kentucky River, and problems and solutions dealing with pollution.
The Paris Pike subseries includes correspondence, research notes, newsletters, reports, and statements on the development of new roadways in the area and ways to improve the cultural, historical, scenic and economic resources in the area.
The Botany subseries contains a variety of documents pertaining to the study of botany and the preservation of plant species in Kentucky. Contains maps of different regions in Kentucky illustrating the plants that populate the different regions. There are educational keys that provide detailed descriptions of different plant species and what they consist of. Also there is a small collection of plant species and an Environmental Resource Inventory on a six-county area that focuses on Fayette County and lists the different plant species in the focused areas. There are also various research notes and articles regarding botany, lists of plants and endangered flora in Kentucky, notes on different publications on botany, maps, ect.
Various research notes and articles regarding botany, lists of plants in Kentucky, lists of endangered flora in Kentucky, notes on different publications regarding botany, maps, ect.
Maps of different regions in the Kentucky area, illustrating the different plants that populate the regions.
Educational keys pertaining to botany that provide a detailed description about various plants and what they consist of.
An Environmental Resource Inventory on a six-county area that focuses on Fayette County and also lists the plant species in the different areas.
Specimens of various plant species.
The Travel series contains documents from Wharton's travels abroad and in Kentucky. Included are itineraries, schedules, notes, and guides.
The British Tours subseries includes items regarding travel with the company, British Tours, including maps, proposals, invoices, and photographs.
The Know Your Bluegrass Region Tours subseries contains items pertaining to tours that explored regions in Kentucky including guides, announcements, and maps.
The Wharton/Davis family series contains personal items that belonged to Mary Wharton and members of her family, including diaries, address books, monthly calendars, research notes, birth certificates, report cards, books, brochures, obituaries, and funeral notices.
The General subseries features more broadly items belonging to members of Mary Wharton's family such as books, monthly planners and diaries, business receipts, obituaries and funeral notices, and calling cards.
The Mary Wharton subseries includes items that are of a personal nature such as memo books, report cards, her birth certificate, certificates and awards, and diaries.