Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Copeland family papers

Abstract

The Copeland family papers (dated 1929-1934; 0.15 cubic feet; 30 items) primarily comprise letters that document domestic life, economic hardships, and family events in the Copeland family of Illinois.

Descriptive Summary

Title
Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Copeland family papers
Date
1929-1934 (inclusive)
Extent
0.15 Cubic Feet
Subjects
Correspondence.
Death
Domestic relations.
Employment -- Illinois.
Families -- History -- 20th century
Farm life
Great Depression
Great Depression -- Personal narratives.
Letters.
Marriage
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
Jennifer Rawe
Preferred Citation
2009ms132.0333: [identification of item], Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Copeland family papers, 1929-1934, University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.
Repository
University of Kentucky

Collection Overview

Biography / History
The Copeland family resided in and around Oak Park, Illinois. Oak Park is a residential area on the west side of Chicago. William and Christina Copeland had several children in the early 1900s and later moved to Indiana after their children reached adulthood. 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 Copeland family papers (dated 1929-1934; 0.15 cubic feet; 30 items) primarily comprise letters that document domestic life, economic hardships, and family events in the Copeland family of Illinois. The content of the letters varies from family life, events such as weddings or funerals, the weather, illness, and the economic situation at the time. The letters afford a view into the life of a family living during the Great Depression in the Midwest. The correspondence takes place between a mother and her children or their spouses. Letters of note speak of President Roosevelt, the outlook for the economic future, food tickets and rent aid, and farm work in the area.
The Copeland family 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
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 from Edna, undated

  • Box WH-24, folder 6
To top

Letters from Edna Mae and Will, 1929-1934

  • Box WH-24, folder 7
To top

Family ephemera, undated

  • Box WH-24, folder 8
To top

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.

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.

Requests

No items have been requested.



Submit a request for SCRC materials.




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.