Why are Barbara Stanwyck’s papers at the AHC? Because we asked for them!

Posted on November 1, 2012 by ahcadmin

One of the most frequently asked questions about the American Heritage Center is how and why we wound up with such a large and significant collection relating to the history of popular entertainment in the U.S.—film, television, and radio in particular.  “How did such material, mostly created on the two coasts, wind up in Wyoming of all places?” is often how such questions are phrased.

The short answer is, “Because we asked for it first.”  As far back as the mid-1960s, then AHC director Gene Gressley, along with his counterparts at Boston University, University of Wisconsin, and University of Texas, noticed that these major industries, so crucial to understanding American popular culture, were not being aggressively pursued by repositories in their own back yard.  So these four archives began actively soliciting the papers of (in the AHC’s particular case) writers, directors, producers, composers, and some actors.

So despite Wyoming’s distance from New York and Hollywood, some well-known figures in these industries agreed to donate their papers because our Center was the first to ask.  And once having acquired the papers of prominent personalities, others associated with these industries were increasingly apt to agree to place their papers here.  Approximately the same process occurred in Boston, Madison, and Austin as occurred in Laramie.  Of course long since archives at California universities such as UCLA and USC, along with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences also have been extremely active in documenting the television and film industries.

For this reason I have frequently had occasion to explain to visitors that anyone studying popular entertainment might be advised to start in New England and work west, beginning their work in Boston, heading west to Wisconsin, then southwest to Texas, northwest to Wyoming, and finally southwest to California.  Not quite the geographic journey most people expect.

Even long after some of the early acquisitions at the AHC, they served as magnets for other donations.  For example, Stan Lee, creator of Spiderman, the X-men, Fantastic Four and other globally popular comic book characters, was a huge fan of Jack Benny, and agreed to donate his papers here because Benny’s papers had been acquired years earlier.

But celebrities have also chosen to entrust the AHC with their papers for other reasons.  Television journalist Hugh Downs, long-time co-host of both the Today Show and 20/20, was approached by the AHC for his papers (as part of our national collecting of the history of journalism) and promptly asked members of his staff to investigate the best place for him to entrust with his archives.  After sufficient research, his staff reported that the Center was the best place.  Naturally, we agree.

We invite you to learn more about our various collecting areas, including, of course, our single largest set of collections, documenting Wyoming and the Rocky Mountain West.  Our current collection development policy can be found online if you’re curious about the ways in which the AHC builds its extensive body of collections.  And while it came a few decades too late to have made the work of Hugh Downs’ staff easier, in 2010 the AHC received the Society of American Archivists’ Distinguished Service Award, the highest honor available to a U.S. repository.

Posted in American Heritage Center, American history, Archival preservation, Archival work, Entertainment history, popular culture, television history | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Honoring Legacy: Dr. Sara Jane Rhoads and Chemistry at UW

Posted on October 23, 2012 by ahcadmin
Rhoads in the Chemistry Lab at UW. Sara Jane Rhoads papers, Box 1, Folder 11.

Today we’re celebrating with images of University of Wyoming chemistry professor Dr. Sara Jane Rhoads.

Rhoads working as an industrial chemist in the Chicago area, 1941-1943.  Sara Jane Rhoads papers, Box 1, Folder 11.

Dr. Sara Jane Rhoads joined the university’s faculty in 1948.  She was one of the first women in the United States to reach full professor rank in chemistry.  While at the university she initiated the undergraduate chemistry research program in the Chemistry Department, and served as head of the department from 1967-1968.  Dr. Rhoads influenced her nephew, Dr. Richard Smalley, to go into chemistry.  In 1996, Smalley, along with his colleagues, won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their discovery of fullerenes.  In 1992, Dr. Smalley presented at the first annual lecture series instituted by the Chemistry Department to honor Dr. Rhoads and her colleague Dr. Rebecca Raulins.  Dr. Rhoads retired in 1984 and died in 1993.  To learn more about chemistry at the University of Wyoming check out these collections about the Department of Chemistry and its faculty:  the Department of Chemistry records, and the Dr. Sara Jane Rhoads, R. Owen Asplund, and Orville A. Beath collections.

Recipients of 1964 College Chemistry Teacher Awards Presented by the Manufacturing Chemists’ Association, Inc. Professor Rhoads is second from left. Sara Jane Rhoads papers, Box 1, Folder 11.

 

Posted in Science, University of Wyoming history, Women in Science | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

A Trip Down Tin Pan Alley with L. Wolfe Gilbert

Posted on August 28, 2012 by ahcadmin

L. Wolfe Gilbert in his office at Twentieth Century Fox studios. L. Wolfe Gilbert papers, Box 11, Folder “Photos, 1937-1966 and undated.” American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

L. Wolfe “Wolfie” Gilbert (1886-1970) was a Ukrainian-born songwriter of the early to mid 20th century. He was born in Odessa, and immigrated to Philadelphia as an infant with his family. At age 14 they relocated to New York, where he made several unsuccessful attempts at the theater and eventually became a copy boy at The New York Post. He got his break in showbiz after persevering through vaudeville, burlesque, nightclubs, and finally, a tour with the boxer John Sullivan. His first hit song was “Waitin’ for the Robert E. Lee” in 1912. He was one of the most notable songwriters of the Tin Pan Alley group, even referred to as the “dean” of the crew. In 1928, Gilbert wrote the lyrics for the song “Ramona,” a song released in conjunction with the adventure-romance film of the same name. It was the first motion picture to have a theme song.

Gilbert was unusual for his time in that he lived in Hollywood, where he moved in 1915. At the time, most songwriters lived on the East Coast. He further innovated the field by publishing and promoting a catalog of his own works. He was quite active professionally, serving from 1941-1944 as the director of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). In 1970, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Working in the entertainment industry, Gilbert had a sizable network of collaborators, including Eddie Cantor, Al Jolson, Paul Whiteman, Irving Berlin, George M. Cohan, and Frank Sinatra.

L. Wolfe Gilbert (right) with Cole Porter (center). L. Wolfe Gilbert papers, Box 11, Folder “Undated photographs removed from frames.” American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

Some notable songs by Gilbert include: “Peanut Vendor,” “Hopalong Cassidy March,” “Lucky Lindy,” “Green Eyes,” ”Down Yonder,” and “O Katharina” among others. His songs continue to be used in films to this day. You can view the finding aid for L. Wolfe Gilbert papers here.

Sheet music for the song, “The Natchez and the Robert E. Lee.” L. Wolfe Gilbert papers, Box 21, Folder “Sheet Music.” American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

Posted in music, newly processed collections, popular culture, Songwriters, Tin Pan Alley | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Midcentury Housing: One Story

Posted on August 13, 2012 by ahcadmin

Car exiting the garage of a housing development. Alfred Kastner Collection, #7350, Box 45. American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

In the mid-20th century, the U.S. was experiencing both great economic success and a rapidly expanding population. As a result, housing and urban planning were of imminent concern to architects and city planners alike. Enter Alfred Kastner. Born and educated in Germany, Kastner immigrated to the U.S. in 1924. He collaborated with another German émigré architect, Oskar Stonorov,  to build the U.S.’s first limited, divided, self-supporting housing project financed by the Public Works Administration, the Carl Mackley Houses. These houses were built from 1933-1934, and opened in 1935.

Kastner next designed a housing settlement called the Jersey Homesteads near Hightstown, New Jersey with Louis Kahn assisting. The development was designed to provide housing for 400 families. In addition to housing, Kastner designed industrial complexes, entertainment facilities, and hotels.  He went on to serve as Director of the Bureau of Advanced Housing at Princeton University. There, he worked to develop ideas to help rationalize techniques used in housing construction.

Photograph of boys in the garden outside a housing project development, Alfred Kastner Collection, #7350, Box 45. American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

The Alfred Kastner papers contain architectural plans and drawings, notes, correspondence, photographs, paintings, and even a planimeter! Check out the newly reprocessed Kastner papers for a glimpse into the midcentury world of American architecture!

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Lester Calloway Hunt, Creator of Wyoming’s “Bucking Horse” Icon

Posted on July 31, 2012 by ahcadmin

The “bucking horse” appears on the plates of every vehicle licensed in the state of Wyoming, so you can’t have missed it.  But have you ever wondered where it came from?  Well, this long-lived and well-loved icon was the idea of Lester C. Hunt.

Portrait of Lester Hunt. Taken from the front: “My compliments to my friend Joe.  Lester Hunt, Secy State, 1940.” Photofile-Hunt, Lester C., Negative Number 17863, American Heritage Center.

As Wyoming’s secretary of state, Hunt designed the state’s “bucking horse” automobile license plates.  Mr. Hunt was Wyoming’s secretary of state from 1935-1943. Hunt was elected governor of Wyoming in 1942 and 1946, and U. S. senator in 1948, a position he held until his death in 1954.

The AHC has recently completed a folder-level finding aid for the Lester C. Hunt papers (#270). Normally, the AHC describes boxes at a box level, meaning that the collection’s contents are described to the extent that the contents of each box are generally given. However, if a collection is deemed to have especially significant historical value or receives a high level of attention from scholars, it may be described to the point where the content of each folder is described, or even each item.

Hunt’s papers are divided largely divided into sections. The first one details his career at Wyoming’s secretary of state and governor. In this part, researchers will find information about the designing of Wyoming’s license plates, the creation of the Jackson Hole National Monument, and Wyoming during and after World War II, among other topics.

The second part of Hunt’s papers cover his time as a US Senator. These papers provide an exceptionally detailed view of the US government during the earlier part of the Cold War due to Hunt’s involvement with topics related to military and civilian preparedness for war. Other topics relevant to American society at the time, ranging from Alaskan statehood to organized crime and beyond, are documented as well. Hunt, who was a dentist until 1934, had a particular interest in dental care among the civilian population and in the military, as well as the topic of national health. Several speeches and pieces of legislation Hunt was responsible for address this topic. Several pieces of legislation related to topics in Wyoming, such as irrigation, mining and minerals, and conservation are detailed in Hunt’s Senate papers as well.

Lester C. Hunt with the committee on the North Platte Project. Taken from the caption: Hearing before Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs, United States Senate, second session, Friday, April 25, 1952, on S 2720, Amendatory Repayment Contracts, North Platte Project. I. J. Matthews papers, Box 1, American Heritage Center.

Hunt’s papers contain personal correspondence and information about bills he introduced into the Senate. These materials provide details about Hunt’s life and his legislative priorities as a member of the Senate. These biographical details may have added importance when one considers that Hunt committed suicide in his Senate office in 1954. While processing this collection, it was hard for me to not feel a sense of sadness because of the tragic end to Hunt’s life. Between his political career in Wyoming and as a Senator, it is clear that Hunt had an impact on a great number of people

The Hunt papers provide a wealth of information about American and Wyoming history. They, along with the Francis E. Warren papers, the Joseph O’ Mahoney papers, the Craig L. Thomas papers, and the several other political collections the AHC houses provide invaluable tools for researchers interested in learning more about Wyoming and the United States from the 19thcentury to present day.

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Rapid Rewind: Three Quick Picks from The Art Linkletter Show

Posted on July 19, 2012 by ahcadmin

Step into the TV time machine with us as we uncover a few fun scripts and sketches from The Art Linkletter Show. You know, the one with the sneaky candid camera moments and the panel of judges making wild guesses.

The show ran weekly for a half-hour on the NBC network. It featured candid camera-esque portions, presenting a situation to an unsuspecting person, as well as healthy dose of audience participation.

Part of the show featured a panel of judges that would view a pre-filmed skit, in which the unsuspecting “victim” played a principal role. The scene would freeze at a critical moment, in a midst of a decision making scene; panelists would predict how the “victim” behaved. 

If it was revealed that the panel’s decision was the same as the one that had actually occurred, the “victim” received less prize money; if the panel’s guess was wrong, the “victim” got a larger amount. 

Other features of the show included celebrity panelists, such as Carl Reiner and Jayne Meadows, in a segment called “You Be the Judge” that presented live-acted scenes to the television audience (rather than the pre-filmed ones) for the audience to judge the outcome. 

We have excerpts of this segment for you to enjoy today.  These come from the Hy Freedman papers, which are among the holdings at the American Heritage Center.

“Chocolate Covered Ants.” Hy Freedman papers, Box 2. American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.
“Who Gets the Ring-a-Ding-Ding.” Hy Freedman papers, Box 2. American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.
A lesson to us all–beware of free samples! Hy Freedman papers, Box 2. American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

 

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Feminine Forces: Digitized Narratives of Fashion, Crime, and Advocacy

Posted on July 13, 2012 by ahcadmin

Step into the captivating world of influential women who shaped the realms of fashion, journalism, and advocacy in the 20th century as we explore digitized treasures from the papers of Betsy Talbot Blackwell, Grace Robinson, Irene Kuhn, and Toni Stabile. 

Betsy Talbot Blackwell  (1905-1985) was an editor for several women’s fashion magazines. She was an assistant fashion editor at Charm magazine from 1923-1928 before becoming fashion editor at Mademoiselle magazine from its inception in 1935 and then editor-in-chief from 1937-1971. As an editor at Mademoiselle, Blackwell led and changed the industry by altering the magazine’s focus to that of the young career woman. She was also responsible for including a literary aspect in the magazine, publishing the works of authors such as Eudora Welty, Truman Capote, William Faulkner, and Joyce Carol Oates, among others. Her collection contains materials relating to Blackwell’s career as editor for Mademoiselle magazine including extensive subject files and correspondence regarding editorial policy, advertising, public relations, circulation, format, fashion news, her “Editor’s Memo” column, speeches, and scrapbook material.

Grace Robinson enjoying a cool beverage and reading a paper on a cafe’s veranda. Grace Robinson Papers, # 06941, Box 103, Folder 1.

Grace Robinson was a nationally known woman journalist. She became a staff writer at the New York Daily News in 1922 and became a well-known crime writer, covering the infamous Hall-Mills Murder Trial in 1926 and the Snyder-Gray Murder Trial a year later. Starting in 1933, Robinson covered both President Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt and was a member of Mrs. Roosevelt’s “hen press.” She later covered many of the notorious criminal cases of the 1930s, including the Charles Lindbergh, Jr. Murder Case, including the trial, appeal, and subsequent execution of accused murderer Bruno Hauptmann. Click here for an online inventory for this collection.

Irene Kuhn was a journalist with career that spanned continents.  Her career started in 1919, and throughout the 1920s,  she reported from locales as far-flung as Paris, Shanghai, and Hawaii.

Irene Kuhn Papers, # 8536, Box 26, Folder 6.

In 1926, she moved to New York City where she was a feature writer for “The Daily News.” In 1939, Kuhn wrote her memoirs, Assigned to Adventure. Kuhn worked for NBC from 1940 to 1949 as a war correspondent in the China-Burma-India Theater. This collection documents Irene Kuhn’s work as a writer, journalist, and radio show host. Writings include magazine and newspaper articles, drafts of books and articles, and typed manuscripts. There are typescripts and audio recordings of Kuhn’s radio programs. Other materials related to her work include awards, date books, field research notebooks, and correspondence. In addition, there are several photographs and slides documenting Kuhn’s work and personal life.  Take a look at some selections from the collection!

A letter from one of Ms. Stabile’s fans, seeking information about hair color. Toni Stabile Papers, #10050, Box 42, Folder 4.

Toni Stabile is the author of three books, a free-lance writer, and an investigative journalist. She is a well-known advocate of cosmetic safety, and has been dubbed “the Ralph Nader of the cosmetics industry”.  Her book, Cosmetics: Trick or Treat? (1966) prompted the first congressional hearings on cosmetic safety in over 20 years. It and the updated editions, Cosmetics: The Great American Skin Game (1973, 1979), paved the way for cosmetic ingredient listing on labels and inspired regulatory and industry reforms. The Toni Stabile papers include correspondence, drafts of manuscripts, research and promotional material for her books, annotated copies of her books, published articles, documents related to a lawsuit, and audio/visual materials. The collection provides evidence of the failure of both the cosmetic industry and the government agencies charged with consumer protection to safeguard the consumer from products containing hazardous and potentially harmful substances.

 

Posted in Digital collections, Fashion history, women's history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Eugene Vidal: Aviator, Olympic Athlete, High-flying Advisor

Posted on July 5, 2012 by ahcadmin

Eugene Vidal, throwing discus. Eugene Vidal papers, Box 4, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

Eugene Luther Vidal (1895-1969) was a man of many accomplishments. An engineer as well as an athlete, he graduated from the University of South Dakota and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.  As a student he played on the baseball, basketball, football, and track teams and went on to participate as both athlete and coach in the 1920 and 1924 Olympics.

However, it is his contributions to the field of aviation for which Vidal is best remembered. He began his career in 1918 with the Army Engineers Corps and quickly switched to the Aviation Division of the Signal Corps; where he qualified as a pilot and went on to serve as the first Army airman and West Point instructor of aeronautics. In 1926 he entered the corporate side of aviation and became the assistant general manager of Transcontinental Air Transport (later TWA). During this time, Vidal aided in the creation of Eastern Airlines and Northeast Airlines and served as an executive of New York, Philadelphia and Washington Airway Corporation and Ludington Airlines, Inc. He eventually organized the first hourly plane service between New York and Washington. Vidal’s extensive work in the aviation industry led him to develop a broad scope of professional contacts, including Charles Lindbergh, FDR, Amon Carter, and his business associate and close friend, Amelia Earhart.

Eugene Vidal (standing, third from left) with others, including Amelia Earhart (at left on divan). Eugene Vidal papers, Box 31, Folder “Photos–Eugene Vidal and Others, 1934-1967, undated.” American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

From 1933-1937 Vidal served as director of the Bureau of Air Commerce within the Commerce Department. As director, Vidal pushed for expansion of civil aviation in the U.S. through the building of civil airports and beacons, production of small planes, support of private flying, progress within commercial aviation, and restructured the government’s role in commercial flights.

Eugene Vidal with Latin American civil engineers. Vidal is sitting in the cockpit of the plane on display. Eugene Vidal papers, Box 31, Folder “Photos–Eugene Vidal and Others, 1934-1967, undated.” American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

After leaving the Bureau of Air Commerce, Vidal returned to the corporate aviation field and experimented with fiberglass composites, eventually founding a small business devoted to trays and dinghies. He also invested in the Boston and Maine Railroad. Vidal encored his government service from 1955 to 1965, serving as aviation adviser to the chief of staff of the Army and retaining memberships in the Army Scientific Advisory Panel and the Transportation Corps Advisory Committee.

Eugene Vidal was father to Gore Vidal, noted 20th century author.

The Eugene Vidal papers were recently reprocessed and a new, updated finding aid is available for your research needs.

Posted in aviation, aviation history, newly processed collections | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

UW’s Roaring Twenties, Dirty Thirties, and Fightin’ Forties

Posted on June 26, 2012 by ahcadmin

Arthur G. Crane, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming. Photofile: Crane, Arthur. Negative #16253.

From 1922-1941, Arthur Griswold Crane was president of the University of Wyoming (UW).  His term saw many historical changes and challenges. The AHC holds the records from his presidency at UW, which contain not only the university’s financial and administrative records during this time, but also contain documents significant to state, national, and world history.  During my internship this summer in the university archives unit at the AHC, I was handed the privileged task of reviewing A. G. Crane’s materials to expand on the history and the scope and content notes in the finding aid describing these materials.  In just a few short days of research, I reviewed fascinating documents from the university’s early days and discovered that UW was affected by many major historical events throughout Crane’s presidency.  The following documents are only examples of the many interesting materials that can be found in the UW President’s Office records.

Upon beginning my research, I soon discovered that disciplinary issues were not an infrequent occurrence at the University of Wyoming.  An incident during the Prohibition era is documented, wherein two UW students, one a football star, were apprehended in Colorado with grain alcohol and fined. According to their excuse, Wyoming had a freer spirit than did Colorado at the time.

Student mischief during the Prohibition period, box 129, folder 29. University of Wyoming President’s Office, Arthur G. Crane records.

In 1926, the Ku Klux Klan reportedly requested permission from the administration to use UW’s Little Theatre for a lecture, as recorded in the minutes of the April 26 Executive Committee Meeting.  As you can see from the minutes, the committee deferred the decision to President Crane.  Whether or not he approved it is not evident from the records.

Excerpt of the minutes of the April 26 Executive Committee Meeting. Box 16, folder 4, University of Wyoming President’s Office, Arthur G. Crane records.

During the Great Depression, when universities across the country faced many hard choices, our own President Crane was forced to make a decision which seems quite old-fashioned now. It is recorded in a UW Board of Trustees meeting on April 20, 1932 that due to economic stress, contracts with married women employed by the university would no longer be renewed.  While this may seem unduly harsh, the justification for this decision was that married women were presumed to already have one source of income—her husband’s.  During a time of severe economic crisis, to have two incomes per family was perceived as an unseemly luxury.

Minutes from the UW Board of Trustees meeting on April 20, 1932. Box 10, folder 21, University of Wyoming President’s Office, Arthur G. Crane records.

Another major historical event that affected UW was World War II. Many of Wyoming’s students, and even some university administrators, were called to duty.  Crane’s collection includes correspondence between the president’s secretary, Faye Smith, and 1st Lieutenant John W. Himmelreich, a fellow Wyomingite, who served overseas flying medium bombers.  His letters to Smith describing a bit of the action he saw can be found in Box 37, Folder 16.

Front side of the letter, box 37, folder 16, University of Wyoming President’s Office, Arthur G. Crane records. [Click the image to view a larger version.]

and

Reverse side of the letter, box 37, folder 16, University of Wyoming President’s Office, Arthur G. Crane records. [Click the image to view a larger version.]

In addition to the Arthur G. Crane series of materials, the UW President’s Office records contains eleven other series including a “General Office Files” series which has materials spanning several presidencies. A brief review of this series revealed documents dated back to 1887, the university’s inception. For example, I discovered student pledges written to the first UW President, John Wesley Hoyt, promising to behave in the future in accordance with university rules.  In this letter written by one of UW’s first students, Maude Wilson promises to “always be lady-like… and not court with the young men.”  There is a second letter in the same folder (Box 45, Folder 7) from Maude, apparently quite the trouble-maker!

Letter to the first University of Wyoming President John Wesley Hoyt from Maude Wilson. Box 45, folder 7, University of Wyoming President’s Office, Arthur G. Crane records.

Because I was constantly distracted by documents such as these, I have to admit that I did a slow job of research.  The amount of interesting materials did not allow me to search through the entire series. It is safe to assume that the Crane series, and entire UW President’s Office collection, contains many more gems waiting to be unearthed by the next researcher.

If you are interested in using this collection, please contact the AHC Reference Department at ahcref@uwyo.edu.  Access to this collection, and all AHC collections, are open to the public and free of charge.

—Malissa Suek, AHC Intern

Posted in Academia, newly processed collections, University of Wyoming, University of Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Honoring Children’s Literature

Posted on June 20, 2012 by ahcadmin

Granted annually by the American Library Association since 1922 to the most distinguished children’s book published the previous year, the Newbery Medal is one of the best known awards for noteworthy children’s literature in this country.

A sketch from Lenski’s notebook for her book, “The Cherry Orchard.” Lois Lenski papers, #112, Box 6. American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

The American Heritage Center is excited to have within its collections the papers and some rare book editions of Newbery Medal award winning author Lois Lenski (1893-1974). Lenski won the Newbery Medal in 1946 for her book Strawberry Girl.  Located in the Toppan Library among other Lenski titles is a 1958 copy of Strawberry Girl printed in the Norwegian language.

Photographs (ostensibly to be used as the basis for illustrations in Lenski’s “The Cherry Orchard.”) Lois Lenski papers, #1127, Box 6. American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

Lenski’s personal papers include sketches, photographs, and draft manuscripts for her books. As an illustrator as well as author Lenski took photographs and drew sketches to help her create her final illustrations. Lenski also collected information and jotted notes forming extensive background material to help her develop the stories for her books.

Page of background material for Lenski’s book “The Cherry Orchard.” Lois Lenski papers, #112, Box 6. American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

Lenski is only one of many prolific authors represented in the collections at the American Heritage Center.  Hers and the papers of other authors are important documentation of the creative processes involved in writing great literature.

Posted in awards, Children's literature, Toppan Rare Books Library | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment