Columbia Manuscript Collections

The papers contain memoirs, correspondence, financial records, newspaper clippings, and genealogical information collected by Wiley Britton and his children.

Papers of a graduate of the University of Missouri's School of Journalism. The collection includes some correspondence and newspaper articles written by Brockman from the Maneater and the Galesburg-Register Democrat. Brockman also included two short, typed memoirs about her career.

Material created and collected by an education and publishing organization working towards media democracy and media justice for women includes publications, campaign and political buttons, and a dissertation on the institute's founder, Donna Allen.

Correspondence, photographs, wills, military records, leases, contracts, and miscellaneous material of the Kirby, Ridgway, Lightholder, and related families. The papers document the lives of a Quaker family from Shelltown, New Jersey, and the life of Col. Ellwood Kirby, who moved westward to Missouri.

This collection features papers by or pertaining to the life of World War I veteran Burnam R. Jones. There are photographs taken in France as well as photographs from his life before and after the war. There are sketches done by Jones and several memoirs typed by Jones.

Photographs and miscellaneous papers of a WWI veteran who later worked at the Missouri Division of Employment Security. Photographs depict family members, WWI experiences, and professional and civic activities in Columbia, Missouri.

Correspondence, genealogy, and family photographs of a World War I veteran. Correspondence reflects upon James Warren's experiences as a soldier during World War I, written to various family members, including his sister Ella Proctor. Family photographs are mostly of unknown family members.

The collection contains videos created for the City of Columbia’s government access channel.

The papers of a journalist and educator include materials from her early high school years through her professional journalism career and ending with her tenure as a professor of journalism at Eastern Illinois University. The collection also includes Kaufman’s involvement in the Nairobi Conference in 1985.

Photograph album created by the superintendent of Fractional School District No. 1 contains photographs of school buildings and their outhouses and water facilities in Stone County, Missouri. Includes names of teachers and their salaries.

Handwritten ledger of city ordinances passed by the Board of Alderman of Parkville, Missouri, also includes notices published in newspapers.

World War II-era letters, photographs, military records, and miscellaneous papers of labor organizer Ralph J. Shaw.

Professional and family papers, including many photographs, from the life of public servant and feminist Alberta J. Meyer.

The club's records contain membership lists, attendance records, meeting minutes, secretary's record books, and correspondence.

The records contain membership lists, meeting minutes, budgets, reports, and correspondence of the Strawn School Parent Teachers Association.

Diary of a Baptist minister from Audrain County, Missouri, includes farm and livestock records, as well as records of marriages performed in Audrain, Boone, Monroe, Randolph, and Howard Counties. Also includes transcription with biographical information.

The papers of a clinical psychologist and syndicated columnist who specialized in rural mental health include correspondence and research materials pertaining to the Midwest farm crisis in the 1980s and rural mental health issues in general. The majority of the correspondence is letters from readers.

The memoirs of a resident of Scotland County, Missouri, detail his life growing up on the family farm and his World War I experiences serving in France in the United States Army. Grinstead was a member of Company A, 354th Infantry Regiment, 89th Division.

Papers of a St. Joseph, Missouri, family, the France-McDonalds, and their descendants, including correspondence of Charles B. France (1900-1928) with Gladys, Albert, and Sara France.

The papers of Charles E. McCartney contain military orders/memorandums and reminiscences of a Coast Artillery Unit officer during World War I. Along with these papers are miscellaneous items such as a scrapbook, two forms of identification for Charles E. McCartney, newspaper clippings, and correspondence from during and after McCartney’s time serving in the military.

Papers of the Hughes and Latimer families from Keytesville, Chariton County, from 1812 to 1993, including early twentieth-century Democratic Party materials and a myriad of correspondence.

Civil War diary, memoir, and miscellaneous papers of Joseph T. Keyte of Brunswick, Missouri. A Union soldier, Keyte served with the 49th Missouri Volunteer Infantry Regiment. Sketches are included in the diary.

Newsletters, magazines, broadsides, and other publications regarding the American Postal Workers Union, including the Columbia Postal Worker of which Richard Delander was creator and editor in 1975, and the Postal Press Association.

Issues of the American Ex-Prisoners of War Ex-POW Bulletin, which include contributions from former WWII, Korea, and Vietnam POWs, updates on members, and reports on the organization's activities.

Religious newsletters and bulletins from various denominations, including Lutheran, Presbyterian, and Methodist churches, largely from the Sedalia, Missouri, area.

The professional and personal papers of vocational psychologist John L. Holland, who pioneered an influential theory of personality types and work environments and developed the Vocational Preference Inventory (VPI) and the Self-Directed Search (SDS).

The papers and song transcripts of Springfield, Missouri, folklorist Max Hunter, who was program director of the Ozark Folk Festival from 1978-1989 and of the Ozark Open Fiddle Contest from 1983-1987.

A selection of correspondence, fiscal records, and legal materials surrounding the Benson Telephone Company and its connection to the Bucklin Telephone Exchange in Linn County.

Scrapbook primarily consists of newspaper clippings, often written by Linton himself, that reflect his political views. The contents of this scrapbook display a strong sympathy to the Union and often argue against the Missouri Constitution of 1865.

This collection offers information regarding the Legion of Black Collegians (LBC) at the University of Missouri-Columbia throughout 1977-1978. The collection contains a book that was intended to serve as a guide for incoming black students.

Letters between Litton and his wife Mamie offer insight into the American way of life throughout the years 1899-1940. These courtship letters display the perspective of young rural Americans from the periods ranging from the McKinley administration to Roosevelt's New Deal.   

Photographs taken by Carlisle McDavitt during his time as a student of the University of Missouri from 1917-1922. The photographs show football games, the marching band, the engineering college, and buildings and scenery across Mizzou's campus.

This collection consists of material regarding a prolific promotional contest winner from Moberly, Missouri.

Photographic survey of buildings and businesses in downtown Columbia, Missouri, taken by Patrick Atkinson in May to August 2018. Includes digital files, index, printout of images, and maps of area surveyed.

This collection contains correspondence, newsletters, meeting minutes, membership records, service projects, and conference materials concerning Soroptimist International of Springfield, Missouri. It also includes magazines, newsletters, and convention materials from regional clubs and the national organization.

The records of the Resident Wives Club (1941-1996) of the University of Missouri College of Agriculture include financial documents, event planning materials, membership lists, meeting minutes and reports, and photographs.

Letters sent to Theodore D. Pearce throughout the years 1861-1885 from his brother Simon S. Pearce. Simon wrote with respect to developments throughout the American Civil War from the perspective of his northeast Missouri residence in Knox County.

Records of an organization that worked to develop a network for advice, support, and social interaction for women working in natural resources in Missouri.

Papers of Missouri library leader Virginia G. Young, surrounding her involvement with and membership in local, regional, national, and international organizations and efforts, including correspondence, reports, legislation, and minutes.

Completed surveys on job satisfaction at the University of Missouri-Columbia, final report, and salary analysis created by the Chancellor’s Committee on the Status of Women.

A commencement memory book created by a student at Canton High School in Canton, Missouri, at the end of her senior year in 1917.

The records of a women's organization including correspondence, ERA materials, news releases, publicity, and newsletters.

Papers of an educator and legislative research director relating to her work as the Missouri coordinator for the Religious Committee for the E.R.A. and as the Missouri A.A.U.W. Legislative Chairman and Missouri Division vice president.

Memory book kept by a student at Central College for Women in Lexington, Missouri, 1916-1917.

World War II letters of a resident of Bland, Missouri, who served as fighter pilot with the United States Army Air Corps. The letters are written to his family in Missouri and document his time as a cadet in San Antonio, Texas, at Randolph Field and Brooks Field.

Letters written by a soldier stationed in Camp Howze, Texas, and then in Germany to Anna Davis of Grandview, Missouri.

The correspondence and professional papers of a journalism professor, including material on women’s studies and women in media, the status of women, and the “Q-Conference.”

Writings of Augusta Henderson-Marr with photographs, correspondence, newspaper clippings, and other genealogical research concerning the Henderson, Marr, and related families of Callaway County, Missouri.

World War I correspondence, military papers, postcards, and miscellaneous material of a farmer from Atchison County, Missouri, who served in France with the American Expeditionary Forces. Also includes a book by his grandson Duane Bedell that includes transcriptions of the letters.

Scrapbook of a woman from Palmyra, Missouri, including newspaper and magazine clippings about leaders and events from World War I and its aftermath. Also includes newspaper clippings from Marion County, Missouri, and miscellaneous personal letters to her pertaining to World War I.

Includes artifacts from Eldridge's year serving in World War I, a photograph and list of names of the soldiers in his company, his military papers, diary, a book about the 88th Division in which he served, and photographs from his place of employment, Brown Shoe Company in Moberly, Missouri.

Includes membership rosters, bulletins, correspondence, speeches, programs, and newsletters from national and state level sections of the Four Minute Men.

Papers of the Allan family of St. Louis include photographs, correspondence, and miscellaneous papers. The papers largely concern John D. Allan and his children, William J. Allan, an engineer and inventor, and Ruby Allan Shea.

The papers of the first female president of the Missouri Students Association (MSA) and a promising Republican congressional candidate in the 1980s, including materials from her campaigns, degree programs, and numerous extracurricular activities.

A scrapbook and memorabilia of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority at the University of Missouri-Columbia, and childhood and family photographs.

This collection includes business records from three former mid-Missouri businesses and personal papers and photographs from thirteen members of the Taylor family of Huntsville and Columbia, Missouri. Also included are documents pertaining to the Women’s Christian Temperance Union.

The American Business Women’s Association, Ozark Paradise Chapter Records include meeting minutes, financial records, membership rosters, social event materials, photographs, publications, scrapbooks, and banners.

The papers of a restaurant owner and operator and Professor of Home Economics at the University of Missouri, include correspondence, photographs, newspaper clippings, scrapbook material, and research materials concerning the restaurant industry and food preparation.

Picture postcard collection compiled by Bates County, Missouri, native Jessie Marie Sturgeon Wirt and her daughter Lois Marie Wirt, Lompoc, California. Includes postcards showing Missouri towns, other states, holiday greetings, jokes, landscapes, and historic sites and buildings both in the U.S. and in Europe.

Sketches, blueprints, project files, and office papers of architect Dave P. Clark, including materials from the firms of Berry McAlester, Harry Satterlee Bill, and Deering and Clark.

The papers of journalism historian and former University of Missouri Professor, including research material and notes for her doctoral dissertation Roosevelt and the Press: How Franklin D. Roosevelt Influenced Newsgathering, 1933-1941 (1978) and her books FDR and the News Media (1990) and Bleep! Censoring Rock and Rap Music (1999).

The diary of a farmer from Pike County, including poetry and extensive marginalia.

Minutes of quarterly meetings of the Princeton Circuit, Macon District.

Architectural drawings, blue prints, sketches, project files, and related material of Moberly, Missouri, architect Ludwig Abt related firms Abt & Cleavinger and J. Kay Cleavinger & Associates. Includes plans for schools, post offices, and other public buildings, churches, businesses, and residences in mid-Missouri counties.

World War II correspondence of a soldier serving in Missouri's 128th Armored Field Artillery Battalion.

This collection is comprised of genealogical materials pertaining to the family of Lelah Crockett, and the various branches related to the Crocketts. Much of the material is photocopies of original documents either from governmental sources, books, or family papers such as a family Bible. The rest is typically correspondence about the family history.

Collection contains genealogy materials, correspondence, photographs, and materials related to general history. The genealogy materials relate to the Moll family, relatives of the Moll family, and other families researched by Moll.

Architectural project files, blueprints, correspondence, estimates, and oral histories from a Boonville, Missouri, construction company that was in existence for over one hundred years from 1870-1981. Includes plans for schools, businesses, residences, post offices, and other public buildings in mid-Missouri counties.

The collection contains love letters written during World War II from N. Robert “Bob” Underhill to Merrilee Ann Meier of St. Louis during their courtship and shortly after their marriage while Bob was serving in the U.S. Navy in Panama and along the northeastern seaboard of the United States. The collection also includes some family correspondence, a memoir based on the love letters by Bob and Merrilee’s daughter, Catherine Underhill Fitzpatrick, and transcripts of the letters as well as digital photographs.

Newsletters, minutes, programs, and correspondence of a local affiliate of the National Safety Council.

Papers of a corn geneticist, including seminar information, peer reviews, correspondence, and information from the Genetics Department of the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Recordings and transcripts of speeches from the 1977 National Women’s Conference in Houston as well as a program produced by Cynthia Hessin covering the events and her reports back to KHOW-AM Denver.

Materials include district record books, teacher and treasurer reports, warrant registers, and poll books from District No. 55 in Saline County, Missouri.

The papers of a University of Missouri-Columbia entomology professor, including his teaching materials, B.S. coursework, military information, and research project data.

Diaries, travel journals, genealogical material, correspondence, photographs, and miscellaneous material from the family of Iris J. Trump and Robert F. Brooks, including their four daughters and grandchildren as well as their extended family.

Materials surrounding the involvement of Boone County genealogist Virginia M. Botts in local historical and preservation efforts as well as postcards, photographs, and genealogical research papers and correspondence.

Account by P.W. Pogson of a trip down the Mississippi River in a small boat, from Davenport, Iowa, to Cairo, Illinois, in the summer of 1895.

Financial records describing household expenses from 1910-1957 for a married couple who migrated to Columbia, Missouri, from Colorado around 1920.

Copies of newspaper articles and photographs, biographical and historical records for Antioch Christian Church and Grand Prairie Baptist Church located in Callaway County Missouri.

Scrapbook and photograph album of a student who attended Christian College in Columbia, Missouri, during the 1930s. Includes a color illustrated map of Christian College, 1936.

Typescript copies of correspondence of Robert and Virginia Garnett of Lewis County, Missouri, and other family members, 1829-1899, and genealogical research material.

The papers of Adolf Schroeder, professor of German at the University of Missouri-Columbia, and his wife Rebecca, editor of the Missouri Heritage Readers, including their work with European-American oral histories and Missouri folklore and folk music.

Papers of the Edwards family of Boone County include portraits, a family tree, letters, bills, deeds, licenses, and miscellaneous papers. Much of the material pertains to John M. Edwards.

Correspondence, financial records, postcards, journals, scrapbooks, photographs, genealogical records, and chapters of an unpublished book regarding a middle-class Victorian family from Fulton, Missouri.

Materials pertaining to musicians John W. “Blind” Boone and “Blind” Thomas Green Wiggins Bethune.  Includes  biographical material, publicity items, contracts, correspondence, clippings, programs, royalty statements, photographs, piano rolls, sheet music, and audio recordings. Also contains material on the foundation’s Blind Boone Ragtime and Early Jazz Festival, including grant material.

The papers of University of Missouri educator largely concern affirmative action, student affairs, and minority programs.

The records of the organization include correspondence, newsletters, symposium programs and planning materials, financial records, photographs, and audiovisual material.

Commonplace book of Charlotte “Lottie” Bedford featuring short stories, poems, diary entries, and quotes by famous figures, as well as a scrapbook created for her grandson, William Willard Hall in 1897.

Record book of Bethel Baptist Church from 1817-1827, includes founding articles; membership information; monthly business meeting notes; and records on the establishment of Walnut Grove Academy from 1858-1859. Two letters of dismission provided by members of the church, and three letters to a member of the church or academy, with unknown relevance.

Photographs, diploma and scrapbook compiled while a student at Howard-Payne College in Fayette, Missouri. Most materials concern classmates and student activities.

Correspondence between various members of the Bealmear family and one leather notebook with farming account information.

Professional correspondence and writings of a language professor concerning research in etymology.

Personal papers of a plein air landscape painter from Central Missouri include writings, correspondence, photographs, and miscellaneous material.

Record book of Dr. Hardin Rodgers, a doctor in Carroll County; includes patient accounts and reasons for medical visits. The record mentions Rodgers conducting medical examinations on slaves. The record also contains minutes of Commission of Carroll County School district No. 3 of which Rodgers was a member. The record book also features information on the distribution of Dr. Hardin Rodgers and Samuel Sturgis’ estates. Finally, the record features Rodgers' comments on the election of 1840 and the implementation of a metallic standard for currency.

Photostats of original works as well as hand drawn illustrations created by Eleanor F. Chapman for Missouri archaeological monographs and journal articles.

Collection of letters sent to Jesse Cargill a, University of Missouri educated, political cartoonist that worked from the 1920s to the 1960s. The letters include fan mail from young artists, politicians requesting cartoons, and printing companies requesting works for future issues. A few examples of his works are also included in this collection.

A collection of records from the Daniel Boone Regional library Board of Trustees. The records include board meeting minutes and board member contacts. The records also contain budgetary proposals and expenditures. There are several records that list the library’s collections and the demography of the institution. The records also contain presented service goals, objective, and strategies for the library’s future operations.

Papers of a radio and television broadcaster include correspondence, clippings audiovisual material, drafts of novels, and miscellaneous personal and professional material.

The collection contains digital video oral history interviews conducted by Steve W. Campbell, director of the Scenic Regional Library in Union, Missouri, with retired library directors from across the state about their lives and careers.

Papers of E.V. Wilson of Edina, Knox County, Missouri. Primarily relates to Wilson's Civil War service as Major of North East Missouri Home Guards; including correspondence, muster rolls, commission papers and provision reports. Includes few earlier and later documents.