Saint Louis

Michael Gene Pfefferkorn Papers, 1976-2001 (S1219)
9.25 cubic feet

 Finding Aid

The papers of Michael Gene Pfefferkorn contain correspondence, meeting minutes, newsletters, and speeches concerning the historic preservation of St. Louis landmarks and neighborhoods, including the Major John Stevens Bowen House; the integration of St. Louis City Schools during the 1970s; and the establishment of the American Tax Token Society in 1971. Other topics of interest include the publication of the Missouri Journal of Numismatics, which Pfefferkorn edited from 1976 to 2001. The papers date from 1964 to 1993.

Sandra Jo Pfefferkorn Papers, 1967-1981 (S1220)
0.25 cubic foot

 Finding Aid

The papers of Sandra Jo Pfefferkorn contain evaluations, reports, and writings concerning Central High School and the development of its curriculum, student writing abilities, and student and faculty morale at Central High School. Other items of interest include a 1967-1968 annual report published by the Missouri Commission on Human Rights. The papers date from 1967 to 1981.

Phantom Flyers Newsletters, 1975-1985 (S0795)
0.25 cubic foot, 5 volumes

 Finding Aid

This collection contains issues of Phantom Flyer, published by the McDonnell Scales Modelers Club.

William J. Phelan Diary, 1917-1919 (S0837)
0.25 cubic foot, 1 volume, 7 photographs

 Digitized Materials

 Finding Aid

William James Phelan, a St. Louis native, served as a Regimental Sergeant Major in the 314th Engineer Regiment, 89th Infantry Division during World War I.  Phelan trained in Camp Funston, Kansas before being sent overseas on the USS Carpathia.  Following the Armistice, Phelan and the 314th were part of the post-war occupation of Germany. Beginning in September 1917, Phelan kept a detailed diary about his experiences during World War I. From shipping out of Union Station, basic training, service near the front line in France and occupation duty in Germany.  Scattered throughout the diary’s pages are mementos, photographs, and insignia related to Phelan’s service in Europe.

John S. Phelps Letters, 1852, 1856 (SP0097)
0.1 cubic foot (2 folders)

 Digitized Materials

 Finding Aid

The collection contains two letters written by John S. Phelps during his time as a Missouri Congressman. The first letter is a recommendation of a Naval officer’s appointment as a midshipman. The second letter is in regard to the presidential election of 1856.

Photos from the Road Collection, 2018-2019 (C4389)

Sean Rost serves as the Oral Historian for the State Historical Society of Missouri and the Missouri Humanities Council. He started this position in January 2018. The images in this collection were taken during Rost's travels throughout the state on oral history projects and on personal time.

Physicians for Social Responsibility Records, 1977-1993 (S0660)
7 cubic feet, 211 folders, 9 cassette tapes

 Finding Aid

Physicians for Social Responsibility is a national non-profit organization of doctors and concerned citizens committed to public education on the medical dangers of nuclear weapons and nuclear war. The organizers created symposia to present lectures on nuclear hazards that included noted authorities such as Robert Jay Lifton, Helen Caldicott, and H. Jack Geiger, as well as such media figures as Carl Sagan and Benjamin Spock. The records include resource kits, newsletters, subject files, and cassette tapes.

Pi Lambda Theta, St. Louis Alumnae Chapter Records, 1981 (S0958)
0.8 cubic feet

 Finding Aid

This collection contains meeting and executive committee minutes, correspondence, membership directories, and treasurers' reports relating to Pi Lambda Theta's mission to recognize and students who attain academic excellence.

Joseph Piatchek Papers, 1927-1976 (S0663)
0.4 cubic foot, 10 folders, 110 photographs

 Digitized Materials

 Finding Aid

The Joseph Piatchek papers contain correspondence, certificates and newspapers pertaining to St. Louis area unions, including the Textile Workers Union of American (TWUA) and the St. Louis Cordage Mills Company.

Ann Pittman Collection, 1972-2004 (S0332)
1.8 cubic feet

 Finding Aid

The Ann Pittman Papers contain correspondence, program booklets, sheet music, and grant applications, documenting her efforts to preserve African American spirituals.

Ann Pittman Missouri Folklore Project, 1997 (S0598)
0.4 cubic foot, 7 folders, 11 audio tapes

 Finding Aid

This collection contains an oral history project documenting the life of Ann Washington Pittman, an African American song folklorist and singer.

Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri Records, 1930-1990 (S0195)
6 cubic feet, 109 folders, 22 photographs, 13 scrapbooks, 2 audio tapes, 2 16mm films, 2 45 RPM records, 5 microfilm rolls

 Digitized Materials

 Finding Aid

The Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri Records document the group's founding in 1932 as the Maternal Health Association of Missouri, its transformation to Planned Parenthood Association of Missouri in 1943, and growth in the post-war period. The collection contains annual reports, correspondence, reports, scrapbooks, and two reel-to-reel tapes.

Wesley and Peggy Platner Photographs, 1856, 1920-1990 (P0112)
1.33 linear feet

This collection primarily consists of photographs by Wesley Platner, a professor and physiologist at the University of Missouri, and his daughter, Peggy. Photographs span from the 1940s through the 2000s and include images of Columbia, the University of Missouri, people associated with the physiology department, and travel within Missouri and beyond, to Illinois and Disneyland. Peggy participated in the Jefferson City Camera Club and tours sponsored by the City of Columbia; many photos from the 1990s and 2000s are of their expeditions.

Platt and Thornburgh Paint Company Books, 1889-1900 (C2332)
0.32 cubic feet (2 volumes)

 Finding Aid

The collection contains books of a St. Louis, MO, paint company. Vol. 1 is an inventory book, 1889-1891. Vol. 2 is an order book, 1899-1900.

Platt and Thornburgh Photo Scrapbook, 1900-1920 (S0959)
1 scrapbook, 18 photographs

 Digitized Materials

This collection consists of a photograph scrapbook of a lead paint company in St. Louis, Missouri.

Plattin Valley Mining Company Collection, 1907 (R1043)
(1 folder)

 Finding Aid

This is a certificate for 300 shares of stock in the Plattin Valley Mining Company of St. Louis, Missouri. The certificate was issued to Charles Brockhoff on May 23, 1907 and was signed by Dr. Henry F. Bartens, president, and Alexander J. Bartens, secretary.

Pleasant Green Missionary Baptist Church Programs, 1945, 1975-1980 (S0120)
0.1 cubic foot

 Finding Aid

The Pleasant Green Missionary Baptist Church Programs contains church service programs and anniversary booklets documenting the church’s history as one of the oldest Black churches in St. Louis.

Political Issues of the Seventies Collection, 1973-1978 (S0137)
0.15 cubic feet, 7 folders

 Finding Aid

This collection contains published and unpublished papers, newsletters, flyers, brochures, political circulars, and articles about various issues that occurred during the 1970s, including racism, highways, taxes, and foreign relations. Archivists collected the papers from the from US-China People's Friendship Association; National Committee to Support the Marion Brothers; Free J.B. Johnson Committee; Socialist Workers Party; the New American Movement; the West End Militant Forum; the 1976 St. Louis school tax increase, and the Alliance Against Racism.

Political Tracts, no date (C3765)
0.02 cubic feet (1 folder)

 Finding Aid

Printed tracts by an unidentified author describing corruption in the Republican Party in St. Louis in the early 1900s.

Braxton Pollard Collection, 1930-1945 (P1014)

Photographs of St. Louis, including the MUNY and St. Louis Art Museum, and a portrait of Sally Rand.

Post Family Papers, 1884-1940 (CA6592)
0.02 cubic feet (1 folder)

The papers of a St. Louis family include estate papers pertaining to Erastus and Justus Post, land transactions with Samuel N. Adie, and family genealogy of John and Elizabeth Post.

Eliza G. Post Papers, 1815-1830 (C0540)
0.02 cubic feet (1 folder)

 Finding Aid

Itemized expenses for move to St. Louis, MO, from New York, 1815. Diary, 1826-1830, enumerating visitors and overnight guests while family lived in Bonhomme, St. Louis County, MO. Copies of daguerreotypes of Justus and Eliza G. Post.

Justus Post Letter, 1817 (C1976)
0.02 cubic feet (1 folder)

 Finding Aid

To John Post, Addison, VT, from St. Louis, MO, Dec. 5, 1817.

Land speculation, weather, and crops. Encourages brother to move to Missouri.

Justus Post Letters, 1816 (C0388)
0.02 cubic feet (1 folder)

 Finding Aid

Photostat copies of letters from St. Louis, Missouri Territory, to his brother John Post in Vermont commenting on land prices, condition and availability.

Postcard Collection, 1902-1956 (S0064)
0.15 cubic foot, 1 folder

This collection contains postcards of Missouri cities and towns from 1902 to 1956. Subjects include Charles Lindbergh, Louisiana Purchase Exposition, the St. Louis riverfront, buildings, parks, and streets.

Paul William Preisler Papers, 1902-1971 (S0235)
22 cubic feet, 322 folders, 597 photographs

 Digitized Materials

 Finding Aid

The Paul William Preisler Papers document Preisler's career as a union organizer, lawyer, photographer, and biochemist in St. Louis. They contain correspondence, legal papers, newspaper clippings, and photographs. Subjects of interest include civil liberties, legislative redistricting, and Socialism. Photographs include images of Hooverville, Labor leaders, strikes and protests, and political parties. 

Reuben C. Prewitt World War II Notes, 1945 (C3326)
0.02 cubic feet (1 folder)

 Finding Aid

Notes on Air Force experiences. Cross-country trip to Seattle and description of voyage from Seattle to Iwo Jima and situation at Iwo Jima.

Gloria Pritchard Papers, 1910-1983 (S0150)
1 cubic foot, 254 photographs

 Digitized Materials

 Finding Aid

The papers of Gloria Pritchard contain correspondence, photographs, and newspaper clippings pertaining to Pritchard's life and career as an African-American radio host and activist. Prichard was known for her radio shows, "World of Women (1957-1965) and "Great Negro Artists" (1960-1961) on KATZ. She was also active in Democratic politics, African-American Women's Clubs, and Civil Rights groups.

Arthur W. Proetz Photograph Collection, 1890-1963 (S0537)
3 cubic feet, 1720 photographs, 1728 negatives

 Digitized Materials

 Finding Aid

Arthur W. Proetz was a lifelong resident of St. Louis, a Washington University graduate, and a surgeon. He authored the book "I Remember You St. Louis," which was illustrated with many of his photographs. The collection consists of a variety fo St. Louis scenes and family portraits, including the Worlds Fair and the Veiled Prophet.

Arthur Proetz Papers, 1885-1917 (S0065)
0.01 cubic foot, 1 folder, 1 roll microfilm

 Finding Aid

The Arthur Proetz Papers consist of a family scrapbook containing theatre programs, flyers, and newspaper clippings from German and English newspapers, documenting the musical and cultural milieu of turn-of-the-century St. Louis.

Project Congregation + Offender Partnership Enterprise (COPE) Records, 1980-2022 (S0364)
3 cubic feet

 Finding Aid

The collection consists of meeting minutes, correspondence, applications, photographs, and newsletters chronicling Project Congregation + Offender Partnership Enterprise's (COPE) mission to assist prisoners with re-entry into society. Materials of interest include an autobiography written by Ted Schroeder, who helped Project COPE's founder, Hershel Walker, develop the organization.

Albert J. Prokes World War II Letters, 1942-1946 (C3466)
1.2 cubic feet

 Digitized Materials

 Finding Aid

Letters received by Reverend Albert J. Prokes, administrator of St. John Nepomuk Catholic Church in St. Louis, MO, from parishioners serving in the armed forces during World War II.

Proud Magazine, 1971-1981 (S0356)
0.4 cubic feet

 Finding Aid

The collection contains issues of Proud from 1970-1981. However, the issues do not comprise a complete set. Washington University holds copies of all back issues. Topics discussed include: African-American history, urban careers, religion, education, politics, housing, African-American community leaders, health, community organizations, music, and sports.

Provident Behavioral Health Records, 1848-2002 (S0360)
26 cubic feet, 16 microfilm rolls

 Finding Aid

The Provident Behavioral Health Records contain annual reports, meeting minutes, press releases, scrapbooks, presentations, videotapes, relating to mental health and social services in the St. Louis Area. Found in 1860 by James Yeatman, Provident Behavioral Health's mission is mental health services to St. Louis area residents. The collection also contains the records of Provident's predecessor organizations: The Family and Children's Services of Greater St. Louis, the Family Service Society of St. Louis County, and the St. Louis Children's Aid Society.

Pruitt-Igoe Action Program Report, 1972 (S0409)
0.01 cubic foot

 Finding Aid

This collection contains a 71-page unpublished report titled Summary and Conclusions of Pruitt-Igoe Action Program Phase I & II. The report, commissioned by Mayor Alfonso Cervantes's committee on the redevelopment of Pruitt-Igoe, proposed the addition of new families at Pruitt-Igoe, partial demolition, rehabilitation of existing units, and construction of parks and shopping centers.

Joseph Pulitzer Papers, 1897-1958 (S0060)
163 rolls of microfilm

 Finding Aid

Joseph Pulitzer was an editor and newspaper publisher, whose holdings included the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The papers primarily relate to his editorship of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and cover nearly every aspect of the operation and production of the newspaper, including its internal business management and its editorial policies. The collection contains extensive correspondence with family, journalists, and politicians.

Martin P. Quigley Papers , 1930-1996 (S0589)
1.2 cubic foot, 70 folders

 Finding Aid

This collection contains writings by novelist Martin Quigley; Neurotica Volume 1, Numbers 1 (Spring 1948) 4, (Spring 1949) and Volume 8 (1951); Bound volumes of Midwest Motorist, 1971-1996; interviews with Bing Devine and Bob Costas; and writings by Fran Landesman.

R-9 Community Center Records, 1955-1958 (S0963)
0.04 cubic foot

 Finding Aid

This collection contains photographs, videotape, newspaper clippings, and meeting minutes of the R-9 Community Center.

Jerry Rabushka Papers, 1975-2020 (S0299)
11.5 cubic feet

 Finding Aid

The Jerry Rabushka Papers contain diaries, scrapbooks, script, program bills, posters and VHS tapes documenting Rabushka's career as a playwright, author, and musician. Materials of interest include scrapbooks and photographs of Rabushka's original plays, including Full Frontal Nudity, Gaywatch, and Woof! The Road Show.

Edward Luckey Radford Manuscript, 1979 (S0186)
0.25 cubic feet

 Finding Aid

The Edward Luckey Radford Manuscript contains the unpublished dissertation titled Implementing Court Ordered Desegregation for The Ferguson Reorganized School District R2: A Case Study by Edward Luckey Radford. In his dissertation, Radford chronicles the integration of the Berkeley, Kinloch, and Ferguson R2 school districts from 1971 to 1979.  

Radial Express Report, 1964-1965 (S1103)
0.25 cubic foot

 Finding Aid

This collection contains one report: "The Radial Express and Suburban Crosstown Bus Rider, St. Louis Metropolitan Area, Final Report 1964-1965." The report was commissioned by the Bi-State Development Agency to determine the potential sources of patronage for seven new radial express bus routes in the Missouri-Illinois bi-state area.

Stephen J. Raiche Photograph Collection, 1856-1972 (P0474)
0.21 linear feet

Photos of historic buildings in Missouri, primarily in the St. Louis area.

Stephen R. Raiche Papers, 1864-1989 (S0623)
0.4 cubic foot, 10 folders

 Finding Aid

The Stephen R. Raiche Papers contain research notes and printed material about St. Louis neighborhoods including Lafayette Park/Square, Soulard Neighborhood and Soulard Market, and an Architectural Survey of LaSalle Park Area.

Railroad Stock Certificate Collection, 1835-1915 (R1485)
0.03 cubic foot (1 folder)

 Finding Aid

The Railroad Stock and Bond Certificates Collection consists of 70 stock and bond certificates for railroad companies in the United States and Canada.

J.A. Ralston Certificate, 1889 (C1794)
0.02 cubic feet (1 folder)

 Finding Aid

Certificates granted by St. Louis College of Physicians and Surgeons for completion of instruction in "Principles and Practice of Surgery."

"The Rambles of a School Boy in Saint Louis--1865," Charles P. Deatherage, no date (C1712)
0.02 cubic feet (1 folder)

 Finding Aid

Reminiscences of life in St. Louis in the 1860s. Deatherage wrote about the families on Madison Street, children's pastimes during summer vacations, and the construction of the Eads Bridge.

Julian Sturtevant Rammelkamp Papers, 1800-1994 (S0568)
65 cubic feet, 202 folders, 39 photographs, 6 microfilm rolls

 Finding Aid

Julian Sturtevant Rammelkamp was a journalism historian, history teacher, and one-time chair of the history department at Albion College in Michigan. He authored "Pulitzer's Post-Dispatch," published in 1967. Included in the collection are note cards from his study of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Post, correspondence with major writers, and rare books.

Ramsay Place Names File, 1928-1945 (C2366)
6 cubic feet (12 boxes), 4 rolls of microfilm

 Digitized Materials

 Finding Aid

Card file of origins of Missouri place names, compiled by students of Robert L. Ramsay, University of Missouri professor of English. Cards are in alphabetical order by place name.

Robert Rankin Papers, 1937-1992 (S0252)
20 cubic feet, 835 folders

 Finding Aid

The papers of Robert Rankin contain correspondence, articles, meeting minutes, and reports chronicling her career as vice president of the Danforth Foundation, where he focused on issues dealing with spirituality and ministry on college campuses. Subjects of interest include campus ministries, higher education, African Americans, women, and disabilities.

Rannells Family Papers, 1836-1914 (S0786)
4.4 cubic feet, 211 folders, 10 oversized items, 1 CD

 Finding Aid

The Rannells Family Papers contain correspondence, legal materials, account books, and household receipts relating to the real-estate business of Charles Rannells (1814-1877), as well as his son, Edward's, legal career.