Saint Louis

Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis Collection, 1938-1982 (S0093)
0.2 cubic foot, 5 folders

 Finding Aid

The collection consists of annual reports, newsletters, and pamphlets chronicling the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis’s efforts to provide social services for the St. Louis area’s African American population.

Florence Wyman Richardson Usher Scrapbooks, 1909-1913 (S0059)
1 microfilm roll

 Finding Aid

Florence Wyman Richardson Usher helped found the Equal Suffrage League of St. Louis in 1910. She chaired the League's lecture committee for six years and was a member of the board of governors in 1912. The scrapbooks in this collection document suffrage activities both nationally and in St. Louis. They include news clippings, correspondence, public notices, programs, leaflets, and Usher's annotations.

Thomas Watt Ustick Papers, 1849-1866 (C0183)
0.3 cubic feet

 Finding Aid

Correspondence, bills, receipts and licenses of a St. Louis printer. Summonses and other papers pertaining to a law suit in LaCrosse, WI. Indentures, contracts and miscellaneous papers, and family history.

Valle Mining Company Records, 1839-1884 (R1278)
(12 rolls of microfilm)

 Finding Aid

These are account books, ledgers, cash books, and other business records of the Valle Mining company at Valles Mines, Missouri. Most of the collection concerns mining on the Valle tract in Jefferson and Saint Francois Counties and related general merchandizing at the company's store. There are various records showing the receipt and shipment of ores, names of individual miners, charges and credits to individual and company accounts, and shipments of mineral to the Carondelet Zinc Works at Carondelet, Missouri, and consignment houses in Saint Louis and New York.

Charles Van Ravenswaay Papers, 1841-1990 (C3873)
21.8 cubic feet (1,359 folders), 1 audio cassette

 Digitized Materials

 Finding Aid

Correspondence, research notes, photographs, and literary manuscripts of historian and author Charles van Ravenswaay, former director of the Missouri Historical Society, St. Louis; Old Sturbridge Village, Sturbridge, Massachusetts; and the Henry Francis du Pont Winterthur Museum and Gardens, Wilmington, Delaware.

Vandeventer Nites Manuscript , 1988 (S0880)
0.01 cubic foot, 1 folder

 Finding Aid

This collection contains the 1988 manuscript of Vandeventer Nites: A Tale of Gay Life in the Midwest (and a party you won’t want to miss) by Jerrold Rabushka.

Kathryn Brossard Clarke Varnell Oral History, 1922-1992 (S0632)
0.01 cubic foot

This collection contains an oral history of Kathryn Brossard Clarke. She discusses her experiences in St. Louis with her son, John Rodney Clarke.

Charles Vatterott Dissertation Collection, 1919-1972 (S1004)
3 cubic feet, 75 folders

 Finding Aid

This collection contains correspondence, articles, oral history interviews, and photographs collected by Cornelia Frances Sexauer for her 2003 thesis, "Catholic Capitalism: Charles Vatterott, Civil Rights and Suburbanization in St. Louis and the Nation 1919-1972." Charles Vatterott was a real estate and civil rights activist, who was instrumental in creating the St. Louis Interracial Justice council in 1944. He also established the Vatterott Foundation in 1948 to improve educational and career advancement opportunities for ethnic and religious minorities.

Amy Newell Verseman Papers, 1977-2011 (S0349)
0.8 cubic feet

 Finding Aid

The Amy Newell Verseman Papers contain correspondence, meeting minutes, photographs, artwork, and posters documenting her involvement with Archon, a St. Louis-area science fiction and fantasy convention. Materials of interest include correspondence from noted Science-fiction authors Robert Bloch and Philip Jose Farmer. 

Video Collection, 1990-2011 (S0832)
1 cubic foot, 34 videotapes

 Finding Aid

The Video Collection consists of VHS tapes, DVDs and other video formats of recordings pertaining to St. Louis history. Topics of interest include the Gateway Arch, Fran Landesman, Pruitt-Igoe, and the Saint Louis Zoo. Also included in this collection are oral histories staff members conducted with Judith Styx, James Neal Primm, and Irene Cortinovis.

Elaine Viets Papers, 1967-2018 (S1239)
12 cubic feet

 Finding Aid

The Elaine Viets Papers contains correspondence, copy-edited manuscripts, photographs, books, and newspaper clippings pertaining to her career as a columnist for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (1972-1997) and mystery writer of the Francesca Vierling, Dead-End Job, and Josie Marcus, Mystery Shopper series. Materials of interest include correspondence from fans of Viets’s mystery novels wishing her well after her stroke in 2007, as well as photographs from Viets’s book tours and the set of Viets Beat, a KMOV talk show Viets hosted in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Also included in this collection are scrapbooks containing Viets’s columns for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, written between 1972 and 1995. The newspaper clippings are incomplete, however, as they do not contain her St. Louis Post-Dispatch columns written from 1996 to 1997.

Village à Robert, Missouri, Plat, 1794 (C1667)
0.02 cubic feet (1 folder)

 Finding Aid

Surveyed by M[onsieur] Bouvet, under the command of Captain F. Dunegan of St. Ferdinand, by order of Zenon Trudeau, lieutenant-governor at St. Louis. Includes names of landholders.

Henry Voelkner Letters, 1861-1862 (C0436)
0.04 cubic feet (2 folders)

 Finding Aid

Letters written in German by a Union soldier fighting in Missouri during the Civil War, including description of the battle of Sugar Creek. Also typed translations.

John Diedrich Voerster Collection, 1802-2002 (S1115)
0.5 cubic foot

 Digitized Materials

 Finding Aid

The John Diedrich Voerster collection includes family tree data for the Voerster family. Also included in this collection is family tree data from the descendants of John Diedrich Voerster (1802-1878), Engelbert Voerster (1842-1908), and John Voerster (1870-1936). The collection also includes forty-six photographs of Voerster family members.

Harry Anton Voight Papers, 1918-1951 (R1166)
1 cubic foot (26 folders, 419 photographs)

The Harry Anton Voight Papers contain the photocopies and original papers of a marine engineer, steamboat inspector, and Coast Guard officer who spent most of his career working on the Ohio River. Included are applications for federal positions, papers concerning service in the Marine Inspection Service and Coast Guard, photographs of the Ohio River flood of 1945, and personal papers.

Voluntary Interdistrict Coordination Council Collection, 1986-1987 (S1007)
0 .4 cubic feet

 Finding Aid

The Voluntary Interdistrict Coordination Council collection contains newsletters, reports, and a settlement agreement connected to the development of the magnet schools in St. Louis.

Benjamin Von Phul Letter, 1891 (C3265)
0.02 cubic feet (1 folder)

 Finding Aid

To William P. Barlow, St. Louis, Missouri, from St. Louis, Missouri, November 5, 1891. Regards lieutenants in Von Phul’s Battery, Missouri Artillery, Confederate States of America.

Vorwaerts Workmen's Singing Society Records, 1895-1977 (S0237)
3.2 cubic feet, 79 folders

 Digitized Materials

 Finding Aid

German immigrants formed Arbeiter Gesangverein "Vorwaertrs" to maintain their musical heritage and to promote working-class interests. Voerwaerts and Damenchor Vorwaerts presented regular concerts and participated in national songfests. Walter Hoops edited the Saenger Zeitung, the national journal from 1967 to 1977. The collection contains protocol books, financial ledgers, correspondence, programs, and issues of the Saenger Zeitung.

W.C. Gilman & Co., St. Louis Metropolitan Area Transportation Study, 1959 (S0405)
0.01 cubic foot

 Finding Aid

The St. Louis Metropolitan Area Population, Land Use, and Employment Study contains population, land, and employment estimates for the St. Louis area in 1957 and provided projections for 1970 and 1980. Dr. Ernest Jurkart of Marketers Research Services, Inc. authored the study.

Herb Waerckle Papers, 1942-2000 (S1008)
1 cubic foot, 6 photographs

 Finding Aid

The papers of Herb Waerckle contain family histories and a scrapbook pertaining to Waeckerle's career as a journalist for the St. Louis Globe-Democrat and as well as his career in public relations working for the Schnucks and Monsanto.

Lisa Wagaman Papers, 1974-1992 (S0542)
6.4 cubic feet, 112 folders

 Finding Aid

The Lisa Wagaman papers contain meeting minutes, publications, buttons, posters, flyers, t-shirts, and newspapers relating to her activism in St. Louis's LGBTQ community. Also included in this collection are early records of the Mid-Continent Life Services, Inc.

Wainright Building Photographs, 1890-1891, 1982 (P0817)
4 photographs

Photos of the Wainwright Building, St. Louis, in 1982, and one photo of its construction.

Mark Waldemer Labor Collection, 1920-1997 (S1193)
2 cubic feet

 Finding Aid

This collection contains labor agreements, correspondence, news articles, and photographs documenting Mark Waldemer's labor activism.

Wallace Family Papers, 1929-1983 (S0725)
0.25 cubic feet, 5 folders, 33 photographs

 Digitized Materials

 Finding Aid

The Wallace Family Papers contain the papers of Lester James Wallace (1902-1985) and his wife Eleanor Wallace (1903-1986), a Catholic family who lived at 4852 Tiemann Street in St. Louis, Missouri. Mr. Wallace worked as a truck driver for ice cream and wholesale dairy operations in the 1940s and 1950s. Their papers include correspondence, photographs, scrapbooks, a volume of Wallace Family History, an identification card, and a WWII draft card.

Richard R. Wallin St. Louis Streetcars Photo Collection, 1958 (S1137)
0.01 cubic foot

 Digitized Materials

 Finding Aid

This collection contains thirty 35mm slides of St. Louis and Illinois streetcars, photographed by Richard R. Wallin for Blackhawk Films and published in 1958. The slides also include images of stations such as Wellston Loop Depot.

E.P. Walsh Letter, 1885 (C2682)
0.02 cubic feet (1 folder)

 Finding Aid

To [N.B.] Allen, Jefferson City, MO, from St. Louis, MO, Feb. 25, 1885.

Request for the support of Allen, a member of the Missouri legislature, for a bill providing for collection of historical documents. Walsh was secretary for the Missouri Historical Society, St. Louis.

J. and E. Walsh Invoice, 1831 (C2458)
0.02 cubic feet (1 folder)

 Finding Aid

Invoice for a quantity of goods sent to Campbell and Company, Desmoin Rappids, by J. and E. Walsh, St. Louis, MO, July 30, 1831. Signed by Thos. O. Flaherty.

Virginia Walton Postcard Collection, no date (P0142)
1 folder

A collection of Missouri postcards, including many from the St. Louis and Kansas City areas.

Warehouse Employees Local 667 Strike Bulletins, 1935-1936 (S0217)
0.01 cubic foot, 1 folder

Warehouse employees called a strike against Kroger Grocery and Baking Company on November 7, 1935. The union demanded an increase in wages, seniority rights, a closed shop, and an end to work speedup programs. In March 1936, the International Executive Board revoked Local 667's charter for failure to comply with the International's negotiated settlement. The bulletins detail the strike activity, negotiations, support from other unions, and the use of scab labor.

Washington University Photographs, 1936-1956 (P0194)

Photographs of Washington University, ca. 1936 and 1952.

Washington University School of Medicine, Class of 1943, Photograph, 1943 (P0581)
1 photograph

Class photograph from the Washington University School of Medicine, December 1943.

Washington University Ugly Club Poster, 1871 (C2841)
0.02 cubic feet (1 folder)

 Finding Aid

Caricatures of Harry H. Cabot, W.R. Schuyler, E.M. Bowman, Emile R. Abadie, Lyne S. Metcalfe, Jr., Stephen H. Jecko, Freddy Cline, W.J.S. Bryan, and Elliot C. Jewett. OVERSIZE.

Arthur Washington Papers, 1929-1995 (S1113)
1 cubic foot, 72 folders, 52 photographs

 Digitized Materials

 Finding Aid

The Arthur Washington Papers contains student handbooks, school programs, memos, certificates, and photographs pertaining to Washington's involvement in Sumner High School's academic and athletic programs. The collection also documents Washington's involvement with Alpha Phi Alpha, the Archdiocesan Development Appeal, and the campaign to revitalize the Ville neighborhood.

WBDA LP Records Collection, 1920-1930 (S1089)
0.01 cubic foot

 Finding Aid

This collection contains two LP records recorded at WBPA Sound Systems in Webster Groves, MO. Included in the recordings is a Jewish wedding and music.

Weaver Family Papers, 1941-1943 (S1168)
1 cubic foot, 28 folders

 Digitized Materials

 Finding Aid

This collection consists of correspondence between Jack Weaver and Ruth Riddick, a St. Louis-area couple, during World War II. In Weaver's letters to Riddick, he describes his service in the United States Army, providing insight into his daily life and the training he underwent in the Army's Officer Candidate School. Riddick's letters to Weaver include descriptions of life in St. Louis during the war, as well as her activities in church functions and work at United Motors as a secretary. Weaver and Riddick married in June 1943.

Webster Groves High School Memorabilia Collection, 1960-2015 (S1203)
0.25 cubic feet

 Finding Aid

This collection consists of Webster High School yearbooks, newspaper clippings, obituaries, and a photograph.

Webster Groves Nature Study Society Bulletins, 1996-1998 (S1010)
1 cubic foot

 Finding Aid

This collection consists of Issues of Nature Notes, the Bulletin of the Webster Groves Nature Society, Vol. 68, No. 6-Vol. 70, December 1998.

Webster Review Records, 1973-1982 (C4508)
0.2 cubic feet (4 folders)

 Finding Aid

The records of the Webster Review, an international literary journal that was published by Webster College (now Webster University) from 1974-1994, including promotional materials, financial documents, and manuscript submissions.

Lisa Weinmann, "Awakening and Angst" Thesis and Tapes, 1992 (S1011)
0.8 cubic feet

 Finding Aid

This collection contains a thesis written by Lisa Weinmann on mainstream feminism in St. Louis during the 1970s, as well as fifteen oral history tapes she used as research for her thesis.

Austin H. Welch Papers, 1908-1927 (R0824)
(1 folder)

 Finding Aid

These are business papers of Austin H. Welch of St. Louis, Missouri, regarding investments in Missouri and Arkansas lands through the Dorsey Corporation of Moline, Illinois. Among the papers are reports on a coal property near Bourbon in Crawford County, Missouri, and agricultural land near Texarkana in Miller County, Arkansas.

Roy Wenzlick Papers, 1882-1981 (S0574)
23 cubic feet, 28 films, 13 audio tapes, 299 microfilm rolls, 66 books

 Finding Aid

Roy Wenzlick was a prominent real estate analyst, appraiser, author, and publisher. His 1936 book, "The Coming Boom in Real Estate," appeared on the New York Times bestseller list. The collection includes correspondence, research files, photographs, and a complete run Wenzlick's newsletter, "The Real Estate Analyst."

Leonard Matthews Werner Papers, 1917-1981 (S0206)
0.04 cubic feet, 7 folders, 45 photographs, 1 microfilm roll

 Finding Aid

The Leonard Matthews Werner Papers contain correspondence, newsletters, manuals, and newspaper clippings documenting his work establishing the Sebago Club, Camp Ironwood in Maine, and the Sebago School for Disturbed Children.

Wesley House Association Records, 1929-2002 (S0675)
2 cubic feet, 52 folders, 399 photographs

 Digitized Materials

 Finding Aid

The Wesley House Association was founded in 1903 by a lay group affiliated with the Methodist Church. Its purpose is to provide social services for the 21st Ward in St. Louis City. Included in the collection are bylaws, meeting minutes, correspondence, budgets, , newsletters, and photographs.

Wessel and Schaefer Family Papers, 1907-1974 (S0522)
2.5 cubic feet, 48 folders, 43 photographs

 Finding Aid

The Wessel and Schaefer Family Papers contain correspondence, diaries, newspaper clippings, and photographs documenting the lives of Lillian Schaefer and Emil Wessel. The collection contains material both prior to and during their marriage, including family correspondence from 1954. The complete date range of the collection is 1907 to 1975, with bulk dates from 1917 to 1923.

Wessel/Donnan Papers, 1956-2005 (S0787)
2 cubic feet, 30 folders, 72 photographs

 Finding Aid

This collection primarily consists of business ledgers, financial statements, and photographs relating to Wessel Stables while under the management of Dwight and Gloria Donnan. This collection also contains artifacts of the Donnans' participation with the Mariner Gam, a civic club affiliated with the United Church of Christ of Lockwood in Webster Groves, MO. The club was similar to the Girl Scouts but offered only water-based sporting activities. The couple was involved with Mariner Gam for approximately 20 years, ending in the mid-1980s.

West County Democrats Records, 2001-2017 (S1218)
2 cubic feet

 Finding Aid

The records of the West County Democrats contain agendas, board and general meeting minutes, bylaws, correspondence, directories, and reports collected and maintained by previous co-chairs of the organization. Former Senator Harriet Woods and Jo Ann Fox Hughes were among the founding members of the West County Democrats and held the club’s first meetings in the summer of 2001. Since its founding, the West County Democrats have grown to a membership of nearly 170 individuals, who continue to meet monthly and invite guest speakers to lecture on a variety of political issues affecting Missouri and the United States.  

Western Historical Manuscript Collection, St. Louis, Vertical File Collection, 1834-2012 (S0694)
4.25 cubic feet, 265 folders

 Finding Aid

The Western Historical Manuscript Collection (WHMC)-St. Louis’s vertical file was begun in 1968 as part of WHMC’s collecting mission under the direction of Irene Cortinovis and Ina Watson. The collection chronicles numerous St. Louis-related topics, including African Americans, Anheuser-Busch, the Congress of Racial Equality, and the Shaw neighborhood.

Western Historical Manuscript Collection-St. Louis Records, 1968-2011 (S1230)
6.5 cubic feet

 Finding Aid

The records of the Western Historical Manuscript Collection (WHMC)-St. Louis contains administrative correspondence, meeting minutes, and monthly and annual reports pertaining to the founding and operation of the office. Subjects of interest include the controversy between the State Historical Society of Missouri (SHSMO) and the University of Missouri–Saint Louis (UMSL) regarding WHMC-St. Louis’s desire to remain independent from WHMC, the creation of UMSL’s University Archives, and the development of WHMC-St. Louis’s oral history program. The materials in this collection date from 1967 to 2011.

John G. Westover Collection, 1910-1946 (C3733)
1.1 cubic feet (56 folders)

 Digitized Materials

 Finding Aid

Correspondence between members of a Missouri family, including three sons in the service, during World War II. The letters deal largely with family matters, but also include descriptions of military bases, a soldier's daily routine and training, and people, cities, and countries in Africa and Europe. Also included are letters from an uncle who was in the service during World War I and in the 1920s.

William Wetherhold Photographs, 1895 (P0369)
4 photographs

Photographs taken by William Wetherhold in 1895 in St. Louis, MO and Piedmont, MO. At the time, Wetherhold was a salesman from Macomb, IL.