Correspondence, June - August 1919
Scope and Contents
This collection contains the correspondence between Ida Lenora Wilson Hardt and Wesley William Hardt during their romantic courtship. There is also some correspondence from family, friends, students, job supervisors, and others. Some of the significant topics represented in these correspondence are Southwestern University including the Megaphone, May Fete, Mood Hall barracks, San Jacinto Society, and the Euphrasian Society; epidemics and pandemics (specifically those of meningitis, mumps, typhoid fever, measles, and the Spanish Flu of 1918); The Holding Institute and the teaching contracts, teaching by Ida Lenora Wilson Hardt, and student life; and Chirstianity (specifically talks of missionary service, preachers, sermons, and Bible passages). The collection also documents life during World War I, particularly Wesley Hardt’s military training through the Southwestern Student Army Training Corps camp and his service and life at the Southwestern University barracks before the German surrender. Additionally, life during the early 20th century is documented, specifically talks about marriage, family life, deceased family members, illnesses, medical procedures, and travel in Texas. The dates of material are from 1909 to 1965. Materials are largely textual, comprising correspondence, exams, a diary calendar, receipts, a wedding invitation, and materials from Southwestern University. Among other formats scattered throughout the collection are postcards and photographs. After Ida and Wesley’s marriage ceremony in 1920, the amount of letters drops significantly. The letters pick back up in 1921 as Wesley is away from Ida and stop when he returns. There is a significant gap of time until 1934 when communication is sparsely again recorded by other correspondents.
Dates
- June - August 1919
Conditions Governing Access
The materials are open for research.
Extent
From the Collection: 1.04 Linear Feet (3 archival flip-top boxes)
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Creator
- From the Collection: Hardt, Ida Lenora Wilson (Ida Lenora Wilson Hardt) (Person)
Repository Details
Part of the SU Distinctive Collections & Archives Repository