Williams Research Center, Historic New Orleans Collection Williams Research Center Historic New Orleans Collection 410 Chartres Street New Orleans, LA 70130 Telephone number: (504) 598-7171 Fax: (504) 598-7168 Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.hnoc.org Contact person: Alfred Lemmon Access privileges: Open to the public Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Repository Information: The Historic New Orleans Collection was established in 1966 by General and Mrs. L. Kemper Williams, private collectors, to maintain and expand their collections and to make them available to the public through research facilities and exhibitions. The Williams Research Center offers scholars access to the extensive print and microform holdings of its three Divisions. The Manuscript collections include letters, diaries, land tenure records, financial and legal documents, records of community organizations, New Orleans newspapers (1803 - present), and annotated printed items. These papers illuminate life in New Orleans and southern social and cultural history in the surrounding areas during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Women are represented throughout the Division's. Although the material listed in this guide is located within the Manuscripts Division, the other divisions also have significant holdings by and about women. The Curatorial Division has many paintings, drawings, photographs, and other three-dimensional objects by women. Information on these female artists, is contained in the division's artists' files. Collection highlights: Significant collections include the Wilkinson-Stark papers especially for their coverage of Mary Farrar Stark Wilkinson's subversion of the invading federal army to protect her children, and the correspondence of Eliza Jane Nicholson, owner and editor of the Times-Picayune in the 1870s and 1880s. Finding aids: Finding aids for catalogued manuscript collections usually provide an inventory or calendar with a chronological listing of each item in the collection. More detailed information on many of the manuscript collections is available online in the Manuscripts Division Updates, Vols. 1-13 issued from 1982-1994. Notices of recent acquisitions appear in `The Historic New Orleans Collection Quarterly'. Facilities: Photocopying, microfilming and photography; power sockets available for laptops. 1. Alexander, Ceneilla Bower ca. 1900-1930 1,532 items Contains a fine collection of Mardi Gras costume sketches and float designs by Ceneilla Bower Alexander, a leading carnival designer. 2. Arts and Crafts Club of New Orleans 1916-1917 1,987 items Many women active in the arts are represented in these papers, especially Sarah F. Henderson, principal benefactor and president of the club for many years. The Club maintained an art club and a gallery in the French Quarter. This group assisted the fine arts and artists in the New Orleans area by sponsoring classes in various media, by holding exhibits, and occasionally by providing a sales outlet for members and students. Correspondence, scrapbooks, brochures, and clippings include items regarding the group's inception, artists, exhibits, classes, awards, and artists' sponsors. Among the artists included are Caroline Durieux, Enrique Alferez, Conrad Albrizio, and John McCrady. 3. A Sketch of My Travels Through Sabine While Looking At the Country ca. late 1840s Louise Maria DeLoach's account of "White Sulphur Springs," a resort in Sabine Parish, provides insight into mid-nineteenth century recreational travel and a variety of topics including local occupations, hunting, religion, weather, and crime. 4. Barnhart, Marguerite B. 1849-1881 2 volumes Scrapbooks containing news clippings from contemporary newspapers. 5. Bennett, Pattie 1887 2 items Pattie Bennett was the daughter of William Bennett, printer of the Times-Democrat. This scrapbook page includes an invitation and dance card for a "Fancy Dress and Masquerade Soirée." 6. Blanchard, Ossita Mollere y 1802 1 item Lineage and religious history of Ossita Mollere y Blanchard, bride of Lt. Rafael Croquer, July 13, 1802. 7. Blu Lu and Danny Narker Ephemera 1994-1998 4 items This small collection of items related to these two jazz greats, includes black and white publicity photographs; Danny Barker memorial programs, 1994 March 17; Louise "Blu Lu" Barker memorial program, 1998 May 13. 8. Boirier, Jeanne 1802 1 item Bonaparte, as First Consul, grants a pension to Jeanne Boirier, as widow of a veteran. 9. Breaud, Evelina June 3, 1893 1 volume Copybook of poetry belonging to Evelina Breaud, a schoolgirl at Convent of Perpetual Adoration, St. James, Louisiana. 10. Bright-Richardson Family 1888-1947 29 items Includes letters from Susie Richardson's visit to Europe in 1888. 11. Browning, Julia 1907-1923 5 items, 1 volume The collection includes news clippings, poems, and voter registration forms. 12. Butler, Benjamin Franklin Proclamation 1862 1 item Butler, a major general, commanded the U.S. Army Department of the Gulf and Federal Occupation Forces in New Orleans during the Civil War. A preprint of General Order No. 28, in which he declared that all women who behaved discourteously toward Union occupation troops were to be considered no more than "women of the streets" and were to be treated as such. 13. Butler Family 1778-l975 2,134 items This large collection includes numerous letters from nineteenth century women who comment on their daily concerns. There is also a housekeeping book kept by Nellie Custis Lewis from 1828-1830. Correspondents include Caroline Butler Bell, Eleanor Butler Donelson, Elizabeth Custis Law and others. 14. Christmas cards and letters 1960 273 items Mrs. Leona Washington was one of the original four children who integrated the Orleans Parish public schools on 1960 November 14. At Christmas, the four children received the cards in this collection from throughout the nation as expressions of public support and encouragement. 15. Churchill, Martha T. 1868-1899 105 items Legal and financial papers documenting the real estate activities of Martha T. Churchill in connection with her properties on St. Charles Avenue and in the Lower Garden District. 16. Circle Gallery Records 1975-1980 3,908 items Founded by Janet Kohlmeyer, the Circle Gallery was one of the earliest and most respected contemporary galleries in the South. Located at 1032 St. Charles Avenue, the gallery represented many women artists such as Janet Kohlmeyer, Helen Trivigno, Evelyn Witherspoon, and Jessalyn Zurik. Other women associated with the gallery include Mrs. Leclare Raterree and Sally Miles. The collection contains correspondence, announcements and financial records of the gallery. 17. Corbin, Eleanor Nicholson 1982 2 items A second interview by Glenda B. Stevens of a descendant of Times-Picayune founders. 18. Crawford, Josephine 1984-1989 74 items Correspondence and research files of Kitty Fawley used in research for her master's thesis on Crawford, a New Orleans artist. 19. Crawford, Josephine Marien 1864-1965 230 items The noted New Orleans artist, many of whose paintings are in the Collection, also wrote poetry and prose and illustrated many of her own works. 20. Creole Historic Exhibit 1885-1886 145 items An outgrowth of the successful Louisiana Ladies' Exhibit from the previous year, this display of portraits, artifacts and other memorabilia was supposed to document the Creole culture in New Orleans, but managed to include anything that was donated or loaned. 21. Davis, Mollie Moore ca. 1886-1907 10 items. Miscellaneous collection concerning this writer and literary hostess. There are a few typescripts and manuscripts within this collection. 22. Davis, Varina Anne (Howell) 1902-1906 3 items Letters written from New Orleans in 1902 and New York in 1906 by Davis, widow of Confederate President Jefferson Davis. Letters reflect hardships she encountered during her later years. 23. Davis, Varina Anne (Howell) 1868-1906 23 items Letters by Varina Davis, wife of the President of the Confederacy, provide insight into her life after the Civil War and later after Jefferson Davis's death. 24. Dennery, Phyllis 1950s-1980s c. 8,000 items Phyllis Dennery was active in civic and religious affairs of New Orleans and the founding of WYES-TV. The Collection contains correspondence, photographs, certificates, news clippings, scrapbooks, and tapes documenting her political and civic activities. 25. Dining In New Orleans 1985 86 items This collection includes drafts, galley proofs, correspondence, and news clippings relating to Phyllis Dennery's book with this title. 26. Dorman, Caroline Coroneos 1961-1972 1 volume Caroline Dorman (1885-1965) achieved distinction as a botanist, horticulturist, painter, preservationist, and author. Her scrapbook contains 27 letters (1961-1971) to Mary Land, news clippings, and a journal documenting her career. 27. Dorsey, Sarah A. 1876 1 item Written to Charles Gayarré, the letter concerns his political activities and includes comments about Gayarré's writing activities. 28. Dufour, Edith Libby 1976 1 volume Written by James Amédée Stouse, the memoir concerns Edith Libby Dufour and the establishment of the Edith Libby Dufour Fund. 29. Durieux, Caroline 1940-1980 ca. 49 items This collection of material concerning artist Caroline Durieux includes manuscripts, programs and scrapbooks relating to her career. 30. Dymond Family 1853-1966 2,191 items Within these family papers is the unpublished memoir of life on the plantation by Florence Dymond, ca. 1912. 31. Elliot, Maud Howe 1885 11 items Letters written