Homecomings and Horizons

THE WILLA CATHER FOUNDATION 2019 Annual Report To Our Friends and Supporters Our Mission To promote Willa Cather’s legacy through education, We have so much to be optimistic about. Our Campaign for the Future—a $6.5 million endeavor to restore preservation, and the arts. seven Cather historic sites, expand programming, grow endowment, and invest in the development Our Vision of a boutique hotel in Red Cloud—now stands at 87% complete. To become a premier cultural center that offers broad This important campaign will provide the resources needed to carry out our strategic plan goals. The educational opportunities for patrons to experience fundamental public-facing themes of the plan involve broadening awareness of Willa Cather and her Cather’s work, explore historic landmarks related to her work, enhancing experiences through education and programming, and reenvisioning and reimagining our life and times, foster their own creativity, and embrace Cather historic sites. Thanks to your generosity, capital improvement efforts are now underway at three the arts and humanities. important sites: the Burlington Depot, the Pavelka Farmstead, and the Farmers and Merchants Bank. Our Programs and Services

These historic properties in Red Cloud have the potential to be both richly explored as public history sites ●● Operation of a museum, archive, and study center and as significant literary destinations that shine light on Cather’s life and writing. By using Cather’s work at the National Willa Cather Center as a gateway, we will tell a larger story that connects with a number of themes that are key to examining ●● Preservation of the largest collection of nationally the American experience. In the years to come, the exhibits and interpretation at our historic sites will designated historic sites devoted to an American be greatly enhanced. Educational content and the sites themselves will be more accessible to audiences of author varying ages, interests, and physical abilities. ●● Conferences and seminars held annually in Your support also helps the National Willa Cather Center continue to innovate through new programs Red Cloud and biennially across the country and internationally and delivery methods. With an expanded education staff, we are making special efforts to serve book clubs ●● and K-12 students and teachers. A new series of author talks is highlighting the work of regional writers Arts and humanities programs in the restored and Cather scholars. As soon as next year, collections and site tours will be made available online and Red Cloud Opera House through a mobile app. ●● Guided town and country tours of more than 20 historic sites relating to Cather’s life and work We have seen firsthand that literature and the arts can enrich and change people’s lives. The efforts ●● Publication of the Willa Cather Review highlighted in this report are all made possible through your annual gifts. Thank you for helping us provide ●● learning and inspiration to thousands every year. Outreach to and curriculum support for teachers and students

Very gratefully, ●● Scholarship awards for student research and to Ashley Olson Glenda Pierce support English and history majors Executive Director Board President ●● Arts and educational exhibits at the National Willa Cather Center

●● Restoration and conservation of the 612-acre Willa Cather Memorial Prairie

●● Management of a Cather bookstore and gift shop

On the covers: A selection of our many treasures. See the inside back cover for descriptions. Broadening Awareness and Enhancing Experiences

“The prairie spoke to each of us individually. My daughter chose the paper and pastels from the backpack, and spent her time trying to capture our view on paper. One of my sons chose the journal and put pen to paper. My other son spent his time looking at all the insects and scanning the horizon with the binoculars. It was a meaningful afternoon. I am thankful for the time we spent together in such a special place. Time slowed down, and I enjoyed simply watching my kids be.” — Angela Korpas Lincoln, Nebraska

While our work will always be deeply rooted in the exploration of Cather’s lived The Willa Cather Spring Conference explored Cather’s early work as a drama and literary worlds, your support has also helped to expand our public programming critic and her lifetime appreciation for the theater. Our International Cather beyond the historic sites in Red Cloud. Popular program offerings included Seminar invited scholars to examine forms of difference and moments of dislocation opportunities to explore the flora, fauna, and wildlife at the Willa Cather Memorial encountered in Cather’s work. The complex place of Cather’s birth and first nine Prairie; to learn about the Pawnee Tribe’s history in Webster County, Nebraska; years in Frederick County, Virginia, served as a meaningful location for the Seminar and to see a touring theater production of My Ántonia. Two long-time program and offered an impressive array of site-seeing and new scholarship. staples offered opportunities for further examination of Cather’s life and writing.

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Walter Echo-Hawk— author, attorney, and tribal judge—gave a well attended book talk on The Sea of Grass: A Family Tale from the American Heartland. “It helped me realize what a minor blip the European footprint is on our America compared to the thousands of years Native Americans followed the buffalo,” said attendee Marion Arneson, whose ancestors were among the first Prairie Exploration Backpacks offer visitors like the Korpas family an homesteaders in Webster immersive experience in nature. These backpacks are borrowed at no cost County in the 1870s. to visitors and come stocked with binoculars, a magnifying glass, drawing pad and pastels, a journal, and prairie field guides for viewing wildflowers and birds. Reimagining the Cather Historic Sites

“What you folks have accomplished with the museum and all the preservation around Red Cloud is amazing. You should be very

very proud! I had a fantastic tour by one of your very knowledgeable guides.” — Molly Angstman Mason City, Iowa

When six Willa Cather Historic Sites came into our ownership from History that examine the railroad as a vehicle for people and ideas, the conclusion of the Nebraska in early 2019, it provided an opportunity to proceed with capital immigrant success story, rural life in the early 1900s, the role of banking and finance improvements and begin plans for an entirely reimagined interpretive experience. in town-building, and the panic of 1893. These important enhancements will create Your support has facilitated the launch of capital improvement efforts at the historic sites that are appealing and accessible to a wider array of visitors, while Pavelka Farmstead, Burlington Depot, and Farmers and Merchants Bank. providing meaningful experiences for lifelong learners. We will also address decades of unchanged interpretive strategy by creating exhibits

Restoration of the Pavelka Farmstead is ongoing through work 2 designed to return the home to its period of significance. The later addition of an enclosed porch was removed to facilitate restoration of an open porch that was an early defining feature of the home. A paint analysis recently uncovered the original exterior color. When fully complete, this site will more vividly embody the final scenes of My Ántonia while sharing stories of immigrant families like the Sadileks and Pavelkas.

Paper conservator Hilary LaFevere, of History Nebraska’s Gerald R. Ford Conservation Center meticulously cleans the original wallpaper that Willa Cather hung in her attic bedroom in the late 1880s. This preliminary work was undertaken prior to the award of a Save America’s Treasures grant from the National Park Service, which will assist with a full restoration of the Willa Cather Childhood Home. Anchoring Education and Scholarship With Collections

“I loved Willa Cather’s writing long before I ever traveled to Red Cloud, but working in the archives of the National Willa Cather Center turned my love into devotion. I think it was holding the oldest letter we have from Cather that did it. It was a kind of talisman with the power to inspire my own writing. As the years go by, I return to the archives whenever I need a little bit of that magic. ” —Daryl W. Palmer Denver, Colorado

The accession of over 8,000 pieces in the Willa Cather Pioneer Memorial National Willa Cather Center’s archive has led to significant new discoveries and Collection has enhanced our ability to meet our educational mission through important new scholarship. Through use of museum and archival materials, the object-based learning. In addition to bringing history to life, objects from our Center continues to serve as a valuable resource for both K-12 students as well as collection spark curiosity and encourage further exploration. Research in the college-level and career academics.

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Letter to Mrs. Stowell. The first-known letter written by Willa Cather was written Inscribed Death Comes for the Archbishop. Willa Cather inscribed and presented this advance copy to family friend Helen Stowell, whose family moved to California in 1887. These of her Southwest novel to her father Charles. Her inscription refers to Charles Cather’s trip across the earliest letters demonstrate Cather’s flair for storytelling and language, as well as her country to New Mexico before his marriage to Cather’s mother. Charles’s diary of this journey also precociousness. At only fifteen years old, Cather is already deeply involved in the remained in the family. BK-50-3003. Southwick Book Collection. affairs of the Red Cloud community.Folder 1. WCPM Letter Collection. Financial Summary

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018

2019 2018 2019 2018 Assets Revenue and Support Cash and cash equivalents $1,363,122 $1,471,297 Contributions and memberships $921,450 $2,664,804 Investments 5,038,106 2,525,996 Contract revenue — 53,406 Prepaid expenses 43,450 43,450 Grants 952,381 33,683 Pledges receivable, net 210,564 1,242,985 Sales and admissions 109,778 126,938 Other receivables, net 1,295,614 390,796 Rent income 71,215 63,034 Bookstore inventory 60,590 57,727 Conferences and seminars 67,203 40,787 Property and equipment, net 2,215,563 2,039,364 Royalties income 8,187 13,212 Investments in real estate 5,437,729 5,358,769 Other income 24,880 34,441 Art and historic structures 387,216 325,660 Interest income 142,263 75,591 Total assets $16,051,954 $13,456,044 Investment gain/loss 402,538 (181,007) Developer fee income 2,959 3,341 Liabilities Total revenue and support $2,702,854 $2,928,230 4 Accrued expenses and taxes withheld $42,831 $35,931 Deferred revenue 1,172,866 223,257 Expenses Capital lease obligations 6,674 9,101 Program Total liabilities $1,222,371 $268,289 Cost of sales $38,009 $46,714 Education and scholarships 112,151 72,292 Net Assets Preservation of sites and collections 255,318 42,279 Without donor restrictions $11,412,887 $10,766,439 Historical center operations 79,487 198,768 With donor restrictions 3,416,696 2,421,316 Opera House and programming 210,638 167,547 Cather prairie operations 21,549 26,072 Total net assets 14,829,583 13,187,755 Supporting Total liabilities and net assets $16,051,954 $13,456,044 Management and general 253,398 275,552 Development and fundraising 90,476 130,720 Total expenses $1,061,026 $959,944 The financial statements of the Willa Cather Foundation are audited annually by an independent public accounting firm. A copy of the audited financial statements and the Increase in net assets $1,641,828 $1,968,286 Foundation’s tax filing (Form 990) may be obtained by contacting the Foundation’s office. Net assets, beginning of year $13,187,755 $11,219,469 Net assets, end of year $14,829,583 $13,187,755 The Cather Legacy Society Support Anonymous (5) The following individuals and organizations were donors to the Willa Cather Foundation in 2019. Space does not permit us to list Virgil & Dolores Albertini, Prairie Village, KS donations under $50.00, but we are grateful for these contributions. Every gift is important to us. Melvin C. Anderson,† Red Cloud, NE Martha E. Artist,† Omaha, NE $250,000 and Above William and Joan Dunfey, Chestnut Hill, MA Dave and Cindy Biehl, Elkhorn, NE Sally Stich, Denver, CO Hazel C. Baker,† Omaha, NE History Nebraska, Lincoln, NE Thomas Reese Gallagher, New York, NY The Willa Cather Archive, Lincoln, NE Jon C. Teaford, Lafayette, IN In honor of Nita Beth Snyder Bohling, Superior, NE Holland Foundation, Omaha, NE Sydney Green, Towson, MD Dr. Gary Cook, Cumberland, MD Robert and Debbie Thacker, Fort Collins, CO William D. Fellows & Everette B. Quinton, Nebraska Dept. of Economic Development, Dennis and Sally Hansen, Red Cloud, NE Roy and Gloria Dinsdale, Omaha, NE Gary and Marcia Thompson, Lincoln, NE Milwaukee, WI Lincoln, NE Humanities Nebraska, Lincoln, NE Ella Epp, Henderson, NE John Kirby Tompkins, Cape May, NJ Josephine Frisbie,† Omaha, NE Brad and Nancy Sherwood, Elkhorn, NE Geraldine L. Lewis, Red Cloud, NE Larry and Lyn Fenwick, Macksville, KS Dayre and Tere L. Williams, Red Cloud, NE Thomas Reese Gallagher, New York, NY Red Cloud Chamber of Commerce, James L. and Marianne Fitzgibbon, Ardis Yost, Red Cloud, NE Helen Cather Garner,† Pittsburgh, PA $100,000 to $249,999 Red Cloud, NE Red Cloud, NE Dan Yost, Hastings, NE Don R. Gerlach, Harvard, NE Nebraska Community Foundation, Bette Tien, Prairie View, KS David and Anne Forsyth, West Roxbury, MA Melissa J. Homestead, Lincoln, NE Lincoln, NE William A. West, Denver, CO Max and Vernon Frazier, Riverside, WA $500 to $999 Jack Wilson, Grand Island, NE Richard Giannone, New York, NY John and Gaylene Adler, Omaha, NE Jane Renner Hood, Lincoln, NE Peter Kiewit Foundation, Omaha, NE John A (Jay) Yost and G. Wade Leak, The Gifford Foundation, Omaha, NE Paul and Ellen Alkon, Rolling Hills Sharon L. Kohout, Lubbock, TX James and M. Patricia Schreiber, New York, NY GTA Insurance Group, Red Cloud, NE Estates, CA Ella Cather Lewis,† Long Beach, CA Meadow Vista, CA Frank Sibert, Kearney, NE Richard C. Harris, Sea Cliff, NY Marian Andersen, Omaha, NE Abigail A. Loomis, Monona, WI The Sunderland Foundation, Leawood, KS $2,500 to $4,999 Heritage Bank, Red Cloud, NE Richard H. Millington & Nalini Bhushan, Cynthia Mines, Wichita, KS Anonymous Jane Renner Hood, Lincoln, NE Florence, MA Warren & Julie Olin-Ammentorp, Syracuse, NY $50,000 to $99,999 Virgil and Dolores Albertini, Prairie Barbara E. Hustwit, Wooster, OH Dr. Fred and Mary Bliss, Davis, CA Ashley Olson, Red Cloud, NE Village, KS Andrew and Rebecca Jewell, Lincoln, NE Mark W. and Ashley Bostock, Malcolm, NE Beverly O’Neill, Long Beach, CA 5 Glenda J. Pierce & Jeff Kirkpatrick, Lincoln, NE Steve and Debbie Bartels, Franklin, NE James W. Johnson and Michael L. Connell, Janice Brazil, Richmond, IN New York, NY Thomas Burke and Eliana H. Elias, Mary Ruth Ryder, Normal, IL $25,000 to $49,999 Fred and Deanna Bosselman, Hilton Head † Island, SC Julie Kaewert, Niwot, CO Albany, CA Helen L. Sagl, Albuquerque, NM Dillon Foundation, Lincoln, NE Amy L. Soderberg,† Beatrice, NE Cather Project, University of NE-Lincoln, Ruth Keene, Omaha, NE BVH Architecture, Omaha, NE † Lincoln, NE Dr. Jim and Cheryl Keyser, Lincoln, NE Marilyn B. Callander, PhD, Lebanon, NJ Norma S. Steen, Grand Island, NE $10,000 to $24,999 Englund & Lindsteadt Financial Advisors, Bruce and Gerry Lauritzen, Omaha, NE Hon. Laurie Smith Camp,† Omaha, NE Margaret Lambrecht Votipka†, Fairmont, NE Cooper Foundation, Lincoln, NE Hastings, NE Nancy Lederer, Chapel Hill, NC Casey’s General Stores, Inc., Ankeny, IA Norma Ross Walter,† Vallejo, CA Bernard K. and Norma F. Heuermann Paul Edward Giamatti, Brooklyn, NY Steven Leichter and Shari Patrick, Linda Cather Johnson, Ames, IA A descendant of Frank H. Woods, Chicago, IL Foundation, Aurora, NE Paul R. and Lynette R. Krieger, Sands Point, NY Jack and Judy Ekeler, Fremont, NE Claire M. Hubbard Foundation, Omaha, NE John A (Jay) Yost & G. Wade Leak, New York, NY Hastings, NE Abigail A. Loomis, Monona, WI Evelyn Funda, Logan, UT Robert and Ardis James Foundation, † Rick and Barb Kudrna, Red Cloud, NE William Lord, Fort Walton Beach, FL Elizabeth G. Giles, Tucson, AZ Deceased New York, NY Susan D. McClanahan, Bonita Springs, FL Dr. Susan N. Maher and Al Kammerer, Melissa J. Homestead, Lincoln, NE Thomas and Kathy Kelley, Santa Ana, CA Rhonda Seacrest, Lincoln, NE Duluth, MN Judy Morhart Hudson, Santa Rosa, CA Join the Cather Legacy Ann Mactier, Omaha, NE South Central State Bank, Blue Hill, NE Ana McCracken, Ames, IA Ron Hull, Lincoln, NE Society Nebraska Arts Council, Omaha, NE The LeRoy W. Thom, Jean E. Thom, Gary and Beverly Meyer, Red Cloud, NE James and Angel Jaap, Pittsburgh, PA Nebraska Tourism Commission, The Cather Legacy Society was founded to and T-L Foundation, Hastings, NE Mid-America Arts Alliance, Kansas City, MO Mike and Barb Kenny, Red Cloud, NE Lincoln, NE recognize individuals who make charitable gift Webster County Visitor Promotion, James E. Mousel, San Diego, CA Brenda Knehans, Red Cloud, NE James P. and Angela J. Southwick, Dawn Nehls, Phoenix, AZ plans to benefit the Willa Cather Foundation Red Cloud, NE David L. and Amy Kornblau, Manhasset, NY Heber City, UT Rev. Charles and Nancy Peek, beyond their lifetime. Gifts received further William and Mellanee Kvasnicka, $1,000 to $2,499 Kearney, NE La Vista, NE our mission to promote Cather’s legacy through $5,000 to $9,999 Linda Anderson, Kearney, NE Philip and Helen Cather Southwick Fund, David B. and Kelly Landgren, Hastings, NE education, preservation, and the arts. You may Marion A. and Patricia Arneson, Mark Arneson, Arlington, TX Lincoln, NE Ronald Lapp, Palm Springs, CA join the Cather Legacy Society by making a Wayne, NE Dr. and Mrs. Bruce P. Baker II, Omaha, NE Patricia Phillips, Omaha, NE Bill and Tanya Lindsteadt, Hastings, NE future gift intention in your will or through a President and Mrs. George W. Bush, Edward and Margaret Bates, Lincoln, NE Steve Shively, Lincoln, NE Verniel R. Lundquist, Evanston, IL Dallas, TX beneficiary designation. For more information, Mogens and Cindy Bay, Omaha, NE Dr. Amy Springer, New Orleans, LA Bonnie Morris, Minneapolis, MN contact Ashley Olson, Executive Director, at Robert A. Cary, Portland, OR Ernestine Springer,† New Orleans, LA Duane and Clare Baylor, Ralston, NE † 402-746-2653 or [email protected]. Deceased Julie Olin-Ammentorp, Manlius, NY Steven S. and Annette K. Huff, Omaha, NE Christina Wolak, Guilford, CT Patty Mountford Doty, Owasso, OK Sarah James, Red Cloud, NE Tyler and Ashley Olson, Red Cloud, NE Fran and Will Irwin, Bethesda, MD George E. Wolf, Lincoln, NE Jane K. Dressler, Kent, OH Terry and Linda Jehling, Jefferson City, MO On the Brix, Red Cloud, NE Michael and Jennifer Janezic, Westminster, CO Robert Wolfe, The Woodlands, TX Jaydene Miner Drew, Jackson, NJ Loren Johnson, Murray, UT Rodney and Phyllis Osborn, Holdrege, NE Patsy Koch Johns, Lincoln, NE Virgil and Harriett Zade, Red Cloud, NE Angela Duca, Red Cloud, NE Linda L. Jones, Morris, IL Louisa Palmer, New York, NY Tim and Judy Keller, Lawrence, KS Lonnie Pierson Dunbier, Edina, MN Dale and Jan Juranek, Blue Hill, NE David and Dianne Pavelka, Golden, CO William P. and Kathleen Kinney, Peoria, AZ $100 to $249 Carol and Pat Duncan, Lincoln, NE Richard and Audrey Kauders, Kearney, NE Pepsi-Cola Bottling Co. of Hastings, Inc., Randy and Brenda Knapp, Hastings, NE Janet Adams, Norfolk, NE Stephanie Durrans, Pessac, France Ruth Ann Keene, San Anselmo, CA Hastings, NE Virginia Knoll, Lincoln, NE Jason Alley, Rapid City, SD James and Charlene Eckman, Springfield, OR R. Crosby Kemper III, Kansas City, MO Glenda J. Pierce and Jeff Kirkpatrick, Pam Lay, Hastings, NE Susan Shively Anderson, Fort Collins, CO William and Cindy Eling, Brush Prairie, WA Joerg Kessler and Kathleen Sweeney, Lincoln, NE Art and Marsha Lienemann, Ayr, NE Cheryl Arends, Omaha, NE Ruth Eller, San Pedro, CA Stockholm, WI Mrs. David H. Porter, Saratoga Springs, NY Mary Lanning Healthcare, Hastings, NE Scott and Jane Ashby, Omaha, NE Tasha A. Everman, Lincoln, NE Sallie Ketcham, Minnetonka, MN Republican Valley Arts Council, Red Cloud, NE David S Katz and Keiko Matsuyama, Paul S. and Jan L. Austin, Fayetteville, AR Elizabeth Fabel, Saint Paul, MN John and Kylie Kinley, Bladen, NE Ray and Ann Ringlein, Lincoln, NE New York, NY Barbara A. Bachman, Pittsburgh, PA Becky Faber, Lincoln, NE Donald and Helen Kleiber, Sky Valley, GA Greg Searson and Jo Bass, Omaha, NE Kathy Vavricka McCabe, Sunnyvale, CA Pamela Baker, Lincoln, NE James L. Farmer, Fairfield, NE William and Susan Klug, Columbus, NE Chuck Shoemaker and Lynne Friedewald, John D. and Deborah Ann Mercer, Carol Barnes, Colby, KS Ben B. and Karol S. Finch, Colorado Scott L. Koch, Cottage Grove, MN Hastings, NE Oak Park, IL Judith M. Bassnett, Tucson, AZ Springs, CO Gene and Connie Koepke, Kearney, NE Fred and Margaret Sibley, Alpine, NY George Mitchell, Fountain Hills, AZ Stanley and Pamela Bean, Sunbury, OH John Flannigan, Chicago, IL Ken Kohberger, Phoenix, AZ Mrs. Eve Simon, Omaha, NE Jane Mitchell, Alexandria, VA David Beggs, Tallahassee, FL Robert and Mary Florance, Kansas City, MO Sharon Kohout, Lubbock, TX Skupa Agency, Campbell, NE Ricardo Moran and Jim Martin, Kate Benzel, Kearney, NE Donovan Foote, Hastings, NE John and Judith Koski, Castle Rock, CO Douglas Throckmorton and Lori Minasian, San Diego, CA Black Hills Energy, Lincoln, NE William S.J. Fraenkel, New Rochelle, NY Melissa Kucirek, Omaha, NE Potomac, MD Fred and Ann Moseley, Cumby, TX Neil Boerboom, Minneapolis, MN William R. Furgeson Jr., Dallas, TX Roy B. Lacoursiere, MD, Topeka, KS Marie Tilson, San Francisco, CA David L. and Nancy Mousel, Reno, NV Doug Boilesen, Westminster, CO Dawn Gelle and Amy Gabriel, Saint Paul, MN Angie Landes, Cashmere, WA Craig Emmert and Carol Traut, Odessa, TX Northfield School of the Liberal Arts, Beverlee Bornemeier, Lincoln, NE Gil and Susan Garcia, Loveland, CO Kathryn Larimer, Omaha, NE 6 UNANIMOUS, Lincoln, NE Wichita, KS Connie Bostock, Red Cloud, NE Roger W. Gatz, Hiawatha, KS Robert and Mary Levesque, Omaha, NE John and Marcia Walker, Frankfort, KY Gary L. Pack, San Francisco, CA David J. Boyer and Rolando Garcia, Elizabeth Byers Gaubert, Granville, OH Geneva Lewis, Blue Hill, NE James Pearce, New Braunfels, TX Palo Alto, CA Sally Gibson, West Palm Beach, FL Lyle and Susan Turley, Canal Winchester, OH $250 to $499 Carter Peterson, Wayne, NE Allen and Barb Branco, Bellevue, NE Lawrence and Karen Goering, Saint Louis, MO Don Macke and Jenny Carver, Lincoln, NE Patricia Anderson, Burr Oak, KS Gary F. and Jean F. Pokorny, El Cerrito, CA Anita Brickell, New York, NY Dale and Julie Goertzen, Bradshaw, NE Linda Major, Lincoln, NE Bob and Barb Bartle, Lincoln, NE Diane L. Prenatt, Indianapolis, IN Dale and Christina Broekemeier, Omaha, NE Nancy Lyn Goettl, Mankato, MN Lucy Marks, Summit, NJ Donald A. Best, Los Angeles, CA Brian Abel Ragen, Saint Louis, MO Rev. Joe G. Burnett, Rapid City, SD Charles and Kathleen Griffith, Mary L. Marnett, Fairway, KS Melissa (M.B.) Bradley, Denver, CO James Ramsey, New York, NY John R. Campbell, Omaha, NE Central City, NE Dr. Elizabeth H. Marsh, Morristown, NJ Alison Bunting, Sonoita, AZ Mark A. and Linda Robison, Lincoln, NE Susan A. Hallgarth & Mary Ellen Capek, Joan Griffith and Anita Ruth, Minneapolis, MN Mary Marvin, Claremont, CA Dave Burden, Lincoln, NE Ann Romines, Alexandria, VA Corrales, NM Frank T. Griswold, Philadelphia, PA Robert and Doreen McGill, Walkersville, MD Beverly A. Cunningham, Lincoln, NE Eva Marie Saint, Los Angeles, CA Patricia Carpenter, York, NE Dr. Mark and Laurie Guy, Grand Forks, ND Ronald L. McKee, Rockville, MD William M. Curtin, Storrs Mansfield, CT Dr. James P. Sandrock, Iowa City, IA Jerry and Joyce Casey, Winchester, VA Harry Hall, Omaha, NE Seth Meisler, San Francisco, CA Linda High Daniel, Culpeper, VA Van Santvoord, New York, NY Irvine and Patty Cather, Winchester, VA Liam Hannaher, Alexandria, VA Christy L. Meline, Red Cloud, NE Frank Dowding, Roseville, MN Ann Satterthwaite, Washington, DC Jack L. and Tia Clarke, Newbury Park, CA Kurt R. Hansen, Glenview, IL Dr. Morris B. and Irene C. Mellion, EMC Insurance Companies, Omaha, NE Michael Sirmons, Austin, TX Mark and Deb Covert, Omaha, NE Mick Ranney and Amber Harden, Teton Village, WY EMC Insurance Foundation, Omaha, NE David Spinar and Anne Perlman, Lincoln, NE Jim and Barb Criswell, Liberty, MO Lawrence, KS Stephanie Meyer, Houston, TX William D. Fellows, Decorah, IA Rick Stahly and Kay Hunter Stahly, Vance and Connie L. Dake, Beatrice, NE Roger and Jackie Harned, Omaha, NE Ann Mikami, Las Vegas, NV Marian Fey and Ben Perlman, Omaha, NE Kearney, NE Jaime Danehey, Chicago, IL Brad and Anna Marie Hartman, Havana, FL Natalie Miller, Winchester, VA Dean Ott and Pamela L. Gallagher, David L. Tomko, Brookeville, MD Marsha Davis, Greeley, CO Glen Haselbarth, Minden, NE The Hon. Lindsey Miller-Lerman, Omaha, NE Kearney, NE Joseph R. and Lesley Urgo, Canal Fulton, OH Mary Louise de Sarran, Bowie, MD Linda Healy, South Sioux City, NE John A. Mino, Monte Rio, CA Marge Haley, Los Altos, CA Marvin I. Friedman & Margaret D. Vogel, Jerry Deines, Omaha, NE Jeanne T. Hemphill, Jacksonville, IL Jack D. Morton and Mary Ellen White, John and Elizabeth Hancock, Omaha, NE Potomac, MD John and Amy Dempsey, Omaha, NE Bob and Karen Henderson, Waukee, IA Palo Alto, CA Matthew Hansen & Sarah Baker Hansen, Webster County Community Hospital, Sally J. Dickman, Phoenix, AZ Edward A. Hinz, Jr., Rancho Palos Verdes, CA Mary Ellen Mulcahy, Omaha, NE Omaha, NE Red Cloud, NE Alice Dittman, Lincoln, NE Consuelo J. Hitchcock, Washington, DC John and Anne Mulvihill, Kansas City, MO Hastings College, Hastings, NE James Wiest and Marsha E. Fangmeyer, Margaret Doane, San Bernardino, CA Jon and Christine Hoek, Saratoga Springs, NY John J. and Sally Murphy, Newton, MA Charles and Margaret Hermes, Hastings, NE Gibbon, NE Jerry Gerard Dollar, Poestenkill, NY Priscilla Hollingshead, Red Cloud, NE Bob and Mary Nefsky, Lincoln, NE Clair D. Husby, Arlington, SD Ann L. Nelson, Fairway, KS John E. and Judy Nelson, Omaha, NE Jeri Shute, Red Cloud, NE Sylvia Andersen, Red Cloud, NE B.J. and Jonell Davies, Wichita, KS Hometown Market, Red Cloud, NE Mary Ann Newcomer, Boise, ID Don and Barb Slaby, Naperville, IL Craig and Lizbeth Anderson, Ranchos de John and Nikki DeFrain, Lincoln, NE Ron and Alana Hoyt, Culbertson, NE Joe and Shari Nigro, Lincoln, NE Elaine Y. Smith, Temple Terrace, FL Taos, NM Elizabeth J. Dell, Woodway, TX Sandra Hrdlicka, Berkeley, CA David and Vickie Nolan, Red Cloud, NE Kent H. Smith, Tulsa, OK Jerry and Susan Anderson, Clive, IA Linda Denyer, Concord, CA Barry Hudek, Urbana, IL Dennis Nollette, West Hollywood, CA Marcus J. and Pamela H. Snow, Ashland, NE Shannon Anderson, Lincoln, NE Muriel R. Dimock, Red Wing, MN Karen A. Humphrey, Saint Paul, MN Charles and Kathleen Noneman, Reno, NV Paul and Carol Soderholm, Mount Morris, IL Michael Artman, Port Huron, MI Sandra Maresh Doe, Denver, CO Layton and Claudia Humphrey, Dallas, TX Margaret O’Connor, Pomona, CA Randy and Mary Solberg, Omaha, NE Kay Baldwin, Bellevue, NE Frank and Pat Dowd, Omaha, NE Ron and Sharon Hutchinson, Salisbury, MO Garwood and McCracken Law Office, Kelsey Squire, Columbus, OH Antonia Welsch Barlage, Hopkins, MN Louise C. Drapek, South Bend, IN Diane Ingram, Grand Island, NE Red Cloud, NE Teresa Statler, Portland, OR Tim Barnes, Portland, OR Robbie Dunlap, Longmont, CO Tom Isern, West Fargo, ND Suzanne Oldham and Joe Gallagher, Linda Staubitz, Tucson, AZ Anne W. Baxter, Point Reyes, CA Philip Ebert, Lynnville, IA John Jacobs, Winchester, VA Prairie Village, KS Mike Mattson and Ruth Stearns, Lincoln, NE Robert and Elizabeth Beal, Houston, TX Lisa Eichinger, York, NE Steven Jager, Seattle, WA Francis and Katherine O’Loughlin, Lynne Strickland, Woodstock, GA Chase Becker and Laura Rau, Omaha, NE John and Bonita English, Red Cloud, NE Kenneth P. Jensen and Stacy L. Ludwig, Edgartown, MA Matthew Stuart and Margaret Milnes, Judith A. Beine, Franklin, WI Melinda Erickson, Chicago, IL Spencer, NE Kenneth T. Olson, Chicago, IL Chester, CT Douglas and Louise Bereuter, Alamo, CA Kathryn H. Faber, Vero Beach, FL Chuck Johanningsmeier, Omaha, NE Larry and Marilyn Parks, Kearney, NE Michael Stubbs, Eskridge, KS Joanne Berkshire, Omaha, NE Dennis and Jackie Falk, Duluth, MN Bruce Johnson, Berthoud, CO Jeffery Pasek, Crest, CA Bob Benzel and Gerry Sullivan, Omaha, NE Ann Billesbach, Lincoln, NE Dennis and Peggy Farney, Kansas City, MO Elaine D. Johnson, Oak Park, IL Jerry and Mary Ann Petr, Lincoln, NE Peter M. Sullivan, Indiana, PA Timothy W. Bintrim, Johnstown, PA Walter and Pat Farr, Santa Fe, NM Jean Johnson, Omaha, NE Joan S. Petty, Corona Del Mar, CA Superior Fire Extinguisher Co., Superior, NE Kathleen Birch, Portland, OR Fat Fox’s, LLC, Red Cloud, NE Amy Johnson-Smith, Colorado Springs, CO Dr. Rebecca Pinker, Olathe, KS Swartzendruber Construction, Shickley, NE Laurance Bird, Santa Monica, CA Polly J. Feis, Lincoln, NE Cal and Linda Jones, Gatlinburg, TN Gene and Margaret Pokorny, Jaffrey, NH Juliet Swoboda, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA Terry Bisbee, New York, NY Gertrude E. Ferguson, Shawnee Mission, KS Philip Joseph, Denver, CO Walter Brewster and Sandra Polsak, Luke W. and Anna M. Taylor, Bellevue, NE Kay Blackstone, Red Cloud, NE Brian and Sally Ferguson-Avery, Danville, PA Sally Jurgensmier, Heartwell, NE New York, NY Barbara Tetenbaum, Portland, OR Suzy Boerboom, Shakopee, MN Bruce and Karen Flanders, Lawrence, KS Debra Kaczmarek, Northfield, MN Catherine Pond, Nancy, KY Dorothy Tuma, Omaha, NE Claire Breihan, Austin, TX Julie Kemper Foyer, Kansas City, MO Loretta Kantor, Hereford, AZ John and Deb Quirk, Hastings, NE Caroline Underwood, Litchfield Park, AZ Judy Bruce, Omaha, NE Trinna Frever, Palm Beach Gardens, FL Bernard L. Kaplan, Metuchen, NJ 7 Eugene Rainis, Palm City, FL Vicky Vandervort, Omaha, NE Marilyn Buhl, York, NE Geneva Gano, San Marcos, TX JoAnne Katzmarek, Stevens Point, WI Gail M. Reals, Springfield, VA Mary Linnea Vaughan, Santa Rosa, CA Bruce and Claire S. Burns, Lincoln, NE Breana Garretson, Lincoln, NE John and Kate Kauffman, Newville, PA Red Cloud Animal Health, Red Cloud, NE Vaughans-Printers, Inc., Hastings, NE Patricia Burris, Beatrice, NE William Gaston, Greenville, SC Frederick J. and Diane Kaufman, Hays, KS Betsy Rhame-Minor, Roswell, GA John and Teri Vore, Helena, MT Sarah Bush, Oakland, CA Angela Glover, Omaha, NE Kearney Catholic High School, Kearney, NE Peter Riddleberger, Washington, DC Joel D. Wagoner, Blue Hill, NE Sarah Buxton-Smith, Buffalo, NY Kim Grams, Campbell, NE Suzzanne Kelley, Fargo, ND Paula Riggert, Seattle, WA Maureen Waldron, Omaha, NE Prof. William Cain, Needham, MA Guy Griffith, Nashville, TN Charles and Jeanine Kelliher, Kearney, NE Elizabeth S. Roberts, Mount Desert, ME Jeff and Elizabeth Wallace, Plymouth, MA Douglas and Mary Campbell, Lincoln, NE Barry J. and Marlea Gruver, Cherry Hill, NJ David E Ketter, Fall City, WA Martha Ackmann and Ann Romberger, Tim Rinne and Katherine L. Walter, Louis Casagrande, Jaffrey, NH Stacey Guill, Boise, ID Cassia Kite, Sarasota, FL Leverett, MA Lincoln, NE Cary and Molly Chabalowski, Mercer, WI Charmion Gustke, Nashville, TN Jackie Klein, Red Cloud, NE Sheri Rose, Springfield, OR Laurie Weber, Lincoln, NE Ralph Chapek, Santa Barbara, CA Elsie Galbreath Haley, Denver, CO Rosalie Kleinschmidt, Shickley, NE Dr. Aden Ross, Salt Lake City, UT Bruce Whitacre and Pierce McCormack, Cloyd and Linda Clark, McCook, NE Peggy Hall, Saint Paul, MN Vernon and Judy Kleinsorge, Colby, KS Round Table Book Club, Hastings, NE Forest Hills, NY Sheila Clements, Libertyville, IL Dr. Evelyn Haller, Lincoln, NE Doug and Ramona Kluth, Columbus, NE Dr. Mary Ruth Ryder, Normal, IL Janice M. Wittich, Cross Village, MI Sarah E. Clere and Tom Horan, Betty Hallgren, Austin, TX Janice Kooiker, Le Mars, IA Don and Barbara Saladen, Grand Island, NE Patty Baker Wolfe, Spring Valley, CA Charleston, SC Martha Hallgren, Fort Worth, TX Ted Kooser & Kathleen Rutledge, Susan Sargent, Austin, TX Brad and Katy Wulf, Red Cloud, NE Henri Cole, Boston, MA Bruce Hamilton, Pacific Grove, CA Garland, NE Mary Scheuneman, Red Cloud, NE Tom and Patti Hansen Yaussi, Lincoln, NE Dr. Daniel J. Cox, Omaha, NE John and Sandra Hanna, Omaha, NE Robin and Ann Koozer, Hastings, NE Dr. Susan A. Schiller, Mount Pleasant, MI Birgit Young, Lincoln, NE Diane Cox, Chaplin, CT Sherrill Harbison, Amherst, MA Larry and Luann Kosse, Campbell, NE Richard and Marlene Schilling, Loveland, CO Mark Young and Susan Koenig, Grand Stephen Cox, San Diego, CA Wilbur and Sarah Hass, Lincoln, NE James Kraft, Lenox, MA Ms. Otis Rhea Schmidt, Austin, TX Island, NE Timothy Cramer, Los Angeles, CA Anthony Haswell, Tucson, AZ Joseph Kyle, Springfield, VA Bob and Suzi Schulz, Red Cloud, NE John S. Zeigel, Santa Fe, NM Anna Creadick, Geneva, NY Dee and Jerri Haussler, Hastings, NE Deanna Lackaff, Minneapolis, MN Sandra Schwoebel, Tucson, AZ Courtney Crowley, Red Cloud, NE Nancy Hawkins, Orem, UT James and Elayne Landwehr, Hastings, NE Harriet Shapiro, New York, NY $50 to $99 G. B. Crump, Warrensburg, MO Terry Heller, Cedar Rapids, IA Ashley Larsen, Lexington, NE Mary E. Sherman, Falls Church, VA Richmond Adams, Alva, OK Dan and Charlotte Gerczak, Baltimore, MD Jean E. Henderson, Lincoln, NE Matthew Lavin, Pittsburgh, PA Franklin Shirbroun and Teresa Di Biase, Florence Amamoto, Saint Peter, MN Jeremy Daniels, Hastings, NE Jackie Henman, Ellis, KS Alice Lewis, Arvada, CO Langley, WA Christopher and Lori Amberg, Fort Darrell and Cynthia Miller, Wayne, NE Dave and Linda Holt, Monument, CO Linda M. Lewis, Lindsborg, KS Bob and Carmen Shively, Lincoln, NE Calhoun, NE Sherryl L. Lilley, Omaha, NE Jorn and Mary Olsen, Hastings, NE Richard and Mara Southorn, Naperville, IL The Willa Cather Foundation Carol Litchfield, Waynesville, NC Theresa J. Osborne, New York, NY Diane Stanislaw, Lahaina, HI Sarah Littlefield, Wakefield, RI Deanna Ott, Aurora, CO William and Kathleen Steinke, Omaha, NE Board of Governors Amy Springer The Willa Cather Laura Lockwood, Lincoln, NE Daryl Palmer, Denver, CO George and Glenda Steinsberger, New Orleans, Louisiana Foundation Officers Leadership and Linda Loffredo, New York, NY Anne Pancella, Kalamazoo, MI Columbus, NE Sally Stich Glenda J. Pierce, Denver, Colorado Support Staff Elaine Lucas, Ipswich, MA Amy Paulsen, Littleton, CO David Stouck, West Vancouver, BC, Canada President Lu Williams Lincoln, Nebraska Ashley Olson Ann Lundberg, Orange City, IA Father Wayne Pavela, Humphrey, NE Paul Kenny and Kathryn Surmay, Red Cloud, Nebraska Executive Director Robert Thacker, Robin Lynch, Colorado Springs, CO Cynthia Petrini, Clio, CA Chatham, NJ John A ( Jay) Yost LauraLea Johnson Vice President New York, New York Bernice MacDonald, Hartsdale, NY Steve Pinkston, Litchfield Park, AZ Julianne Svingen, Omaha, NE Fort Collins, Colorado Administrative Assistant Joel and Sara Macklin, Blue Hill, NE Fay M. Purcell, Richmond, KY Peter and Chris Syre, Abington, PA Nancy Sherwood, Advisory Council Jarrod McCartney Vickie MacMillan, Olympia, WA Sue Quambusch and Len Sloup, Lincoln, NE Jeff Taggart, Ann Arbor, MI Secretary Bruce P. Baker II Tourism and Commerce Mark J. Madigan, Pittsford, NY Liz Rasser, Red Cloud, NE Kazuko Sakuma Takehara, Meguro-Ku, Elkhorn, Nebraska Omaha, Nebraska Director* Dixie Malone, Denver, CO Neal Ratzlaff, Omaha, NE Tokyo, Japan C. Kay Stahly, Treasurer Laurie Smith Camp† Rachel Olsen Kearney, Nebraska Lou and Jean P. Mandler, New Milford, CT Andrew H. and Ruth D. Raun, Hastings, NE Dr. Hal and Bette Anne Thaut, Beatrice, NE Omaha, Nebraska Education Coordinator Marion A. Arneson, Frank R. Markley, Ashland, OH Betty-Jo Ravitz, San Pedro, CA Barbara Raess Thomsen, Madison, WI James L. Fitzgibbon Jim Owens Past President Red Cloud, Nebraska Sites Manager Steve and Karen Marlowe, Winchester, VA City of Red Cloud, Red Cloud, NE Ron and Julia Thomsen, Minden, NE Wayne, Nebraska Catherine Pond Karen Martin, Fort Collins, CO Lanny and Connie Reimer, Newcastle, WY Deloy Titkemeier, Broken Bow, NE David B. Garwood Board Members Red Cloud, Nebraska Marketing Coordinator Philip and Ann Martin, Doniphan, NE Howard Rescot, Des Moines, IA Robert and Betty Trausch, Juniata, NE Virgil Albertini Joel Geyer Tracy Tucker Tom and Wanda Martin, Iowa City, IA Elizabeth Richardson, Surprise, AZ Greg Tunink, Lincoln, NE Prairie Village, Kansas Elkhorn, Nebraska Education Director LeRoy and Janet Maruhn, Red Cloud, NE Todd Richardson, Omaha, NE Dr. Kimberly and Mr. Brett Vanderlaan, Mark W. Bostock Jane Renner Hood & Archivist Barb Maynes, Port Angeles, WA Sarah Jane Rodman, Silver Spring, MD California, PA Malcolm, Nebraska Lincoln, Nebraska Linda Hitchler Carol McDermitt, Lincoln, NE Wil Rollman, Portland, ME Rita VanFleet, Omaha, NE Marian Fey Ron Hull Cheyenne Knehans Omaha, Nebraska Lincoln, Nebraska Janet Maruhn Janet McKean, Rolla, MO Dr. Kari Ronning, Lincoln, NE Vicki Vaughan, Colorado Springs, CO Cheryl Wilson 8 Jeremiah P. and Constance Mead, Dr. Steve Rothenberger, Kearney, NE Jim Vaughn, Petaluma, CA Max Frazier Betty Kort Riverside, Washington Hastings, Nebraska Tour Guides Chelmsford, MA Sharon Rouse, Centennial, CO Karen Vierneisel, Chicago, IL Thomas Reese Gallagher Mellanee Kvasnicka Karin Prellwitz Colleen and Steve Medill, Roca, NE Marcy Toon Ruona, Clovis, CA Virgil and Nora Lindner, Central City, NE New York, New York La Vista, Nebraska Jennifer Schriner Facilities Assistants Patricia Meisinger, Plattsmouth, NE Rev. Steven P. Ryan, Omaha, NE Ruth M. Wahlstrom, Tiffin, OH Sarah Baker Hansen Lucia Woods Lindley Sue Meline, Red Cloud, NE Rita Saenz, Sacramento, CA Jannet L. Walsh, Murdock, MN Omaha, Nebraska New York, New York Kaile Billinger Tiff Jackson Tyler Menzel and Deidre Hering, Peter Samson and Robin Shauffler, Ellen Walterscheid, New York, NY Richard C. Harris Susan N. Maher Deanna Thomas Sea Cliff, New York Duluth, Minnesota Brooklyn, NY Portland, OR Joshua Klein and Beatrice Weinberger, Student Interns Jean E. Mercer, Akron, OH Van and Shirley Sandstedt, Hastings, NE Larchmont, NY Melissa J. Homestead Gary L. Meyer Lincoln, Nebraska Red Cloud, Nebraska Nancy Merritt, Aptos, CA Dan Sanley, Le Mesa, CA Roger and Linda K. Welsch, James A. Jaap John J. Murphy *Supported through a Nancy Moorehead and Keene Metzger, Vicki Schaepler, Kearney, NE Dannebrog, NE Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Newton, Massachusetts collaborative partnership Cambridge, MA Cathy R. Schen, MD, Sudbury, MA Tim Werstier, Lancaster, PA with the City of Red Andrew Jewell Charles A. Peek Cloud, Red Cloud Louis Meunier, Orinda, CA Susan Schenk, Lincoln, NE Kearney, Nebraska William David Weyhrauch, Lincoln, NE Lincoln, Nebraska Chamber of Commerce, Jon Mark Mikkelsen, Saint Joseph, MO Peggy Schnuerle, Franklin, NE Steve Whayne, West Chester, OH Charles Johanningsmeier Nancy S. Picchi Nebraska Community Carol J. Moen, Anoka, MN Mike Scott, Sedro-Woolley, WA Ray Wilber and Cathy Dwigans, Omaha, Nebraska New York, New York Foundation, and Margaret Moore, Beloit, KS Judith Sellars, Santa Fe, NM Baldwin City, KS Ruth H. Keene Rhonda Seacrest Red Cloud Community Omaha, Nebraska Lincoln, Nebraska Foundation Fund. John P. Moran, Jackson Heights, NY Lynn Shanley, New York, NY Ed and Joyce Willneff, Racine, WI Lynette Krieger James P. Southwick Fritz Mountford, Hastings, NE Stuart and Diane Sharp, Leawood, KS Barbara Wiselogel, Longmont, CO Hastings, Nebraska Heber City, Utah Kathe Murphy, Fairfield, CT Brendan Sherar, Asheville, NC Yohei Yamamoto, Sakurario, Japan Fritz Mountford John N. Swift Lynne Newlin, Omaha, NE Karen Shimizu, Windsor, CA Sarah L. Young, Lawrence, KS Hastings, Nebraska Whittier, California Steve and Nancy Nielsen, Omaha, NE Jack and Bonnie Sibert, Lincoln, NE David Zalubowski, Denver, CO Julie Olin-Ammentorp Gary W. Thompson Dennis and Deborah Norby, Mary Silvey, Lincoln, NE Ray and Carolyn Zeisset, Lincoln, NE Manlius, New York Lincoln, Nebraska Belle Mead, NJ Earl Sinkler, Lincoln, NE James Zeppieri, Contoocook, NH Diane Prenatt Joseph R. Urgo Canal Fulton, Ohio John and Bobbi Norman, Fort Collins, CO Bridgett Susie Sisson, Omaha, NE Nikki Zimmerman, Omaha, NE Indianapolis, Indiana Dorothy Oliveira, Helena, MT Len Stovall and Dori Smith, Santa Fe, NM Ann Romines Board composition as of Alexandria, Virginia October 2020 Jarrod McCartney and Rachel Olsen, Linda Smith, San Francisco, CA Steven B. Shively Red Cloud, NE Chris and Vicki Sommerich, Lincoln, NE Lincoln, Nebraska †Deceased 23. 24. 25. 26. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.

Homecomings and 32. 33. 34. 35. Horizons 13. 14. 15. 16. 23. William Cather Jr. A wide array of books Stephen Vincent and Rosemary Benét noted a and magazines remained with the Cather family “charming image of the Infant Jesus of Prague on the after the sale of their Red Cloud home. Many date bookshelf.” In 2018, this cast plaster replica of the 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. to Cather’s childhood, and some are identified 16th century original arrived in over fifty broken in this way. This was herDavid Copperfield. Cather pieces but with a strong provenance that establishes 1. Autograph Book. Containing signatures only guess about its origins. Perhaps it dates to Rinehart-Marsden portrait isn’t in color, this Family Library Collection. this as the statuette mentioned in Cather’s apartment. and well-wishes from friends and family in both Cather’s interest in the medical arts in Red Cloud. silk-lined wool jacket donated by Cather family OBJ-296-001. University of Nebraska–Lincoln Collection. 24. Letter to Trix Mizer Florance. A forty-year Back Creek Valley, Virginia, and Catherton OBJ-50-105. Southwick Family Collection. members appears to be the one pictured. friendship is documented in this collection of 30. G. P. Cather. Grosvenor P. Cather, Willa Precinct in Webster County, Nebraska. OBJ-50-063T. Southwick Family Collection. 9. Farmers and Merchants Bank letters from Willa Cather to a fellow Red Cloudian Cather’s first cousin, is seen here during his stint in OBJ-250-028. Willa Cather Foundation Collections. 17. Townsend Portrait. Taken at Townsend and her husband, a banker. Over the years, they the U.S. Navy in 1909. After his discharge, G. P. 2. J.L. Miner House (the “Harling House”) 10. Goldwork Handbag. Willa Cather’s Studio in Lincoln, Nebraska, this beautiful kept up on family, shared music recommendations, Cather would marry and then return to military simple drawstring evening bag is elevated by the inscribed portrait features a dramatic Willa Cather and—occasionally—disguised the always discreet life, dying at Cantigny during the First World War. 3. Pin Cushion. Numerous sewing items, exquisite goldwork that covers its navy velvet during her University of Nebraska years. Cather’s local financial transactions. Cather later immortalized G. P. as Claude, the including this gilded slipper pin cushion with its exterior. This is one of many articles of clothing and PHO-222-002. Frances Mitterer Collection. TX-258-009. Sidney and Beatrix “Trix” Mizer Florance Collection. main character in her Pulitzer Prize–winning novel, well-worn red velvet tuft, are in the Cather family personal effects given to us by Cather descendants. One of Ours. PHO-231-050. Lindgren Family Collection. 25. Orange Clutch. Willa Cather enjoyed fine collection. The French-made dressmaker’s pins, too, OBJ-50-053. Southwick Family Collection. 18. Stereoscope and Cards. Wildly popular handbags. Many of her purses in our collections 31. Cather’s Copy of April Twilights. are original to the Cather family. in the 19th century, stereoscopes enabled viewers OBJ-4-RG1951-1947. came from Paris, but this silk brocade clutch more Willa Cather’s own copy of her first 11. Velvet Corsage. Willa Cather brought to see paired photographs or illustrations as a 9 WCPM Collection. closely resembles the obi bags sold at Asian importer published book, the poetry collection this corsage made of handmade velvet roses single three-dimensional image. The stereoscope Gump’s of San Francisco in the 1920s and 1930s. April Twilights, includes pasted- and 4. Jake. W.T. Benda created the original pen back from Paris as a gift to her mother, Mary and a small collection of cards were donated to the We know Cather purchased other merchandise at pinned-in versions of poems, as well as hand and ink illustrations for My Ántonia, and Willa Virginia Cather. OBJ-4-RG1951-091. WCPM Collection. National Willa Cather Center by the family. Gump’s, though this bag is unmarked. OBJ-4-RG1951-2679. corrections and even a pressed prairie wildflower. Cather gave several of these originals to friends. OBJ-4-RG1951-1362. WCPM Collection. 12. Notorial Seal. George P. Cather, with his OBJ-250-025. Willa Cather Foundation Collections. This one, depicting Jake riding home with a 26. Willa Cather’s Hand Brace. This thumb wife Frances, was the first of the Cathers to settle 19. Door Stop. Christmas tree, is inscribed: “A Benda ‘original,’ This Bradley & Hubbard door and wrist immobilizer of leather and aluminum 32. Ledger. Willa Cather kept records of copies in Webster County. In his role as a notary he used and a Merry Christmas from ‘Jake’! Willie.” stop, “Parrot in Small Ring,” features a vibrantly forced Cather to rest her hand after a series of sold and payments received over the years; this ledger this seal to witness contracts and other documents painted bird in a golden perch. The Cather family OBJ-58-1001. Bernard and Nancy Picchi Collection. injuries to the tendons of the right thumb. covers about ten years’ worth of sales for several of for Catherton Precinct residents. OBJ-4-RG1951-909. would have used this to prop open interior and These injuries slowed her work and affected her her books. OBJ-50-1000-065. Betty Kort Collection. 5. Red Cloud Opera House WCPM Collection. exterior doors of their home. correspondence. OBJ-50-058. Southwick Family Collection. OBJ-4-RG1951-1359. WCPM Collection. 33. University of Nebraska Diploma. Willa 6. Clippings. While working on her master’s 13. St. Juliana Falconieri Church 27. Cabin Photo. This hand-tinted photograph, Cather received an honorary degree from the thesis in 1907, Harriet Smyder began studying 20. Passenger Booklet. In May 1909, Willa showing the cabin that Edith Lewis and Willa University of Nebraska in 1917, the first of several and collecting the magazine publications by 14. School Bell. The Cather family boasted Cather traveled to Europe for . McClure’s Magazine Cather had built on Grand Manan, was sent she would receive over her career. Willa Cather. In the dawn of Cather studies, several schoolteachers; Webster County pioneer During the trip, Cather learned of the death of to Cather’s brother Roscoe and family and is OBJ-250-026. Willa Cather Foundation Collections. identifying copies of early Cather stories was Aunt Frances Smith Cather was a teacher, and her friend and mentor, Sarah Orne Jewett. This Willa, Roscoe, and Elsie Cather all taught school. captioned, “This is our little house.” The modest 34. Note on Knopf Memo Paper. This note important work. passenger booklet from the Kaiser Wilhelm der This bell was more likely used to call the Cather house on that remote island provided respite from was found alongside an inscribed first edition of OBJ-250-027. Willa Cather Foundation Collections. Grosse, which brought Willa Cather home to New the busyness of their New York lives. , which was published August 1, family to dinner. OBJ-4-RG1951-1923. WCPM Collection. York in early July, lists “Fraulein W. S. Cather” in Shadows on the Rock PHO-277-043. Elizabeth A. Shannon Collection. 1931, and likely refers to that book. We hold 7. Turkish Doll. Willa Cather described this “First Cabins.” 15. Frou Frou Biscuit Tin. The Cather family OBJ-233-001. Michael Olson Collection. music box, topped with a mechanical hookah- 28. Candle Mold. Carrie Miner Sherwood, numerous association copies, including valuable saved several of these decorative imported cookie smoking woman, in O Pioneers! The doll arrived 21. Cup and Saucer Collection. Traveling neighbor and friend of the Cather family, played a advance copies given to Cather’s parents. tins. This one from Holland contained four types in Red Cloud with Dr. Henry Cook from Sandy west to Nebraska on the train, Mary Virginia critical role in founding our organization, restoring the OBJ-277-044. Elizabeth A. Shannon Collection. (“vier soorten”) of cookies, but surely held other Cather brought with her a collection of teacups and Creek, New York, in the 1880s and enchanted Childhood Home, and establishing the earliest of the 35. Handkerchief. This green silk handkerchief treasures as well. OBJ-4-RG1951-1938. WCPM Collection. saucers, “packed in worthless Confederate money.” Willa Cather. OBJ-4-RG1951-930. WCPM Collection. Cather collections. She donated many items original with a modern-looking monogram is well-made and The large collection still enjoys pride of place in 16. Green Jacket. One of Cather’s most famous to the Cather family, including this tin candle mold well-worn, and also quite distinct from Cather’s other 8. Brass Lancet. This adjustable spring lancet the Cather family’s dining room in the Childhood portraits was taken at the Rinehart-Marsden Studio brought from Virginia. OBJ-4-RG1951-727. WCPM Collection. monogrammed handkerchiefs in our collections, dates to the Civil War era and was among Willa Home. OBJ-4-RG1951-1989 and 1990. WCPM Collection. which are durable white cotton or linen with white Cather’s possessions. The blood-letting instrument in Omaha in 1921. In it, Cather wears a wool jacket 29. Infant of Prague. In Cather’s last known initials. and its fitted leather box are unmarked, so we can ornamented with crewel embroidery. Though the 22. Burlington Depot interview, from her Park Avenue apartment, authors OBJ-277-006. Elizabeth A. Shannon Collection. The Willa Cather Foundation is a 501(c)(3) The Willa Cather Foundation Design: Bunny Zaruba, Sausalito, California nonprofit organization and an equal-opportunity 413 North Webster Street All images are courtesy of the National Willa provider and employer. Red Cloud, NE 68970 Cather Center and photographers Barb Kudrna, Robert Olsen, Catherine Pond, and Tracy Tucker. The National Willa Cather Center is the registered 402-746-2653 | 800-731-7304 trade name of the Willa Cather Foundation. [email protected]

www.WillaCather.org

December 20192020