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Archives
Correspondence and Archival Papers of Foster Hall and Stephen Foster Memorial
Forgeries
Author's Research Notes
Newspaper and Magazine Clippings
Logs of Events in Stephen Foster Memorial
Correspondence and Archival Papers of Foster Hall and Stephen Foster Memorial
The FHC has approximately 83.5 linear feet of Foster Hall and Stephen Foster Memorial archival papers including files maintained by Josiah Kirby Lilly's office in Indianapolis between 1937 and 1944 (letters, contracts, and other records of the acquisition and activities of the FHC: the Curator's teaching and correspondence over the period 1982-1997; SFM's inactive files grouped according to general, financial, building management, and employment records (from 1982-1997); and FHC activities files from 1930-1978 divided according to operational reports (1936-1977), printed material (1850-1978), books and newsletters 91920, 1931-1946), articles (1864-1887, 1932-1949), speeches (1941-1955, 1973-1976), visual presentations (1934-1959), radio broadcasts (1931-1945, 1956), correspondence (1825, 1912- [1939-1969] -1978), financial documents, inquiries (1947, 1950), and records of the Fine Arts Committee of the Civic Club of Allegheny County (1913, 1923-1955).
Forgeries
Two 11" x 15" envelopes of forgeries:
1. One is labeled "Foster forgeries" and contains 4 manuscripts (entitled "The New England Farmer," "The Crow Quartet", "Golden Sea", and "Miss Sarah Jane") purportedly by Stephen Foster, and one music score print (entitled "The Dying Poet") with the signature "Geo. Cooper" in the upper right hand corner. In addition, there are a few newspaper clippings concerning the conviction of Charles Levitt, who was charged with mail fraud and who had some dealing with the Curator of the FHC. 2. The other folder is labeled "Questionable folder" and contains mostly correspondence between the Curator and book dealers selling apparent forgeries. Included here is the correspondence between the Curator and Charles Levitt as well as correspondence between the Curator and Henry Kirschenbaum. The folder also contains several manuscripts (1 letter, 1 photo of a letter, 1 check, 1 poem entitled "Socrates Snooks" and one music score entitled "Away, away, the morning freshly breaking") purportedly by Stephen Foster.
In addition, one forged letter, dated July 6, 1863 from Stephen Foster to William Pond.
Author's Research Notes
There are approximately 5.5 linear feet of research notes for Evelyn Foster Morneweck's Chronicles of Stephen Foster's Family (Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press, 1944) and 1.5 linear feet of research notes for John Tasker Howard's Stephen Foster: America's Troubadour (New York: Thomas Y. Crowell, 1934; rev. ed., 1953). These materials are uncatalogued.
Evelyn Foster Morneweck's material, collected from family members and Foster acquaintances, includes 6 shelf boxes and 2 folders of research notes and typewritten manuscripts for the Chronicles. Many of these are materials for Appendix IV, "Memorials and Tributes to Stephen Collins Foster," compiled by Fletcher Hodges, Jr. Foster family letters (1820's - 1920's), Pennsylvania Railroad Company papers, deeds, newspaper clippings and maps, were also collected by Mrs. Morneweck.
John Tasker Howard's notes include articles, photographs, and typewritten transcripts.
Newspaper and Magazine Clippings
The FHC has approximately 3,000 newspaper and magazine clippings, dating from the 1850's through the mid-1930's. The articles relate to nearly every facet of Fosteriana, including the FHC's activities.
Logs of Events in Stephen Foster Memorial
The Curator's office recorded all daily activities of the SFM, including productions, receptions, and classes, from 1937 to 1996, in 16 ledger logs. Listings include dates, times, attendance, and names of contacts.
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