Correspondence of Thomas E. Spencer, St. Louis educator, to Jennie Wahlert., 1906-1938
Scope and Contents
The Jennie Wahlert Papers document her career as a St. Louis educator and advocate of early childhood and elementary education. The collection includes correspondence from St. Louis educator Thomas E. Spencer, 1906-1938; correspondence from Rachel Stix Michael, 1929-1936; pamphlets and articles on kindergarten education, 1923-1957; material regarding Wahlert's 1931 trip to England as a guest of the English-Speaking Union; notes and programs for the 1938 observance of the centennial of the St. Louis public school system; material regarding the Progressive Education Conferences, St. Louis, 1940-41; correspondence and notes concerning her visit to Germany to observe the German educational system and to acquaint Germans with American elementary education, 1951-1953; notes and speeches concerning Susan E. Blow; data relating to the Jane Addams Centennial, 1959-1963; and letters and notes on kindergarten education, particularly concerning the campaign for state-supported kindergartens in Missouri, 1963-1967. The collection also contains biographical sketches of several notable St. Louis educators; notes and minutes of meetings of the Grace Hill Settlement House, in which Jennie Wahlert was active, 1964-1968; a collection of awards, citations, and diplomas conferred on Wahlert; and biographical data and newspaper clippings concerning Wahlert. The collection also includes an autograph book of Wahlert's mother, Annie Snodgrass (Anzella Snodgrass Wahlert), dated 1879-1882; notes, sketches, and photographs pertaining to inventions and the career of her father, Henry A. Wahlert, 1907-1908; and genealogical information and correspondence to Jennie Wahlert from her nephew Ernie [Ernst Henry Wahlert, Jr.?], 1968-1969. Also included is the record book of the Humanity Club, a women’s philanthropic association concerned with the reform of public institutions, primarily those that housed women and children, 1894-1911. The The Biographical Data Subseries of the Jennie Wahlert Papers Series consists of biographical data; the Professional Activities Subseries, the largest portion of the collection, contains material that documents Wahlert's professional career; and the Awards, Diplomas, Honors, and Commemorations Subseries includes Wahlert’s awards, diplomas, honors, and commemorations. The Wahlert Family Papers Series consists of Wahlert family papers and includes her mother’s autograph book, data regarding her father’s inventions, genealogical data, and letters from Wahlert’s nephew Ernie. The Associated Material Series contains the record book of the Humanity Club, dated 1894-1911. Its provenance is unknown.
Dates
- 1906-1938
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open for research use.
Extent
From the Collection: 1.25 Cubic Feet ( (3 boxes))
Language of Materials
English
Creator
- From the Collection: Wahlert, Jennie, 1883-1971 (Creator, Person)
- From the Collection: Michael, Rachel Stix (Author, Person)
- From the Collection: Spencer, Thomas E. (Author, Person)
Repository Details
Part of the Missouri Historical Society Library and Research Center Repository