Jennie Wahlert Papers

Collection

Identifier: A1704

Staff Only

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

1879-1993

Creator

Wahlert, Jennie, 1883-1971 (Creator, Person)

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research use.

Conditions Governing Use

For permission to publish, quote from, or reproduce material in this collection, please contact the Archives Reference Desk at archives@mohistory.org. Copyright restrictions may apply. The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming to the laws of copyright.

Biographical Sketch

St. Louis educator Jennie Wahlert was born into a family that boasted six generations of teachers. She was born in 1883, the daughter of Henry August Wahlert and Anzella Snodgrass Wahlert. She was educated at Harris Teachers College in St. Louis and earned a masters degree from Columbia University. She began her own career in education as a teacher at Irving School in St. Louis in 1905. After teaching also at Elliott and Wyman Schools, she became primary supervisor in 1923 and principal of Jackson School in 1934. In 1943 she became professor of education at Harris Teachers College, a post she held until her retirement in 1953 at the age of 70. Thereafter, she assumed the directorship of Washington University’s nursery school and became an instructor in early childhood education at the school’s University College. An advocate of state-supported kindergartens and a promoter of early childhood education, Miss Wahlert was active in the Association for Childhood Education, the Girl Scouts of America, the Missouri State Teachers’ Association, the Nursery Foundation, the National Council of Primary Education, and the Nursery Education Council of St. Louis. She was also active in the Grace Hill Settlement House. She died in St. Louis in 1971 at the age of 88.

Extent

1.25 Cubic Feet ( (3 boxes))

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Arrangement

The collection is arranged into the following three series: Jennie Wahlert Papers Series, Wahlert Family Papers Series, and Associated Material Series The Jennie Wahlert Papers Series is divided into three subseries: The Biographical Data Subseries, Professional Activities Subseries, and Awards, Diplomas, Honors, and Commemorations Subseries.

Physical and Technical Requirements

There are no physical or technical restrictions.

Donor Information

The collection was donated in February 1969 by Jennie Wahlert (courtesy of Elizabeth Goltermann). Additions to the collection were donated by Elizabeth Goltermann in April 1993 and March 1994.