.
By Katy Davis, Dr. Christiana Taylor
Collection Overview
Scope and Contents of the Materials
Dr. Thomas H. Appleton, Jr. started regularly collecting historical Kentucky materials after he started working at the Kentucky Historical Society in the 1980s. The collection he continues to build consists of materials such as correspondence, ephemera, publications, legal documents and other items, which span over 200 years of Kentucky history. Some notable figures mentioned in the correspondence include Henry Clay, Charles S. Morehead, A.B. 'Happy' Chandler, Phyllis George Brown, Alben Barkley, Barbara Bush, and many more. Materials contain information about politics, religion, pop culture, death, slavery, the military and more. The collection is state-wide in scope; however, most materials are from central Kentucky. The collection continues to grow thanks to a generous endowment funded by Dr. Appleton.
Collection Historical Note
Thomas H. Appleton Jr. (Tom) was born in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1950. After graduating from the University of Memphis in 1971, he enrolled at the University of Kentucky to pursue a doctorate in American history. At UK he was fortunate to study under two of the eminent scholars in that field, Charles P. Roland and Holman Hamilton. In 1979, he joined the publications department of the Kentucky Historical Society, where he rose from assistant editor to editor in chief in 1990. His work at the KHS nurtured his desire to collect historical materials, which he had begun in elementary school. In 2000, he became professor of history at Eastern Kentucky University; in 2015 he was named Foundation Professor. As he approached retirement (2018), he decided that the archives and special collections department at EKU's Crabbe Library would be the logical repository for his collection. At the same time he established an endowment that would permit the purchase of additional materials to augment the collection. He hopes to inspire other patrons to donate their materials as well.
Subject/Index Terms
Administrative Information
Repository:
Eastern Kentucky University - Special Collections and Archives
Acquisition Source:
Appleton, Thomas H., Jr.
Box and Folder Listing
Browse by Box:
[
Box 1],
[
Box 2],
[
Box 3],
[
Box 4],
[
Box 5],
[
Box 6],
[
Box 7],
[
Box 8],
[
Box 9],
[
Box 10],
[
Box 11],
[
Box 12],
[Box 13],
[
All]
- Box 13
- Folder 1: Anchor Buggy Co. of Cincinnati, Ohio, to M. Michael & Bro. of Paducah, Ky., 1896-12-28; 1897-03-22
- Two business letters discuss carpeting, paint, and varnish and how buggies are manufactured. On letterhead of Anchorage,
- Folder 2: By-Laws of Maysville (Ky.) Lodge No. 52, Masonic Order, 1898
- Pamphlet.
- Folder 3: H[ector] F. Hillenmeyer to B. J. Lancaster, 1901-11-12
- Hillenmeyer, a second-generation Lexington nurseryman, discusses the recent drought and the planting of strawberries.
- Folder 4: Caleb Powers to Ralph T. Hall, 1905-03-31; 1905-05-08
- Two letters handwritten by Caleb Powers, convicted of complicity in the 1900 assassination of Kentucky gubernatorial candidate William Goebel. The letters apparently are addressed to Powers
- Folder 5: United Sons of Confederate Veterans Reunion, 1905-06-06
- Circular concerning the upcoming reunion to be held in Louisville
- Folder 6: 1908-08-06
- Emotional, eight-page handwritten letter by
- Folder 7: 1908 ca.
- Cleverly illustrated postcard.
- Folder 8: Advertising seal, C. C. Bickel & Co., Louisville, Ky., Undated
- Seal bearing image of Daniel Boone intended for use in advertising by C. C. Bickel & Co. Among the company
- Folder 9: O. H. Pollard to H. K. Taylor, 1909-04-09
- Letter concerning the Grand Lodge, Knights of Pythias of Kentucky. Pollard, the organization
- Folder 10: Invitation to funeral of R. C. Engleman Sr., 1910-01-12
- Black-bordered invitation to service to be held in Stanford, Ky. Engleman (1833-1910) was a retired farmer.
- Folder 11: 1910 ca.
- Colorfully illustrated postcard mailed in 1910 from Coalton in Boyd Co., Ky.
- Folder 12: Elvira E. Levy to R[owland] G. Railey, 1910-1919
- Five letters written in response to R. G. Railey
- Folder 13: 1914-03-06
- Folder 14: L. Richard Gimbel to Mrs. Ellis A. Gimbel, 1918-10-06
- Gimbel, age 20, writes his mother in Philadelphia, Pa. Based at Camp Zachary Taylor outside Louisville, the serviceman discusses his military training-in-progress and his sojourn staying at the city
- Folder 15: Postcards mailed from Camp Zachary Taylor, Louisville, Ky., 1918-06-29; 1918-07-20
- Two illustrated patriotic postcards bearing preprinted upbeat messages to reassure family and friends.
- Folder 16: Fred B. Richardson to Anna Hahn, 1918-09-07
- Richardson, recently inducted into the Army at Camp Zachary Taylor outside Louisville, writes fellow Nelson Countian Anna Hahn. He discusses various aspects of military life, including marches, food, fellow soldiers he knew from home, and the upcoming state fair. On stationery of the Army and Navy Young Men
- Folder 17: Letters to Albert F. Weber, 1918; Autumn
- Five letters written by family members to Weber, then in Officer Candidate School at Camp Zachary Taylor outside Louisville. Topics include the
- Folder 18: Elijah Alexander Brown Jr. to E. A. Brown, 1918-10
- Brown, stationed at Camp Zachary Taylor, tells his father, in Atlanta, about conditions in camp, where influenza is raging. He estimates some twenty soldiers are dying each day. He himself has been ill with a cough and fever.
- Folder 19: Otis Clarence Allen to (Miss) Dewey McClemore, 1919-03-23
- Allen is about to be discharged from Army service at Camp Zachary Taylor. He tells his fianc
- Folder 20: Henry White to S. S. White, 1919-02
- Portion of letter from Sergeant White at Camp Zachary Taylor to his father at home in Jasper Co., Ill. White says there may be a delay of up to two months in discharging more soldiers. He floats the idea of his father
- Folder 21: Kentucky, 1919-02-12
- This pamphlet reprints a Lincoln
- Folder 22: James Hamlin and H. S. Connely to T. R. Carter, 1921-04-11
- Two officers of Latonia Lodge No. 107, Knights of Pythias in Covington, Ky., report that they have paid $65 to Brother David Moses of Carter
- Folder 23: Welfare League of Louisville to, 1923-10-24
- An invitation on League letterhead asking Helm to participate in an upcoming tour of several Welfare League organizations in the city. If he attends, he will become
- Folder 24: Letter to, 1923-10-26
- On stationery of the Republican Campaign Committee of Jefferson Co., Ky. Letter encourages consideration of the Republican nominee for governor, Charles I. Dawson of Bell County. [This was the first Kentucky gubernatorial election in which women could exercise the right to vote.]
- Folder 25: John M. Robsion to Rev. A. D. Bowman, 1935-02-11
- Congressman Robsion acknowledges receipt of Bowman
- Folder 26: to (Miss) Autumn House, 1937-01-30
- This letter postmarked 30 January 1937 in Louisville provides a firsthand account of the Great Ohio River Flood and its devastation. The unnamed author writes that she and her family are taking refuge in her grandmother
- Folder 27: Galen Brown to Edward Barlow, 1940-09-21; 1940-10-24
- Two letters from Paintsville, Ky., discussing social life, various girls, a singles club, football, and mutual friends.
- Folder 28: Jesse Evans Cope, 1900 ca.
- Creator: Doerr Studio, Louisville.
- Folder 29: "My Old Kentucky Home", Undated
- Two black and white amateur photographs taken at Federal Hill, "My Old Kentucky Home," in Bardstown, Kentucky.
- Folder 30: Calumet Farm, 1941-03-31
- Four black and white amateur photographs of Calumet Farm outside of Lexington, Kentucky pasted in a scrapbook.
- Folder 31: Anne Clay McDowell, 1893
- Studio photograph of Anne Clay McDowell (1891-1966) of Lexington. "Aged 2 years." Daughter of Thomas Clay McDowell and Mary Mann (Goodloe) McDowell. Niece of Madeline (McDowell) Breckinridge.
- Creator: Mullen Studio, Lexington.
- Folder 32: Robert Whitley Hampton, Undated
- Two undated cabinet photographs of Robert Whitley Hampton (1852-1932) and Mary Jane (Hampton) Elkins. Speelman Studio, Winchester, Kentucky.
- Creator: Speelman Studio, Winchester, Kentucky.
- Folder 33: Wilbur Smith Jr., 1888
- Cabinet photograph of Wilbur R. Smith Jr. (1887-1936). "Aged 10 months."
- Creator: Mullen Studio, Lexington.
- Folder 34: Well-Dressed Boy in Bowtie, 1860-1867 ca.
- Creator: Photographer J.C. Elrod. Louisville, Kentucky.
- Folder 35: Women in Shawnee Park, 1917
- Amateur black and white photograph of four women in Shawnee Park with Ford motorcar in the background. Louisville, Kentucky.
- Folder 36: Squire Hensley, 1925-02
- Cabinet photograph of "Squire Hensley, Laurel Creek, Ky.," in uniform with a rifle and bayonet. Fair condition.
- Folder 37: Well-Dress Woman, 1890 ca.
- Cabinet photograph of a well-dressed woman.
- Creator: J.E. Patton Studio. R.J. Stevens, operator. Covington, Kentucky.
- Folder 38: Charles W. Vanaman Sr., 1869-1952 ca.
- Studio photograph of Charles W. Vanaman Sr. (1869-1952) of Lexington.
- Creator: Bachelor Studios in Cincinnati, Ohio.
- Folder 39: Older Man with Goatee and Glass Eye, 1870 ca.
- Creator: Photographer L.T. Shull. Lebanon, Kentucky.
- Folder 40: Boy Scouts Tank, 1918-03-02
- Black and white amateur photograph of "Boy Scouts Tank on 3rd Street, Louisville, Ky., Mch 2, 1918." Side of tank bears the legend "Help Pershing Cross the Rhine/Buy War Savings Stamps."
- Folder 41: Woman Perhaps in Wedding Dress, 1892-1904 ca.
- Creator: Charlton H. Elrod & Bro. Studio, Louisville.
- Folder 42: Seated Man with Woman Standing Beside Him, 1886 ca.
- Creator: Weaver Bros. Studio. Covington, Kentucky.
- Folder 43: Seated Man, 1870 ca.
- Creator: J.B. Kelly Studio. Covington, Kentucky.
- Folder 44: Well-Dressed Woman Wearing Fur Collar, 1873-1906 ca.
- Creator: Theo Cain Studio. Owensboro, Kentucky.
- Folder 45: People Eating Watermelon, 1922-08
- Amateur black and white photograph of people eating watermelon outdoors with automobiles in the background. Near Olympia Springs, Bath County, Kentucky.
- Folder 46: School and Teachers at M.P. Missionary School, Undated
- Amateur black and white photograph of "school and teachers" at "M.P. Missionary School, Pine Ridge, Ken."
- Folder 47: Anna Sharon, 1900 ca.
- Child identified as "Anna Sharon, daughter of Josie & Jim Ransom."
- Creator: Photographer A.J. Reuling. Louisville, Kentucky.
- Folder 48: Youn Woman Wearing a Hat, 1910 ca.
- Photographic postcard of a young woman wearing a hat.
- Creator: Lewis Studio. Dry Ridge, Kentucky.
- Folder 49: Large Group of Men and Women at the Entrance of Mammoth Cave, Undated
- Folder 50: R.S. Eubank, 1872-1933 ca.
- Creator: Photographer A.J. Earp.
- Folder 51: Mother and Baby, Undated
- Creator: C.T. Wood Studio, Covington, Kentucky.
- Folder 52: The Dupin Home, Undated
- Photograph of four individuals posed before "The Dupin Home." Back of photo reads, "Aunt Beaurie Walker married Riley Dupin. Lived near Bardstown, Ky."
- Folder 53: Kentucky Derby, 1939-05-06
- Six original snapshots of Kentucky Derby. Winner: Johnstown. Jockey: James Stout.
- Folder 54: Stylishly Dressed Women and Edith Montfort Simpson, Undated
- Eight unidentified photographs of stylishly dressed women and one photograph of a baby identified as "Edith Montfort Simpson, age 4 mos."
- Creator: Frankfort, Kentucky.
- Folder 55: Murray and Hazel, Undated
- Fifteen studio photographs taken in Murray and Hazel, Calloway County, Kentucky.
- Creator: Photographers: Love, Powell, Waters, Lassiter.
- Folder 56: Sandra Day O'Connor, 1981-2006
- Official portrait, in color, of Sandra Day O'Connor, associate justice of US Supreme Court (1981-2006).
- Folder 57: Paul E. Patton, 1995-2003
- Official portrait, black and white, of Governor Paul E. Patton (1995-2003).
- Folder 58: Martha Layne Collins, 1983-1987
- Official portrait, in color, of Governor Martha Layne Collins (1983-1987).
- Folder 59: John Y. Brown Jr., 1979-1983
- Official portrait, in color, of Governor John Y. Brown Jr. (1979-1983) with First Lady Phyllis George Brown.
- Folder 60: Young Girl on Amusement Ride, 1950
- Original black and white snapshot of a young girl on an amusement ride in Fontaine Ferry Park, Louisville, Kentucky.
- Folder 61: Belle Stone, 1889-1895 ca.
- Photograph of "Miss Belle Stone, Tolu, Crittenden Co."
- Creator: Wybrandt Studio, Louisville.
- Folder 62: Howard, Billy, and Grace, 1938 ca.
- Original black and white snapshot of an adult male with two children beside a 1938 Pontiac automobile. Identified on reverse as "Howard, Billy, [and] Grace." Likely taken at Cudjo's Cave in Cumberland Gap National Park near Middlesboro, Kentucky.
- Folder 63: Woman Wearing Unusual Hat, Undated
- Creator: Geo. H. Brown & Co., Louisville, photographer.
- Folder 64: Beverly, 1949
- Five original black and white snapshots taken at Beverly, Bell County, Kentucky. Individuals are shown roller skating, on horseback, and at Red Bird School. Also a "Ky mountain home, Beverly KY."
- Folder 65: Boy with Ringlet Curls, Undated
- Creator: Bowels & Hayden. Hopkinsville, Kentucky.
- Folder 66: Two Women, Undated
- Two unidentified cartes-de-viste of two women.
- Creator: Peckover's Excelsior Gallery. Paris, Kentucky.
- Folder 67: C.G. Blakely, 1852-1942 ca.
- C.G. Blakely (1852-1942) of London, Kentucky.
- Creator: Mullen, Artistic Photographer. Lexington, Kentucky.
- Folder 68: Young Brother and Sister, 1900 ca.
- Creator: Riley & Cook Studio, Paducah, Kentucky.
- Folder 69: A Couple, Undated
- Creator: Photographer W.E. Johns. Lexington, Kentucky.
- Folder 70: Elderly Woman Wearing Religious Cross, 1880 ca.
- Creator: Doerr Studio, Louisville.
- Folder 71: Pouting Little Girl, Undated
- Creator: Photographer R. McReynolds. Maysville, Kentucky.
- Folder 72: Bearded Man in Suit, 1835-1868 ca.
- A bearded man in a suit (likely Maj. Jospeph T. Fullerton [1835-1868]).
- Creator: Photographer J.C. Elrod. Louisville, Kentucky.
- Folder 73: Patriotic Parade, 1945
- A patriotic parade in Glasgow, Barren County, Kentucky. Features two wounded soldiers on a float.
Browse by Box:
[
Box 1],
[
Box 2],
[
Box 3],
[
Box 4],
[
Box 5],
[
Box 6],
[
Box 7],
[
Box 8],
[
Box 9],
[
Box 10],
[
Box 11],
[
Box 12],
[Box 13],
[
All]