Scope and Contents: This small collection primarily contains correspondence in the form of letters and postcards. Iva Lorraine Cowan Adams, a resident of Madison County for most of her life, collected postcards, many of which are represented here. The postcards represent states all across the U.S., many parts of Canada, and some locations in other parts of the world. This collection also contains an album meant to hold postcards from each of the 50 states. The album is only partially filled.
At the end of the second World War, and throughout the Korean War, Iva wrote to several soldiers. Their letters in response to her are represented in this collection, with each letter detailing their individual experiences with the war and with military life. In many circumstances, it appears that Iva continues to write to them after each war, leaving their responses detailing their readjustment to civilian life.
A small section of this collection are in reference to Dr. Evelyn Ramsey, a doctor and missionary writing out of Swaziland, Africa (now known as Eswatini, Africa). The materials from Evelyn Ramsey come from her sister, Elizabeth, who was friends with Iva and gave her the letters, books, and postcards.
Finally, miscellaneous items of interest include some photos, EKU ephemera, and two boxes of Columbia Phonograph Company Cylinder Vinyls.