Archives Directory for the History of Collecting in America
Archives related to: Berls, Amanda K.
| title | Ruth R. Wheeler-- N.C. Wyeth correspondence, 1944-1970 (bulk 1944-1947). | repository | Concord Free Public Library |
| description | Artist and illustrator N.C. Wyeth (1882-1945) was an admirer of Henry D. Thoreau (1817-1862). Inspired by Thoreau's life and work, he conceived the idea for and illustrated Men of Concord and Some Others as Portrayed in the Journal of Henry David Thoreau, edited by Francis H. Allen (Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1936). Ruth R. Wheeler (1890-1973), a Concord historian and author, lost her son, Caleb Kendall Wheeler (1922-1944), in action over Hungary on July 2, 1944. Cont.) To make an appropriate memorial to her son, she wrote to N.C. Wyeth and requested one of his original Men of Concord paintings. It was to be kept in the Concord Free Public Library. Wyeth responded positively, but before the painting was handed over, he died in an accident on October 19, 1945. Mrs. Wheeler corresponded with his son, Andrew Wyeth, and son-in-law, John McCoy II, and eventually obtained the painting she had chosen, The Carpenters Repairing Hubbard's Bridge. The Library also bought two other Men of Concord paintings by Wyeth. Papers (1944-1970, bulk 1944-1947), include correspondence between Ruth R. Wheeler, N.C. Wyeth, and Wyeth's heirs pertaining to the Concord Free Public Library's acquisition of Men of Concord paintings by N.C. Wyeth, and an engraved memorial card for and photograph of Caleb Kendall Wheeler. Also included are other materials relating to Men of Concord: typescript of excerpts from Thoreau's journal (printed on p. 209 in Men of Concord); and letter from Amanda K. Berls regarding identification of figures in one of the Men of Concord paintings. One letter in Series I is misdated. |
| extent | 10 items. |
| formats | Correspondence |
| access | Contact repository for restrictions and policies. |
| record source | uhttp://www.concordnet.org/library/scollect/Fin_Aids/Wheeler-Wyeth.htm|3Finding aids |
| finding aid | Finding aid in library and on the Web site of the Concord Free Public Library. |
| acquisition information | Henry Wheeler; gift; 1999 Mar.; (AMC 030) |
| updated | 03/16/2023 10:29:51 |
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