– contributed by CCHP Reference Archivist Lizette Royer Barton.
The much loved and much anticipated academic winter break is upon us. Shall we celebrate with some Cummings Center archival gems?
Let’s start with this postcard addressed to Edgar A. Doll. I don’t have much to say about it other than I think it’s a beautiful winter photograph and beautiful, moonlit nights during the Ohio winter make all the snow and cold and gray a bit more bearable. (Note to self: tune in to more moonlit winter nights in 2020).
Edgar & Geraldine Doll papers, box M4268.2.
It wouldn’t be the holiday season without a little guilt, am I right? The 15-year old says he’s not interested in religion and wants to skip Christmas Eve church services for a party at his friend’s house. His parents want to keep the Christmas Eve family tradition alive.
What to do? Write to McCall’s for advice and guidance from a real live psychologist, of course!
Lee Salk papers, M2412, folder 15
Personally, I am with the 15-year-old on this one (party!) but psychologist Lee Salk thought differently.
Since we are talking about family fun – check out the Wertheimers. I want to build a snow fort with Max, Anni, and the gang. Each snowball coming together to build a fort greater than the sum of its snowballs. So fun!
A scholarly side note, The Wertheimer Family papers are processed and ready for researchers. IT IS AN AWESOME COLLECTION. Come use it in 2020.
Wertheimer Family papers, M6695, folder 8
If there is one family I want to (pretend to) hang out with even more over winter break than the Wertheimers it’s the Miles family. In my own archival day dream, I envision Catharine and Walter (and me) sitting back sipping eggnog and sharing laughs while the little ones play around the Christmas tree. Also, I love tinsel.
And if you’re looking for a laid back, humorous, sports-themed Hanukkah how about this fantastic golf bag menorah?
Lee L. Forman Bag Collection, IHSC, Item ID HFL2007.001.0004
Holiday gift giving can be a challenge sometimes. Perhaps that is why James V. McConnell phoned it in and sent Omaha steaks to 79 people to the tune of nearly $3,500.
James V. McConnell papers, M2064, folder 2
The Rene Spitz collection contains numerous films, including several “home movies.” This has to be one of my favorites – the family trudging through the snow, a kid bringing up the rear, the beautiful winter scenery, and the live-action skiing footage (watch until the end). I just love it. I don’t even like skiing but the Spitz family has me (almost) wanting to hit the slopes.
So however you decide to spend these next couple of weeks – holidays or not – remember to enjoy yourself. Slow down, spend time with the people you care about (or don’t!), eat something delicious, sit in front of a fireplace, read a book, and maybe take stock of 2019 and consider what you can do to be an even better human in 2020.
Happy Holidays and for those of us on academic winter break – Happy Week Between!
