Diary, 1920
Scope and Contents
The collection consists of personal documents and photographs of Zepha Lynn Pulver Spencer, of southwest Michigan.
The diaries provide a glimpse into her life, including her daily activities, primarily describing events regarding family, the weather, baking, chores, and religion. The collection also contains a book of poems, most of which were written by herself, and a few that were not. Many of the poems surround themes of family, expressing love, and religious sentiments. The photograph of Zepha Spencer and the Spencer family provides a visual representation of the family during the period it was taken. Whereas the family photograph is in black and white and shows Zepha Spencer in her middle age, the portrait photograph of Zepha Spencer is in color and was taken in her old age.
The small blue notebook written in 1955 and 1956 is filled mostly with scripture verses and the occasional more contemporary quote. The correspondence book details the author's daily activities, including who she talked to, what she bought, and who she sent checks to, as well as her donations to certain charities such as the American Bible Society and the Rescue Society. Additionally, there is a copy of the 1905 Oak Leaves yearbook from the Michigan Female Seminary, which was owned by Jane Mears, the grandmother of the donor. The yearbook includes information about members of the Michigan Seminary, a list of students, school clubs/societies, social and extracurricular events of note which the students engaged in, and short stories, poems, and other narratives written by the students.
Dates
- Record Keeping: 1920
Creator
- From the Collection: Spencer, Zepha Lynn, 1887-1983 (Author, Person)
- From the Collection: Yaple, Henry (Donor, Person)
Extent
From the Collection: .5 Cubic Feet
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Repository Details
Part of the Western Michigan University Archives & Regional History Collections Repository
Charles C. and Lynn L. Zhang Legacy Collections Center
1650 Oakland Drive
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5307 US
(269) 387-8490
arch-collect@wmich.edu