Velma L. Carson papers, 1886-1986

Summary

Creator:
Carson, Velma L.
Physical description:
14.00 Linear Feet, 8.00 Boxes Post-Fire Oversize Extent: Oversize Box 5 (16.5 x 20.5): 509: 20/29/3
Language:
English
Latin

Background

Scope and content:

The Velma L. Carson Papers comprises of correspondence, records, and photographs of her personal life, academic, and professional careers. The collection is divided into eight series: Manuscripts, Poems, Magazines and Published Articles, Correspondence, Photographs, Drawings, Biographical, Subject, and Artifacts.
The manuscripts of this collection contain scripts from plays, documentaries, and stories written by Velma Carson. Some of these manuscripts provide information regarding "Operation Democracy," a pageant called "Message to Feves," and original stories and essays were written by Velma Carson. The poems in this collection are original poems written by Velma Carson about various topics throughout her lifetime. Magazines and Published Articles consist of newspaper and magazine articles and clippings from her life. There are also a few of her own publications and works that she published during her career as a journalist and writer. The largest portion of this collection is correspondence. This series is organized mostly in chronological order and consists of letters, cards, and postcards. The correspondence is mainly between Velma and her family and friends. The earliest letter is from 1915 and the latest is 1984. This covers her time at Kansas State in 1915 all the way to when she was awarded her degree in 1982. The photographs of this collection include a variety of photos of Velma Carson, her friends, and her family over the course of her life. The drawings are several small pieces created by Velma Carson. The biographical series includes nine folders of information on Velma, two folders of information on Winona Carson, and three folders on Viola and Edward Carson. The subject series is made up of four folders that include information on Belva Lockwood, Wayne Randall, Morganville United Methodist Church, and Clay County taxes. The artifacts include wallpaper and fabric samples, E. L. Carson's black leather wallet, stamps, a small toy monkey, a small puzzle, a copy of a Ten Dollar Confederate bill used as an advertisement for Joe Kay as Sheriff, and a Cigar Box.

Biographical / historical:

Velma Lenore Carson was born in Kansas on April 30, 1896. The daughter of Edward Lincoln Carson and Viola Belle Petty Carson, she grew up on a farm southwest of Morganville, Kansas. During World War I, Carson attended Kansas State Agricultural College, now Kansas State University. She majored in journalism and was involved in plays, literary societies, and oratory. While at K-State, she was involved in Theta Sigma Phi Journalism Society, the Ionian Women’s Literary Society, the Young Women’s Christian Association, Prix Leadership Honorary, and XIX outstanding Women Honorary. Carson also served as the editor of the Royal Purple yearbook, staff writer for the Collegian, and as president of her class. She did not receive her degree until April of 1982 due to missing requirements. An honorary degree was awarded to her at that time.

In 1922, she married Homer Cross, an electrical engineer and former class president at KSU. They moved to Pennsylvania where Cross had a job with Westinghouse. Later, they moved to New York City where Cross worked for the electric railway. Carson was a writer, authoring everything from advertising copy to short stories and poems. Carson also worked with Margaret Sanger, a family planning advocate. Carson helped distribute unionizing information to Pullman porters during her travels, risking jail time for her involvement.

Carson’s daughter Cynthia was born in 1928. Carson claimed Cynthia was adopted, and documents always listed her name as Cynthia Carson. Her marriage with Homer Cross ended in divorce in 1931.

Carson continued her journalistic career and later remarried. Second husband, Leonard Rennie, was a painter who worked for the federal government during the Depression. The couple eventually separated.

Velma's daughter, Cynthia, attended school in Morganville, and later Kansas State Teachers College - now Emporia State University. She graduated in 1950. Cynthia taught for a year in Hoxie, Kansas before moving on to New York.

Velma Carson died in 1984.

Acquisition information:
Acqusition Method: Donation Acqusition Date: 19840801
Processing information:

Three additional boxes were added to the collection in January 2016. There were three additional series added with this addition.

Finding Aid Author: McKenzie Combes and Cynthia A. Harris
Processing Info: Prepared by Jessica Heuback, University Archives, Archon processing completed by Edward Nagurny, graduate research assistant, October 2014. Processor, Cynthia A. Harris, processed the addition to the collection in 2016.
Publication Date: 2016-02-01

Arrangement:

This collection is arranged into eight series: 1) Manuscripts; 2) Poems; 3) Magazines and Published Articles; 4) Correspondence; 5) Photographs and Drawings; 6) Biographical; 7) Subject; 8)Artifacts.

Accruals:

01/11/2016

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Note:

The publication date was changed from 11/24/2015 because the finding aid was updated with the addition.

General note:

Published

Dacs citation:

[Item title], [Item date], Velma L. Carson papers, Box [number], Folder [number or title], Morse Department of Special Collections, Kansas State University Libraries.

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