Series 2. Incoming Letters, Box 2, Folders 14-17; Box 3; Box 4, Folders 1-13, 1936, 1950s-1993, bulk: 1970-1993

The letters in this series document Louise McNeill's personal relationships, career as a poet, and the importance of poetry and writing in her life. Letters are almost entirely those sent to McNeill; only a few letters penned by the poet are scattered throughout the series. Also includes greeting cards, sympathy cards, holiday cards, and birthday cards. This series contains only a few letters before 1970, including a photocopy of a 1936 letter from Louis Untermeyer about publishing Louise's poems in American Mercury and a letter from Jesse Stuart in 1967 also supporting her poetry.

Letters are chiefly from 1970 to 1993 and fall into two primary categories: letters relating to writing and Louise's poetry and those written from relatives and friends that largely contain news about family members, social activities, and health issues (although they also may comment on Louise's poetry). General incoming letters are arranged in chronological order. Letters sorted and grouped by Louise McNeill and undated letters from Louise's parents can be found at the end of the series.

Many letters from 1970 to 1993 comment on McNeill's poetry and on her published works, particularly Paradox Hillin 1979, Milkweed Ladies in 1988, and Hill Daughter in 1991. Louise's most frequent correspondents include her friend Rene de Chocour; Maggie Anderson, a friend and editor of Louise's books; and Marion and Walter Havighurst. Anderson writes often about Louise's work, their relationship, and her own poetry. Walter Havighurst was Louise's mentor and a lifelong friend. He typically writes about Louise's poems and career as well as about his own work and family. Letters from these people span these three decades.

Letters from the 1970s also include one or two items from Jack Beard, John McCulloch, Archibald MacLeish, Wilbur Schramm, and Jimmy Carter (1976). In addition, letters and cards from 1977 and 1979 offer congratulations to Louise on being West Virginia Daughter of the Year in 1977 and on becoming Poet Laureate of West Virginia in 1979.

Materials from the 1980s also include letters from Stephen Vincent Benet, Devon McNamara, Arch A. Moore, Robert C. Byrd, and John D. Rockefeller IV, a long-time friend of McNeill's after both were honored by West Virginia in 1977.

Letters from 1990 to 1993 also provide additional documentation about Louise's career and role as poet laureate of West Virginia. They contain information about her participation in poetry anthologies, speaking engagements, and a radio production of Gauley Mountain as well as her payment as poet laureate and her reappointment in 1990. Items from this time include letters from Gaston Caperton, Larry Groce, Kirk Judd, and John D. Rockefeller IV.

Louise McNeill sorted some of her correspondence in manila folders. This original folder order has been maintained. Any information written on the envelopes has been photocopied and included at the front of each folder. Folder titles reflect the content but not necessarily the exact wording found on the envelopes.

The folder "Friends, Students, Faculty," contains letters from those groups of people and are almost entirely from the mid-1970s. Topics include Louise's poetry, Paradox Hill, G.D. McNeill, and personal news from family and friends. Of note are two letters from Robert Byrd in response to Louise's queries about impeaching Richard Nixon; notes and a letter written by Louise about Nixon; and a letter from Adlai Stevenson.

The folder "Precious Letters" contains a handful of letters about Louise's poems and her published books. Includes letters from Jesse Stuart, Archibald MacLeish, Rene de Chocour, and Marion Havighurst.