Correspondence, 1800–1984

This series includes both professional and personal correspondence received; carbon copies of correspondence sent; and collected research materials in addition to letters. The correspondence is with colleagues from across the United States and abroad; citizens with inquiries regarding plants, such as roots in a basement; students regarding grades, course work, and recommendations; as well as family and friends including greeting cards. Some correspondence is typed, some handwritten, some on mimeographed pages, and some on postcards and slips of paper. Subjects include discussions of publications and orders for publications such as The Flora of West Virginia, Wild Flowers of West Virginia, and Spring Wild Flowers; content and business for the journal Castenea; discussions and notifications of botanical species’ identification and request for specimens; WVU academic matters and WVU Department of Biology business; and family and other personal matters including letters and flyers regarding the Disciples of Christ Church and the First Christian Church in Morgantown where Dr. Core was a member. Of significance are letters from botanists P. D. (Perry Daniel) Strausbaugh, 1886-1965, and H. A. (Harry Ardell) Allard, 1880-1963. An envelope of addresses on slips of paper, torn from envelopes, and business cards is included in this series.

Specifically, boxes 1 and 2 contain correspondence (1951-1957) which is arranged chronologically by month and year. Boxes 3 and 4 contain correspondence (1958) which is also arranged chronologically by month. Boxes 5-8, and 15 contain correspondence not in chronological order, but arranged by subtopics.

Box 5 (1943-1984, with the majority from the 1960s) contains correspondence regarding botany and specifically Core’s research in Columbia, 1943-1945, where he worked on the genus Scleria; and correspondence with various colleges and universities and governmental units.

Box 6 (1953-1984) contains correspondence regarding the P.D. Strausbaugh Student Loan Fund; Core’s writings; and Monongalia County history. Also included is correspondence with professional and business organizations; West Virginia University and WVU academic departments; other colleges and universities; and personal letters, photographs, and cards.

Box 7 (1978-1982) contains multi-occasion personal greeting cards received by Dr. Core.

Box 8 (1800-1879, 1920-1928, 1959-1984) contains correspondence, facsimiles of articles and historical documents, and newspaper clippings regarding Monongalia County; Morgantown and other municipalities; Preston County; the Delta Tau Delta fraternity at Bethany College; and biographical materials about Earl L. Core including his curriculum vita and others’ handwritten narratives of his life.

Box 15, folders 7-10 (1974-1984) contains correspondence responding to Core’s book The Monongalia Story.