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PHOTOGRAPHS

 Series
Identifier: 4

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Scope and Contents

From the Collection:

The Cora Belle Pollock papers date from 1909 to1996 and measure 3 linear feet. The papers are arranged in five series: Biography, Family, Correspondence, Photographs and Artifacts.

The Biography series consists of Cora Belle Pollock's personal papers: her address book, appointment calendars, employment records, copies of both her last will and testament and her living will, and report cards from 1912 through 1924. The Biography series contains Pollock's diary that includes a scathing commentary on the rudeness of Iowa's teachers that Pollock wrote in 1936 and her 1937 resolution to curb her habits of yelling and "controlling my class with my hands." The diary also lists Pollock's pupils from 1927 through 1943. Also located in the Biography series are Pollock's photography workbook, the scrapbook she produced when she was named "Outstanding Senior Citizen," and handwritten notes Pollock jotted down regarding everything from family news to various research topics to monthly expenses.

The Family series contains two volumes of genealogical material compiled, written and edited by Pollock's sister Margaret Pollock Campbell. The volumes cover the history of the Pollock family from its roots in Holland through the initial migration in 1770 and its eventual settlement in Rolfe, Iowa. The Family series also contains materials relating to Pollock's relatives. There is the bankbook and funeral memorial for Cora Belle Pollock's father Grant Pollock, along with memorials for her sister Margaret Pollock Campbell and her brother Robert Pollock. There are also newspaper articles regarding Pollock's siblings and other relatives, including an undated column written by Margaret Pollock. The Family series also includes the 1925 will for Eliza Stoakes, a relative through Pollock's mother Maria Belle Stoakes Pollock.

The Correspondence series consists primarily of letters Cora Belle Pollock received from her sisters Mary Pollock and Margaret Pollock Campbell. The letters span the years 1951 through 1992. Many of the letters are quite long and contain family and local news. In the folder of Margaret Campbell's undated correspondence there are two letters regarding the Pollock genealogical volumes that she wrote and her bitter disappointment in Cora Belle's response to receiving the volumes. Also contained in the Correspondence series is a letter written to Pollock by her father Grant Pollock in 1948. The Correspondence series also contains general correspondence written to Pollock and letters written to Pollock's parents, siblings and other relatives by family and friends from 1911 through 1992. Of special interest are several postcards from 1909 to 1916, some containing birthday greetings to Pollock from her grandmother.

The Photographs series consists of a number of photographs of Cora Belle Pollock from childhood through adulthood. There are also many photographs of Pollock's siblings, her parents Grant and Belle Pollock and other relatives. There are also photographs Pollock took while on vacations and for her photography club, including photographs of Julie Nixon Eisenhower during a visit she made to Iowa City while campaigning for her father President Richard Nixon's reelection.

In addition to loose photographs, the Photographs series also contains several photo albums. The album Pollock kept during her high school years, 1923 to 1926, contains photographs, playbills and correspondence. Though a second photo album, titled "Snap Shots," has Mary Pollock's name written on the inside cover, the album primarily contains photographs from Cora Pollock's photography club; including photographs of club members (including Cora Pollock) in various poses and costumes and photographs of children and outdoor scenes. A third album also contains photographs Cora Pollock took for her photography club; included are pictures of Iowa City personalities, friends and landscapes. A fourth photo album contains numerous family photographs including Cora Pollock's brother Bob, his wife Marie, and their daughter JoAnn; Cora Pollock's sister Jean, her husband Ray, and their sons Joe, Steven and Mike; Cora Pollock's sisters Mary and Margaret; Cora Pollock's parents Belle and Grant; and family reunions. There are also three mini-photo albums.

Numerous slides are also included in the Photographs series. The slides represent Pollock's photography skills, depicting scenes of interest and personalities from around Iowa City, vacations and relatives. There are also a few slides of Pollock herself.

The Artifacts series consists of a fountain pen, believed to have been purchased by Anna Pollock circa 1893; a folding pocket Kodak camera model B-4, probably used by Cora Belle Pollock at one time; and a ribbon signifying that the wearer was the local leader for a home management course in 1928-1929.

Dates

  • Creation: 1909-1996

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

The papers are open for research.

Extent

From the Collection: 3.00 Linear Feet

From the Collection: Photographs in boxes 1 and 4-7. boxes

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

Repository Details

Part of the Iowa Women's Archives Repository

Contact:
100 Main Library
University of Iowa Libraries
Iowa City IA 52242 IaU
319-335-5068
319-335-5900 (Fax)