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Bernadine Solberg papers

 Collection
Identifier: IWA0579

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Scope and Contents

The Bernadine Solberg papers date from 1855 to 2007 and measure 5.5 linear feet. The papers are arranged in seven series: Biographical, Grace Fullerton, Education, Edwin Solberg, Anna and Lawrence Solberg, Organizations and interests, and Cards and correspondence.

The Biographical series (1868-2007) includes information on the Fullerton family history and Solberg's childhood, including a book of messages and autographs from childhood friends. The financial materials include Solberg's employment records and paycheck stubs. Newspaper clippings are articles of local and family interest.

The Grace Fullerton series (1889-1972) largely consists of correspondence and letters written on or in greeting cards from friends and family. Fullerton's account books and membership cards are also included. An undated autograph book given to Grace by Maud Doak contains dried flowers and verses of poetry. Programs and newspaper clippings from the funeral services of Grace and William Fullerton complete the series.

The Education series (1918-2005) contains materials related to Bernadine Solberg's middle school, high school, and college education. Included is a notebook that contains dried flowers and bird watching notes. The Boone High School materials consist of yearbooks and reunion planning materials. The Iowa State College documents include photographs, alumni information, and Solberg's graduation program.

The Edwin Solberg series (1855-2005) consists primarily of letters and cards. Also included are Edwin Solberg's 1943 diary, membership cards, and a relative's birth certificate written in Swedish dated 1855. The childhood materials include Edwin Solberg's paintings and drawings as well as Valentine's Day cards. The Anna and Lawrence Solberg series (1920-1982) includes materials related to Edwin Solberg's parents, such as Lawrence Solberg's World War I United States Army discharge certificate and Anna Solberg's Circle No. 10 minutes, a Christian women's organization.

The Organizations and interests series (1920s-2007) consists of materials related to Bernadine Solberg's interests and leisure activities such as advertisements, brochures, and newsletters. Included are World War II Red Cross materials, weaving fiber and thread samples, and photographs from the Solbergs' travels.

The Cards and correspondence series (1922-2005) includes letters and cards from friends and family of Bernadine Solberg. Christmas cards make up a substantial part of the collection and often include photographs. Most of the correspondence between Ed Solberg and Bernadine Solberg consists of Valentine's Day, birthday, and anniversary cards. Also included are letters from Grace Fullerton and Maude Fulton, a friend. Much of the correspondence reflects the family's travel and leisure activities.

Dates

  • Creation: 1855-1980

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

The papers are open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright held by the donor has been transferred to the University of Iowa.

However, copyright status for some collection materials may be unknown. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owner. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility and potential liability based on copyright infringement for any use rests exclusively and solely with the user. Users must properly acknowledge the Iowa Women’s Archives, The University of Iowa Libraries, as the source of the material. For further information, visit https://www.lib.uiowa.edu/sc/services/rights/

Biographical / Historical

Bernadine Fullerton Solberg, engineering clerk, weaver, photographer, and traveler, was born in 1912 in Boone, Iowa, to Lulu Grace Creveling Fullerton and William J. Fullerton. Lulu Grace Creveling (1879-1972), known as Grace, was a knitter and weaver and William Fullerton (?-1954) ran a grocery store and in the 1920s became an accountant for an auto dealership. Grace Fullerton painted porcelain and refinished antiques, earning some income from these skills. They were married in 1900 and had one child, Bernadine.

Bernadine Fullerton graduated from Boone High School in 1930. She attended Boyles College in Omaha, Nebraska, and later earned a BA in Home Economics from Iowa State College, now Iowa State University, in 1934. While in college, she joined the Delta Zeta Sorority. Bernadine Fullerton worked for the Ft. Dodge, Des Moines, and Southern Railway Company from 1949 to 1968 and the Chicago and North Western Transportation Company from 1968 to 1977. Fullerton held the position of assistant chief clerk of engineering. She retired in 1977.

Throughout her adult life, Fullerton participated in a variety of leisureactivities including the National Federation of Business and Professional Women's Club, Delta Zeta, Masonic and Shrine organizations, weaving, sewing, photography, and traveling. In 1955, Bernadine Fullerton married Edwin Solberg, the son of Anna (Vike) and Lawrence A. Solberg. Fullerton and Solberg were members of the Boone camera club and shared many interests, including a love of travel in their Airstream trailer.

Bernadine Solberg died in 2007.

Extent

5.50 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Engineering clerk, weaver, photographer, and traveler from Boone, Iowa.

Method of Acquisition

The papers (donor no. 1142) were donated by Jenean A. Arnold in 2008.

Author
Sarah Dorpinghaus
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

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)