Contact Info
Archive, Manuscript & Rare Book collections are accessed in Olin Library at the Special Collections reading room.
HOURS: Monday - Friday 9:00-5:00 by appointment
LOCATION: Olin Library, 1st floor, Danforth Campus
REQUESTS / APPOINTMENTS: 314-935-5495 spec@wumail.wustl.edu
*collections stored offsite require advance notice for retrieval and use
Questions about a specific topic? Contact:
University Archives: Sonya Rooney
Rare Books: Cassie Brand
Manuscript: Joel Minor
Local History: Miranda Rectenwald
Dowd Illustration Research Archive: interim curator
Film & Media Archive: Andy Uhrich
Collections related to WWI
This page contains an overview of collections that document events in St. Louis and Washington University's connections to the Great War (World War I ). Topics include home-front activities, military involvement, Red Cross programs, and the 1918 Influenza pandemic.
- Arthur W. Proetz PapersSeries 03: World War I Memorabilia (includes 4 boxes of letters, a diary, photographs, sketches, and scrapbooks)
- Dan Bartlett CollectionThis collection consists of various clothing articles, ephemeral materials, maps, photographs, and personal accouterments required by a World War I soldier.
- WU Memorial Association RecordsThis collection includes meeting minutes, correspondence with members, and fundraising materials of the Washington University Memorial Association (WUMA) along with War Record forms that include information on WU people and their involvement in World War I.
A plaque hangs on the Ridgly Hall arcade honoring those in the University community who died durring in World War I
- Leroy Robbins Papersthree newspaper scrapbooks that belonged to Col. Leroy Robbins and chronicle the establishment, deployment, and exploits of the Fifth Regiment of the Missouri National Guard
- Edna Gellhorn PapersMrs. Edna Fischel Gellhorn was active in many civic projects. During World War I, she served as regional director of the food rationing programs. See especially Series 3:
Box 10 (U. S. Food Administration, 1918)
Box 11 (World War I Mementos)
and Series 9:
Drawer 9.1 (WWI U.S. Food Administration Posters) - W. Roy Mackenzie Papers (English Faculty)Mackenzie’s notes from courses that he taught at WU, a few personal writings, and numerous items that chronicle his interest in military matters from World War I and World War II.
- St. Louis Car Company RecordsDuring WWI this transportation company produced aircraft for the US Military. For photographs of the planes during and after construction, see Series 5, Box 87:
Job #1230 - JND-4 (Jenny), First World War Planes;
World War I - Work - St. Louis Aircraft; and
Job #1230, JND-4 (Jennies)
- Official program; War Relief Bazaar, held at the Coliseum, October 25-30, 1915. St. Louis, U. S. ACall Number: D638 U5 S2 (Olin 3)
- Final report of the Missouri Council of Defense, 1917 - 1918 - 1919Call Number: D570.8 C8 M8 1919 (Oiln 3)
- Soldiers' Records: War of 1812 - World War Icomprehensive database abstracted from the individual service cards and listing more than 576,000 Missourians who served in the military from territorial times through World War I
- The World War : an editorial record of American participation / from the editorial columns of the St. Louis globe-democrat.Reprinted editorials from key points in the war
WWI Sources from Other Local Archives
Other collections about World War I. Please contact each organization for more information:
- Library & Research Room, Missouri History MuseumNumerous sources indexed, including World War I: Biography and Service Records: Persons Who Enlisted in St. Louis City and County
- Base Hospital 21 Collection, 1917-1967Documents and Photographs from Base Hospital 21 was among the first American military hospitals to serve in France in World War I.
- Russia in transition : the diplomatic papers of David R. Francis, U.S. Ambassador to Russia, 1916-1918Available on microfilm at the Missouri History Museum
WU Campus & 1918 Flu Epidemic
Chancellor Hall announced suspension of "all classes and gatherings after 12:30" Wednesday October 9, 1918 (as reported in Student Life Vol 43. No. 2, October 11, 1918).
Administrative work continued, and professors continued to work in their office. Football and hockey practice also continued. Graham Chapel became a Red Cross shop where students made Influenza masks. The student newspaper noted that campus was empty and ran a comic article with a blank space as the "detailed composite of student activities during the past week." (as reported in Student Life Vol 43. No. 3, October 18, 1918).
Classes resume Monday November 18, 1918. To make up for the lost 6 weeks, classes were scheduled longer each day (until 4:30 pm), and only Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day were observed as holidays. (as reported in Student Life Vol 43. No.8, November 22, 1918)
The influenza situation at Washington University is considered at an end by November 29, 1918, when less than 8 cases were reported in the previous week (Student Life Vol 43. No. 9, November 29, 1918).
For futher information, see:
- Student Life Newspapers
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- The American Influenza Epidemic of 1918–1919: A Digital EncyclopediaAn anthology of city essays and the thousands of historical documents- one of the largest digital collection of materials relating to the 1918-1919 influenza epidemic
- Harvard University ArchivesSee also http://pds.lib.harvard.edu/pds/view/2574586?n=5143
Secondary Sources
Degrees of Allegiance: harassment and loyalty in Missouri's German-American community during World War I by Call Number: F475.G3 D49 2012 (Olin 3)ISBN: 9780821420034
The great silent majority : Missouri's resistance to World War I by Call Number: D570.85 M8 G53 1988 (Olin 3)ISBN: 0826206832
