Contact Info
All Special Collections materials must be used on-site.*
HOURS: Monday - Friday 9:00-5:00 by appointment*
REQUESTS / APPOINTMENTS:
314-935-5495 spec@wumail.wustl.edu
*collections require advance notice for retrieval and use
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.
Contact Special Collections for information about accessing the items described below:
- 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 during 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)
Resources online
- 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
Books: Check out from library
- 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)
WWI Sources @ other St. Louis archives
Please contact each organization for more information about:
- 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
- Russia in transition : the diplomatic papers of David R. Francis, U.S. Ambassador to Russia, 1916-1918Available on microfilm at the Missouri History Museum
- 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.
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
