Alderson and Whitaker family papers
Overview
The Alderson and Whitaker Families collection contains materials related to both the Alderson and Whitaker families, though it primarily focuses on Betty and Donald Alderson. It includes cards, correspondence, photographs, news clippings, datebooks, planners, and materials related to both Betty and Donald Alderson’s interests. Other family members found in this collection include Thomas Whitney Alderson, Marcia Alderson, and Susan Alderson.
Dates
- Creation: 1912 - 2017
Conditions Governing Access
No access restrictions.
Conditions Governing Use
Spencer Library staff may determine use restrictions dependent on the physical condition of manuscript materials.
Biography of Betty Jean Alderson (1924 - 2023)
Betty Jean Whitney Alderson was born November 19, 1924, in Topeka, Kansas to Evelyn Whitney and Dwight Whitney.
She married Donald Alderson in June of 1946. Alderson attended the University of Kansas [KU] and graduated from the school of pharmacy in 1946. She dedicated her life to her work as a pharmacist and worked with Mortar Board, the Girl Scouts, and several other non-profits. She had a keen interest in historic preservation and preserving the history of KU.
Betty Jean Alderson died November 4, 2023.
[Information taken from Betty Alderson’s obituary.]
Biography of Donald Keith Alderson (1923 - 1948)
Donald Keith Alderson was born February 25, 1923 in King City, Missouri to Thomas Alderson and Marcia Dykes Alderson. He attended KU and earned two degrees from the University, a bachelor’s in business in 1945 and a master’s in education in 1960. Alderson won the University Man of the Year in 1945.
He first worked at Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company before returning to KU in 1948 to work as the assistant dean of men. Alderson was appointed to be KU’s Dean of Men in 1953. He served in this position for 25 years until he became the Dean of Student Services in 1978.
Donald Alderson died on November 18, 1981.
[Information taken from Don Alderson’s obituary.]
Full Extent
22 Linear Feet (22 boxes + 28 oversize boxes, 10 oversize folders)
Language of Materials
English
Scope and Contents
Materials originally arrived at the Spencer Research Library without arrangement. Spencer Library staff have intellectually and physically organized this collection into 12 different series. The series includes Cards, Correspondence, Preservation, Family members, Notes, News clippings, Photographs, Datebooks and planners, Religion, Lawrence, Travel, and Miscellaneous Papers.
The Cards series includes cards received by various members of the Alderson and Whitaker families, including some sent between family members. The Correspondence series contains incoming and outgoing personal letters. Some of these letters include correspondence between family members. The Preservation series includes materials relating to Betty Alderson’s interest in preservation and her service to various preservation focused organizations. These materials include meeting minutes, conference notes, and meeting agendas.
The Family Members series covers person- or family-specific materials, including report cards, personal notes, or other person-specific materials. The Notes series includes telephone notes and handwritten notes from family members. The News Clipping series contains news clippings covering various interests of both Donald and Betty Alderson. The Photograph series contains photographs of Betty and Donald Alderson’s travels as well as photographs of the family.
The Datebooks and Planners series contains several datebooks from the Alderson family. The Religion series covers Betty Alderson’s involvement with the Plymouth Congregational Church and her involvement with other religious organizations. The Lawrence, Kansas series includes materials relating to local events and issues the Alderson family were interested in. The Travel series includes materials related to Donald and Betty Alderson’s various trips. The Miscellaneous Papers series contains materials Betty Alderson had marked as miscellaneous.
Oversize materials, located at RH MS R547, RH MS R478, RH MS Q518, RH MS S90, have been physically separated from the rest of the collection in order to better preserve those items.
Physical Location
RH MS 1612
Physical Location
RH MS R547
Physical Location
RH MS R548
Physical Location
RH MS Q518
Physical Location
RH MS S90
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift, Betty Alderson, 2011, 2013, 2017.
Source
- Alderson, Betty, 1924-2023 (Donor, Person)
Subject
- Alderson, Betty, 1924-2023 -- Archives (Person)
- Alderson, Donald K. (Donald Keith), 1923-1981 -- Archives (Person)
- Alderson family (Family)
- Whitaker family (Family)
- Title
- Guide to the Alderson and Whitaker family papers
- Subtitle
- Alderson and Whitaker Family papers
- Author
- Finding aid prepared by mmj. Finding aid encoded by mmj.
- Date
- 2024-02-07
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Finding aid written in English.
- Finding aid permalink
- https://hdl.handle.net/10407/9076019939
- Preferred citation
-
Alderson and Whitaker family collection, RH MS 1612, Kenneth Spencer Research Library, University of Kansas.
Repository Details
Part of the University of Kansas. Kenneth Spencer Research Library Repository