The Elizabeth Bailey Letters, 1954

[Envelope]

History

These letters were written from Elizabeth ("Liz") Bailey to her parents in Syracuse NY. She is a freshman living in Wilder Hall, and is enjoying a busy social life. She mentions Mountain Day, an Amherst football game, attending the Llamie dance at MHC with a friend from Colgate, and a frat party at RPI. The campus activities she explored include treasurer of the class of 1958, choir, and reporting for the Mount Holyoke News. She often mentions prices of various services in her letters, such as a round trip airline ticket to Syracuse costing $25.

The Images

All documents have at least a portion of the first page scanned, and comments about their contents are included below.

A Letter Written on Sep 21, 1954, from Elizabeth to her parents
envelope Addressed to Mr and Mrs Alan E. Bailey, 107 Columbia Ave, Syracuse 7 NY. Postmarked Sep 22, 1954 5pm in South Hadley. Liz's return address (Wilder Hall) is inscribed on the reverse.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Sep 23, 1954, from Elizabeth to her mother
envelope Addressed to Mrs Alan E. Bailey, 107 Columbia Ave, Syracuse 7 NY. Postmarked Sep 23, 1954 5pm in South Hadley. Mount Holyoke pennant sticker in the upper left corner. Inscription on the reverse: "P.S. How much did you pay for the clothesrack? Liz"
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Sep 28, 1954, from Elizabeth to her family
envelope Addressed to The Baileys, 107 Columbia Ave, Syracuse 7 NY. Postmarked Sep 29, 1954 12pm in South Hadley. Mount Holyoke pennant sticker in the upper left corner.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Oct 3, 1954, from Elizabeth to her parents
envelope Addressed to Mr and Mrs Alan E. Bailey, 107 Columbia Ave, Syracuse 7 NY. Postmarked Oct 4, 1954 12pm in South Hadley. Mount Holyoke pennant sticker in the upper left corner. Liz's return address is inscribed on the reverse.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Oct 7, 1954, from Elizabeth to her parents
envelope Addressed to Mr and Mrs Alan E. Bailey, 107 Columbia Ave, Syracuse 7 NY. Postmarked Oct 8, 1954 12pm in South Hadley. Mount Holyoke pennant sticker in the upper left corner. Liz's return address (Wilder Hall) is inscribed on the reverse.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Oct 13, 1954, from Elizabeth to her mother
envelope Addressed to Mrs Alan E. Bailey, 107 Columbia Ave, Syracuse 7 NY. Postmarked Oct 14, 1954 12pm in South Hadley. Mount Holyoke pennant sticker in the upper left corner. Liz's return address is inscribed on the reverse.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.
page 1 The letter mentioned a schedule that was no longer in the envelope. This schedule was found separately in this letter collection. Perhaps it is the missing schedule. Full contents.

A Postcard Written on Oct 15, 1954, from Elizabeth to her mother
front Untitled view of Woolley Hall.
back Divided back, postmarked Oct 15, 1954 12pm in South Hadley. Addressed to Mrs A. E. Bailey, 107 Columbia Ave, Syracuse 7 NY. "Friday / Dear Mom, Called Hanover N.H. last night & have a date for "Llamie" with Tim. Sounds very nice. Could you possibly send up my light blue coat as I don't want to wear my winter coat over my formal. Can I wear heels with him? Also - what is Carsten's address? Love, Liz"

A Letter Written on Oct 24, 1954, from Elizabeth to her parents
envelope Addressed to Mr and Mrs Alan E. Bailey, 107 Columbia Ave, Syracuse 7 NY, with return address for E. Bailey (Wilder Hall) in the top left corner. Postmarked Oct 25, 1954 12pm in South Hadley.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Oct 26, 1954, from Elizabeth to her mother
envelope Addressed to Mrs Alan E. Bailey, 107 Columbia Ave, Syracuse 7 NY. Postmarked Oct 26, 1954 5pm in South Hadley. Liz's return address (Wilder Hall) is inscribed on the reverse.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Postcard Written on Oct 29, 1954, from Elizabeth to her parents
front Untitled view of Kendall Hall.
back Divided back, postmarked Oct 30, 1954 12pm in South Hadley. Addressed to Mr and Mrs Alan Bailey, 107 Columbia Ave, Syracuse 7 NY. "Fri. / Dear Mom & Dad, Found out today that I made freshman choir. We had our first rehearsal this afternoon. Junior Show is tomorrow night & I spent the evening counting money. Great thing, this treasurer's job. See you in a couple of weeks. Love, Liz"

A Letter Written on Nov 7, 1954, from Elizabeth to her parents
envelope Addressed to Mr and Mrs Alan E. Bailey, 107 Columbia Ave, Syracuse 7 NY. Postmarked Nov 8, 1954 12pm in South Hadley. Liz's return address (Wilder Hall) is inscribed on the reverse.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Postcard Written on Nov 20, 1954, from Elizabeth to her parents
front Untitled view of Mary Woolley Hall.
back Divided back, postmarked Nov 22, 1954 5pm in South Hadley. Addressed to Mr and Mrs Alan Bailey, 107 Columbia Ave, Syracuse 7 NY. "Saturday / Dear Mom & Dad, We get into Syracuse at about 8:30 Wednesday evening. Have a ride from here to Springfield. Two more blue books on Monday. I got another 1 in art. This one on my water color. Been spending every spare minute on my source theme. 15-20 pages & due December 6th. See you Wed. Love, Liz"

A Postcard Written on Nov 28, 1954, from Elizabeth to her family
front Untitled view of Mary Lyon Hall.
back Divided back, postmarked Nov 29, 1954 5pm in South Hadley. Addressed to The Baileys, 107 Columbia Ave, Syracuse 7 NY. "Sunday / Hi everybody, Got here at 8 P.M. after a long, hard trip. Took a taxi from Springfield. Edgie's train plane was grounded & she won't be in until 12:30. Will write later. Love, Liz P.S. Penny went out with Ann MacCormick Sat night!"

A Letter Written on Dec 8, 1954, from Elizabeth to her parents
envelope Addressed to Mr and Mrs Alan E. Bailey, 107 Columbia Ave, Syracuse 7 NY. Postmarked Dec 9, 1954 12pm in South Hadley. Mount Holyoke pennant sticker in the upper left corner. Liz's return address (Wilder Hall) is inscribed on the reverse.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only part of the first page is scanned.

A Postcard Written on Dec 14, 1954, from Elizabeth to her parents
front Untitled view of Kendall Hall.
back Divided back, postmarked Dec 15, 1954 12pm in South Hadley. Addressed to Mr and Mrs Alan E. Bailey, 107 Columbia Ave, Syracuse 7 NY. "Tuesday / Hi everybody! Hope you don't have this card - can't remember. Good news! Went to the tea at Miss Newhall's this aft. & talked with Peggy Ayars. We are taking the bus to Albany where we will meet her father & ride home with him. Will probably get in about 9:30 or so. I'll call if I need a ride. See you then. Love, Liz"