Archive Record
Metadata
Object ID |
C002-BENH |
Title |
Benham Family Papers |
Date |
1900-1980 |
Extent of Description |
2 document boxes (.83 cubic feet, .84 linear feet) |
Scope & Content |
This collection contains material that was once owned by Robert J. Benham and his family. Photographs, scrapbooks, documents, and newspaper clipping all document their family experience in Washington, CT. The collection is arranged by subject matter and divided into the following series: Series I: Documents 1910-1965 The Documents Series contains various family documents like certificates and newspaper clippings. Series II: Photographs 1903-c.1980 The Benham family photographs are images taken across several generations including Amalia (Wenzel) Benham’s childhood photograph to modern images of her descendants. Series III: Albums/Scrapbooks 1867-1935 Albums and scrapbooks contain several albums documenting the lives of the Benham Family including Ruth D. Benham’s bible. |
Admin/Biographical History |
Robert J. Benham (1855-1970) was a lifelong resident of Washington, CT. Robert and his wife Amalia Lilly (Wenzel) Benham (1885-1950) raised their 3 children, Ruth Dorothy Benham (1914-1990) who taught social studies for 30 years in Bristol, CT. The younger daughter Janice (Benham) Swanson (1921-2013) who married Ernest B. Swanson in 1947, the couple had a son and a daughter. Their son, Robert J. Benham Jr. (1927-1956) who was married to Barbara Ann Lewis in 1949, they had a son Robert J. Benham III, Robert Jr. worked in the family Real Estate and Insurance agency as well as a volunteer firefighter in Washington. The Benham family was well known in Litchfield County as Robert J. Benham Sr. served in the General Assembly, the family also owned and operated the R.J. Benham Real Estate and Insurance Agency and Robert Sr. was well known for his work as a pharmacist in Washington, CT. |
Search Terms |
Photography Family Scrapbook |
Access Conditions |
Many photographs have been placed in protective mylar. The General Asssembly Handbook, Ruth's Baby Book, Ruth's childhood Bible, the autograph book and both scrapbooks are extremely fragile. |
Finding Aids |
A complete finding aid is available upon request (museum@gunnlibrary.org). Physical copies are also kept in the Connecticut Room of the Gunn Memorial Library. |
Collection |
Benham Family Papers |
Object Name |
Collection |