Archive Record
Metadata
Object ID |
C009-WHIT |
Title |
Whitney Family Papers |
Date |
1850-1995 |
Extent of Description |
5 document boxes, 1 record carton, 1 slide box (3.66 cubic feet, 3.98 linear feet) |
Scope & Content |
The collection is arranged by subject to account for the different areas of family lineage: Series I - Orr Family, Series II - Whitney Family, Series III - Subject File. Series I: Orr Family This series contains materials related to Emily Mae Orr’s family lineage, including her mother’s award ribbons and funeral memorial book, as well as a picture of her father, Walter. Series II: Whitney Family This is the largest series and contains general material pertaining to the immediate family of Lester and Emily Whitney. Materials include correspondence, family photo albums, scrapbooks, and newspaper clippings. Additionally, this series contains a box of 293 color transparency slides documenting the family’s life in Washington, including Lester’s garden, birthday parties, and the town’s bicentennial parade. The images also depict the family as avid travelers - covering trips abroad to Sweden, Denmark, Nova Scotia and Bermuda. The series is further subdivided into distinct files: File 1 - Emily Mae (Orr) Whitney, File 2 -Charles Lester Whitney, and File 3 - Carl Marie (Whitney) Wiston. File 1 contains many unique art pieces by Emily as well as several ribbons for her award winning baking. Series III: Subject File This series contains miscellaneous items pertaining to the family heritage, including ancestry research documents, portraits, and unidentified film. While the photographs are loosely identified, it is unclear of their direct connection to the immediate family of Lester and Emily Whitney. |
Admin/Biographical History |
Charles Lester Whitney, was born on January 7, 1915 to Asa Jerome (b. 1889, d. 1947) and Eunice Gibbs (Smith) Whitney (b. 1892, d. 1965). He married Emily Mae Orr on August 18, 1943. Emily was born in Bridgewater, CT on June 9, 1921 to Walter J. and Jennifer "Jennie" Emelia (Johnson) Orr. Emily had two sisters, Clara and Jennie Isabelle. Emily and Lester were both heavily involved in their local community in Washington, CT. Lester attended Washington High School and remained in the area, working as a fruit farmer, gardener, and custodian at the Bryan Memorial Town Hall. He was a deacon at the First Congregational Church in town and Emily was involved in many of its committees. Emily was also a member of the Washington Grange from 1973-1996. They resided on Wykeham Road and together they had two children, Carol Marie and Walter Asa. Emily passed away on June 10, 1997 in Washington, CT and Lester and passed away on december 10, 2006 in California. Carol Whitney attended Washington High School from 1960-1964. She went on to attend Wells College, graduating in 1968 with her B.A. in French and minor in Russian. She would later attend graduate classes at Southern Connecticut State University. Carol married Michael Eugene Wiston, son of Eugene Joseph and Judith (Ayers) Wiston, on January 3, 1970 at the First Congregational Church, although they ultimately separated. Together they had one daughter. Carol continued her education, receiving her post graduate degree in 1976 from the New York Institute of Finance. She also received her M.S. in Management and M.B.A. in International Management from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1992 and 1997, respectively. Her Doctorate was in Organization and Management with a concentration in Leadership from Capella University and she had an Honorary Doctorate from Cambridge University in England. Before becoming the Vice President of Connecticut Financial Network, Inc. in 1991, she worked as a journalist for Housatonic Valley Publishing in New Milford, CT. She excelled at her career in finance, working at several firms including Blyth-Eastman Dillon, Bache Halsey-Stuart Shields, Advest, Inc., and E.T. Andrews & Company, Inc. Prior to her death on July 26, 2017, she had been employed at Buell Securities Corp for over 20 years, most recently as Senior Vice President of Investments. Sources: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/sacbee/name/charles-whitney-obituary?id=13608272 https://www.courant.com/1997/06/11/whitney-emily-mae-whitney/ https://www.thurstonrowefuneralhome.com/memorials/carol-whitney/2999928/obituary.php |
Search Terms |
Watercolors Connecticut State Grange Artists Washington Citizen’s Scholarship |
Copyrights |
Materials believed to be under copyright or other restrictions are available for limited noncommercial, educational and personal use only, or for fair use as defined by United States copyright law and with proper citation. Please note that the Gunn Memorial Library & Museum may not hold the rights to all items in this collection. Users assume responsibility for identifying all copyright holders and for determining whether permission is needed to make any use of the content. |
Access Conditions |
Due to the fragile condition of some items, physical use may be restricted. |
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 |
Whitney Family Papers |
Object Name |
Collection |