Dreyer, Wallace A Guide to the Wallace Dreyer Papers RG 17-2B4

A Guide to the Wallace Dreyer Papers RG 17-2B4


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ODU University Archives

3000 Perry Library
4427 Hampton Blvd.
Norfolk, VA 23529
Telephone: 757-683-5350
libspecialcollections@odu.edu
URL: https://www.odu.edu/library/special-collections

Kay Creef

Repository
ODU University Archives
Identification
RG 17-2B4
Title
Wallace Dreyer Papers 1907-1993, undated Date acquired: 09/15/2009
URL:
https://archivesguides.lib.odu.edu/repositories/3/resources/171
Quantity
4.30 Linear Feet
Quantity
9 Hollinger document cases boxes
Creator
Dreyer, Wallace (1923-1995)
Language
English
Abstract
Wallace Dreyer, an artist, was an adjunct assistant professor and director of the photography program from 1966-1980. The collection contains professional as well as personal photographs, a sketchbook, professional and personal correspondence, a high school year book, newspaper clippings, newspaper advertisements for his art gallery business, certificates pertaining to his elementary school education and x-ray technician certification, x-ray technician employment, and his capture of enemy photographic equipment that he was allowed to keep.

Administrative Information

Conditions Governing Use

Before publishing quotations or excerpts from any materials, permission must be obtained from Special Collections and University Archives, and the holder of the copyright, if not Old Dominion University Libraries.

Conditions Governing Access

Open to researchers without restrictions.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Box [insert number], Folder [insert number and title], Wallace Dreyer Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

Source of Acquisition

Melanie Mathewes, Executive Director of the Hermitage Museum & Gardens

Method of Acquisition

Gift. Accession #A2009-29

Processing Information

The collection was processed and finding aid created by Kay Creef in 2009.


Biographical or Historical Information

Wallace Earl Dreyer was born March 5, 1923 and raised in Marlin, Texas, where he participated in the photography club at his high school.  Dreyer's parents were Bruno G. Dreyer (1898-1975) and Louise Bertha Hoting Dreyer (1902-1971), who married in 1921 in Giddings, Texas.  Dreyer had two siblings, a brother, James Lee Dreyer (1926-1932) and a half-sister, Virginia Hoting (b. 1924), who was his father's illegitimate daughter from an affair with Bertha Hoting Dreyer's sister.  Dreyer attended the University of Texas and graduated in 1943, and also served in the Armed Forces Infantry from 1941 to 1942.  During his military service, Dreyer fought in the Battle of Bastogne in Europe during World War II and also participated in the liberation of camps in Germany.  He obtained his x-ray technician certification at Torbett Clinic and Hospital in 1951.  In 1960, while he was an Associate Professor at Student Memorial Union at Texas A&M College, he married Evelyn Gay Turner (b. July 31, 1915), a teacher at Baylor University, who was a fellow artist.  The Dreyers moved to New York, where they operated an art gallery and sold their paintings.  Dreyer was a contemporary photographer as well as a painter; he favored discarded items as his subjects.  His wife was a sculptor as well as a painter.  Both taught in the Art Department of Old Dominion University beginning in 1966.  Wallace was an adjunct assistant professor and director of the photography program.  Evelyn Gay was an Assistant Professor of Art.  Both retired in 1980.  Wallace Dreyer died in Norfolk, Virginia on March 13, 1993 and his wife, Evelyn Gay Dreyer died in Waco, Texas on February 26, 1995.

Note written by Kay Creef

Scope and Contents

The collection contains professional as well as personal photographs and correspondence, newspapers clippings, certificates, and material related to Wallace Dreyer's work as an x-ray technician.

Arrangement Note

The collection is organized into four series: Series I: Professional; Series II: Personal; Series III: Certificates, Awards and Yearbooks; and Series IV: Miscellaneous.

Subjects and Indexing Terms


Significant Persons Associated With the Collection

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Container List

Series I
Series I: Professional
1907-1993, undated
Scope and Contents

This series relates to the professional achievements and correspondence of Wallace Dreyer. Items in this series include his professional photographs, letters from art galleries in which he had his work exhibited, newspaper articles on awards received, and sketchbooks.

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Series II
Series II: Personal
1962-1992
Scope and Contents

This series relates to the personal life of Wallace Dreyer. Items in this series include correspondence, holiday cards, sympathy cards, and an obituary.

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Series III
Series III: Certificates, Awards and Yearbook
1928-1961
Scope and Contents

This series includes various certificates of family members, as well as items pertaining to Dreyer's education, military and career fields.

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Series IV
Series IV: Miscellaneous
1985-1986, undated
Scope and Contents

This series contains letters and examples of Dreyer's mold art.

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