Guide to the Barney Baker papers , MS 00353

Special Collections Research Center

William & Mary Special Collections Research Center
Earl Gregg Swem Library
400 Landrum Dr
Williamsburg, Virginia
Business Number: 757-221-3090
spcoll@wm.edu
URL: https://libraries.wm.edu/libraries-spaces/special-collections

Alexander Daniels

Repository

Special Collections Research Center

Identification

MS 00353

Title

Barney Baker papers 1944-1945

Quantity

1.251 Linear Feet, 3 Hollinger Boxes

Language

English

Conditions Governing Use

Before reproducing or quoting from any materials, in whole or in part, permission must be obtained from the Special Collections Research Center, and the holder of the copyright, if not Swem Library.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open to all researchers. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, such as the Virginia Public Records Act (Code of Virginia. § 42.1-76-91); and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.5). Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. If sensitive material is found in this collection, please contact a staff member immediately. The disclosure of personally identifiable information pertaining to a living individual may have legal consequences for which the College of William and Mary assumes no responsibility.

Preferred Citation

Barney Baker papers, Special Collections Research Center, William & Mary Libraries.

Biographical / Historical

Barney Baker was a Jewish man from New York City who served as a Private 1st Class in the United States Army from 1944-1945. Baker was stationed at Camp Upton (Yaphank, NY), Fort Niagara (Youngstown, NY), and finally posted to an Army M.P. outfit in Panama in June 1945.

Content Description

The Barney Baker collection consists primarily of Barney Baker's correspondence from his military postings to his wife, Blanche Baker, in New York City. There are 222 letters in the collection, 32 sent from Camp Upton, 13 from Fort Niagara, and 177 from Panama, all addressed to his wife Blanche. Baker's letters are primarily concerned with news of his wife and child, their family and friends, and express love and longing. The correspondence also contains information regarding Baker's military life and time in Panama.

Arrangement

The Barney Baker papers are arranged into four series, Series I: Correspondence, Series II: Other Papers, Series III: Photographs, Series IV: Newspapers Clippings.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Latin America--Description and travel
Letters (correspondence)
Panama Canal Zone
Passover
Passover cooking
Passover food
United States--Jewish History
World War II

Series I: Correspondence

Scope and Contents

The correspondence series contains letters from Barney Baker to his wife Blanche Baker regarding daily activities. The series is arranged chronologically.

mixed materials box: 1 folder: 1
To Blanche Baker, from Barney Baker at Camp Upton (NY)
1944 April 03-May 30
mixed materials box: 1 folder: 2
To Blanche Baker, from Barney Baker at Fort Niagara (NY)
1944 July 6-September 03
mixed materials box: 1 folder: 3
To Blanche Baker, from Barney Baker in Panama
1945 May 23-June 05
mixed materials box: 1 folder: 4
To Blanche Baker, from Barney Baker in Panama
1945 June 06-19
mixed materials box: 1 folder: 5
To Blanche Baker, from Barney Baker in Panama
1945 June 20-27
mixed materials box: 1 folder: 6
To Blanche Baker, from Barney Baker in Panama
1945 June 28-July 09
mixed materials box: 1 folder: 7
To Blanche Baker, from Barney Baker in Panama
1945 July 10-19
mixed materials box: 2 folder: 1
To Blanche Baker, from Barney Baker in Panama
1945 July 20-30
mixed materials box: 2 folder: 2
To Blanche Baker, from Barney Baker in Panama
1945 August 01-19
mixed materials box: 2 folder: 3
To Blanche Baker, from Barney Baker at Fort Clayton
1945 August 25-September 09
mixed materials box: 2 folder: 4
To Blanche Baker, from Barney Baker at Fort Clayton
1945 September 10-30
mixed materials box: 2 folder: 5
To Blanche Baker, from Barney Baker at Fort Clayton
1945 October 01-20
mixed materials box: 3 folder: 1
To Blanche Baker, from Barney Baker at Fort Clayton
1945 October 21-November 09
mixed materials box: 3 folder: 2
To Blanche Baker, from Barney Baker at Fort Clayton
1945 November 10-27
mixed materials box: 3 folder: 3
To Blanche Baker, from Barney Baker, empty envelopes
1945 July 12-October 17
mixed materials box: 3 folder: 4
Santini Bros., Inc. Invoice
1945 October 24
mixed materials box: 3 folder: 5
To Blanche Baker, from Barney Baker, greeting cards
undated

Series II: Other papers

Scope and Contents

The Other Papers series contains items such as menus, empty envelopes, and army discharge records.

mixed materials box: 3 folder: 6
Passover Feast Menu
1944
mixed materials box: 3 folder: 7
Sheet of clauses for discharge
undated
mixed materials box: 3 folder: 8
Thanksgiving Day Menu
1945

Series III: Photographs

Scope and Contents

One photograph and one negative depticting two men in uniform.

mixed materials box: 3 folder: 9
Two men in uniform
undated

Series IV: Newspaper clippings

Scope and Contents

Two newspaper articles regarding developments in Panama and at Fort Upton.

mixed materials box: 3 folder: 10
Panama American Mail Box, Camp Upton
undated