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Special Collections Research Center
William & Mary Special Collections Research CenterEarl 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
Administrative Information
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:
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:
Elizabeth Feldhusen Papers, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.
Acquisition Information:
The Book Shop Covina, CA
Scope and Contents
Lieutenant Elizabeth A. Feldhusen (1918-2014) was born in Brooklyn, New York and served in World War II as a nurse at field evacuation hospitals in France, Germany, and Austria. She was part of the 131st Evacuation Hospital activated out of Fort Jackson, South Carolina. After German forces signed full surrender, the 131st was ultimately assigned in Austria near a concentration camp in order to take care of recently liberated Polish and Russian prisoners. This collection includes letters from Lieutenant Feldhusen to her family, two photographs of United States Army personnel in uniform, V-Mail letters, pamphlets, and letters from German friends to Elizabeth Feldhusen's mother Anna Feldhusen (in German).
Two of the German language letters were written by Rosa Vagt, Rome. Italy to Anna (Mrs. F. P.) Feldhusen in Brooklyn, N.Y. in 1931. Rosa Vagt was in service with an American family residing in Italy at that time and her letters concern family affairs, living conditions of her and her employers, and her European travels.
Arrangement of Materials:
Chronological.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
- American Red Cross--History--World War II period
- Americans, abroad
- Americans--Italy
- Italy--Social life and customs--1914-1945
- Letters (correspondence)
- Photographs
- World War, 1939-1945--European Front
- World War, 1939-1945--Medical and sanitary affairs.
- World War, 1939-1945--Prisoners and prisons
- World War, 1939-1945--Women--United States
Significant Places Associated With the Collection
- Italy--Social life and customs--1914-1945
Container List
Two letters and one holiday card. Letters are from Ballston Lake in Saratoga County, New York from Elizabeth Ferldhusen to her mother, Anna.
Two Letters in German from Rosa Vogt to Elizabeth's mother, Anna Feldhusen.
Two Letters from Elizabeth Feldhusen to her mother and three letters or postcards written in German to Anna Feldhusen.
Two photographs of Army women in World War II. All have the rank of Lieutenant marked on their helmets. One letter addressed to Elizabeth Feldhusen and two letters written from her to her mother. One of the letters addresses her delight but caution at hearing that the German Regime had collapsed and that the war was over.
Thirteen V-Mail letters and one original letter from Elizabeth Feldhusen to her mother. She describes camp life, the movement of her convoy and her work as a nurse in Austria. After the censorship was lifted she openly describes the work she provides for freed prisoners of concentration camps.
This folder contains one letter, addresses, a book titled, "Frequently Called Phone Numbers" and religious printed material. Also included are two containers of pressed flowers as indicated in previous letters to her mother.