Collection
Civil War Documents Missing from Park Collection
Provenance
Items were collected by the donor over 20 years. The donor met Senator Yates’ grand-daughter Catherine Pickering in the late 1940s. Donor had written about Yates and that is how they met. She appreciated the donor’s interest in Yates and gave him the letters and impeachment ticket. Other items were obtained elsewhere. Read the press release.
- 92.11.4 - Newspaper
Newspaper, Charleston Daily Courier; No. 19, 841, Charleston, S.C. Confederate States of American, Saturday, August 13, 1864, Vol. LXVIII. Covers aspects of military interest & civilian information including slaves for sale, business directory. 23.5”H x 16.5” W.
- 92.11.6 - Letter
Letter to Hon. R.M. Yates concerning Yates’ appointment as Trustee of the state bank dated Feb. 19, 1857; possibly from a Gustavus Koerner in Springfield; back page mentions coming to Springfield to meet with “Lincoln & friends”. Good condition with one hole at back left corner. 9.75”H x 16”L.
- 92.11.8 - Letter
Letter from John Beverage, Gov. of Illinois to President U.S. Grant requesting the consideration of Richard Yates for appointment to a position. Letter published in Richard Yates: Civil War Governor edited by John H. Krenkel, Interstate Printers and Publishers, Danville, IL 1966. Very faded, break at seams. 10.5”H x 8.25”W.
- 92.11.9 - Letter
Letter from a John Hale to Richard Yates and Yate’s answer at the bottom; letter requests Yates to travel to the sea shore to visit Mr. Hale, dated July 28, 1852. Mr. Hales was a Senator from NH 1847-53, 1855-65. Condition listed as good. 9.75”H x 7.75”W.
- 92.11.10 - Letter
Letter from Richard Yates, Governor of Illinois, to Dr. Filbarth [?], Philadelphia requesting a party coat; comments on mutual acquaintances, dated Dec. 6, 1862. Condition listed as good. 10”H x 7.75”W.
- 92.11.11 - Letter
Letter from Richard Yates, Governor of Illinois to Surgeon in Charge, General Hospital, Indianapolis, IN concerning the transfer of sick and wounded Illinois soldiers to Illinois; with supporting statements on back. Dated Aug. 22, 1863. Listed in good condition. 10”H x 7.75”W.
- 92.11.12 - Calling Card
Calling Card for Richard Yates, U.S. Senator from Illinois c. 1870. Good condition except for a stain on the back from tape and “1870” written in pencil on the front. 1.75”H x 3”L.
- 92.11.14 - Carte-de-Visite
Carte-de-Visite with image of Richard Yates and Wesley Mathus done by Bendann of Baltimore. Listed in good condition, no date. 4”H x 2”W.
Theft from museums is not uncommon. Last year, a tusk was stolen from Roosevelt’s Home in the Sagamore Hill National Historic Site (http://www.museum-security.org/?p=3682), a curator stole 116 Native American objects from the Wisconsin Historical Society in the late 1990’s (http://www.elginism.com/20110110/3446/), a student assistant at Drew University’s Archives Center, which is the official repository for the United Methodist Church, removed and attempted to sell 23 letters written by the founders of Methodism in 2009 (http://www.museum-security.org/?p=3678), and even the National Archives in is not immune following a well-publicized theft of 100 Civil War era documents in 2005 that resulted in a two year prison term (http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1572378,00.html).
Collection History
The first phase of collecting for the Museum was done by Irving D. Charlton. He gathered artifacts during his travels, from donations, auctions and even from garbage dumps! He donated the initial land for the facility in 1936 and continued to add to his personal collection. He bequeathed this collection to Historic Charlton Park upon his death in 1963. This collection is broad and reflects his personal interests.
Charlton's goal was to preserve rural Michigan for future generations. He collected agricultural equipment, domestic items, musical instruments, lighting and communication artifacts, basketry, and textiles. It is believed he had approximately 100,000 artifacts at his death.
During the second period of collecting, 1967-1989, Barry County buildings and artifacts were added to the collection to support the creation of the historic village. These buildings also provided areas to display/store Charlton's collection.
From 1989 to present Historic Charlton Park collects those items of Barry County and Michigan history that fall in the years between 1850 and 1930. Therefore, the primary focus of the collection is currently Michigan and more specifically Barry County. Due to the physical size of the collection, acquisitions are very limited.
These items in the collection make up the fabric of Michigan life. Charlton did a wonderful job preserving the past for the future. We are truly fortunate to have a one-of-a-kind collection like this here in Barry County.
Research
Historic Charlton Park does not have scheduled research hours, but inquiries are welcomed. Please contact the Curator/Education Coordinator, Claire Johnston, by e-mail or phone (269) 945-3775 ext. 102, at Historic Charlton Park for further information.
