Hazel Lee Chrisman Collection
Scope and Contents
This collection documents the life and work of Jesse Hilton Stuart—Kentucky born writer, school teacher, and school administrator who is known for his short stories, poetry, and novels about Southern Appalachia—through his and his wife’s friendship with Hazel Lee Chrisman. The collection includes copies of Stuart’s writings, photographs, notes by both Stuart and Chrisman, and correspondence between Stuart and Chrisman and Stuart’s wife, Naomi, and Chrisman.
Dates
- created: 1959-2009
- Other: Date acquired: 04/01/2012
Conditions Governing Access
Records can be accessed through the Reading Room, Berea College Special Collections and Archives, Hutchins Library, Berea College.
Conditions Governing Use
There are no restrictions on use of this material other than federal copyright regulations.
Extent
2.00 ms_boxes
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Hazel Lee Chrisman was born near Panola, Kentucky, on January 4, 1908. After graduating from Waco High School in Madison County, Kentucky, she went on to earn a degree from Berea College in 1928. Chrisman taught English at Berea High School and later in the Fayette County Public School system. In 1937, she earned her Master’s Degree from the University of Kentucky and taught at Elmhurst College in Illinois and at the University of Denver in Colorado. In 1959, Hazel became the associate professor of English at Eastern Kentucky University, where she remained until her retirement. Chrisman was a Kentucky Colonel and prominent lecturer on Kentuckian literature, history, and culture. Hazel was also a member of the Kentucky Education Association, Phi Kappa Phi, and Delta Kappa Gamma Honorary Society. She earned places in Kentucky Lives, Personalities of the South, Who’s Who of American Women, and the Dictionary of International Biography. Chrisman also received the Excellence in Teaching award from the College of the Arts and Sciences at Eastern Kentucky University. Hazel received the second annual award presented by the Kentucky Council of Teachers of English for her outstanding contribution to her profession. The first recipient of this award was Jesse Stuart. Chrisman was a close friend and colleague of Jesse Stuart and his wife, Naomi. She introduced several of Jesse’s lectures and corresponded with the Stuarts for many years. Chrisman passed away in 1988.
Arrangement Note
The collection is arranged in series as follows:
Series 1: Instructions from the Donor
Series 2: Books and Associated Items
Series 3: Photographs
Series 4: Papers, Notes, and Writings of Hazel Chrisman
Series 5: Publications
Series 6: Newspaper articles
Series 7: Correspondence
Source of Acquisition
The papers of Hazel Lee Chrisman were placed in the Berea College Southern Appalachian Archives in April of 2012 by Karla Chrisman.
Other Descriptive Information
The papers of Hazel Lee Chrisman were placed in the Berea College Southern Appalachian Archives in April of 2012 by Karla Chrisman. The collection was opened for research in December 2012.
BCA 0160 SAA 162
Processing Information
The collection was processed by Berea College student Archives Associate Amy Morgan during the summer of 2012. The collection was opened for research in December 2012. The finding aid was updated in September of 2015.
Subject
- Stuart, Jesse -- 1906-1984 (Person)
- Title
- Archon Finding Aid Title
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- eng
Repository Details
Part of the Berea College Special Collections and Archives Repository
Hutchins Library
100 Campus Drive
Berea Kentucky 40404 US
859.985.3262
special_collections@berea.edu