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Hazel Lee Chrisman Collection

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: BCA 0160 SAA 162

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.

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

Contact:
Hutchins Library
100 Campus Drive
Berea Kentucky 40404 US
859.985.3262