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Alzina Stone Dale Papers

 Collection
Identifier: SFHL-RG6-R3-007

Scope and Contents

This collection primarily contains records related to the writing and publishing of Dale’s book, When the Postwar World was New. The book was based on her 1952 trip diary and the letters she wrote home. The collection includes her correspondence with friends and co-participants in the work camp about their experiences, questionnaires completed by participants, email correspondences with potential publishers, and materials related to marketing and publication.

The collection is organized into two series, When the Postwar World was New and Miscellaneous. The first series includes original materials from 1952 which Alzina used in writing the book and more recent correspondence and copies of the manuscript.

The second series, Miscellaneous, contains other writings by Alzina Dale, material concerning her alma mater Swarthmore College, and subjects of interest.

Dates

  • Creation: 1939 - 2012
  • Creation: Majority of material found within 1997 - 2008

Creator

Limitations on Accessing the Collection

Collection is open for research.

Copyright and Rights Information

Copyright has not been assigned to Friends Historical Library. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in to the Director. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Friends Historical Library as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by reader.

Biographical / Historical

Mary Alzina Stone was born in Chicago Feb. 23, 1931. She married Charles Herrick Dale and is a freelance writer and lecturer known professionally as Alzina Stone Dale. Her nickname to family and friends is “Maryal.”

After graduating from Swarthmore in 1952, she spent the following summer volunteering with AFSC at a work camp in Finland. She spent most of her time helping to clear wooded fields for farms with volunteers from all over Europe. After her time at the work camp, she traveled through Europe with friends before returning to the United States. She subsequently returned to the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago and earned an M.A. at the University of Chicago Divinity School.

Her book, When the Postwar World Was New (2009) describes her experiences abroad. The collection also reflects her lifelong interest in mysteries.

Extent

3.5 Linear Feet (7 boxes)

Language

English

Overview

This collection primarily contains records related to the writing and publishing of Alzina Stone Dale’s book, When the Postwar World was New. The book was based on her 1952 trip diary of her summer spent in Finland working at an AFSC work camp and the letters she wrote home.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Mary Alzina Dale, FHL 2014.028.

Separated Materials

Cassette tape of interview with Helen Frederickson removed to FHL audiovisual collection.

1952 Halcyon, Swarthmore College Bulletins, and other duplicates of Swarthmore College publications removed to duplicates.

Correspondence with Christopher Densmore, Curator of Friends Historical Library, concerning donation of papers transferred to RG 6/R3/007 Accession file.

Processing Information

The collection arrived in seven cartons and was sorted into two series. Duplicates were removed from the collection as well as non-related published materials such as editing guidelines and newspaper clipping on recent news topics.

Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Find It at the Library

Most of the materials in this catalog are not digitized and can only be accessed in person. Please see our website for more information about visiting or requesting reproductions from Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College Library

Contact:
500 College Avenue
Swarthmore Pennsylvania 19081 USA