MS-143: Frederick Weiser '57 papers

• Main Author: Weiser, Frederck
• Other Authors: Bowen, Stephanie
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: Special Collections, Gettysburg College
• Subjects: Weiser; Frederick Sheely; 1935-; Pennsylvania-German Society; Lutheran Church; Norway; Iceland
• Online Access: http://cdm16274.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p126301coll8/id/223

The bulk of the collection spans Weiser’s years as Editor of Publications (1967-1992). A large portion of the collection contains documents related to the management of the Pennsylvania German Society. It includes correspondence from fellow Directors, Committee Chairs, Society members, authors and researchers; as well as memos, minutes, and financial records from various Society committees. A portion of the Society- related papers include documents, pamphlets and sources relating to Society events, issues, and special interests. Seven scrapbooks display postcards from Weiser’s travels across Europe and the United States. A majority of the postcards are from Lutheran churches in Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Iceland, Serbia, etc. Pictures of European cityscapes, countryside’s and museums are common. All of the postcards from the United States are of Lutheran churches. Two scrapbooks contain photos, programs, and certificates from Weiser’s years at Gettysburg College. The smallest section of the collection includes documents pertaining to Weiser’s personal interests and research. Correspondence, articles, pamphlets and primary sources related to the Lutheran church, genealogy, and German culture are dominant. Many of the primary sources are photocopies of 17th or 18th century German documents. A small selection of Weiser family images is included. The strength of the collection lies in the large period of Pennsylvania German Society activity covered by the Weiser’s papers. The correspondence gives a sense of the issues before the Society and how attitudes changed over the years. The correspondence also gives insight into the politics of leadership and Weiser’s relationship with the Society. For instance: letters from 1992 remained unopened. It is possible that Weiser stopped opening PA German Society mail because of a growing conflict between President Druckenbrod and Editor Weiser about the direction of the Society, more specifically the Publications Committee. Many earlier and unopened letters (now opened) ...