Washington State University Libraries Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections
Guide to the Foss Family Papers
1941-1949
Cage 819
Table of Contents
- Summary Information
- Biography/History
- Scope and Content
- Arrangement
- Administrative Information
- Related Materials
- Names and Subjects
- Detailed Description of Collection
- Series 1. Adelbert "Del" Foss, Jr. correspondence
- Series 2. Richard Foss letters to his parents
- Series 3. Other Foss family correspondence
Summary Information
- Repository
- Washington State University Libraries, Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections
- Title
- Foss Family Papers
- ID
- Cage 819
- Date [inclusive]
- 1941-1949
- Extent
- .75 linear feet of shelf space, 2 boxes
- Language
- Collection materials are in English.
- Abstract
- This collection consists of correspondence of the Foss family of Cumberland Mills, ME. Brothers Richard Foss and Adelbert "Del" Foss, Jr. (1918-2002) served together in the Army during World War II, and the bulk of the collection is their wartime letters to their parents, Adelbert Foss, Sr. and Carrie Foss.
Preferred Citation
[Item Description] Foss Family Papers, 1941-1949
Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections, Washington State University Libraries, Pullman, WA.
Biography/History
Brothers Adelbert "Del" Foss (1918-2002) and Richard Foss (born circa 1921) were both musicians, and served together in the U.S. Army during World War II as members of the 4th Armored Division Band. Del played the saxophone, clarinet, and piano; Richard played the baritone horn and trombone. Prior to and following his military service, Del was a teacher in Maine and Connecticut, eventually becoming a school principal.
Scope and Content
This collection consists of correspondence of the Foss family of Cumberland Mills, ME. Brothers Richard Foss and Adelbert "Del" Foss, Jr. (1918-2002) served together in the Army during World War II, and the bulk of the collection is their wartime letters to their parents, Adelbert Foss, Sr. and Carrie Foss.
The brothers wrote from a variety of locations where they were stationed with the 4th Armored Division, including Pine Camp (NY), Fort Niagara (NY), Nashville (TN), on desert maneuvers near Indio (CA), Camp Bowie (TX), and overseas (Europe). Their letters describe their experiences of Army life, including housing conditions, food, the communities surrounding the bases, films and live performances, and other entertainment, including a visit to the Hollywood Canteen. They frequently give detailed accounts of the band's performances.
Arrangement
The collection is divided into three series:
Series 1. Adelbert "Del" Foss, Jr. correspondence, 1942-1945. This series is arranged first by correspondent (letters to his parents, and letters to his brother, Richard), and then chronologically.
Series 2. Richard Foss letters to his parents, 1942-1945. This series is arranged chronologically.
Series 3. Other Foss family correspondence, 1941-1949. This series is arranged chronologically. Correspondents include: William Bailey (Superintendent of Public Schools, Baldwin, ME), William Andrews, Carrie Foss, Del Foss, Sr., Lloyd D. Benoit, Tom Russell, Ruth and Raymond, George E. Rogers, and Aunt Annie.
Administrative Information
Publication Information
Washington State University Libraries Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections © 2015
http://www.libraries.wsu.edu/masc/
Terrell Library
P.O. Box 645610
Pullman, WA, 99164-5610 USA
509-335-6691
mascref@wsu.edu
Restrictions on Access
This collection is open and available for research use.
Restrictions on Use
Copyright restrictions apply.
Acquisition Information
Charles Gardner Shaw donated this collection, along with other materials, to the Washington State University Libraries in 1992 (MS.1992.09, MS.1991.13).
Processing Information
Cheryl Gunselman processed this collection in 2015.
Related Materials
Separated Material
This collection is part of a large group of materials received together. The remaining materials were processed separately:
Charles Gardner Shaw Correspondence Collection (Cage 817) Clara L. Hartung Papers (Cage 818)
Names and Subjects
Corporate Name(s)
Subject(s) :
- United States. Army. Armored Division, 4th -- Band -- History -- Sources
- United States. Army -- Military life -- History -- 20th century
Family Name(s)
- Foss family -- Correspondence
Subject(s)
- Soldiers -- Correspondence
- Musicians -- Correspondence
- World War, 1939-1945 -- United States -- History -- Sources
- Military.
Detailed Description of Collection
Series 1. Adelbert "Del" Foss, Jr. correspondence 1942-1945 |
||||
| box | folder | |||
|
Letters to his parents, Carrie and Adelbert "Del" Foss, Sr. 1942 |
1 | 1-2 | ||
|
Letters to his parents, Carrie and Adelbert "Del" Foss, Sr. (includes V-mail from Europe) 1943-1945 |
1 | 3-4 | ||
|
Letters to Richard Foss 1942 |
1 | 5 | ||
|
|
||||
Series 2. Richard Foss letters to his parents 1942-1945 |
||||
| box | folder | |||
|
Letters to his parents, Carrie and Adelbert "Del" Foss, Sr. 1942 |
1 | 6-9 | ||
|
Letters to his parents, Carrie and Adelbert "Del" Foss, Sr. 1943 |
1-2 | 10-12 | ||
|
Letters to his parents, Carrie and Adelbert "Del" Foss, Sr. (includes V-mail from Europe) 1944-1945 |
2 | 13-14 | ||
|
|
||||
Series 3. Other Foss family correspondence 1941-1949 |
||||
| box | folder | |||
|
Letters to members of the Foss family. Correspondents: William Bailey (Superintendent of Public Schools, Baldwin, ME), William Andrews, Carrie Foss, Del Foss, Sr., Lloyd D. Benoit, Tom Russell, Ruth and Raymond, George E. Rogers, and Aunt Annie. 1941-1949 |
2 | 15 | ||
|
|
||||