Collections : [Connecticut Museum of Culture and History]

The collection primarily consists of the letters written to Frank Smith while he was in the army. Evidently Frank was a bit of a ladies’ man. Many of his letters are from young women, including Genevieve from Boston, Mabel from New Bedford, Mass., Helen Green of New London, and Ruth of Washington, DC. While stationed at Fort Mead, Maryland, and Fort Meigs in Washington, DC, Frank met and started wooing Elizabeth Martin. Numerous letters from her to Frank (and to his mother) are in the collection. Other letters are from cousins and aunts in New Jersey and New London, including Margaret Schrader and Tess (last name unknown). He also received letters from some of his co-workers from J.N. Lapointe Co., who addressed him by the nickname “Smoke”. All of these letters are arranged chronologically.

The records are arranged in ten series. Series I consists of organizational records including articles of incorporation, tax exempt certificates, and minutes of meetings. Series II contains records of projects and awards. These include civic projects, flower shows, etc. The Club’s publications are organized in Series III while photographs can be found in Series IV. In consecutive order, the final series contain clippings and scrapbooks; questionnaires and answers; miscellaneous materials; records and publications of the Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut; records and publications of the Garden Club of America; and notices, circulars and other published materials from assorted gardening organizations.