Alice Austen Correspondence from Trude, 1885
PI
Version: 4 (current) | Updated: 12/9/2025, 9:34:45 PM | Created: 12/9/2025, 7:21:29 PM
Added description
Description
Alice Austen Correspondence from Trude, 1885
Overview
This collection comprises five scanned copies of handwritten letters written by an individual named Trude to Elizabeth Alice Austen on August 22, 1885. The materials are digitized as JPEG images and include OCR‑extracted text. They are housed in the Alice Austen House Museum’s archival holdings and represent a snapshot of personal communication during the late Victorian era.Background
Elizabeth Alice Austen (1866‑1952) was a pioneering American photographer based in Staten Island, New York. The letters were sent from Fort Monroe, Virginia, a military installation where Trude was stationed or visiting. Trude’s correspondence reflects the social milieu of the time, touching on leisure activities, travel, and family ties. The collection is part of the broader Alice Austen Papers (MS1) that document her personal life and professional endeavors.Contents
- Five scanned letters (JPG): Each image corresponds to a distinct letter (5002‑5005) dated August 22, 1885.
- OCR text: Extracted passages reveal discussions of tennis, parties, and daily routines.
- Mentions of contemporaries: The letters reference individuals such as Emma, Giles, Dr. J., and Jack, as well as a restaurant called Olive’s.
- Contextual details: The letters note the presence of Corporal Lewis A.C. Blunt and mention Fort Monroe’s address.
- Themes: Social life, recreation, travel, family relationships, and everyday observations.
Scope
The collection covers a single day’s correspondence (August 22, 1885) and is geographically anchored in Fort Monroe, Virginia, with ties to Staten Island, New York. It provides insight into the personal networks of a Victorian woman connected to the Alice Austen household, illustrating the interplay between military life, leisure pursuits, and familial communication. The materials are limited to the five letters and do not include additional documents such as envelopes or call‑cards.Raw Cheimarros Data
@alice_austen_correspondence_from_trude_1885:collection {title: "Alice Austen Correspondence from Trude, 1885", creator: @trude, institution: "Alice Austen House", created: @date_1885_08_22, language: "en", subjects: ["Correspondence","Social life","Recreation","Travel","Family relationships"], description: "Collection of scanned letters from Trude to Alice Austen, dated August 22, 1885. The letters discuss social activities, travel, and family matters.", place: [@staten_island, @fort_monroe]}
@trude:person {role: "correspondent"}
@alice_austen:person {full_name: "Elizabeth Alice Austen", birth: @date_1866, death: @date_1952, occupation: "photographer", location: @staten_island}
@date_1866
@date_1952
@fort_monroe:place {state: @virginia, country: @united_states}
@letter_5002:document {title: "Letter 5002 from Trude to Alice Austen", date: @date_1885_08_22, location: @fort_monroe}
@letter_5002 -> sent by -> @trude
@letter_5002 -> sent to -> @alice_austen
@letter_5003:document {title: "Letter 5003 from Trude to Alice Austen", date: @date_1885_08_22, location: @fort_monroe}
@letter_5003 -> sent by -> @trude
@letter_5003 -> sent to -> @alice_austen
@letter_5003 -> mentions -> @emma:person {full_name: "Emma"}
@letter_5004:document {title: "Letter 5004 from Trude to Alice Austen", date: @date_1885_08_22, location: @fort_monroe}
@letter_5004 -> sent by -> @trude
@letter_5004 -> sent to -> @alice_austen
@letter_5004 -> mentions -> @giles:person {full_name: "Giles"}
@letter_5004 -> mentions -> @olive_s:place {type: "restaurant", name: "Olive's"}
@letter_5005:document {title: "Letter 5005 from Trude to Alice Austen", date: @date_1885_08_22, location: @fort_monroe, expected_return: @date_1885_09_07}
@letter_5005 -> sent by -> @trude
@letter_5005 -> sent to -> @alice_austen
@letter_5005 -> mentions -> @dr_j:person {full_name: "Dr. J."}
@letter_5005 -> mentions -> @jack:person {full_name: "Jack"}
@date_1885_08_22
@date_1885_09_07
@virginia
@united_states
@staten_island
@cpl_lewis_a_c_blunt:person {rank: "Corporal", name: "Lewis A.C. Blunt"}Metadata
Files (4)
OCR Text
a walk, of course it depends which you do on the people concerned. Then at half past twelve bathe, me story in our hour time The water is so warm and we have such large parties, then dinner, then either sleeps or carry out away of the little private engagements I limited at, & generally play tennis from four until half past six, & then address. Fortress Monroe Cpl. Lewis A.C. Blunt Fort Monroe Aug. 22nd Va. My dear Alice; you are quite the meanest girl I know why haven't you written to me when I know you have lots more time for it than I have. I am going and homesick for some news of Staten Island for now that Jack has gone I don't hear
OCR Text
course are the most remarkable features of the place. They make the girls have a good time. This is a jolly summer of water. I do most every day not complaining any anything to my heart. Beast out at eight - good morning half past nine! May Emma go home or hotel it's too many news at all a do write & tell your famishing friend all you can. Every minute of my days are full so this is about the second or third letter I have scrawled since I have been here. It seems useless to say I am having a gorgeous time as I don't see how any one could help it - down here. The offici
OCR Text
happy rose as black as midnight from your glance you hardly know have lost your grounds of vision on the go I shall To be quick now Alice do send me letter here and give love to Giles and read her home supper, dress & go to "Olive's" granada which is fascinating them out on the granada gramed & talk or maple calls & them lastly go to the hotel & violin to the band play while you sit on the quin or walk on the esplanade with a fascinating charming open in full dress uniform. This is
OCR Text
write the picture to turn a quilt block in. So help me gracious! Dr. J. for got - I'm sorry that I generally dance on a two d knees every morning too it is too hot. Love my lil - I meant Lovelong till - I meant as a miserable old soul casernali is as a justice and she is a little model house keeper, I have many a time spare time, I am sure all my spare time. I expect to be home about the 7th Sept: we settled the time today I made Mamma stay a week more for my sake and the diet so I am
Version History (4 versions)
- ✓ v4 (current) · 12/9/2025, 9:34:45 PM
"Added description" - v3 · 12/9/2025, 8:15:28 PM · View this version
"Added knowledge graph extraction" - v2 · 12/9/2025, 7:44:13 PM · View this version
"Added PINAX metadata" - v1 · 12/9/2025, 7:21:29 PM · View this version
"Reorganization group: Correspondence_from_Trude"
Parent
No children (leaf entity)