Trude Letters to Alice Austen Collection
PI
Version: 4 (current) | Updated: 12/9/2025, 9:50:10 PM | Created: 12/9/2025, 7:36:09 PM
Added description
Description
Trude Letters to Alice Austen (August 20, 1894)
Overview
This collection comprises eight digitized copies of handwritten letters written by Trude (a close friend of Alice Austen) to the photographer on August 20, 1894. The items are presented as JPEG scans of the originals, each accompanied by OCR‑derived text. The letters were preserved by the Alice Austen House in Staten Island, New York, and are part of the broader Austen Family Papers.Background
Elizabeth Alice Austen (1866‑1952) was a pioneering American photographer whose home in Staten Island became a cultural hub for artists and intellectuals. Trude, a friend and correspondent of Austen’s, sent the letters while traveling and engaging in social and musical activities across the United States. The collection reflects the Victorian‑era practice of long‑distance correspondence and offers a glimpse into Austen’s social network and the broader cultural milieu of the 1890s.Contents
- Letters 3002‑3009: Each letter discusses personal updates, family news, and social events. Topics include: - Family life in Sacramento and the Rockies (letters 3002, 3004, 3008). - Musical gatherings and the “band” (letter 3006). - Visits to Seattle, Tacoma, and the Leith Observatory (letter 3009). - References to acquaintances such as Edith, Heatherton, Colonel Young, Eleanor, the Luminary Club, and Lady Randolph Churchill.
- Metadata: Each file includes creation date, place references, and subject tags (e.g., “Personal correspondence,” “Travel,” “Music”).
- OCR Text: Provides a readable transcription of the handwritten content, useful for quick reference and searchability.
Scope
The collection covers a single day’s correspondence (August 20, 1894) and is geographically broad, mentioning locations from Staten Island to Sacramento, Seattle, Tacoma, and the Rocky Mountains. It focuses on personal and social themes—family updates, travel experiences, musical pursuits, and the social calendar of the era. The letters are not a comprehensive record of Trude’s correspondence but offer a representative snapshot of her interactions with Alice Austen during a period of extensive travel and social engagement.Raw Cheimarros Data
@file_pinax:document {title: "Trude Letters to Alice Austen Collection", creator: @trude, institution: "Alice Austen House", created: @date_1894_08_20, language: "en", subjects: ["Personal correspondence","Family life","Social life","Music","Travel","Victorian-era customs"], description: "A collection of letters from Trude to Alice Austen, discussing family matters, social events, and personal reflections.", place: ["Staten Island, NY","Sacramento, CA","Seattle, WA","Tacoma, WA","Rockies"]}
@alice_austen:person {full_name: "Elizabeth Alice Austen", birth: @date_1866, death: @date_1952, occupation: "photographer", location: @staten_island}
@trude:person {role: "correspondent"}
@staten_island:place {state: "New York", country: "United States"}
@sacramento:place {state: "California", country: "United States"}
@seattle:place {state: "Washington", country: "United States"}
@tacoma:place {state: "Washington", country: "United States"}
@rockies:place {region: "Rocky Mountains", country: "United States"}
@edith:person {relationship: "friend"}
@albert:person {relationship: "friend"}
@mr_potter:person {occupation: "engineer officer"}
@mr_peirce:person {}
@miss_annie:person {}
@colonel_young:person {}
@heatherton:person {}
@eleanor:person {}
@the_luminary_club:organization {}
@the_band:organization {}
@leith_observatory:place {}
@lady_randolph_churchill:person {}
@gertrude:person {}
@letter_3002:document {source: @file_1894_8_20_aug_3002_trude_copy_jpg, date: @date_1894_08_20, to: @alice_austen, from: @trude}
@letter_3003:document {source: @file_1894_8_20_aug_3003_trude_copy_jpg, date: @date_1894_08_20, to: @alice_austen, from: @trude}
@letter_3004:document {source: @file_1894_8_20_aug_3004_trude_copy_jpg, date: @date_1894_08_20, to: @alice_austen, from: @trude}
@letter_3005:document {source: @file_1894_8_20_aug_3005_trude_copy_jpg, date: @date_1894_08_20, to: @alice_austen, from: @trude}
@letter_3006:document {source: @file_1894_8_20_aug_3006_trude_copy_jpg, date: @date_1894_08_20, to: @alice_austen, from: @trude}
@letter_3007:document {source: @file_1894_8_20_aug_3007_trude_copy_jpg, date: @date_1894_08_20, to: @alice_austen, from: @trude}
@letter_3008:document {source: @file_1894_8_20_aug_3008_trude_copy_jpg, date: @date_1894_08_20, to: @alice_austen, from: @trude}
@letter_3009:document {source: @file_1894_8_20_aug_3009_trude_copy_jpg, date: @date_1894_08_20, to: @alice_austen, from: @trude}
@trude -> wrote -> @letter_3002
@trude -> wrote -> @letter_3003
@trude -> wrote -> @letter_3004
@trude -> wrote -> @letter_3005
@trude -> wrote -> @letter_3006
@trude -> wrote -> @letter_3007
@trude -> wrote -> @letter_3008
@trude -> wrote -> @letter_3009
@letter_3002 -> mentions -> @edith
@letter_3002 -> mentions -> @sacramento
@letter_3003 -> mentions -> @heatherton
@letter_3004 -> mentions -> @colonel_young
@letter_3004 -> mentions -> @edith
@letter_3004 -> mentions -> @sacramento
@letter_3005 -> mentions -> @eleanor
@letter_3005 -> mentions -> @the_luminary_club
@letter_3006 -> mentions -> @the_band
@letter_3006 -> mentions -> @edith
@letter_3006 -> mentions -> @albert
@letter_3006 -> mentions -> @mr_potter
@letter_3007 -> mentions -> @mr_peirce
@letter_3007 -> mentions -> @miss_annie
@letter_3007 -> mentions -> @sacramento
@letter_3007 -> mentions -> @albert
@letter_3008 -> mentions -> @seattle
@letter_3008 -> mentions -> @tacoma
@letter_3008 -> mentions -> @rockies
@letter_3009 -> mentions -> @lady_randolph_churchill
@letter_3009 -> mentions -> @gertrude
@letter_3009 -> mentions -> @leith_observatoryMetadata
Files (8)
OCR Text
I feel as if I had never left here so home and Mother & Papa are enjoying while & seem to be so well. The home almost the he is a beauty weighs 2 9/12 pounds & was a year old the day we arrived. He is so strong & jolly, never cries & is always ready for a romp. He is almost too heavy to hold but we play with him as Aug. 20th. Dearest Alice: Think you are a very mean girl to wait in a letter from me before writing when you know how crazy I am to hear from home and all about your doings. I am has not written nothing on line, so we nearly
OCR Text
Know if Heatherton is quite in to culture or not. He ought to be. I hope you will tell him so if you see him. Do it, you see. I am counselled not to delay until a week as usual & I am no nearer that. Dear friend, They have been numerous & am also expected to sing you can imagine what a dismal failure I am - so I have at least promised to take some horrible stuff & sing in doors for a day in hopes of being well for a summer party this week Friday when I am expected to sing my partiest. Tell how are you & what are you doing?
OCR Text
put the forts names up at the club & that enables them to go there for lunch & take any friend when we of course in going in it - interesting make it a regular meeting place & never great - fun there. I think I shall like Col. Young's daughters very much, of course I have not returned any of my calls yet & have not become very well acquainted. We feel & in his carriage Edith sent you a picture of the boys the other day, it is pretty good but does not do any of them justice in fact you would hardly know it were the baby now, still we thought you might like to see how large they all are & having them altogether looks kind of cute. None of the men or boys have come back from Sacramento.
OCR Text
As Eleanor's annual meeting please at - Berlin came to a few days. There are only under it - The Conclux - Ella as I saw an splendid name of forces & others is our about contacts. Natural - a thing it is to be such - More has have been there so far. But what Mr. meet? I am in contact with Eleanor tomorrow at - The Luminary Club here me -
OCR Text
The band is here Thank goodness &d we have grand music every morning & near the band. They gave us a lovely serenade the night we arrived & played all Edith's pet-pieces so beautifully. I am going to send some of my songs arranged for them to play. Edith sings as much as ever & just as well. We are learning some new duets & have great musical times with the people here it seems queer to see so many new faces. Mr Potter, an Eng. Officer stationed here for a while, is the only unmarried officer in the post- now & he is very nice & just about unis here. He is our old friend of Edith & Albert—such poor man—merely means unselfish & trying to entertain me & make up for the
OCR Text
Dear Pierce, We are very glad to receive your note & wish you might be promised April & be promoted. I think we are sure of another in our service soon if I find walking possible. Miss Annie is beautiful, unpassable. The moments are beautiful & the beautiful days beautiful until at Ohio Avenue next year there will be another faithful friend like Miss Annie and Mr. Pierce. Best wishes to you. It has not given Papa & Mama neuralgia or remittent fever. Papa walks miles & never slept in his life the way he does now. Emily & I are going to Sacramento in a day or two to see Albert & have a great talk. I will then meet all the Pierce & make up my mind who I think will be my special friend later on when they return.
OCR Text
I never go to Seattle or Tacoma. They are both fine cities & I shall never pity anyone again who lives in love and there—bless amazes & flourishing is the name in them. I never saw such scenery in my life as we had coming through the Rockies. Horses within a stone throw of our train such bridges & trestle work as we went over must be made into here stand on end.
OCR Text
Hotel & Lady Randolph Churchill's private car was hitched on to our car most - & the way so I had the pleasure of seeing them to the very end taking exercise in the platforms with us common folks. She is handsome but he is dreadful to me. Well Alice I must stop now as I know will there is so much to say. Gertrude & the boys join Mother & myself in love for you & any visiting friends and old world soon ever upon your own friend. She has so many musical friends that we expect - & hence some fine musicales calm on. We are now arranging a party to go up to the Leith Observatory & spend a night. Paper of course is crazy & took through that wonderful telescope at Mars & he wants me to go also so we have decided to make up a party &
Version History (4 versions)
- ✓ v4 (current) · 12/9/2025, 9:50:10 PM
"Added description" - v3 · 12/9/2025, 8:58:54 PM · View this version
"Added knowledge graph extraction" - v2 · 12/9/2025, 7:54:22 PM · View this version
"Added PINAX metadata" - v1 · 12/9/2025, 7:36:09 PM · View this version
"Reorganization group: Trude_Letters"
Parent
No children (leaf entity)