Pine Mountain Settlement School
Series 09: BIOGRAPHY
Staff, 1956 – 1965
Community School
Charlie and Joyce Whitaker
Farm House. Katherine Pettit Album I. [pettit_35_005]
CHARLIE AND JOYCE WHITAKER Correspondence Set 1
August 28, 1956, & January 11, 1957 – November 24, 1959
TAGS: Charlie Whitaker, Joyce Whitaker, staff correspondence, PMSS Community School teachers, Burton Rogers, Brit Wilder, Farm House, Peabody College, Mildred Mahoney, library, bamboo, Brit Wilder, Ruby Lanier, Henry Creech
CONTENTS: CHARLIE AND JOYCE WHITAKER Correspondence Set 1
[Note: Office letters and memos in the PMSS Archives are usually typewritten carbon copies intended for the office files. Letters from the Whitakers are handwritten or typewritten originals. The following list of contents is in chronological order and not necessarily in the order of the image numbers.]
1956
001 August 28, 1956. “Memo to Mr. & Mrs. Whitaker” from “BR” (Burton Rogers, Director), who had ordered PL.P. Gas Company to refill their gas tank; instructs that they should do the ordering from now on.
1957
001-001a January 11, 1957. “Memo to Mr. & Mrs. Whitaker” from Rogers. He and Brit [Wilder] worked on increasing the efficiency of the heating system in their house by closing the fireplace, windows, etc.; suggested how to conserve heat.
002 January 21, 1957. To Charles Whitaker from Rogers, congratulating the Staff Recreation Committee on their plans for the year.
003 April 23, 1957. “Memo to Whitakers” from Roger, who will visit them about the tree-cutting; asked Joyce “to serve on the furnishing committee, of which Miss Turner is chairman.”
004 May 17, 1957. To Rogers from J. Whitaker [Joyce]. She and Charles will be away on Movie Night and asked Rogers if he would take over their “movie duty” by running the projector and getting a cashier.
004a [No date] To Rogers from “J.W.” [Joyce]. “The film company asks that we do not rewind the films after using. They prefer to do that themselves for repairing, etc.” She asks him to send the film back and the money to Miss [Ruby] Lanier.
005 June 6, 1957. To Rogers from Joyce Whitaker in Nashville, TN, who tells about her trip, the apartment, registration, and student teaching this summer. Will return around August 15.
006 June 10, 1957. To Joyce & Charles in Nashville, TN, from Rogers, who asks if visitors to the Farm House can use their refrigerator or other personal equipment.
007 [No date] Re: Summer 1957. To Rogers from Joyce. The Whitakers leave the Farm House to Rogers to do what is best; mentions sanding the rooms. Makes arrangements about the rent.
008-008a June 12, 1957. To Rogers from Joyce in Nashville, TN, who tells of their busy days and hard work. “I was glad to discover from the professor of a Social Studies class I’m attending that I was using the right approach in my units on all the different countries last year. It was very reassuring.”
009 June 17, 1957. To Rogers from Joyce in Nashville, TN, who plans to return to PMSS to pick up some needed items.
010 November 25, 1957. Note to Joyce from Rogers, who declines her invitation to the staff Christmas party. Instead, he will attend “The Messiah” at Berea College in which Christopher [Rogers] plays a part.
011 December 21, 1957. Note to Joyce & Charlie from Rogers. He and Miss Turner approve of her plan for a party. November 27, 1957. Note to Joyce from [unsigned, apparently Rogers], asking to be included in the name drawing for the gift exchange.
1958
012 January 5, 1958. To Rogers from Joyce, reporting the number of hours she worked in the library.
013 January 28, 1958. Memo to Charles Whitaker from Rogers, requesting an extra copy of the Social Committee’s schedule for this semester; he gave his to the Hayeses since Mrs. [Fern] Hayes is working at PMSS again.
014 March 18, 1958. To Joyce & Charlie from Rogers, describing how to leave their letters at the Office for the post office.
015 March 27, 1958. To Charles from Rogers, asking about his summer plans.
016 March 24, 1958. To Joyce & Charles from Rogers, offering to discuss their “situation,” now that the announcement is being made.
019 April 9, 1958. To Mr. & Mrs. Whitaker from [unsigned], granting them $100 each to “assist your summer study….”
017 April 29, 1958. To Rogers from Joyce, The Whitakers will “accept the offer of $100 each as both plan to attend classes at Peabody [College] this summer.” Charlie’s sister and family wish to visit PMSS in mid-June; suggests they stay in Reedy’s house. Asks about cost. Notation in margin indicates $1.00 a day inclusive.
018 [No date; on letterhead for “Mountain Life and Work, Council of the Southern Mountains The 45th Annual Conference, February 20-24, 1957, Gatlinburg, TN.” To Rogers from Joyce, changing the date of visit by Charlie’s sister to the first week of June.020 June 1, 1958. To Mr. & Mrs. Whitaker from [unsigned], sending 3 checks: $100 each as scholarship grants and $100 for Charlie’s June leadership of the sports program. He tells of advise from Dr. Graham and President Hutchins. ”It is understood that your study will be directed toward Joyce’s degree and Charlie’s supervising certificate.”
022-022b June 23, 1958. Three-page letter to Milly [Mildred Mahoney] from Joyce in Nashville, TN, informing her of the subjects that they would be taking. Joyce — Workshop in Art Ed and The American Community. Charlie — Elementary School Curriculum, American Life and Thought. She mentions visits with the Kincers in Bowling Green, and Mr. and Mrs. Dexter Byrd.
021 October 9, 1958. To Rogers from Joyce & Charlie Whitaker, instructing him on who to contact in case of emergency: James D. Fields in Blackey, KY, and William B. Whitaker in Ulvah, KY.
023 October 16, 1958. To Joyce from Rogers, thanking her for her help in the library, which was “a real lift” for Mary [Rogers] and the library program. He sends “a little extra towards the expense of acquiring Patricia [baby daughter].”
024 November 19, 1958. To Rogers from Joyce, who asked about working in the library.
025 November 26, 1958. To Joyce from Rogers, who refers her questions about library work to Mary [Rogers].
1959
026 March 4, 1959. “Memo to Jess Cornett and the Whitakers.” He regrets that he must ask them to return the telephones, which are needed for the clinic.
027 [No date] To Rogers from Joyce, asking if the “reed-like grasses near the old cabin” are bamboo, and, if so, what is their origin.
028 March 24, 1959. Memo to Joyce from Rogers, explaining the origins of the bamboo, stating “…I’ve heard conflicting stories.” One story was that Miss Pettit brought the bamboo for Japan; another story is that it is cane. He will ask Henry Creech. “There are various legends about different things surrounding here that have widely conflicting versions.”
029 March 27, 1959. Memo to Joyce from Rogers. Henry Creech confirms that the “bamboo” is cane. Creech “thinks that the cane patch around the present Museum came from out of the valley, on Laurel Fork, at the old Calvin Nolan place, beyond Divide. He thinks that his mother’s original cane patch was brought over from Cumberland. There is some at Mr. Columbus Creech’s now, where Aunt Sal’s cabin was originally built…..”
030 June 8, 1959. To Rogers, from [unsigned] relaying a request from Joyce about “Things [in our house] we do not want used [by visitors] this summer.”
031 DUPLICATE OF 030.
032 June 22, 1959. To Joyce and Charlie Whitaker in Nashville, TN, from Milly Mahoney, asking about the location of the out-of-school playground equipment. Franklin Watkins is supervising swimming and the playground.
033-033a June 24, 1959. Two-page letter to Milly from the Whitakers, who explains that the equipment belonged to the school and was turned over to Mr. Campbell. She comments on the courses she is taking – swimming, typing, math – and her daughter, Patricia.
034-034a [No date] Two-page letter on letterhead for Council of Southern Mountain Workers to Rogers from Joyce, with a complaint about free-roaming dogs on campus.
035 August 10, 1959. Typewritten letter to Rogers from Joyce in Nashville, TN, thanking him for the “gift which helped so much to make it possible for us to attend school this summer.” Returning to PMSS August 13.
036 August 19, 1959. Memo to the Whitakers from Rogers, confirming that it was not necessary to use their house or equipment for summer visitors.
037 August 24, 1959. Memo to Mr. Whitaker from Rogers, asking for information about “that old typewriter that came from the high school library.” He plans to have Mr. Bissell to trade it in.
038 Same memo as 037 with a handwritten response: “8 Smith Corona 10 in. C.W.”
039 [No date] To Rogers from the Whitakers, requesting “bench-type radiator covers” and asking if they can be made by the maintenance crew.|
040 September 23, 1959. Memo to the Whitakers from Rogers about the radiator covers. The maintenance department can build them later when they have time.
042 [No date] To Rogers from Joyce, scheduling a visit from Rogers.
048 November 16, 1959. To Rogers, from “Miss Whitaker’s Pupils,” inviting him to “visit our class and tell us about the China you knew.”
049 November 17, 1959. To “Fifth Grade (Mrs. Whitaker’s room) from Rogers, declining their invitation as he is busy this week, but may be able to visit next week.
041 November 24, 1959. To Joyce from Rogers, scheduling a meeting with her. Asks for any suggestions from Miss Chang.
043 [No date] To Rogers from Joyce, asking for another day to meet. Mr. [Richard] Chase is performing for the children.
044 [No date] To Rogers from the Whitakers on letterhead for “The L.W. Singer Company, Inc.,” relating their possible Thanksgiving plans. They would like to join the cooperative dinner.
045 [No date, salutation, or signature] Handwritten note concerning finances, CW and JW payments, and Joyce’s work and vacation schedule.
046 [No date, salutation, or signature] Notes in Joyce’s handwriting, listing “estimated expense (Peabody) which total approximately $900. Also, a list of courses that J.W. hopes to complete (History of Education, Student Teaching, Typing, Math for Elementary Teachers, Swimming).
047 [No date, salutation, or signature] Notes concerning the Whitakers: dates of summer school – “both enrolled 1950 would finish AB & MA in 5 weeks.” A question about summer softball and benefits.
GALLERY: CHARLIE AND JOYCE WHITAKER Correspondence Set 1
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- 001 Charlie and Joyce Whitaker Correspondence. [whitaker_c_a_corresp_1956_001]
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- 001a Charlie and Joyce Whitaker Correspondence. [whitaker_c_a_corresp_1956_001a]
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- 001b Charlie and Joyce Whitaker Correspondence. [whitaker_c_a_corresp_1956_001b]
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- 002 Charlie and Joyce Whitaker Correspondence. [whitaker_c_a_corresp_1956_002]
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- 003 Charlie and Joyce Whitaker Correspondence. [whitaker_c_a_corresp_1956_003]
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- 004 Charlie and Joyce Whitaker Correspondence. [whitaker_c_a_corresp_1956_004]
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- 004a Charlie and Joyce Whitaker Correspondence. [whitaker_c_a_corresp_1956_004a]
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- 005 Charlie and Joyce Whitaker Correspondence. [whitaker_c_a_corresp_1956_005]
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- 006 Charlie and Joyce Whitaker Correspondence. [whitaker_c_a_corresp_1956_006]
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- 007 Charlie and Joyce Whitaker Correspondence. [whitaker_c_a_corresp_1956_007]
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- 008 Charlie and Joyce Whitaker Correspondence. [whitaker_c_a_corresp_1956_008]
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- 008a Charlie and Joyce Whitaker Correspondence. [whitaker_c_a_corresp_1956_008a]
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- 009 Charlie and Joyce Whitaker Correspondence. [whitaker_c_a_corresp_1956_009]
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- 010 Charlie and Joyce Whitaker Correspondence. [whitaker_c_a_corresp_1956_010]
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- 011 Charlie and Joyce Whitaker Correspondence. [whitaker_c_a_corresp_1956_011]
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- 012 Charlie and Joyce Whitaker Correspondence. [whitaker_c_a_corresp_1956_012]
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- 013 Charlie and Joyce Whitaker Correspondence. [whitaker_c_a_corresp_1956_013]
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- 014 Charlie and Joyce Whitaker Correspondence. [whitaker_c_a_corresp_1956_014]
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- 015 Charlie and Joyce Whitaker Correspondence. [whitaker_c_a_corresp_1956_015]
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- 016 Charlie and Joyce Whitaker Correspondence. [whitaker_c_a_corresp_1956_016]
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- 017 Charlie and Joyce Whitaker Correspondence. [whitaker_c_a_corresp_1956_017]
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- 018 Charlie and Joyce Whitaker Correspondence. [whitaker_c_a_corresp_1956_018]
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- 019 Charlie and Joyce Whitaker Correspondence. [whitaker_c_a_corresp_1956_019]
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- 020 Charlie and Joyce Whitaker Correspondence. [whitaker_c_a_corresp_1956_020]
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- 021 Charlie and Joyce Whitaker Correspondence. [whitaker_c_a_corresp_1956_021]
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- 022 Charlie and Joyce Whitaker Correspondence. [whitaker_c_a_corresp_1956_022]
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- 022a Charlie and Joyce Whitaker Correspondence. [whitaker_c_a_corresp_1956_022a]
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- 022b Charlie and Joyce Whitaker Correspondence. [whitaker_c_a_corresp_1956_022b]
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- 023 Charlie and Joyce Whitaker Correspondence. [whitaker_c_a_corresp_1956_023]
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- 024 Charlie and Joyce Whitaker Correspondence. [whitaker_c_a_corresp_1956_024]
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- 025 Charlie and Joyce Whitaker Correspondence. [whitaker_c_a_corresp_1956_025]
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- 026 Charlie and Joyce Whitaker Correspondence. [whitaker_c_a_corresp_1956_026]
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- 027 Charlie and Joyce Whitaker Correspondence. [whitaker_c_a_corresp_1956_027]
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- 028 Charlie and Joyce Whitaker Correspondence. [whitaker_c_a_corresp_1956_028]
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- 029 Charlie and Joyce Whitaker Correspondence. [whitaker_c_a_corresp_1956_029]
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- 030 Charlie and Joyce Whitaker Correspondence. [whitaker_c_a_corresp_1956_030]
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- 031 Charlie and Joyce Whitaker Correspondence. [whitaker_c_a_corresp_1956_031]
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- 032 Charlie and Joyce Whitaker Correspondence. [whitaker_c_a_corresp_1956_032]
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- 033 Charlie and Joyce Whitaker Correspondence. [whitaker_c_a_corresp_1956_033]
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- 033a Charlie and Joyce Whitaker Correspondence. [whitaker_c_a_corresp_1956_033a]
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- 034 Charlie and Joyce Whitaker Correspondence. [whitaker_c_a_corresp_1956_034]
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- 034a Charlie and Joyce Whitaker Correspondence. [whitaker_c_a_corresp_1956_034a]
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- 035 Charlie and Joyce Whitaker Correspondence. [whitaker_c_a_corresp_1956_035]
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- 036 Charlie and Joyce Whitaker Correspondence. [whitaker_c_a_corresp_1956_036]
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- 037 Charlie and Joyce Whitaker Correspondence. [whitaker_c_a_corresp_1956_037]
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- 038 Charlie and Joyce Whitaker Correspondence. [whitaker_c_a_corresp_1956_038]
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- 039 Charlie and Joyce Whitaker Correspondence. [whitaker_c_a_corresp_1956_039]
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- 040 Charlie and Joyce Whitaker Correspondence. [whitaker_c_a_corresp_1956_040]
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- 041 Charlie and Joyce Whitaker Correspondence. [whitaker_c_a_corresp_1956_041]
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- 042 Charlie and Joyce Whitaker Correspondence. [whitaker_c_a_corresp_1956_042]
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- 043 Charlie and Joyce Whitaker Correspondence. [whitaker_c_a_corresp_1956_043]
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- 044 Charlie and Joyce Whitaker Correspondence. [whitaker_c_a_corresp_1956_044]
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- 045 Charlie and Joyce Whitaker Correspondence. [whitaker_c_a_corresp_1956_045]
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- 046 Charlie and Joyce Whitaker Correspondence. [whitaker_c_a_corresp_1956_046]
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- 047 Charlie and Joyce Whitaker Correspondence. [whitaker_c_a_corresp_1956_047]
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- 048 Charlie and Joyce Whitaker Correspondence. [whitaker_c_a_corresp_1957_048]
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- 049 Charlie and Joyce Whitaker Correspondence. [whitaker_c_a_corresp_1957_049]
Next: CHARLIE AND JOYCE WHITAKER Correspondence Set 2 – November 30, 1959, to May 24, 1966
See Also:
CHARLIE AND JOYCE WHITAKER Staff – Biography
CHARLIE AND JOYCE WHITAKER Correspondence Set 3 – May 24, 1966, to May 29, 1971
EDUCATION Community Cooperative School
