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This collection is made up of autobiographical manuscripts, correspondence, documents, and family photograph albums related to James B. Pond, Sr. and Jr. Some of the items pertain to Pond's service during the Civil War and both father and son's lecture business.

This collection is made up of autobiographical manuscripts, correspondence, documents, and family photograph albums related to James B. Pond, Sr. and Jr. Some of the items pertain to Pond Sr.'s service during the Civil War and both father and son's lecture business.

The Pond Family Papers series includes one box containing miscellaneous correspondence ranging in date from 1896-1932, Civil War related material, autobiographical sketches, family photographs, and personal photograph albums.

The Civil War related material includes a few items relating to James Pond's Civil War service in the 3rd Wisconsin Cavalry, among which are a typescript of official reports relating to the massacre at Baxter Springs, Kansas, a printed poem on the massacre, and a printed notice of the death in the 1880s of William T. Brayton of the 3rd Cavalry. Pond also collected other reminiscences of the war, including an autobiographical account of Mrs. Horn, wife of a Missouri surgeon, which includes a description of Quantrill's raiders pillaging town and taking her husband prisoner, and a memoir of Edward P. Bridgman, a soldier in the 37th Massachusetts Infantry who served with John Brown in 1856, and may have known Pond.

More than half of this series consists of autobiographical manuscripts, parts of which, at least, were published as magazine articles. Most of these focus on his early years (prior to 1861) when he and his family were living a marginal existence in frontier Wisconsin and when he was a young man in search of a livelihood. The collection includes three major manuscripts, each present in several copies or versions, all of which are related to each other - "A Pioneer Boyhood," "The American Pioneer: My Life as a Boy," and "Pioneer Days" - plus there are less polished manuscripts of childhood and Civil War reminiscences. All appear to have been written initially in 1890, though some copies were apparently made several years later. In addition, there is an autobiographical sketch "How I got started in the Lecture Business" in which he describes his part in Anna Eliza Young's "apostatizing" and entering onto the lecture circuit.

The collection also contains 5 photograph albums. These volumes contain over 800 personal photographs taken between 1896 and 1902, including many pictures of family members at leisure both indoors and outdoors and Pond's business acquaintances from his lecture agency. Travel photographs include views of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Winnipeg, Manitoba, as well as a group of pictures taken during a visit to England, Switzerland, and Germany in 1901. European items include a series of colored prints, located in Volume 4. The albums contain images of locomotives, railroad cars, and steamships. Volume 1 contains images of the inauguration of William McKinley and Volume 2 contains images of crowds gathered for a GAR parade in Buffalo, New York. Throughout the albums are glimpses of various lecture tours and clients including John Watson (Ian Maclaren) and Anthony Hope in Volume 2 and Francis Marion Crawford in Volume 3. Other notable figures include Sam Walter Foss and William Dean Howells in Volume 1, Charles W. Blair and Edward William Bok in Volume 3, and Sir Henry Morton Stanley, Charles William Stubbs, Robert Stawell Ball, Horace Porter, Frank Thomas Bullen, and Israel Zangwill in Volume 4. In addition to the albums, there are loose photographs of family, James B. Pond Jr., and the Adventurers' Club of New York. Oversized photographs are housed in Box 3.

The Pond Lecture Bureau Papers series consists of one box containing client files (arranged chronologically), loose photographs, and ephemera. Much of the content consists of correspondence between clients/prospective clients and photographs of clients (likely for promotional material). This series spans from 1877 to the 1940s covering periods of ownership from both James B. Pond, Sr. and Jr. Some of these clients are as follows: Henry Ward Beecher, Reverend Joseph Parker, Thomas DeWitt Talmage, Leon Pierre Blouet, Reverend John Watson (Ian Maclaren), William Winter, Edward Rickenbacker, Harry A. Franck, Gunnar Horn, Maurice Brown, and Major Radclyffe Dugmore. Unidentified oversized photographs and a scrapbook are housed in Box 3.

The Lars Gustaf Sellstedt family collection is made up of correspondence, poetry, ephemera, and other materials related to Sellstedt and his descendants, particularly his daughter Eva and her husband, Frank H. Potter. The papers pertain to Sellstedt's religious beliefs, his travels in the Caribbean, his interest in fine art, and his influence and legacy in Buffalo, New York. Other items pertain to Frank Potter's life in Berlin, Germany, in the mid-1880s and to the genealogy of the Younglove family.

The Lars Gustaf Sellstedt family collection (0.75 linear feet) is made up of correspondence, poetry, ephemera, and other material related to Sellstedt and his descendants, particularly his daughter Eva and her husband, Frank H. Potter. The papers pertain to Sellstedt's religious beliefs, his travels in the Caribbean, his interest in fine art, and his influence and legacy in Buffalo, New York. Other items pertain to Frank Potter's life in Berlin, Germany, in the mid-1880s and to the genealogy of the Younglove family.

The Correspondence series (109 items) contains letters related to the Sellstedt, Potter, and Younglove families. In the mid-1840s, Sellstedt exchanged letters with his future wife, Louise Lovejoy; some of his other early correspondence concerns religion, art, and travel to the Caribbean in late 1848 and early 1849. In the early 20th century, he received letters from acquaintances and admirers about his books From Forecastle to Academy and Art in Buffalo.

Many items from the late 19th century pertain to Sellstedt's daughter Eva and her husband, Frank Hamilton Potter, including a series of letters that Potter wrote to his parents about his life in Berlin, Germany, in the mid-1880s. Frank and Eva Potter's son, Lars Sellstedt Potter, occasionally wrote to his mother as a child. The series also contains mid-19th century letters between William K. Scott and his cousin Moses C. Younglove, mid-20th century letters about an art exhibit commemorating Lars G. Sellstedt, and an undated letter from "Santa Claus" to a group of children. The series includes 2 print narratives by Samuel Younglove, entitled "Battle of Oriskany" and "The Battle of Bennington" (June 12, 1897).

The Writings series (113 items) contains 23 essays and 90 poems. Longer essays pertain to "Architecture and Sculpture" (58 pages) and to the history of art in Buffalo, New York (2 items, 99 pages and 47 pages); at least one of the essays about Buffalo was incorporated into Sellstedt's book Art in Buffalo. Other items pertain to the politician James Osborn Putnam, an acquaintance of Sellstedt's. The poetry (90 items), much of which was written by Sellstedt, concerns love, friendship, nature, and religious subjects; at least one poem is a friend's tribute to Sellstedt. The series includes 8 published items, housed together.

The Watercolors and Sketches (5 items), attributed to various persons, depict infant children, a Roman soldier, a woman, and a home. The Photographs (19 items), comprised of card photographs and photographic prints, mostly show members of the Sellstedt family, including Lars G. Sellstedt, Caroline Scott Sellstedt, and Eva Thorén Sellstedt. The pictures are studio portraits, outdoor portraits, and snapshots taken during a fishing trip. The series contains 3 copies of a memorial poem dedicated to William Scott Sellstedt ("Willie"), each illustrated with a photograph of him.

The Albright-Knox Art Gallery Exhibit Materials (around 20 unique items) include documents, promotional materials, and captions, which are related to an exhibit and reception held in honor of Lars Sellstedt in September 1972.

Newspaper Clippings (66 items) pertain to the life of Lars G. Sellstedt, including retrospectives about his life and obituaries. Some clippings concern the Albright-Knox Gallery's 1972 Sellstedt exhibit.

The Invitations, Cards, Documents, and Realia series (11 items) includes printed and manuscript invitations, a calling card, an embroidered piece of fabric, and a stock certificate for the Buffalo Cremation Company.

The Genealogy series (9 items) contains histories of the Younglove family, written by and addressed to Moses Younglove, as well as items related to the Gay family and to the life of Lars G. Sellstedt.

Lyman Wheeler of western New York wrote two diaries from February 1852 to June 1855, recording his experiences as a house painter, teacher, and adherent of medical practices like phrenology, hydrotherapy, and vegetarianism. He wrote of his social, intellectual, and professional activities in the region, and described trips he took to cities and towns in western New York and New York City. The second volume includes much content related to his involvement in the "water cure," including time as both a patient and worker at the Forestville Water Cure, and a visit to the Orange Mountain Water Cure in New Jersey.

Lyman Wheeler of western New York wrote two diaries from February 1852 to June 1855, recording his experiences as a house painter, teacher, and adherent of medical practices like phrenology, hydrotherapy, and vegetarianism. He wrote of his social, intellectual, and professional activities in the region, and described trips he took to cities and towns in western New York and New York City. The second volume includes much content related to his involvement in the "water cure," including time as both a patient and worker at the Forestville Water Cure and a visit to the Orange Mountain Water Cure in New Jersey.

Volume 1 opens in February 1852 with Lyman Wheeler working as a house painter in Buffalo, New York. In addition to describing his work and its negative impact on his health, Wheeler also commented on the social scene in Buffalo, including religious services, lectures, concerts, and steamer arrivals. He occasionally described buildings in detail and mentioned notable events, like the visit of Lajos Kossuth (1802-1894) in May 1852, viewing "Mr. Craven's Panorama of a voyage to California..." (June 6, 1852), a funeral procession for Henry Clay (July 6, 1852), and events like fires, trials, and cholera (June 29, 1852).

In July 1852, Wheeler took up residence in Villenova, New York, where he helped family with farming, painted houses and buggies, and in November 1852 secured a teaching position, which he held through March 1853. While in Villenova, he wrote about his daily activities; religious activities; visits to nearby towns like Dayton, Fredonia, and Forestville; his dissatisfaction with the town's morals, education, and intemperance; lawsuits; and musings about women and marriage. In January 1853, Wheeler appears to have been participating in a debate group, which discussed issues like capital punishment, immigration, the relative merits of Christopher Columbus and George Washington, the abolition of slavery, and others. In mid-July 1854, Wheeler travelled to New York City, and he described his journey there and back. While in the city he saw a procession with President Franklin Pierce (1804-1869); visited P. T. Barnum's Museum, describing the "Whiskered woman" in detail; went to the Crystal Palace; attended Fowlers & Wells Phrenological Cabinet and had L. N. Fowler perform a phrenological exam of his head; and visited other tourist attractions.

Throughout the volume, Wheeler commented about temperance efforts and his displeasure at alcohol usage, and occasionally referenced other reform movements like the Graham diet (April 12, 1852) and abolitionism. He wrote frequently about his health, describing himself as an "invalid" (June 14, 1852), and wrote of his efforts to manage his wellbeing, including purchasing medicines. On May 4, 1853, Wheeler commented about his interest in phrenology, calling it "one of the sciences that is to aid much in the great work of reform that must be carried on to ameliorate the condition of mankind." His investment in the field appeared to be growing, as he noted arguing with "opposers" (May 27, 1853; June 1, 1853), attending the "Phrenological Cabinet" in New York City, and having an exam performed (July 18, 1853 and July 21, 1853).

This volume also includes a description of the Crystal Palace on the first page, and several original poems composed by Wheeler are interspersed.

Volume 2 begins with Lyman Wheeler in Hanover, New York, on December 3, 1853. Wheeler was engaged with teachers' institutes, which gave lectures and debates on instructional issues, and he was teaching his own school. Throughout the volume, he continued to visit school districts and attend lectures and meetings relating to education, including a lecture by Horace Greeley (December 9, 1854). He actively attended religious services, critiquing the social scene, and engaging with temperance affairs.

Lyman Wheeler continued to experience poor health and was often frustrated at being unable to pursue steady work. He attempted to find medical remedies. On January 7, 1854, Wheeler made the acquaintance of Dr. Charles Parker of Forestville, who presided over a water cure program, and by April 9, 1854, Wheeler had begun treatment. Wheeler described the treatments he received, their impact on his health, other patients, and his general thoughts on the water cure and the connection between the mind and body. At several times throughout the year, he made agreements with the doctors and administrators to allow him to stay on the premises, possibly in exchange for labor. He commented on the sense of community he experienced at "the cure." He also explored other medical avenues, including vegetarianism (May 10, 1854; February 1, 1855) and phrenology. He subscribed to phrenological journals and critiqued people's diets regularly.

When not undergoing treatment, Wheeler continued to work as a painter and at shingling. In June 1854, he travelled to Bolton, Connecticut, where he helped with farm labor and visited nearby locales. He described stops along the way, including in Buffalo where he and his travelling companion made make-shift baths using a washtub. While in New York City, he visited Fowlers & Wells Cabinet and Bookshop, and in Connecticut, he visited several cities, including Hartford and New Haven, where he attended events like 4th of July celebrations, a balloon ascension, and religious services. On his return journey, he again stopped in New York City, where he contracted as a book agent for Fowlers and Wells (see July 13-15, 1854) and proceeded to attempt to sell books in New Jersey, unsuccessfully. He went on to stay at the South Orange Water Cure, also called the Orange Mountain Water Cure. He described the facilities, the labor he performed there, and other patients (July 17-31, 1854), before returning to New York where he investigated other publishers he could contract with as a book agent and visited the Crystal Palace. On his travels back to western New York, Wheeler noted a circus at Bridgewater, New York (August 8, 1854).

Wheeler again took up residence at the Forestville Water Cure in late September 1854, working as “Bath Man & Servant of the Sick & the Afflicted” (September 26, 1854), and he wrote commentary on the patients. On December 8, 1854, Wheeler described the accidental burning of the Forestville Water Cure due to a stove fire. Wheeler stayed in the area, maintaining his interest in baths, vegetable diet, and temperate living. He commented on social visits and occurrences, including the trial of Elam Hoag for assault and battery on Rosaltha House, and the books he was reading (February 3, 1855). After a tour around several sites in western New York, Wheeler briefly stayed in Jamestown, New York, in March 1855, working at the new water cure Dr. Parker had established, before returning to Villenova.

Additional content in volume two includes a recipe for medicinal treatments for warts and corns (on the inside front cover), an entry for a "Great Rail Road Route To the Pacific," and an original poem penned by Wheeler (July 9, 1854). Near the end of the volume, Wheeler copied three articles from the "Universalist Code of Faith" and listed out details of his students in Hanover from November 23, 1853, to February 8, 1854.

This collection is made up of letters that Phyllis Okoniewski of Buffalo, New York, wrote and received during World War II. She corresponded with servicemen in multiple branches of the United States Armed Forces during the early years of the war, and wrote over 150 letters to her future husband, Richard J. Szymczak, from September 1943-May 1945.

This collection is made up of approximately 200 letters that Phyllis Okoniewski of Buffalo, New York, wrote and received during World War II, 4 manuscript writings, and 6 newspaper clippings..

The Correspondence series consists of Phyllis Okoniewski's incoming and outgoing letters. From February 1941-August 1943, Okoniewski received over 40 letters from members of the United States Army, United States Army Air Forces, and United States Navy. They wrote about aspects of military life at bases such as Camp McClellan, Alabama; Camp Croft, South Carolina; Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida; Camp Pickett, Virginia; Seymour Johnson Field, North Carolina; Sampson Naval Training Station, New Jersey; Camp Gordon, Georgia; and South Kelly Field, Texas. The servicemen discussed their classes, possible assignments, daily routine, and leisure activities. Okoniewski occasionally composed drafts of letters to these soldiers, in which she discussed her life in Buffalo, New York. The bulk of the series (over 150 items) is comprised of Okoniewski's letters to her future husband, Richard Szymczak, between September 1943 and May 1945. She commented on news from home, activities with members of the Okoniewski and Szymczak families, her senior prom, and her love for Szymczak.

The Writings series (4 items) contains 2 drafts of an explicit poem about Adam and Eve, a recipe for "love cake," a parody of Longfellow's poem "The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere," and a typed joke about married women.

Five of the six Newspaper clippings relate to the Buffalo Bisons hockey team during the war. One of these lists war casualties from western New York on the reverse side. The sixth clipping is an image of members of the 95th Signal Company, 3rd Division, United States Army, surrounding a cow.