Lizzie Dravenstatt Papers, 1870-1928 (majority within 1897-1928)
.5 cubic feet
The diaries (Series 1) begin in 1870 when Lizzie was 14 years old. After 1871, there is a gap in the diaries until 1897, when she again wrote about her daily activities. The diaries chronicle daily life in a rural society. She details the chores done each day, such as cooking, cleaning, and sewing. Dravenstatt also tells of the routines of her husband and son concerning the farming activities. Her dedication to her family and friends is evident in the frequent visits with them and her dedication to attending weddings and funerals. The church was also a major topic in the diaries; a large amount of Dravenstatt’s social activities involved the Eagle Methodist Church.
Dravenstatt additionally tells of new events in her time. She bought and used her first stove December 31, 1904. The family’s first automobile was bought May 6, 1910.
Not only does Dravenstatt discuss her own personal activities, but also events that affected her society. She frequently attended Temperance meetings and tells of measles and flu outbreaks in her local communities. Of particular interest are the entries that detail the coming of a Medicine Show (July 28, 1901) and Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show (June 11, 1902 and August 7, 1908).
The account books (Series 2) detail the purchases of the Dravenstatt family. In many of the earlier diaries, they are included in the back rather than being in a separate volume. Dravenstatt wrote down nearly everything she bought, from insurance to ice cream. A transcribed copy of the ledgers (Series 4), done by Patricia Sanford Brown, is included in the collection.
The Autograph book (Series 3) belonged to Lizzie Dravenstatt’s son, Roy Dravenstatt. The book includes signatures and poems by local friends and family.