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The Henrietta Ambrose Papers were donated by Henrietta Ambrose on November 19, 1998.
Henrietta Smith Ambrose was born on February 26, 1928 in St. Louis, Missouri. She lived most of her life in Webster Groves, Missouri. In 1944, Ambrose graduated from Douglass High School and attended Tucker Business College. She married her husband, Walter L. Ambrose, Sr., in 1948. He died in 1998. Together they had two daughters, Karlah and Cheryl, and a son, Walter, Jr.
Ambrose was first employed by the Division of Family and Children’s Services in Clayton, Missouri. In 1964, Ambrose joined the Social Security Administration and retired in 1985. In the mid-1960s, she became involved in the political life of Webster Groves. She participated in the planning and zoning process of the city, was appointed to the Webster Groves City Council, and was elected twice to the Council serving a total of ten years. During her council terms, she was named liaison to the Historic Preservation Commission, served as a member and president of the Board of Directors of the Webster Groves Historical Society and the Webster Groves Optimist Club, and was a trustee of the State Historical Society of Missouri in Columbia. In addition, Ambrose served on the boards of the Missouri Humanities Council, Friends of the Missouri Archives in Jefferson City, the North Webster Neighborhood Coalition, the Interfaith Housing Commission, and Friends of the Father Dickson Cemetery. In addition, Ambrose co-authored with Ann Morris and John Nagel the book North Webster: A Photographic History of a Black Community.
In 1991, Ambrose and her husband were named Citizens of the Year by the Webster Groves Area Chamber of Commerce. Ambrose was also the recipient of numerous distinctions and honors including the Missouri Historical Society Brownlee Fund Award and the St. Louis County Historical Society Book Award.
She died on January 14, 1999 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Her memorial service was held on January 20, 1999 at St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church in Brentwood, Missouri.
SCOPE AND CONTENT
The Henrietta Ambrose Papers includes correspondence, newspaper clippings, awards, memorial service programs, scrapbook, graduation programs, meeting minutes, and photographs. Together they chronicle Henrietta Ambrose’s interest in the public life of Webster Groves, Missouri.
This collection is divided into four series: (1) Henrietta Ambrose Ephemera, (2) Webster Groves, Missouri, (3) Subject Files, (4) Photographs.
SERIES DESCRIPTION
SERIES 1 – HENRIETTA AMBROSE EPHEMERA, FOLDERS 1-16
This series includes awards given to Walter and Henrietta Ambrose, correspondence, newspaper clippings, business cards, memorial service programs for Walter and Henrietta Ambrose, and material from Henrietta Ambrose’s election to Webster Groves City Council. Also included are research notes on African-Americans possibly for the book North Webster: A Photographic History of a Black Community. Arranged chronologically.
SERIES 2 - WEBSTER GROVES, MISSOURI, FOLDERS 17-97
This series contains materials involving Webster Groves, specifically North Webster. Included are commencement programs, class rosters, faculty rosters, history, scrapbooks, yearbooks, alumni meeting minutes for Douglass School. Also included are meeting minutes, correspondence, and programs for organizations including North Webster Neighborhood Coalition, Historic Preservation Commission and Centennial Committee, and Citizens Advisory Committee for Community Development. Also, the introduction to North Webster A Photographic History of a Black Community by Ann Morris and Henrietta Ambrose. Arranged alphabetically.
SERIES 3 - SUBJECT FILES, FOLDERS 98-141
This series includes newspaper clippings, pamphlets, brochures, conference programs, memorial services, calendars, Sumner High School student handbook, various history books such as American Heritage, Landmarks, and Scouting Wants You. Arranged alphabetically.
SERIES 4 – PHOTOGRAPHS, FOLDERS 142-166
This series includes photographs, slides, and negatives. The majority concern North Webster Groves and many can be found in North Webster A Photographic History of a Black Community by Ann Morris and Henrietta Ambrose. See photo database for descriptions.
FOLDER LIST
BOX 1 (102063)
FOLDERS 1-64
1. Awards Given to Henrietta Ambrose, 1981-1998.
2. Awards Given to Walter Ambrose, 1972-1992.
3. Black History Notes, 1981-1992.
4. Correspondence, 1972-1994.
5. Correspondence, 1995-1998.
6. Correspondence, n.d.
7. Dedication of Ambrose Way, 1999.
8. Election Material for Henrietta Ambrose for Webster Groves City Council, 1988-1992.
9. General Warranty Deed, 1972.
10. Henrietta Ambrose Newspaper Clippings, 1987-1999.
11. Henrietta Ambrose Webster Groves City Council Business Cards, n.d.
12. Memorial Service Program for Henrietta Ambrose, 1999.
13. Memorial Service Program for Walter Ambrose, 1998.
14. Memorial Service Programs, 1952-1997.
15. Photography Class, 1978.
16. Women of Achievement Nomination Form, 1995.
17. Application for Building Permit, 1910.
18. Black History in Webster Groves, n.d.
19. Captions for North Webster Photographs, n.d.
20. Church Histories, 1945-1986.
21. Citizens Advisory Committee for Community Development Meeting Minutes, 1997.
22. Commencement Program for Douglass High School Class of 1898, 1898.
23. Commencement Program for Douglass High School Class of 1944, 1944.
24. Commencement Program for Douglass High School Class of 1956, 1956.
25. Committee to Elect Emmy McClelland Members, n.d.
26. Constitution and By-Laws of the O.D.T. Club of Webster Groves, 1969.
27. Contributions for the Dedication Ceremony for the Douglass Manor Apartments, 1983.
28. David Wilkins’ Scrapbook. Contains Get Well cards, newspaper articles concerning
his athletic career with the Webster Reds football team and the 7th E. T. Group basketball
team, newspaper articles concerning Okinawa during World War II, and foreign currency,
1937-1956. Located in oversize box.
29. Dedication Ceremony for Douglass Manor Apartments Program, 1983.
30. Douglass High School Alumni Meeting Minutes, 1983-1989.
31. Douglass High School Alumni Reunion Program, 1992.
32. Douglass High School Class Roster, 1929-1956.
33. Douglass High School 1943-1944 Faculty, n.d.
34. Douglass High School History, n.d.
35. Douglass High School Scrapbook – Sent to Ambrose by Patricia Hunter, 1938-1941.
36. Douglass High School Senior Ratings, 1929-1956.
37. Douglass High School Yearbook – “The Douglass Oracle,” 1935.
38. Douglass High School Yearbook – “The Trojan,” 1947-1948.
39. Ethel Frost, 1980.
40. General Warranty Deed, 1924.
41. Hail to Douglass, n.d.
42. Harvey James Simms, 1918-1967.
43. Harvey James Simms’ Lincoln University Diploma, 1916. Located in oversize box.
44. Historic Preservation Commission and Centennial Committee Correspondence, 1995-1998.
45. Historic Preservation Commission and Centennial Committee Meeting Minutes, 1995-1997.
46. A Historic Profile of Webster Groves, n.d.
47. House Resolution for Miriam Thomas Berry, 1993.
48. Howell Berkeley Coins, 1954-1986.
49. In Retrospect: Webster Groves, Missouri Volume I – IV, 1974-1979.
50. In the Matter of the Petition of the First Baptist Church of Webster Groves for Incorporation, 1887.
51. Introduction to North Webster A Photographic History of a Black Community by Ann Morris and Henrietta Ambrose, 1993.
52. Julia Rebecca Brefford School Certificates, 1924-1928.
53. List of Members of Various Webster Groves Boards, 1988-1992.
54. Mailing List, 1989.
55. Marriage Certificate of Mr. Press (?) Rogers and Miss Eleanor E. Brown, 1914. Located in oversize box.
56. Memories by Imelda Thomas Wyatt, n.d.
57. Metro Optimist Club of Webster Groves, 1992.
58. Missouri Humanities Council Legislative Committee Meeting Minutes, 1992-1996.
59. Native Son, Theodore Morrison, 1987.
60. Nellie G. Salmon “A Webster Groves Pillar,” n.d.
61. North Webster: A Photographic History of a Black Community Book Cover, 1993.
62. North Webster Community Development and Housing Strategy, 1982.
63. Northwest Webster Historic Building Survey Part 1, 1985-1986.
64. Northwest Webster Historic Building Survey Part 2, 1985-1986.
BOX 2 (102064)
FOLDERS 65-106
65. North Webster Neighborhood Coalition Black History Programs, 1988-1992.
66. North Webster Neighborhood Coalition Black History Programs, 1993-1996.
67. North Webster Neighborhood Coalition Black History Programs, n.d.
68. North Webster Neighborhood Coalition Certificate of Incorporation, 1988.
69. North Webster Neighborhood Coalition Correspondence, 1987-1997.
70. North Webster Neighborhood Coalition 1988 Dues Receipts, 1988-1989.
71. North Webster Neighborhood Coalition Home Ownership Program, 1992-1997.
72. North Webster Neighborhood Coalition Mailing/Membership Lists, 1990-1995.
73. North Webster Neighborhood Coalition Officers, 1995.
74. North Webster Neighborhood Coalition Organizational Goals, n.d.
75. North Webster Neighborhood Coalition Project Description for “Sunday Evening Suppers: A Portrait of North Webster,” 1995.
76. North Webster Problem Properties Statue, 1997.
77. North Webster (Working Title) Proposal for Documentary by Blue Road Productions, 1995.
78. O.D.T. Club of Webster Groves Meeting Minutes, 1957-1980.
79. 123rd, 128th, and 129th Anniversary of the First Baptist Church Webster Groves, 1989-1995.
80. Reception List for North Webster: A Photographic History of a Black Community, 1991-1993.
81. Rogers Ice Cream Parlor by Julia Catlin, 1988.
82. Roscoe James Testimonial Dinner, 1974.
83. 75th Anniversary of Webster Groves United Methodist Church, 1983.
84. A Short History of Webster Groves by Henrietta Ambrose, n.d.
85. Strategic Planning for Old Webster, n.d.
86. Ticket to “Pride and Prejudice” Presented by the Senior Class of Douglass High School, 1944.
87. Ways to Unite Webster Groves by Kevin Wicks, n.d.
88. Webster Groves Centennial Commission Members, 1995.
89. Webster Groves City Charter, 1970.
90. Webster Groves City Council Meeting Minutes, 1951-1953.
91. Webster Groves History, 1989.
92. Webster Groves Information Sheet on Prospective Appointee for Citizen Board of Commission, 1986-1995.
93. Webster Groves Map, n.d.
94. Webster Groves Newspaper Clippings, 1945-1997.
95. Webster Groves Proclamations, 1989-1996.
96. Webster Groves Restaurant Merchants, 1996.
97. Webster-Kirkwood Times, 1989-1999.
98. The African-American Heritage of St. Louis: A Guide, 1992.
99. American Heritage Volume XXVII, Number 2, 1976.
100. American Heritage Volume XXVII, Number 6, 1976.
101. American Heritage Volume 28, Number 5, 1977.
102. Calendars, 1993-1998. 1994 and 1995 Black Ball: The Negro Baseball Leagues calendars are located in oversized box.
103. Coca Dance Company, 1992-1996.
104. Comprehensive City Plan, 1947.
105. Conference on Affordable Housing for Community Organizations and Nonprofit Corporations, 1996.
106. Constitution of the State of Missouri, 1993.
BOX 3 (102065)
FOLDERS 107-134
107. The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States of America, 1974.
108. Dialogue with Street Fighters by Alfred Fleishman, 1981.
109. Down Memory Lane 50th Anniversary Celebration Charles Sumner High School Class of 1909, 1959.
110. Eulogy/Memorial Services Held in the House of Representatives for Missouri Representative John Berchmans Sullivan, 1951.
111. Fort Road USO Club 2nd Anniversary Program, 1944.
112. Gospel Pearl Hymnal belonging to Eliza Smith, n.d.
113. A Guide to County Records on Microfilm, 1990.
114. Helpful Advice to Black Students Attending Predominantly White Schools by William L. Jenkins, 1992.
115. Historic Buildings in St. Louis County, 1983.
116. Landmarks 8 the 1940’s, 1993-1994.
117. Landmarks 9 Amateur Sports and Physical Fitness, 1994-1995.
118. Landmarks 10 St. Louis Area Landmarks: Then and Now, 1995-1996.
119. Lift Every Voice and Sing Song Lyrics, 1921.
120. Memorial Addresses Delivered in the Senate and the House of Representatives for Florida Senator William James Bryan, 1909.
121. Memorial Addresses Delivered in the Senate and the House of Representatives for Ohio Senator Marcus A. Hanna, 1904.
122. Missouri: Images from the Past, Teaching with Documents, n.d.
123. My Favorite Photographer: Eudora Welty, 1978.
124. The New Blue Book of Favorite Songs, 1941.
125. Newspaper Clippings, 1966-1992.
126. Newspaper Clippings, 1993-1996.
127. Newspaper Clippings, 1997-2000.
128. Newspaper Clippings, n.d.
129. Pamphlets and Brochures, 1969-1990.
130. Pamphlets and Brochures, 1991-1996
131. Pamphlets and Brochures, 1997-2000.
132. Pamphlets and Brochures, n.d.
133. Reading Exercises in Negro History, 1968.
134. The Regal Quartet Program Poster, 1950.
BOX 4 (102066)
FOLDERS 135-166
135. Scouting Wants You by Ann Morris, 1985.
136. The Second Annual St. Louis Neighborhoods Conference, 1997.
137. Signs of the Times, Current Issues on Historic Preservation, 1995.
138. The Smart Writer’s Toolkit, 1991.
139. The State Historical Society of Missouri a Semicentennial History 1898-1948, 1948.
140. Sumner High School Student Handbook, 1933-1934.
141. We Hold These Truths...Complied and Published by the Cavalcade of Democracy of the B’nai B’rith Men’s and Women’s Council of St. Louis, Missouri, 1942.
142. 698.1-698.134 – Slides
143. Prints of slides 698.8-698.92 – A print is not available for every slide within this range.
144. Prints of slides 698.94-698.133 – A print is not available for every slide within this range.
145. 698.135-698.150
146. 698.151-698.169
147. 698.170-698.183
148. 698.184-698.197
149. 698.198-698.214
150. 698.215-698.228
151. 698.229-698.241
152. 698.242-698.258
153. 698.259-698.282
154. 698.283-698.305
155. 698.306-698.324
156. 698.325-698.344 – Photograph 698.330 is located in oversize box.
157. 698.345-698.363
158. 698.364-698.370 - Photos 698.366-398.373 may contain 1x1 prints on contact sheet placed behind photo 698.373.
159. 698.371-698.491
160. 698.492-698.513
161. 698.514-698.664 – Contains 1x1 prints and 1x1 negatives for photographs 698.1-698.510. A print and negative is not available for every photograph within this range.
162. 698.665-698.673.
163. 4x5 Negatives of photographs 698.6-698.500. A negative is not available for every photograph within this range.
164. 2x2 Negatives of photographs 698.41-698.616. A negative is not available for every photograph within this range.
165. Xeroxed copies of photos 698.6-698.513. A copy is not available for every photograph within this range.
166. Xeroxed copies of various photographs.
BOX 5, OVERSIZE
Contains materials from folders 28, 43, 55, 102, 156. Not stored off site.
28. David Wilkins’ Scrapbook.
Contains Get Well cards, newspaper articles concerning his athletic career with the Webster Reds football
team and the 7th E. T. Group basketball
team, newspaper articles concerning Okinawa during World War II, and foreign currency,
1937-1956.
43. Harvey James Simms’ Lincoln University Diploma, 1916.
55. Marriage Certificate of Mr. Press (?) Rogers and Miss Eleanor E. Brown, 1914.
102. Calendars, 1993-1998. 1994 and 1995 Black Ball: The Negro Baseball Leagues calendars
156. Photograph 698.330
INDEX
Boulding, Paul Kenneth, f. 14
Blackwell Church, f. 20
Brown, Allen, f. 3
Davis, Joseph, f. 38
Douglass Manor, f.4, 29
Douglass School, f. 3, 22-24, 27, 30-38, 41-42, 48, 52, 86, 94
Evans, Andrew, f. 3
Father Dickson’s Cemetery, f. 10
First Baptist Church of Webster Groves, f. 3, 20, 23, 50, 79, 94
Goins, H.B., f. 37
Gleason, James, f. 14
Hall, Nora W., f. 14
Hawken House, f. 4, 6, 10
Hoard, Mary Louis, f. 14
International Nubian Breeders Association, f. 3
Marshall, James C., f. 3, 10, 51, 91, 94
Melton, Wayland Edward, f. 14
Mitchell, Joseph, f. 14
Moore, Thomas, f. 3, 34, 52, 94
Oblate Sisters of Providence, f. 20
Old Community Baptist Church, f. 20
Parks Chapel, f. 20
Pringle, Bertha Farmer, f. 14, 20
Salmon, Nellie, f. 60, 94, 132
Simms, Harvey J., f. 42-43, 94
Smith, Atrell L., f. 14
St. Alphonsus Church, f. 20
Stone, Frank and Martha, f. 3
Sumner High School, f. 3, 52, 140
Thompson, Leola, f. 14
Walker, Madame C.J., f.3
Webster Groves, f. 3-5, 7-8, 10, 17-97
STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MISSOURI RESEARCH CENTER-ST. LOUIS
222 THOMAS JEFFERSON LIBRARY
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI-ST. LOUIS
8001 NATURAL BRIDGE ROAD
ST. LOUIS, MO 63121
(314)516-5143
whmc@umsl.edu