PROVENANCE

Donald Bergmann donated his papers in increments from 1992-2010. The relevant accessions are as follows: #1992-039 of July 20, 1992; #1993-031 of December 9, 1993; #2006-018 of March 20, 2006; #2006-045 of September 29, 2006; #2006-048 of October 17, 2006; #2008-040 of August 27, 2008; and #2010-002 of January 28, 2010.

HISTORY

Don Bergmann was born in 1927 to Frederick and Florence Bergmann. His sister Berdell was born in 1931. Don and his sister grew up in Belleville, Illinois with their mother after their father died in 1934. Fred Bergmann was one of 11 children born to Mr. Bergmann Sr. and Whilhelimena Grewe. Fred served in the army during World War I and was a member of the American Legion Band where he played the flute and clarinet. After the war he worked as a mechanic and married Florence Schaefer in 1923. Florence is the youngest daughter of Louis and Elizabeth Louise Schaefer (nee Obst). After Louis Schaefer died, Elizabeth married Fred Gaubatz. Florence and her sister Adele grew up with their mother, stepfather, and three half siblings, George, Irma and Sylvester Gaubatz. Florence worked in an envelope factory after Fred died and also ran a boarding house in Belleville, Illinois. Fred's siblings held numerous family reunions and Fred, Florence and Don attended them regularly. After Fred's death, Florence remained close with his family especially his younger sisters Charlotte (Lottie) Bergmann and Lydia (Liddy) Busekrus.

Don joined the army in 1945 at the age of 18. He attended basic training at Camp Roberts, California and was stationed in Seoul, Korea from 1945-46. He was part of the military forces occupying Korea after World War II. Don's sister Berdell also served in the military by joining the Navy WAVES in 1951.

Don maintains an active membership in the St. Louis Chapter of the Victorian Society of America. The VSA consists of a group of historians that seek to preserve historic architecture and foster appreciation for the Victorian Era in the United States. Don served on the board of directors of the Missouri Botanical Garden and currently holds an honorary director position at the Campbell House Museum. Don is also a member of many non-profit and charitable organizations including Friends of Tower Grove Park, Landmarks Association, Meals on Wheels, and the American Museum in Britain.

SCOPE AND CONTENT

The Donald Bergmann Papers document his service in the Army in Korea after World War II and his later involvement in St. Louis businesses, organizations and charities.

Series 1 - Family Papers: Includes correspondence, pamphlets and books from his parents, Frederick and Florence Bergmann, and extended family.

Series 2 - Personal Papers: Comprised of Don’s personal papers that document his correspondence and financial and travel information from 1974-2004.

Series 3 - Organizations and Charities: Organizational papers include member information, financial documents and correspondence from events and meetings. Organizations include the Victorian Society of America, Campbell House Museum, Landmarks Association and Holy Ghost Church.

Series 4 - Artifacts: Hair Clippings from Don Bergmann as a child and artifacts from Fred Bergmann’s World War I service.

Series 5 - Books: Books that belonged to Don Bergmann’s family including religious texts.

Series 6 - Photographs: Images of Don’s family, his time in Korea and various Victorian Society and Holy Ghost Church events.

*Oversize material remains on site. This includes Photographs and oversize military documents from Don’s time in Korea.

COPYRIGHT AND RESTRICTIONS

No restrictions.

PREFERRED CITATION

From the sl 827, Donald Bergmann Papers collection at the Western Historical Manuscript Collection at the University of Missouri – St. Louis.

CONTACT INFORMATION

FOLDER LIST

BOX 1 (047803)
FOLDERS 1-33

Series 1 – Family Papers and War Correspondence, 1917-1963, Folders 1-27

1. Florence Bergmann (Schaefer) Personal Correspondence, 1922-1925
2. Frederick Bergmann Personal Papers and American Legion Band Pamphlets, 1926-1934
3. Frederick Bergmann Military Documents and Burial Records, 1917-1934
4. Frederick Bergmann Stock Information, 1921-23
5. Church Pamphlets, 1932-1977
6. Hospital Bills, 1927-1939
7. Florence Bergmann Life Insurance Policy, 1930-36
8. Donald Bergmann School Report Cards, 1932-41
9. Donald Bergmann Military Documents, 1945-46 ** Oversize Materials Located in Box 7
10. Donald Bergmann Trip and Annual Passes, 1955-1962
11. Newspaper Obituaries, 1951-1963
12. Correspondence to Florence Bergmann, 1920-1951
13. Correspondence to Berdell Bergmann, 1940-46
14. War Correspondence (Sent to Don), September – October 1945
15. War Correspondence (Sent to Don), November – December 1945
16. War Correspondence (Sent to Don), January – February 1946
17. War Correspondence (Sent to Don), March – April 1946
18. War Correspondence (Sent to Don), May – June 1946
19. War Correspondence (Sent to Don), July – September 1946
20. War Correspondence (Sent to Don), October – December 1946
21. War Correspondence (Sent by Don to Family), February – April 1946
22. War Correspondence (Sent by Don to Family), May – June 1946
23. War Correspondence (Sent by Don to Family), July – September 1946
24. War Correspondence (Sent by Don to Family), October – December 1946
25. War Correspondence (Sent to Don by Friends and Family), 1945-46
26. War Correspondence (Sent to Don by Friends and Family), 1945-46
27. War Correspondence (Sent by Don to Friends and Family), 1945-46

Series 2 –Personal Papers and Correspondence, 1974-2004, Folders 28-46

28. Personal Investments, 1979-1981
29. Personal Travel Information, 1956-1972
30. Personal Travel Information, 1973-1982
31. Personal Travel Information, 1982-86
32. Personal Travel Information, 1986-87
33. Elderhostel Mexico Trip, 2004

BOX 2 (047805)
FOLDERS 34-53

34. Correspondence, 1962-1978
35. Correspondence “H” 1974-1986
36. Correspondence “H” 1988-1998
37. Correspondence “H” 1999-2000
38. Correspondence “H” 2001-06
39. Correspondence “K” 1980-1990
40. Correspondence “K” 1991-93
41. Correspondence “K” 1994-95
42. Correspondence “K” 1996
43. Correspondence “K” 1997-98
44. Correspondence “M” 1974-1989
45. Correspondence “M” 1990-94
46. Correspondence “M” 1995-98

Series 3 – Organizations and Charities, 1970-2009, Folders 47-127

47. Bicycle Works, 1995-98
48. Citizens for Modern Transit, 1988-1999
49. Meals on Wheels, 2001-03
50. Kingshighway Hills Neighborhood Association, 2000-04
51. St. Margaret Housing Corporation, 1999-2001
52. Friends of Tower Grove Park, Events and Newsletters, 2002-03
53. Friends of Tower Grove Park, Correspondence, 1993-2003

BOX 3 (047850)
FOLDERS 54-80

54. Friends of Tower Grove Park, Board Meetings, 2002-03
55. Landmarks Association, 1991-93
56. Landmarks Association, 1994
57. Landmarks Association, 1995
58. Landmarks Association,1996-97
59. Landmarks Association,2001
60. Landmarks Association, 2002
61. Landmarks Association, 2003
62. Campbell House Museum, 1999-2000
63. Campbell House Museum, 2001
64. Campbell House Museum, 2002
65. Campbell House Museum, Capital Campaign, 1999-2000
66. Campbell House Museum, Capital Campaign, 2000-02
67. German American Heritage Society, 1990-2003
68. German American Heritage Society, 2004
69. German American Heritage Society, 2005-06
70. Holy Ghost Church, Member Information, 1976-1996
71. Holy Ghost Church, Member Information, 2000-07
72. Holy Ghost Church, Kaiser Bible, 2000
73. Holy Ghost Church, Financial Records, 1994-2003
74. Holy Ghost Church, Consistory, 2001-02
75. Holy Ghost Church, Hope United Church, 2002
76. Holy Ghost Church, Cemetery, 1998
77. Holy Ghost Church, Parking Lot, 2000-02
78. Mercantile Library, 1997-2003
79. Old Post Office of St. Louis, 1982
80. Royal Ballet Brochure

BOX 4 (047973)
FOLDERS 81-100

81. Opera Theatre of St. Louis Schedules, 1976-1980
82. Opera Theatre of St. Louis Schedules, 1981-83
83. Opera Theatre of St. Louis Schedules, 1984-85
84. Opera Theatre of St. Louis Schedules, 1986-87
85. Patrice Press Correspondence, 1993-2008
86. “Folio” – Patrice Press, 1993-96
87. “Folio” – Patrice Press, 1997-99
88. “Folio” – Patrice Press, 2000-03
89. “Folio” – Patrice Press, 2005-09
90. American Museum in Britain, Correspondence, 1990-2002
91. American Museum in Britain, Events and Newsletters, 1996-2009
92. American Museum in Britain, “America in Britain” 1992-1995
93. American Museum in Britain, “America in Britain” 1997-2009
94. Victorian Society of America National Chapter, Board of Directors Meeting, 1979
95. VSA National Chapter, Correspondence and Meetings, 1982-87
96. VSA National Chapter, Correspondence and Meetings, 1988-1991
97. VSA National Chapter, Correspondence and Meetings, 1992-93
98. VSA National Chapter, Correspondence and Meetings, 1994-96
99. VSA National Chapter, Correspondence and Meetings, 1996
100. VSA National Chapter, Correspondence and Meetings, 1997

BOX 5 (048104)
FOLDERS 101-121

101. VSA National Chapter, Correspondence and Meetings, 1998-99
102. VSA National Chapter, Correspondenc434e and Meetings, 1999-2000
103. VSA National Chapter, Correspondence and Meetings, 2000-01
104. VSA National Chapter, Annual Meeting, 2006
105. VSA Other Local Chapters, 1989-1993
106. Victorian Society of America, St. Louis Chapter, 1970-1977
107. VSA St. Louis, Correspondence and Meetings, 1978-1979
108. VSA St. Louis, Correspondence and Meetings, 1980-81
109. VSA St. Louis, Correspondence and Meetings, 1989-1990
110. VSA St. Louis, Correspondence and Meetings, 1991-93
111. VSA St. Louis, Correspondence and Meetings, 1994
112. VSA St. Louis, Correspondence and Meetings, 1995
113. VSA St. Louis, Correspondence and Meetings, 1996-97
114. VSA St. Louis, Correspondence and Meetings, 1997
115. VSA St. Louis, Correspondence and Meetings, 1998
116. VSA St. Louis, Correspondence and Meetings, 1999
117. VSA St. Louis, Correspondence and Meetings, 2000
118. VSA St. Louis, Correspondence and Meetings, 2001
119. VSA St. Louis, Correspondence and Meetings, 2002
120. VSA St. Louis, Correspondence and Meetings, 2003
121. VSA St. Louis, Correspondence and Meetings, 2004-05

BOX 6 (048188)
FOLDERS 122-144

122. VSA St. Louis, Board of Directors, 1978-1983
123. VSA St. Louis, Membership Lists, 1978-1984
124. VSA St. Louis, Financial Information, 1977-79
125. VSA St. Louis, Financial Information, 1980-82
126. VSA St. Louis, Financial Information, 1983-85
127. VSA St. Louis, By-Laws and Stationary

Series 4 – Artifacts, 1917-1930, Folders 128-129

128. Artifacts: Donald Bergmann Haircuts, 1927-1930
129. Artifacts: Frederick Bergmann’s Army Cap, 35th Division War Lighter

Series 5 – Books, 1917-1931, Folders 130-131

130. Books: New Testament Bible, Lutheran Hymnal, Tiny Gem Text Book
131. Book: Anonymous Poetry, 1929-1931

Series 6 – Photographs

132. Photographs 827.1 – 827.16
133. 827.17 – 827.48
134. 827.49 – 827.100
135. 827.101 – 827.162
136. 827.163 – 827.192
137. 827.193 – 827.253
138. 827.254 – 827.281
139. 827.282 – 827.339
140. 827.340 – 827.376
141. 827.376 – 827.399
142. 827.400 – 827.455
143. 827.456 – 827.512
144. 827.513 – 827.559

BOX 7 Oversize (Located on Site)

Photographs 827.19
827.22
827.368
827.377
Donald Bergmann Military Documents Oversize

INDEX

American Legion Band
Army
Boarding House
Campbell House Museum
Korean Occupation
Missouri Botanical Garden
World War I