Letters of Lorena McNeil (Early Years)
This page presents a collection of letters written by Lorena Lane McNeil (later McClure) during the years prior to her institutionalization at Gowanda State Hospital. The earliest surviving letter dates to January 30, 1930, and the latest in this set is from December 1940, just before the first known letter from Gowanda dated January 3, 1941. These letters reflect Lorena's thoughts on daily life, family matters, economic struggles, and health concerns during the Great Depression and its aftermath.
Each entry includes original metadata, a full transcript, a link to the original file, and contextual notes.
Letter: 1930-01-30 — Marie to Lorena — Invitation to discuss teaching plans over lunch
| Letter Metadata | |
|---|---|
| Sender | Marie G. Hasenflue |
| Recipient | Lorena McClure |
| Recipient’s Address | Woodland School, Buckeye Rd. opp. Ambler, Cleveland, Ohio |
| Sender’s Address | (not specified) |
| Date Written | (not specified; assumed to match postmark date: 1930-01-30) |
| Postmark Date | 1930-01-30 |
| Postmark Location | Cleveland, Ohio |
| Postmark Time | 9:30 AM |
| Relationship | Colleague or peer to colleague |
| Subject | Invitation to discuss teaching plans over lunch |
| Tags | education, geography, history, lunch invitation, professional networking |
| File | link |
Letter Body
Dear Mrs. McClure,
My sister was at Woodland to-day and told me of meeting you and of your plans in Geog. & History. Those are my subjects at Dike and I would so much like to hear more about your methods &c. Would you be willing to share with me?
Let’s have lunch together Saturday. I have an appt. with the dentist in the A.M. but would be delighted to meet you at 12:30 or so. Will you have lunch at Halle’s or, Sindner’s or Charm House with me? Please phone me at Dike School any time Friday. I’m right across from the office and can easily come to phone.
I shall appreciate talking over the work with you.
Sincerely
Marie G. Hasenflue
Notes
- The date of the letter itself is not explicitly written but is assumed to correspond to the postmark date of January 30, 1930.
- Envelope shows clear destination address and postmark details; sender’s address is not given.