Skip to main content

Myrtie Barker collection

 Collection
Identifier: L583

Scope and Contents

This collection includes correspondence, newspaper articles, clippings, manuscripts, books, family papers, awards, and other materials from Myrtie Barker and the Barker family in Indianapolis, Indiana ranging from 1907 to 1985 regarding her career as a writer and family life.

There is also an oversize folder with a Sagamore of the Wabash award certificate, 1981/01/07; signed card from Indianapolis News staff, undated, and I Am Only One order form, circa 1963 (OBC100).

Dates

  • 1907-1985

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Literary rights, including copyright resides with the creators of the documents or their legal heirs and assigns. All requests to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted to Rare Books and Manuscripts. The publisher must also obtain permission of the copyright holder.

Biographical Note

Myrtie Barker was a lifelong resident of Indianapolis, Indiana, the daughter of Harry G. and Mary A. Barker. She was born July 24, 1910 and died January 28, 1983. At age eleven, she contracted polio, after which she was homeschooled and found a love of writing. From 1938 to 1949, Barker wrote a weekly column for the Sheridan News, "The Lighthouse." Later she was hired by the Indianapolis News to write a column three times weekly, titled "My Window" (1949-1983). She was the author of three books: My Window: Parade of Days (1957), I Am Only One (1963), and "Where Is Everybody? (1968).

Extent

3.36 Cubic Feet (10 manuscript boxes, 1 oversize folder)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Arrangement

This collection is arranged in the following series:

Series 1: Personal papers, 1920-1985; undated

Series 2: Newspaper article clippings, 1956-1982

Series 3: "My Window" articles, circa 1966-1979

Series 4: Inspirational columns, circa 1946-1979

Series 5: Articles, 1931-1980, undated

Series 6: Books, 1957-1968

Series 7: Speeches, 1963-1979, undated

Series 8: Correspondence, 1935-1985

Series 9: Family papers, 1907-1983

Custodial History

This collection was received by Rare Books and Manuscripts as a donation from Myrtie Barker on 1983/07/14.

Accruals

No further additions are expected.

Related Materials

Materials related to this collection are found in the following collections:

OBC100: Myrtie Barker oversize collection

SP003: Myrtie Barker photograph collection

Processing Information

Collection processing completed 2014/08/01 by Danielle Adams. EAD finding aid created 2014/08/01 by Danielle Adams. EAD finding aid revised 2019/02/14 by Brittany Kropf; 2021/09/28 by Lauren Patton.

Subjects

Related Names

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title
Myrtie Barker collection
Status
Completed
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the Rare Books and Manuscripts Repository

http://www.in.gov/library/manuscripts.htm
Contact:
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671

315 West Ohio Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202
(317) 232-3675 | Ask-A-Librarian
Hours and Directions

LIBRARY QUICK LINKS

About Genealogy
About Rare Books and Manuscripts
Evergreen Catalog
Digital Collections
Rules Governing the Use of Materials
Service Fees and Fines