Scope and Contents

The Gertrude Salzer Gordon series consists of a variety of personal papers and memorabilia. Items include three address books (n.d.), a birthday and anniversary book (ca. 1960s?), and many calendar date books (1917-1993) listing Gordon’s day-to-day appointments and activities. Charitable giving (n.d.; 1985-1998) includes information on donations made by Gordon and some information is also included on her friend and caregiver, Judy Bouffleur. Church membership materials (1952) contain a certificate of membership to First Presbyterian Church in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

Gertrude Salzer Gordon’s correspondence has been grouped into three categories: incoming correspondence (n.d.; 1907-1911; 1943-1992); outgoing correspondence (n.d.; 1930-1960), the bulk of which is letters and postcards written to her husband and son; and engagement and wedding correspondence (1930), the bulk of which is congratulatory notes and telegrams relating to the engagement and wedding.

Financial materials are made up of loose papers (n.d.; 1924-1927; 1943-1998) which contain information on Gertrude Salzer Gordon’s investments and dividends paid to her. A small budget book is also contained here detailing Gordon’s college expenses from 1924-1927. An investment ledger (1943-1996) provides more detailed records of Gordon’s later investments and dividends.

Recital programs (1914-1923) are photocopies of the originals and list Gertrude Salzer Gordon’s participation in piano recitals. Salzer’s House of Flowers (1934-1935) contains ads and menus from the gift shop and restaurant owned by the Salzer family. Salzer Seed Company memorabilia (n.d.) includes an advertisement containing a photograph of Gordon’s father, Henry A. Salzer, and samples of Salzer Corporation stationery. This subseries does not contain any information about landscaping or plants that were grown by the Salzer Seed Company or Gertrude Salzer Gordon.

Gertrude Salzer Gordon’s social diary (1930-1985?) is filled with a variety of information including names of individuals she entertained, menus, lists of gifts she received, and home decorating information. Gordon’s travel memorabilia (1924-1959) contains three notebooks she kept during her travels and other travel related papers.