Title: Louis W. Bridgman Papers
Inclusive Dates: 1910-1960

Creator:

• Bridgman, Louis W., 1883-1960

Call Number: Wis Mss WD

Quantity: 0.8 c.f. (2 archives boxes)

Repository:

Wisconsin Historical Society, Division of Library, Archives, and Museum Collections

Archival Locations:

Wisconsin Historical Society (Map)

COLLECTION MAY BE STORED OFF-SITE: see catalog entry to request materials and for additional information.

Abstract:

Papers of Louis W. Bridgman, a Madison, Wisconsin, journalist, mainly consisting of correspondence. Many letters pertain to Bridgman's career as a reporter for the Wisconsin State Journal, 1906-1913, and for the Associated Press, 1913-1930, and as editor for the University of Wisconsin Extension Division. The remainder of the exchanges derive from his interest in civic and historical affairs. Included is correspondence relating to the Saturday Lunch Club of Madison, 1914-1918, Lincoln Fellowship of Wisconsin, 1940-1960, and Antigo, Wisconsin. Correspondence with Albert H. Griffith and Boyd B. Stutler deals with Bridgman's interest in Abraham Lincoln and John Brown; Amos N. Wilder correspondence concerns the family of novelist Thornton Wilder; and John Earl Baker correspondence deals with Baker's various services for the Chinese government, 1916-1940s, when he served as famine relief director, Inspector-General of the Burma Road, and in other capacities.

Language: English

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-whs-wis000wd

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Louis W. Bridgman was the first University of Wisconsin graduate in journalism. Immediately upon graduation in 1906 he joined the staff of the Wisconsin State Journal in Madison as a reporter. He was the Wisconsin alumni reporter from 1911-1913 and in 1913 became the reporter for the Associated Press in Madison. In 1930, Bridgman became the editor for the University of Wisconsin Extension Division. He retired in 1953.

The collection reveals Bridgman's interest in civic and historical affairs. Aside from his general correspondence and his speeches and articles, the papers include material relating to the Saturday Lunch Club of Madison, 1914-1918, and the Lincoln Fellowship of Wisconsin, 1940-1960; and the correspondence of four men in whose work Bridgman was particularly interested. This latter material has been left as Bridgman originally organized it. The Albert H. Griffith and Boyd B. Stutler correspondence (in separate folders) is indicative of Bridgman's interest in Abraham Lincoln and John Brown. The Amos N. Wilder correspondence concerns the family of the novelist Thornton Wilder, a native of Madison. The folder concerning John Earl Baker deals mainly with Baker's various services for the Chinese government from 1916 through the 1940s, when he served as Inspector-General of the Burma Road. An additional folder contains miscellaneous correspondence and materials dealing with Antigo, Wisconsin, Bridgman's birthplace.

Acquisition Information

Presented by Louis Bridgman, 1927, 1944, and 1954, and by Mrs. Louis W. Bridgman, Madison, Wisconsin, 1960 and 1962.

Processing Information

Processed by Jack T. Ericson, February 24, 1964.

	Correspondence
Box   1	General Correspondence, 1910-1956
Box   1	Lincoln Fellowship of Wisconsin, 1910-1960
Box   1	Antigo, Wisconsin, 1900-1957
Box   2	Saturday Lunch Club of Madison, 1914-1918
Box   2	John Earl Baker, 1906-1957
Box   2	Albert H. Griffith, 1929-1949
Box   2	Boyd B. Stutler, 1955-1959
Box   2	Amos N. Wilder, 1912-1957
Box   2	Articles and Speeches, 1922-1954