1901-1955
Guide to the Collection
Restrictions on Access
The Charles Henry Wheelwright Foster diaries are stored offsite and must be requested at least two business days in advance via Portal1791. Researchers needing more than six items from offsite storage should provide additional advance notice. If you have questions about requesting materials from offsite storage, please contact the reference desk at 617-646-0532 or reference@masshist.org.
Abstract
This collection consists of diaries kept by Charles Henry Wheelwright Foster of Charles River Village in Needham, and Marblehead, Mass., 1901-55. The collection also includes transcriptions completed by Katherine H. Griffin, 1999.
Collection Description
Fifty-five volumes of diaries kept by Charles Henry Wheelwright Foster (1859-1955) of Charles River Village in Needham, and Marblehead, Mass., 1901-55. Yearly diaries contain daily entries recording weather, health of family members, business (trusts and investment banking), social activities, travel to Cuba and Europe, yachting in Marblehead, polo in Dedham, Mass., billiards at the Union Club in Boston, musical interests, and work as board member of local institutions, including Massachusetts General Hospital. Foster also describes his house in Needham (Castle Farm), his summer house in Marblehead, and his hotel in Marblehead, "The Ship's Cabin."
Family members mentioned include his first wife Mabel Chase (Hill), second wife Mary F. (Speiden); and children Charles, Catherine, Reginald, Hilda, Edith, Caroline, Barbara, and John. Collection also includes photographs, clippings, and other ephemera, both pasted into the diaries and loose. Typed transcriptions of the diaries are available on CD in the Library. Included with the transcriptions are yearly "notes" which summarize each year's activities. See the Librarian for more information.
Acquisition Information
Gift of Charles H. W. Foster, Jan. 2000, Jan. 2004.
Restrictions on Access
The Charles Henry Wheelwright Foster diaries are stored offsite and must be requested at least two business days in advance via Portal1791. Researchers needing more than six items from offsite storage should provide additional advance notice. If you have questions about requesting materials from offsite storage, please contact the reference desk at 617-646-0532 or reference@masshist.org.
Other Formats
Transcriptions available in the MHS Reading Room, DF-007; paper copies also available in cartons 15-17.
Detailed Description of the Collection
Diaries: 1901, 1902, 1903, 1904, 1905, 1906
Diaries: 1907, 1908, 1909, 1910, 1911, 1912
Diaries: 1913, 1914, 1915, 1916, 1917, 1918
Diaries: 1919, 1920, 1921, 1922, 1923, 1924
Diaries: 1925, 1926, 1927, 1928, 1929, 1930
Diaries: 1931, 1932, 1933, 1934, 1935, 1936
Diaries: 1937, 1938, 1939, 1940, 1941, 1942
Diaries: 1943, 1944, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1948
Diaries: 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955
Loose items removed from diaries: 1901-1907
Loose items removed from diaries: 1908-1913
Loose items removed from diaries: 1914-1920
Loose items removed from diaries: 1921-1929
Loose items removed from diaries: 1930-1942
Loose items removed from diaries: 1943-1955
Transcripts of diaries with photocopies of loose matter: 1901-1920
Transcripts of diaries with photocopies of loose matter: 1921-1940
Transcripts of diaries with photocopies of loose matter: 1941-1955
Preferred Citation
Charles Henry Wheelwright Foster diaries, Massachusetts Historical Society.
Access Terms
This collection is indexed under the following headings in ABIGAIL, the online catalog of the Massachusetts Historical Society. Researchers desiring materials about related persons, organizations, or subjects should search the catalog using these headings.