Edna E. Blodgett, Frederick C. Vicinus and Charles J. Reinhardt papers
Biographical / Historical note
Edna E. Blodgett (1896-1990) was born in Rochester, New York to Lester E. Blodgett and May K. Blodgett and worked as a sorter in a factory in her early twenties. In 1918, Blodgett's fiance, Frederick Carl Vicinus (1893-1986), left for Fort Dix, New Jersey to serve in World War I as a sergeant. He was sent to Marseille, France on May 18, 1918 and returned to the United States a year later in May of 1919. After his return, Blodgett and Vicinus married on June 22, 1920 and settled in Rochester, New York. Vicinus played second horn for the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra in the late 1920s and early 30s.
Charles J. Reinhardt (1896-1971) was born in Rochester, New York and served as a Corporal during World War I. He moved from Rochester to Washington while he was stationed at Camp Lewis. Reinhardt knew Edna E. Blodgett and her family for a number of years as stated in his letters. After finding out about Blodgett's marriage to Frederick Vicinus in 1920, Reinhardt stopped sending letters. Reinhardt married Bessie S. Brinkley in Montesano, Washington on June 26, 1936. Brinkley had one daughter named Sarah E. Brinkley from a previous marriage. Reinhardt worked as an Aeria salesman for wholesale oil and gas. Reinhardt died in June of 1971 in Aberdeen, Washington.
Scope and Contents
The Edna E. Blodgett, Frederick C. Vicinus and Charles J. Reinhardt Papers include 128 letters dated between 1917 and 1920. 108 of the letters are from Edna Blodgett to Sargent Frederick Vicinus, 8 of the letters are from Corporal Reinhardt to Blodgett, and 12 letters are from various friends and family members of Vicinus. The letters exchanged between Blodgett, Vicinus, and Reinhardt show the development of a wartime love triangle. Also included in the collection are three small photographs of Blodgett and Vicinus's military census card. Box two contains eleven issues of the Camp Dix Times and the first five issues of Camp Dix Pictorial Review.
Creator
- Vicinus, Edna Blodgett, 1896-1990 (Person)
- Vicinus, Frederick C., 1893-1986 (Person)
- Reinhardt, Charles J., approximately 1896- (Person)
Dates
- Creation: 1917-1920
Language of Materials
English
Extent
2 box(es)
Access
The Edna Blodgett, Frederick C. Vicinus and Charles J. Reinhardt Papers is open for research use. Researchers are advised to contact the Rare Books, Special Collections & Preservation Department prior to visiting. Upon arrival, researchers will also be asked to fill out a registration form and provide photo identification.
Use
In consultation with a curator, reproductions may be made upon request. Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from a curator. Researchers are responsible for determining any copyright questions.
Preferred Citation
[Item title, item date], Edna E. Blodgett, Frederick C. Vicinus and Charles J. Reinhardt Papers, D.465, Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester
Subject
- Vicinus, Edna Blodgett, 1896-1990 (Person)
- Vicinus, Frederick C., 1893-1986 (Person)
- Reinhardt, Charles J., approximately 1896- (Person)
- Title
- Edna E. Blodgett, Frederick C. Vicinus and Charles J. Reinhardt papers
- Author
- Finding aid prepared by Rare Books and Special Collections staff
- Date
- undated
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Library Details
Part of the Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation Library
