%xmlchars; ]> ms2116 Guide to the Wentworth Family papers, 1902-1926, undated Special Collections Research Center, The George Washington University Special Collections Research Center, The Gelman Library, The George Washington University 2006

2130 H. St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20052 Phone: 202-994-7549 Email: speccoll@gwu.edu

Machine-readable finding aid derived from Re:discovery database program and converted into xml; Code template by Archives and Information Associates (http://archivesandinformation.com), Alexandria, Virginia . 2005 Finding aid written in English Guide to the Wentworth Family papers, 1902-1926, undated MS2116 Special Collections Research Center, The Gelman Library, The George Washington University

Washington, D.C.

Processed by: Special Collections Staff, 2006 Encoded by: Jennifer King, 2006

Descriptive Summary Wentworth Family Wentworth Family papers, 1902-1926, undated MS2116 4.5 Linear feet Collection contains biographical information on Hazel and John Wentworth, as well as personal papers, correspondence, publications and programs. The George Washington University, The Gelman Library, Special Collections Research Center

&gwuaddr;

English Information for Users Preferred citation

Wentworth Family papers, Special Collections Research Center, The George Washington University.

Restrictions on Access

Some records may be restricted.

Acquisition Information

[required]

Restrictions on Use

Some material may be copyrighted or restricted. It is the patron's obligation to determine and satisfy copyright or other case restrictions when publishing or otherwise distributing materials found in the collections.

Historical or Biographical Note

The Wentworth Papers collection contains a rich genealogic history of both Hazel and John Wentworth, the couple who are its primary focus, and what appears to be a collection of Hazel's personal papers. Unfortunately the collection's donor record could not be found thus little information is known about the Wentworths except that contained within the collection. However by combining this information with Hazel Wentworth's obituary (Washington Post 11/12/98) and the information presented in The Washington Theatre Club collection, also held by George Washington University, enough is known to present a brief biographical sketch for Hazel Wentworth. Hazel H Wentworth was born to Sherman and Myrna Hupper in Melrose MA, circa 1906. She graduated from Smith College in 1930 and moved to Washington DC sometime in the late 1940s. During the 1950s, she taught learning-disabled children in the DC public schools and at the Kingsbury Center. In 1957 she founded the Washington Theatre Club in Georgetown with her husband John Wentworth. The Theatre Club focused on introducing new productions, playwrights and performers and also housed a drama school to provide training for all ages and interaction with professional performers and directors. (For additional information on the Theatre Club please see the Washington Theatre Club collection.) In 1981 Hazel moved to Maine but returned to the DC area in 1989. At some point she and John Wentworth had two daughters, Rebecca and Karen, but the couple was later divorced. Hazel died of cancer on November 12, 1998 at Iliff Nursing Home in Dunn Loring.

Collection Scope and Content

This collection contains biographical information on Hazel and John Wentworth, as well as personal papers, correspondence, publications and programs.

Collection Organization

Organized into four series: Hazel H. Wentworth genealogy, John B Wentworth genealogy, Hazel Wentworth, and Miscellaneous.

Subject Terms Individuals Wentworth, Hazel H. Wentworth, John Corporate Entities Topics Wentworth Family papers Biography Geographic Locations Washington (D.C.) Detailed Description of the Records MS2116 Series 1 Hazel H. Wentworth geneology, undated 1.5 Linear feet

This series consists of family histories.

1 Hazel H Wentworth genealogy, undated

1 1 Nelson Hall and Rebecca Hall, undated

1 2 Sherman Blake Hupper (1865-1949) and Myrna Estelle Hupper (1881-?), undated

1 3 Sherman and Myrna Hupper - Massachusetts Properties, undated

1 4 Sherman and Myrna Hupper - Maine Properties, undated

1 5 Myrna Hupper - Insurance Information, undated

MS2116 Series 2 John B. Wentworth geneology, undated 1.5 Linear feet

Unfortunately the information provided in the series is less straightforward and conclusive as that in Hazel's. We have information for two distinct family lines however it is unclear what, if any, is the relation between the two lines and from which John B Wentworth comes. Therefore I will explain simple explain the known information about these two family lines. The first line originates with the Ackerman family. George Ackerman, who died in 1941, was married to Mattie E Ackerman. They had a daughter Marie Louise Ackerman, born in 1875 and a son named Henry. Marie married George Edmund Wentworth, born in 1866, in 1902. And Marie often corresponded with a niece named Gertrude. The other line begins with John "Long John" Wentworth (1815-1888.) John was the 16th mayor of Chicago. His nephew was Moses J Wentworth who married Lizzie Shaw Hunt Wentworth in 1891. Moses dies in 1922 and Lizzie in 1935. Lizzie's obituary states that she was outlived by a son, John Wentworth however it is completely unknown if this could be the John who married Hazel or simply another one of his relatives. This series consists of family histories.

1 John B Wentworth genealogy, undated

1 6 General Wentworth Information, undated

1 7 George Ackerman (?-1941), undated

1 8 Marriage Certificate of George Wentworth and Marie L Ackerman, 1902

1 9 Correspondence between RMS Putnam and George Wentworth, 1919-1926

1 10 Marie Louise Ackerman (1875-?) - Personal Correspondence, undated

1 11 Marie Louise Ackerman - Business Transactions, undated

MS2116 Series 3 Hazel Wentworth geneology, undated 1.5 Linear feet

This series includes what appears to be a collection of Hazel's personal papers including her correspondence and various articles, publications, playbills and programs which were apparently of interest to her, among other things. This series includes biographical sketch; Smith College; correspondence; Articles and publication on Washington Theatre Club; Alliance for Arts Education; Children's Theatre; General Theatre Articles and Publications.

1 Hazel Wentworth, undated

1 12 Biographical Sketch, undated

1 13 Smith College, undated

1 14 Correspondence, undated

1 15 Articles and publication on the Washington Theatre Club, undated

1 16 Alliance for Arts Education, undated

1 17 Children's Theatre, 1949-1954

1 18 General Theatre Articles and Publications, undated

2 Hazel Wentworth, undated

2 1 Performing Arts in Maine, undated

2 2 Playbills and Programs of various productions, undated

2 3 Library for the arts, undated

MS2116 Series 4 Records, undated 1.5 Linear feet

This series includes documents, which could not be sufficiently identified for better classification.

This series includes genealogical information reaching back to Hazel's grandparents. I will now provide a brief ancestral sketch complied from this information.

Nelson Hall, Hazel's grandfather, was born in Belfast Maine and was a Corporal in the US Sharp Shooters. He was discharged from service in 1863 and returned home to his wife, Rebecca Hall. The couple resided in Meadford, Massachusetts and in 1899 they adopted Myrna Wiley, born in 1881. Myrna then married Sherman Blake Hupper, born in 1865. Sherman was an Ensign in the navy and was discharged from service in 1928. The couple resided in Massachusetts where they owned two properties: one in Wilmington and the other in Stoneham. They had a daughter and a son. Their daughter was Hazel. This series includes information on Katherine C Wiggin in the form of correspondence; miscellaneous documents; photographs; various coins; school notebook; free coupon book for The Sperry & Hutchinson Co; address book.

2 Miscellaneous, undated

2 4 Katherine C Wiggin, undated

2 5 Correspondence, undated

2 6 Miscellaneous Documents, undated

2 7 Photographs, undated

3 Miscellaneous, undated

3 1 Various Coins, undated

3 2 School Notebook, undated

3 3 Free Coupon Book for The Sperry & Hutchinson Co., undated

3 4 Address Book, undated