Remembrance of things past: the reminiscences and diary of Polly Caroline Bullard, [undated] and 1897-1911.

ArchivalResource

Bullard, Polly Caroline, 1881-1949. Remembrance of things past: the reminiscences and diary of Polly Caroline Bullard, [undated] and 1897-1911.

Remembrance of things past: the reminiscences and diary of Polly Caroline Bullard, [undated] and 1897-1911.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/313818357

Typed copies (bound volume) of Bullard's reminiscences, a diary, and letters, compiled by her sister, Marjorie Bullard Kohlsaat (Marjorie L. Bullard). The reminiscences (undated) and diary (1897) describe childhood, family, and school life in St. Paul (Minn.), 1884-1908, including home furnishings, household management, and children's daily routines. Letters (1908-1911), as well as the reminiscences, describe her work as a teacher in Eveleth (St. Louis County, Minn.), life on the Mesabi Iron Range, and the Finnish immigrants of the area. The reminiscences give a vivid account of life in St. Paul (Minnesota) in the 1880s-1900s. The Bullard family moved from Illinois to St. Paul in 1884, living first in the area of John and Grove streets, then in St. Anthony Park, and finally moving to Irvine Park. Complete descriptions are given of the neighborhoods, the interior furnishings of homes, and the people who lived in the neighborhoods. An account is given of Polly Bullard's first days in the Murray School, St. Anthony Park. Six letters (1908-1911) written by Polly Bullard to her mother tell of Polly's experiences as a school teacher in Eveleth, Minnesota. These letters give an excellent description of life on the "frontier" area of the Iron Range. She tells of living conditions, social life, and her experiences teaching the children, many of whom were foreign born. She mentions the strong socialistic element among the Finnish people. Very excellent descriptions are given of Duluth, and also of the geographic features of the Range, and the miners' homes. Polly Bullard's diary of 1897 gives a fairly complete account of the activities of a young girl in St. Paul. She gives much data on social life, clubs, schools, friends, and also a brief discussion of family genealogy. The diary also gives a good description of musical events in St. Paul. A foreword, written by Marjorie Bullard Kohlsaat (Mrs. Ernest W.), is concerned with family genealogy and a description of the family's activities before they came to St. Paul.

80 p.

Minnesota Historical Society Library