In 2007, the Stowe Center opened an extensive new resource to researchers: the Kirkham Collection of annotated Harriet Beecher Stowe letters.  Generously donated by E. Bruce Kirkham, the Collection consists of copies of Stowe letters (1822-1886) gathered over many years from various collections, notebooks of Dr. Kirkham’s research, correspondence, clippings, microfilm, an electronic database of the annotated letters (1822-1895) and Dr. Kirkham’s text for a planned book of Stowe letters.  Because many of the letters are the property of other collections, and due to the terms of the donation, various legal restrictions shape how the collection can be made accessible.  As one of the outcomes of the 2011 Stowe Bicentennial, the Stowe Center would like to build a plan to publish at least some portion of Stowe’s letters.  This collection would be the basis of that work.  Contact Katherine Kane, Executive Director (860.522.5258×310), for further information.

The Collection is now available at the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center Library (even though the rest of the Stowe Center Library is in off-site storage during the Collections Preservation Project).  The Collection cannot be digitally transferred or emailed, and can only be referenced or published in part.  Material from the Collection may be reproduced with written permission from the appropriate libraries and the Stowe Center.  Schedule an appointment Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  Call or email Collections Manager Beth Giard (860-522-9258 ext. 313) for more information.