Guide to the Marguerite Reiss papers
1943-2004
Collection number: HMC-0207.
Creator: Reiss, Marguerite.
Title: Marguerite Reiss papers.
Dates: 1943-2004.
Volume of collection: 1.0 cubic feet.
Language of materials: Collection materials are in English.
Collection summary: Papers of an Alaskan author and librarian.
Biographical note:
Marguerite Reiss (later Kern) was born in Ohio and worked as a reporter for a number of newspapers including the Akron Beacon Journal, the Columbus Dispatch, the Marion Commentator, the Washington D.C. Times Herald, the Lorain Journal, and the Oberlin Times. She also did freelance writing for various magazines and newspapers including Guideposts, Camping Journal, the St. Louis Post Dispatch, and the Toledo Blade. She wrote several articles about Alaska which were published in Reader’s Digest and other magazines, and she also wrote a book, Holy Nudges, published in 1976. From 1980 to 1982, Reiss served as school and community librarian for Galena, Alaska.
Collection description:
The collection consists of biographical materials, published and unpublished works by Marguerite Reiss, photographs, oral history transcripts, and other papers. The published works include copies of articles written for Reader’s Digest and for various newspapers. The unpublished works include manuscripts of her autobiography (1978), her “pilgrimage of faith” across the United States, an account of her two years as the community and school librarian in Galena, Alaska (1980-1982), an account of life on Little Diomede Island, and notes concerning the life of parka manufacturer Laura Wright. The collection also contains transcripts of oral histories made and collected by Reiss concerning her research on the 1925 serum run to Nome, the Alaska gold rush, and the Aleutian Islands during World War II, as well as other research material collected by Reiss while researching these topics.
Digitized copies: This collection has not been digitized. For information about obtaining digital copies, please contact Archives and Special Collections.
Rights note: Donor retains copyright through her lifetime.
Preferred citation: Marguerite Reiss papers, Archives and Special Collections, Consortium Library, University of Alaska Anchorage.
Separated materials: Publications were removed from the collection and transferred to the Rare Books and Consortium Library collections in 2011.
Acquisition note: The collection was donated to the archives by Marguerite Reiss in 1988, with additions made between 1993-2009.
Processing information: This collection was arranged and described by Jeffrey A. Sinnott in 1997. The guide to the collection was revised and additions to the collection described by Megan K. Friedel in 2010 and 2013.
Container list:
| Box/Folder | Description | Dates |
| 1/1 | Resume and work description for position of School & Community Librarian, Galena City Schools, Galena, Alaska | 1988 |
| 1/2 | Newspaper articles about Marguerite Reiss | 1978-1988 |
| 1/3 | Published writings–newspaper articles | 1978 |
| 1/4 | Published writings–magazine articles | 1985, 1988 |
| 1/5-7 | Unpublished writings–manuscript of autobiography | 1978 |
| 1/8-9 | Unpublished writings–autobiographical account of “pilgrimage of faith” across the United States from Ohio to the West Coast and back | 1972-1973 |
| 1/10-12 | Unpublished writings–autobiographical account of Marguerite Reiss’s two years as community and school librarian in Galena, Alaska | 1980-1982 |
| 1/13 | Unpublished writings–”Life on a powderkeg: 158 Americans living under Soviet machine guns,” chapter outlines and writing sample for proposed book about life on Little Diomede Island | undated |
| 1/14 | Unpublished writings–”F-15 pilots” story draft | undated |
| 1/15 | Unpublished writings–”Silver bird” short story drafts based on life at Kent State University in 1942-1943 | undated |
| 1/16 | Unpublished writings–notes and other research materials on the life of Laura Wright, Alaska native manufacturer of parkas in Fairbanks, Alaska | 1970 |
| 1/17 | Unpublished writings–”The Aleutian war” (outline, foreword, and first chapter) | 2000 |
| 1/18 | Unpublished writings–“How to keep a long distance love alive” | circa 2001 |
| 1/19 | Unpublished writings–Biographical essay on P. Gordon Gould, founder of Alaska Methodist University, with clippings and brochure about Gould | undated |
| 1/20 | Photographs of Marguerite Reiss | 1976-1987 |
| 1/21 | Other papers relating to Marguerite Reiss’s writing | 1980, undated |
| 1/22-36 | Research material–Transcripts of oral history interviews with Ray Petersen | undated |
| 1/37-38 | Research material about the 1925 serum run–transcript, VHS video cassette, DVD, and computer discs of oral history interview with Edgar Nollner | 1982 |
| 1/39 | Research material about the Alaska gold rush–transcript of oral history interview with Adelin Caswell Crew about her experiences in Skagway | 1963 |
| 1/40 | “The Aleutian war” research material–including papers regarding the Eleventh Air Force Association | undated |
| 1/41 | “The Aleutian war” research material–personal accounts, clippings, and excerpts from the 1940-1941 Congressional record | circa 1999-2000 |
| 1/42 | “The Aleutian war” research material–Bob Atwood interview | 1990 August 19 |
| 1/43 | “The Aleutian war” research material–letters from Robert Manning Vaughan | 2000 |
| 1/44 | “The Aleutian war” research material–John Miscovich letters and other papers | circa 1993-1998 |
| 1/45 | “The Aleutian war” research material–correspondence with Teruo Nishikima | 2001 |
| 1/46 | “The Aleutian war” research material–George Sullivan papers | circa 1998 |
| 1/47 | “The Aleutian war” research material–Paul Tatsuguchi war diary (photocopy), articles, and photographs | 1943-2004 |
| 1/48 | “The Aleutian war” research material–correspondence regarding Paul Tatsuguchi | 1972-1993 |
| 1/49 | “The Aleutian war” research material–Lori Tatsuguchi papers | 1993 |
| 1/50 | “The Aleutian war” research material–Fred Walden articles, recollections, correspondence, and other papers | 1943-1989 |
| 1/51 | “The Aleutian war” research material–Ed Walker interview (transcript), articles, correspondence, and other papers | circa 1944-1998 |
| 1/52 | “The Aleutian war” research material–interviews with other Alaskan Scouts | circa 1986-1999 |
| 1/53 | “The Aleutian war” research material–other correspondence | circa 1986 |
| 1/54 | Oral history interviews with Elsie Marston, Muktuk Marston, Robert Atwood, George Sullivan, and Leo Rasmussen. | Undated, 1984 |