Scope and Contents: This collection contains the letters of Helen Mercer. The letters are authored by Helen Mercer, family members and friends. These letters provide a broad snapshot of the life of a teacher whose correspondence came from Iowa, Kansas and Texas, primarily, in addition to other parts of the country. The documents, which range from the late 19th century to the mid-20th century, are a record of noteworthy moments in one American family's life. The handwritten letters come from a time in history when this kind of personal correspondence was commonplace and yet today, this type of communication in such a format is rare.
In addition to the personal letters, some official letters from attorneys are included which detail the condition of the Mercer oat crops on their farm in Iowa during the 1920s. Christmas cards, graduation announcements, postcards and some other formal documents are part of this collection.
Other messages at the end of the collection outline some details of Helen Mercer's hospital stay during her later years in Texas. The final letter is dated 1968.
Arrangement 
