Bucher Sisters' Prayer Covering Patterns and Diaries, 1931-1965 | Earl H. and Anita F. Hess Archives and Special Collections

By Abigail Sholes '23

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Collection Overview

Scope and Contents of the Materials

Collection Historical Note

Subject/Index Terms

Administrative Information

Box and Folder Listing

Box 1

Folder 1: "Katie Bucher, used February 1963, used in Mary 1962, used for Cast Stiff nylon July 1961"

Folder 2: "Clara's last, Amy Graybill, Clara and Sallie piece"

Folder 3: "Edna Patches"

Folder 4: "Clara and Sallie, Sallie"

Folder 5: "Esther's very, very last pattern, used this pat. Sept. 1971 & June 1972"

Folder 6: "Katie, used Dec. 1964, June 1965"

Folder 7: "Mrs. Lizzie Haldeman, Campbelltown"

Folder 8: "Mrs. John Hinkle, August 1953, March 6, 1959"

Folder 9: "Mrs. Dan Miller"

Folder 10: "Maggie Detweiler"

Folder 11: "Mrs. Ed Kreider"

Folder 12: "Mrs. Paul Dubbs"

Folder 13: "Hannah Eby, pattern attached to material"

Folder 14: "Anna Hartman"

Folder 15: "Mrs. Mary Hitz"

Folder 16: "Mrs. Geo Kreiser"

Folder 17: "Mrs. Mark Keller"

Folder 18: "Rebecca Hallman"

Folder 19: "Martha Kreider"

Folder 20: "Mrs. Ammon Keller, E. Lehman"

Folder 21: "Mabel Stark, April 1965"

Folder 22: "Elizabeth Kreider"

Folder 23: "Mrs. Ethan Kreider"

Folder 24: "Mary Kettering"

Folder 25: "Mary Stuber"

Folder 26: "Nora Krumbine"

Folder 27: "Mrs. Harry G. Etter, pattern in envelope"

Folder 28: "Mrs. Ivan Heisey"

Folder 29: "Esther Lauser Haldeman"

Folder 30: "Kathryn Koones"

Folder 31: "Orpha Herman"

Folder 32: "Mrs. Ida Espenshade"

Folder 33: "Mrs. Geo Kreider"

Folder 34: "Mrs. Moses Kreider"

Folder 35: "Mrs. Mary B. Horst"

Folder 36: "Betty Kreider, pattern attached to material"

Folder 37: "Mabel Kreider"

Folder 38: "Minnie Hastetter"

Folder 39: "Edith and Verna Patches, 1947 pattern"

Folder 40: "Mrs. Clarence Forney"

Folder 41: "Mrs. Harrison Miller"

Folder 42: "Mrs. Denger"

Folder 43: "Ruth Fry"

Folder 44: "Mrs. Alfred Miller"

Folder 45: "Mrs. Ralph Kaylor, July 1959, pattern attached to material"

Folder 46: "Myrtle Fegan"

Folder 47: "Mrs. Harvey Coble"

Folder 48: "Anna Mai Copenhaven"

Folder 49: "Annie Moore"

Folder 50: "Mrs. Mary Miller, pattern attached to envelope with material in it"

Folder 51: "Mrs. John Lentz"

Folder 52: "Florence Zeigler"

Folder 53: "Mrs. Bicksler"

Folder 54: "Mrs. Jacob Brandt"

Folder 55: "Elizabeth Brightbill"

Folder 56: "Mrs. Chas Bross"

Folder 57: "Mrs. John A. Brandt"

Folder 58: "Mrs. Irwin Bowman"

Folder 59: "Mrs. Robert Wenger"

Folder 60: "Mrs. H. David Wenger"

Folder 61: "Mrs. Joseph Wagner"

Folder 62: "Mrs. Stella Long, pattern in envelope marked Clara Bucher"

Folder 63: "Mrs. Jonas Baruhard"

Folder 64: "Mrs. Wilmer Ziegler Sr."

Folder 65: "Mrs. Bessie Lehman"

Folder 66: "Delores Weik and Ethel Weik and Mrs. Leroy Weik"

Folder 67: "Mrs. Cheste B. Couch"

Folder 68: "Cora Brubaker, Mrs. Aaron Heisey's last pattern"

Folder 69: "Mrs. Joseph Wenger"

Folder 70: "Mrs. Cyrus Bowman (Ada Long) and Carrie Speraw"

Folder 71: "Esther Baur"

Folder 72: "Mrs. Allen Breiderstine"

Folder 73: "Ariene Wolfe"

Folder 74: "Mrs. Sam Brass"

Folder 75: "Marie Kreider Wenger, pattern attached to material"

Folder 76: "Mrs. Isaac Imboden, From Mary Umberger"

Folder 77: "Lizzie Light"

Folder 78: "Alta Wampler"

Folder 79: "Lorena"

Folder 80: "Mrs. Allen Bomberger"

Folder 81: "Mrs. Walter Bachman"

Folder 82: "June Bomberger"

Folder 83: "Mrs. Phares Tschudy"

Folder 84: "Kathryn Miller, pattern attached to an envelope"

Folder 85: "Mrs. John Rhine (Mary Snavely)"

Folder 86: "Lily Mill"

Folder 87: "Mrs. Howard Wise"

Folder 88: "Mrs. Harvey Dohner"

Folder 89: "Mrs. Sam Carmany"

Folder 90: "Mrs. Ed Moyer, Mrs. June McZuilkin"

Folder 91: "Mrs. Cyrus Fink Lost"

Folder 92: "Mrs. Benji Myers"

Box 2

Folder 93: "Pauline Ruhl"

Folder 94: "Mrs. Dane Moyer"

Folder 95: "Rachel Copenhaver"

Folder 96: "Mrs. Frances Moyer, pattern attached to material"

Folder 97: "Pauline Ruhl"

Folder 98: "Mrs. Earl Forney"

Folder 99: "Mrs. Ralph Patches"

Folder 100: "Esther Gingrich"

Folder 101: "Mrs. Robert Spraw"

Folder 102: "Mrs. Lester Smith"

Folder 103: "Susan Sherman"

Folder 104: "Lizzie Spangler"

Folder 105: "Elsie Snavely and Lizzie Staldeman"

Folder 106: "Mrs. Adam Smith"

Folder 107: "Esther Gingrich"

Folder 108: "Mrs. Amos Graby"

Folder 109: "Lydia Gingrich"

Folder 110: "Mrs. Irwin Shwenk"

Folder 111: "Rebecca Shope"

Folder 112: "Mrs. Milton Stoner"

Folder 113: "Susan"

Folder 114: "Mrs. Chris Smith"

Folder 115: "Miriam G."

Folder 116: "Mrs. Amos Gingrich"

Folder 117: "Adele, Eileen Gingrich"

Folder 118: "Mrs. Norman Gingrich"

Folder 119: "Cora Graby"

Folder 120: "Mrs. Henry Graby, pattern attached to material"

Folder 121: "Mrs. Harry Painter"

Folder 122: "Dora Bomberger"

Folder 123: "Miriam Patches"

Folder 124: "Mrs. Harvey Shenk"

Folder 125: "Mrs. Harold Weaver, Emma Leisey"

Folder 126: "Mrs. Ammon Bowman"

Folder 127: "Sarah Bucher"

Folder 128: "Ellen Brandt"

Folder 129: "Mrs. Mark Wenger"

Folder 130: "Mrs. Speraw pattern in an envelope addressed to Clara"

Box 3

Volume 1: Sallie Bucher Diary, 1 January 1936–31 December 1940

In this diary, Sallie Bucher generally outlines the daily weather and chores (including washing, baking, tidying, etc.) She most often mentions her sisters Esther and Clara and her brother Allen. She also notes when she attends church, typically in Annville but occasionally in Palmyra.

Box 4

Volume 1: Sallie Bucher Diary, 1 January 1941–31 December 1945

In this diary, author Sallie Bucher details the weather each day and household chores completed. Often mentioned are her mother, sisters Clara and Esther, and brother Allen. The first mentions of creating prayer coverings for women in the community are found in several entries in this diary. Also included are notes on outings to see family members (mainly her brother Allen), shop, or go to church.

Box 5

Volume 1: Sallie Bucher Diary, 1 January 1946–31 December 1950

The majority of the entries in this diary note daily weather, household chores, and outings to shops, church, or her brother Allen’s home. Notably, this diary includes mentions of making prayer coverings for women in the local community. Also notable are entries made on and just after 28 January 1949, the date the Bucher sisters’ mother, Mary Bucher, passed away.

Box 6

Volume 1: Sallie Bucher Diary, 1 January 1956–31 December 1960

In this diary, Sallie Bucher generally notes daily activities such as cleaning, sewing, shopping, and attending Church. She often mentions her sisters Clara and Esther. Her brother Allen is also included, as the sisters often make trips to visit him at his home.

Box 7

Volume 1: Sallie Bucher Diary, 1 January 1966–31 December 1970

This diary generally contains information about Sallie Bucher’s daily life: weather, chores, sewing, and church attendance. Aside from regular entries about daily activities, this diary contains several dates of note. In an entry from 15 April 1966, the author writes that her brother Allen Bucher passed away. On 14 January 1967, Sallie Bucher’s sister Clara Bucher passed away. Another entry dated 19 December 1968 notes the passing of her brother George Bucher. After these losses, subsequent diary entries mention sister Esther Bucher frequently. Oftentimes these entries are about Esther’s teaching career, noting days off or days when Esther returned home early or late from work.

Box 8

Volume 1: Esther Bucher Diary, 1 January 1931–31 December 1935

Esther Bucher’s diary covers her last year at Elizabethtown College and start of her teaching career upon graduation. The diary also includes information about daily life: weather, household chores, studying, and church attendance are common. On 7 April 1931, the author writes about being elected as a teacher in North Londonderry Township for the upcoming school year. In June of 1931, Esther Bucher graduates from Elizabethtown College. Subsequent entries make mentions of her new career as a teacher. Throughout 1932, several diary entries make note of her father’s illness, and an entry from 18 June 1932 notes his passing.

Box 9

Volume 1: Esther Bucher Diary, 1 January 1961–31 December 1965

Entries in this diary often detail the day’s weather, school events, and the work or chores completed that day. Many entries give a brief account of how the school day progressed, student behavior, or mood throughout the day. Some entries reference working late at school in the library, hosting conferences, or other activities. The author has many interactions visiting, hosting, or working with various community members. Notably, Esther most often mentions her sister, Sallie Bucher, and brother Allen Bucher.