Austin Merrill Mecklem and Marianne Greer Appel papers, 1910-2009

Biographical materials include Mecklem's high school diploma and graduation program, a United States Passport in his name, membership cards and an automobile registration. Among Mecklem's teaching notes is an essay entitled "A Tentative Introduction to Aesthetics" by Fritz Mart, Ph.D. There also are Work Progress Administration (WPA) bulletins covering the period from April, 1935 to July, 1936 and September, 1936 to February, 1937, WPA assignment cards, and materials explaining the WPA Federal Art Project and its gallery operation. The letters and correspondence primarily concern Mecklem's professional memberships and his efforts to secure employment and exposure for his art. Digital material consists of "Catalogue Raisonee as of Feb. 2009".

Additional Mecklem drawings can be found in a shared sketchbook found in the Appel papers, Series 2.

Letters include communications from the Federal Works Agency Public Buildings Administration concerning the Carville, Louisiana Marine Hospital Water Color Competition and reference letters in support of Appel's application for a Guggenheim Fellowship, including one by Ernest Gruening, then Governor of Alaska. Gruening became acquainted with Appel's work when she and Mecklem worked in Alaska for the Works Progress Administration. More personal are the hand-written letters from friends, including notes of condolence on the passing of Mecklem. Writings by Appel express her interest in nature and thoughts about life. There are illustrated drafts of her children's book "The Story of Juliet," about life lessons of a seal. Also found are three sketchbooks including one she shared with Mecklem.

The photographs are of puppets, paintings by Appel, and what are probably family snapshots. The donors' notes suggest that writings that accompany certain puppet photos are notes from Jim Henson, creator of the Muppets.

This series contains photographs of both Mecklem and Appel and their family and friends. Among the photographs found are their wedding picture, a snapshot of the couple and their two small daughters, numerous pictures of Mecklem at various ages and a snapshot of the couple's Woodstock house and family members skiing. There also is a photograph of Mecklem with his brothers in front of an abstract painting probably by him.