Archive Record
Metadata
Object ID number |
2016.26 |
Title |
Myrtle Odlum Papers |
Scope & Content |
This collection consists of material pertaining to South Windsor history, news, events and organizations. The bulk of the collection consists of newspaper clippings, mostly dating from the 1970s and 80s, on topics of interest to Myrtle Odlum. The clippings are organized according to these topics, for the most part following Odlum's own organization. Newspaper clippings not of local interest were discarded. In some cases, the clippings had been placed in binders, in which cases they were removed and the binders discarded. The next largest series is the one containing Myrtle Odlum's research on local history. The bulk of this material relates to South Windsor's Main Street, and was accumulated in preparation for an application for National Historic District status. Included in this series are Odlum's handwritten notes from a variety of sources, as well as paperwork related to the designation of this historic district. The first two series in the collection, both consisting of a relatively small amount of material, contain pamphlets and promotional materials related to local government, politics, organizations, and events. The remainder of the collection pertains to Myrtle Odlum's personal life. This material is broken up into two series, the first being family papers from Odlum's parents farm and a small amount of papers accumulated by Odlum's husband Harry. The second series related to Odlum's personal life contains assorted ephemera--photographs, a scrapbook, and miscellaneous papers. The scrapbook was unbound and empty pages were discarded. This collection is organized into 6 series: 1. SOUTH WINDSOR POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT PAPERS 2. SOUTH WINDSOR ORGANIZATIONS PAPERS 3. NEWSPAPER CLIPPINGS 4. ODLUM AND REARDON FAMILY PAPERS 5. EPHEMERA 6. MAIN STREET AND OTHER SOUTH WINDSOR HISTORY |
Orgnaizational or Biographical History |
Myrtle Odlum (1912 – 2007), maiden name Reardon, was a South Windsor native. She was born on Main Street and lived her entire life at 347 Main Street. Myrtle was the daughter of James H. Reardon and Ellen “Nellie” (Grosch) Reardon, and the widow of Harry James Odlum. She and Harry had one child, Barbara Odlum Wood. Myrtle graduated from East Windsor High School in 1929 and attended Morse Business College. She worked for the State of Connecticut Highway Department, Travelers Insurance Company, and Pratt & Whitney Aircraft. Active in the Democratic Party, Myrtle served as Tax Collector for the Town of South Windsor; she was also President of the Democratic Women’s Club and a delegate to the National Convention, which selected John F. Kennedy as their candidate for president. Myrtle and her husband attended JFK’s inaugural ball. Throughout her life, Myrtle was a great supporter of her church, St. Francis of Assisi. She also had a passion for history which led her to become active in the South Windsor Historical Society, the South Windsor Historical Commission and the State of Connecticut Historical Commission. Myrtle served as the first president of the Friends of Wood Memorial Library and was a volunteer there for many years. Myrtle's husband, Harry Odlum, was also active in local politics, serving as the Democratic Party town chairman, a position from which he retired around 1960, and as campaign chairman for Senator Tom Dodd. Harry was a realtor and real estate appraiser. |
Collection |
Myrtle Odlum Papers |
People |
Bissell, Israel Bissell, John, ca 1591-1677 Burr, Donald Fitch, John, 1743-1798 Odlum, Harry Odlum, Harry James, 1911-1983 Odlum, Myrtle Josephine (Reardon), 1912-2007 Reardon, James Reardon, Myrtle Reardon, Nellie Robbins, Thomas, Dr., 1777-1856 Wolcott, Oliver, Gov., 1760-1833 |
Subjects |
South Windsor (Conn. : Town) -- Buildings, structures, etc. Connecticut River Tobacco farms -- Connecticut Historic districts -- Connecticut -- South Windsor Historic preservation--Connecticut--South Windsor Political campaigns--Connecticut--South Windsor Government publications--Connecticut--South Windsor Economic development--Connecticut--South Windsor Bridges--Connecticut River African Americans--History Clubs--Connecticut--South Windsor |
Search Terms |
57 Main Street 59 Main Street 90 Main Street 93 Main Street 215 Main Street 222 Main Street 244 Main Street 380 Main Street 407 and 409 Main Street 447-449 Main Street 452 Main Street 465 Main Street 771 Main Street 906 Main Street 1653 Main Street 1810 Main Street 787 North King Street Bissell Family Bissell Ferry Bissell Ferry Farm Bissell Ferry Tavern Bissell Tavern Main Street Main St South Windsor Scantic River Saint Margaret Mary's Catholic Church Saint Peter's Episcopal Church Our Savior Lutheran Church Calvary Church Assembly of God Wapping Community Church Wapping Fair Shade Tobacco Growers Agriculture Association, Inc. Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church Bulkeley Bridge |
Year Range from |
1930 |
Year Range to |
1990 |