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Dreyer, Wallace A Guide to the Wallace Dreyer Papers RG 17-2B4

A Guide to the Wallace Dreyer Papers RG 17-2B4


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ODU University Archives

3000 Perry Library
4427 Hampton Blvd.
Norfolk, VA 23529
Telephone: 757-683-5350
libspecialcollections@odu.edu
URL: https://www.odu.edu/library/special-collections

Kay Creef

Repository
ODU University Archives
Identification
RG 17-2B4
Title
Wallace Dreyer Papers 1907-1993, undated Date acquired: 09/15/2009
URL:
https://archivesguides.lib.odu.edu/repositories/3/resources/171
Quantity
4.30 Linear Feet
Quantity
9 Hollinger document cases boxes
Creator
Dreyer, Wallace (1923-1995)
Language
English .
Abstract
Wallace Dreyer, an artist, was an adjunct assistant professor and director of the photography program from 1966-1980. The collection contains professional as well as personal photographs, a sketchbook, professional and personal correspondence, a high school year book, newspaper clippings, newspaper advertisements for his art gallery business, certificates pertaining to his elementary school education and x-ray technician certification, x-ray technician employment, and his capture of enemy photographic equipment that he was allowed to keep.

Administrative Information

Conditions Governing Use

Before publishing quotations or excerpts from any materials, permission must be obtained from Special Collections and University Archives, and the holder of the copyright, if not Old Dominion University Libraries.

Conditions Governing Access

Open to researchers without restrictions.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Box [insert number], Folder [insert number and title], Wallace Dreyer Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

Source of Acquisition

Melanie Mathewes, Executive Director of the Hermitage Museum & Gardens

Method of Acquisition

Gift. Accession #A2009-29

Processing Information

The collection was processed and finding aid created by Kay Creef in 2009.

Biographical or Historical Information

Wallace Earl Dreyer was born March 5, 1923 and raised in Marlin, Texas, where he participated in the photography club at his high school.  Dreyer's parents were Bruno G. Dreyer (1898-1975) and Louise Bertha Hoting Dreyer (1902-1971), who married in 1921 in Giddings, Texas.  Dreyer had two siblings, a brother, James Lee Dreyer (1926-1932) and a half-sister, Virginia Hoting (b. 1924), who was his father's illegitimate daughter from an affair with Bertha Hoting Dreyer's sister.  Dreyer attended the University of Texas and graduated in 1943, and also served in the Armed Forces Infantry from 1941 to 1942.  During his military service, Dreyer fought in the Battle of Bastogne in Europe during World War II and also participated in the liberation of camps in Germany.  He obtained his x-ray technician certification at Torbett Clinic and Hospital in 1951.  In 1960, while he was an Associate Professor at Student Memorial Union at Texas A&M College, he married Evelyn Gay Turner (b. July 31, 1915), a teacher at Baylor University, who was a fellow artist.  The Dreyers moved to New York, where they operated an art gallery and sold their paintings.  Dreyer was a contemporary photographer as well as a painter; he favored discarded items as his subjects.  His wife was a sculptor as well as a painter.  Both taught in the Art Department of Old Dominion University beginning in 1966.  Wallace was an adjunct assistant professor and director of the photography program.  Evelyn Gay was an Assistant Professor of Art.  Both retired in 1980.  Wallace Dreyer died in Norfolk, Virginia on March 13, 1993 and his wife, Evelyn Gay Dreyer died in Waco, Texas on February 26, 1995.

Note written by Kay Creef

Scope and Contents

The collection contains professional as well as personal photographs and correspondence, newspapers clippings, certificates, and material related to Wallace Dreyer's work as an x-ray technician.

Arrangement Note

The collection is organized into four series: Series I: Professional; Series II: Personal; Series III: Certificates, Awards and Yearbooks; and Series IV: Miscellaneous.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

  • Artists--United States
  • Dreyer, Wallace (1923-1995)
  • Old Dominion University--Faculty
  • Old Dominion University. Department of Art
  • Photographers--United States
  • World War, 1939-1945--Veterans

Significant Persons Associated With the Collection

  • Dreyer, Wallace (1923-1995)
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Container List

Series I
Series I: Professional
1907-1993, undated
Scope and Contents

This series relates to the professional achievements and correspondence of Wallace Dreyer. Items in this series include his professional photographs, letters from art galleries in which he had his work exhibited, newspaper articles on awards received, and sketchbooks.

  • Sub-Series A
    Sub-Series A: Correspondence, Agreements and Notes
    1951-1993
    Scope and Contents

    This sub-series includes letters from art galleries and members of the arts community, loan agreements, and undated notes on a planned "Art in the Family" exhibit.

    • Mixed Materials box: 1 Box 1
      Box 1
      • Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 1 Folder 1
        Folder 1: Inventory/Price Lists
        1962, 1964
        Preferred Citation

        [Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 1, Inventory/Price Lists, 1962, 1964, Wallace Dreyer Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

      • Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 2 Folder 2
        Folder 2: Letters, Notes and Plans
        1961-1993
        Preferred Citation

        [Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 2, Letters, Notes and Plans, 1961-1993, Wallace Dreyer Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

      • Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 3 Folder 3
        Folder 3: Pamphlets/Programs
        1951-1993
        Preferred Citation

        [Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 3, Pamphlets/Programs, 1951-1993, Wallace Dreyer Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

  • Sub-Series B
    Sub-Series B: Media
    1960-1990
    Scope and Contents

    This sub-series includes newspaper articles on Dreyer's work, his achievements, awards and marriage announcement as well as a 1990 broadcast of WHRO's "Our Place, Our Time."

    • Mixed Materials box: 1 Box 1
      Box 1
      • Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 4 Folder 4
        Folder 4: Newspaper Articles
        1960-1984
        Preferred Citation

        [Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 4, Newspaper Articles, 1960-1984, Wallace Dreyer Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

      • Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 5 Folder 5
        Folder 5: WHRO Broadcast of "Our Place, Our Time"
        1990
        Preferred Citation

        [Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 5, WHRO Broadcast of "Our Place, Our Time", 1990, Wallace Dreyer Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

  • Sub-Series C
    Sub-Series C: Photographs
    1907-1992, undated
    Scope and Contents

    This sub-series includes professional photographs that Dreyer took and are categorized by subject. Other photographs include his ancestors and family.

    • Mixed Materials box: 1 Box 1
      Box 1
      • Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 6 Folder 6
        Folder 6: Animals
        undated
        Preferred Citation

        [Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 6, Animals, undated, Wallace Dreyer Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

      • Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 7 Folder 7
        Folder 7: Buildings/Houses
        undated
        Preferred Citation

        [Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 7, Buildings/Houses, undated, Wallace Dreyer Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Mixed Materials box: 2 Box 2
      Box 2
      • Mixed Materials box: 2 folder: 1 Folder 1
        Folder 1: Contemporary I
        undated
        Preferred Citation

        [Identification of item and date], Box 2, Folder 1, Contemporary I, undated, Wallace Dreyer Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

      • Mixed Materials box: 2 folder: 2 Folder 2
        Folder 2: Contemporary II
        undated
        Preferred Citation

        [Identification of item and date], Box 2, Folder 2, Contemporary II, undated, Wallace Dreyer Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

      • Mixed Materials box: 2 folder: 3 Folder 3
        Folder 3: Dreyer With His Drawings
        undated
        Preferred Citation

        [Identification of item and date], Box 2, Folder 3, Dreyer With His Drawings, undated, Wallace Dreyer Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Mixed Materials box: 3 Box 3
      Box 3
      • Mixed Materials box: 3 folder: 1 Folder 1
        Folder 1: Nature
        undated
        Preferred Citation

        [Identification of item and date], Box 3, Folder 1, Nature, undated, Wallace Dreyer Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

      • Mixed Materials box: 3 folder: 2 Folder 2
        Folder 2: Objects
        undated
        Preferred Citation

        [Identification of item and date], Box 3, Folder 2, Objects, undated, Wallace Dreyer Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Mixed Materials box: 4 Box 4
      Box 4
      • Mixed Materials box: 4 folder: 1 Folder 1
        Folder 1: People
        undated
        Preferred Citation

        [Identification of item and date], Box 4, Folder 1, People, undated, Wallace Dreyer Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

      • Mixed Materials box: 4 folder: 2 Folder 2
        Folder 2: Photographs of the Drawing Process
        undated
        Preferred Citation

        [Identification of item and date], Box 4, Folder 2, Photographs of the Drawing Process, undated, Wallace Dreyer Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Mixed Materials box: 5 Box 5
      Box 5
      • Mixed Materials box: 5 folder: 1 Folder 1
        Folder 1: Photographs of Wife and Family
        1907-1992
        Preferred Citation

        [Identification of item and date], Box 5, Folder 1, Photographs of Wife and Family, 1907-1992, Wallace Dreyer Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

      • Mixed Materials box: 5 folder: 2 Folder 2
        Folder 2: Places
        undated
        Preferred Citation

        [Identification of item and date], Box 5, Folder 2, Places, undated, Wallace Dreyer Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Mixed Materials box: 6 Box 6
      Box 6
      • Mixed Materials box: 6 folder: 1 Folder 1
        Folder 1: Prints
        undated
        Preferred Citation

        [Identification of item and date], Box 6, Folder 1, Prints, undated, Wallace Dreyer Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

      • Mixed Materials box: 6 folder: 2 Folder 2
        Folder 2: Sculptures
        undated
        Preferred Citation

        [Identification of item and date], Box 6, Folder 2, Sculptures, undated, Wallace Dreyer Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

      • Mixed Materials box: 6 folder: 3 Folder 3
        Folder 3: Water
        undated
        Preferred Citation

        [Identification of item and date], Box 6, Folder 3, Water, undated, Wallace Dreyer Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Mixed Materials Oversize Box: 10 Box 10
      Box 10
      • Graphic Materials Oversize Box: 10 Item 1
        Wallace Dreyer Slides
        circa 1960-1990
        Preferred Citation

        Wallace Dreyer Slides, circa 1960-1990, Box 10, Wallace Dreyer Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

        Preferred Citation

        Contains color slides of architecture, construction workers, art work, and some scenes of Kaufman Mall at Old Dominion University.

  • Sub-Series D
    Sub-Series D: Sketchbooks and Other Works
    1959-1980, undated
    Scope and Contents

    This sub-series includes five sketchbooks, two undated pieces of Dreyer's work that are not photographs, as well as a mold he used for works similar to these.

    • Mixed Materials box: 7 Box 7
      Box 7
      • Mixed Materials box: 7 folder: 1 Folder 1
        Folder 1: Drawing and Mold Art
        undated
        Preferred Citation

        [Identification of item and date], Box 7, Folder 1, Drawing and Mold Art, undated, Wallace Dreyer Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

      • Mixed Materials box: 7 folder: 2 Folder 2
        Folder 2: Mold Art
        undated
        Preferred Citation

        [Identification of item and date], Box 7, Folder 2, Mold Art, undated, Wallace Dreyer Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

      • Mixed Materials box: 7 folder: 3 Folder 3
        Folder 3: Sketchbooks
        1959-1980
        Preferred Citation

        [Identification of item and date], Box 7, Folder 3, Sketchbooks, 1959-1980, Wallace Dreyer Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

      • Mixed Materials box: 7 folder: 4 Folder 4
        Folder 4: X-Rays and Negatives
        undated
        Preferred Citation

        [Identification of item and date], Box 7, Folder 4, X-Rays and Negatives, undated, Wallace Dreyer Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

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Series II
Series II: Personal
1962-1992
Scope and Contents

This series relates to the personal life of Wallace Dreyer. Items in this series include correspondence, holiday cards, sympathy cards, and an obituary.

  • Mixed Materials box: 6 Box 6
    Box 6
    • Mixed Materials box: 6 folder: 4 Folder 4
      Folder 4: Wallace Dreyer Photos
      circa 1950-1990
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 6, Folder 4, Wallace Dreyer Photos, circa 1950-1990, Wallace Dreyer Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Mixed Materials box: 6 folder: 5 Folder 5
      Folder 5: Biographical Information
      1993, undated
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 6, Folder 5, Biographical Information, 1993, undated, Wallace Dreyer Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

  • Mixed Materials box: 7 Box 7
    Box 7
    • Mixed Materials box: 7 folder: 5 Folder 5
      Folder 5: Contacts
      1962-1981
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 7, Folder 5, Contacts, 1962-1981, Wallace Dreyer Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Mixed Materials box: 7 folder: 6 Folder 6
      Folder 6: Letters, Cards and Notes
      1962-1992
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 7, Folder 6, Letters, Cards and Notes, 1962-1992, Wallace Dreyer Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

  • Mixed Materials Oversize Box: 11 Oversize Box 11
    Oversize Box 11
    • Graphic Materials Oversize Box: 11 Item 1
      Wallace Dreyer Personal Scrapbook
      circa 1940-1960
      Preferred Citation

      Wallace Dreyer Personal Scrapbook, circa 1940-1960, Oversize Box 11, Wallace Dreyer Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

      Scope and Contents

      Includes photographs of recreation, weddings, and other subjects of daily life.

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Series III
Series III: Certificates, Awards and Yearbook
1928-1961
Scope and Contents

This series includes various certificates of family members, as well as items pertaining to Dreyer's education, military and career fields.

  • Mixed Materials box: 8 Box 8
    Box 8
    • Mixed Materials box: 8 folder: 1 Folder 1
      Folder 1: Certificates and Awards
      1928-1961
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 8, Folder 1, Certificates and Awards, 1928-1961, Wallace Dreyer Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Mixed Materials box: 8 folder: 2 Folder 2
      Folder 2: Marlin High School Yearbook
      1940
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 8, Folder 2, Marlin High School Yearbook, 1940, Wallace Dreyer Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Mixed Materials box: 8 Item 1
      University of Texas Yearbook of Wallace Dreyer
      1947
      Preferred Citation

      University of Texas Yearbook of Wallace Dreyer, Box 8, Wallace Dreyer Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

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Series IV
Series IV: Miscellaneous
1985-1986, undated
Scope and Contents

This series contains letters and examples of Dreyer's mold art.

  • Mixed Materials box: 8 Box 8
    Box 8
    • Mixed Materials box: 8 folder: 3 Folder 3
      Folder 3: Letters From Senators to Harold C. Bullard, Life Insurance Company
      1985-1986
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 8, Folder 3, Letters From Senators to Harold C. Bullard, Life Insurance Company, 1985-1986, Wallace Dreyer Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

  • Mixed Materials Oversize Box: 9 Oversize Box 9
    Oversize Box 9
    • Realia Oversize Box: 9 Item 1
      Oversized Mold Art: Drawing
      undated
      Preferred Citation

      Oversized Mold Art: Drawing, undated, Oversize Box 9, Wallace Dreyer Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Realia Oversize Box: 9 Item 2
      Oversized Mold Art: Picture
      undated
      Preferred Citation

      Oversized Mold Art: Picture, undated, Oversize Box 9, Wallace Dreyer Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

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