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Whitehead-Beer Collection

1 carton (1 linear feet)

(1859 – 2000)

bulk 1934-1949

Edward H. Nabb Center for Delmarva History and Culture, Salisbury, University, Salisbury, Maryland

Identifier 2008.039
Creator(s) Beer, Dorothy Buehl; Whitehead, Barbara Beer; Whitehead, George I. Jr.
Acquisition

Donated by George Whitehead and Barbara Beer Whitehead in 2008.
Language(s) English
Use Records are open for research. Copyright, including literary rights, belongs to the author(s) or their legal heirs. Permission to publish or reproduce must be obtained from the Nabb Research Center which extends beyond "fair use."
Preferred Citation "Item, collection title and identifier, box # and folder # (if applicable), Edward H. Nabb Research Center for Delmarva History and Culture, Salisbury University, Salisbury, Maryland."
Attribution Finding aid written by Malone Dampier, September 2021
Related Materials

George Whitehead Collection (1986 – 2017)

George Whitehead papers (1980 – 2014)
Separated Materials See Nabb Center Staff
Abstract

The Whitehead-Beer Collection includes the personal collections of George I. Whitehead Jr., Dorothy Buehl Beer, and Barbara Beer Whitehead. George cataloged his time in the United States Army Air Corps during World War Two from enlistment to honorary discharge. This includes special orders, flight records, awards, and other miscellaneous paperwork. He took photos during his service, along with Pesos from the Philippines. Dorothy collected magazines, newspaper clippings, and hand-written letters all about knitting. She also held onto her autograph book from Halsey Junior High School in 1935. Barbara's collection includes a Bible, various music books for piano, and a music book for guitar.

Biographical History

The Whitehead-Beer Collection was started by George Whitehead III and Barbara Beer Whitehead in 2008. George Whitehead III is the son of George Whitehead Jr., and Barbara Beer Whitehead is the daughter of Dorothy Buehl Beer. George Jr. was an Aerial Navigator in the United States Army Air Corps from 1943 to 1947. He was married to Phyllis Ellis Whitehead and George Whitehead III was born in Massachusetts in 1945. Dorothy Buehl Beer went to Halsey Junior Highschool in Brooklyn, New York in 1935 and later married Robert Beer and gave birth to Barbara Beer around 1947. Barbara went to Sunday school during the 1957-1958 school year. George III and Barbara got married in Salisbury, MD and donated their collection after George taught at Salisbury University for 44 years.

Scope and Content Note

The Whitehead-Beer Collection contains detailed documentation of George I. Whitehead Jr.’s service in the United States Army Air Corps from 1943 to 1948, knitting patterns and instructions from magazines and clippings collected by Dorothy Buehl Beer from 1934 to 1945, and music books from Barbara Beer Whitehead. George kept his flight records as a pilot navigator, special orders, and training documents. He also collected most of the paperwork involving his enlistment, discharge, awards, promotion, pay, etc. The smallest part of George's collection is non-paperwork: photos, Philippino Pesos, and local papers. Dorothy collected magazines and books about knitting and newpaper clippings and handwritten instructions for specific things to knit. Her autograph book from Halsey Junior High School is also included in her collection. Barbara had a guitar music book, some piano music books ranging from 1859 to 1961, and an old testament Bible with a Sunday school schedule attached inside. There is also an Easter card from her parents tucked in the front pages.

Arrangement Statement

This collection has been arranged into series based on person. Series 1 is from George Whiteheatd Jr, Series 2 is from Dorothy Buehl, and Series 3 is from Barbara Beer.

Subject Terms

  • Topical Terms
    • Knitting
    • Music
    • War
    • World War, 1939-1945
  • Corporate Names
    • United States. Army. Air Corps.

Inventory List

The inventory list for this item is hidden due to its length. Click the button below to view it.

      Series 1: Enlistment Letters of Recommendation, Jan. 1942

      Series 1: George Whitehead Military Scrapbook, Feb. - Dec. 1942

      Series 1: Promotion to Aviation Cadet, Apr. 1942

      Series 1: Cadet Transfer Special Orders, July - Aug. 1942

      Series 1: Navigation School Work, Feb. - Mar. 1943

      Series 1: Navigation School Class Booklet, June 1943

      Series 1: Discharge from Aviation Cadet, June 1943

      Series 1: Promotion to 2nd Lt., June 1943

      Series 1: 2nd Lt. Whitehead Personnel Orders, June 1943

      Series 1: 2nd Lt. Whitehead Special Orders, June 1943 - Mar. 1944

      Series 1: 2nd Lt. Whitehead Operations Order, Oct. 1943

      Series 1: 2nd Lt. Whitehead Flight Records, June 1943 - Mar. 1944

      Series 1: 2nd Lt. Whitehead Paychecks, June 1943 - Mar. 1944

      Series 1: Awarded Medals for 2nd Lt. Whitehead, Feb. - June 1944

      Series 1: Promotion to 1st Lt., Mar. 1944 - Sept. 1945

      Series 1: 1st Lt. Whitehead Special Orders, Apr. 1944 - Sept. 1945

      Series 1: 1st Lt. Whitehead Medical Information, Oct. - Nov. 1944

      Series 1: 1st Lt. Whitehead Personnel Memos, Nov. 1944 - Aug. 1945

      Series 1: 1st Lt. Whitehead Appointment to Financial Officer, Oct. 1944 - Sept. 1945

      Series 1: 1st Lt. Whitehead Flight Records, Apr. 1944 - Sept. 1945

      Series 1: 1st Lt. Whitehead Uncategorized Papers, Nov. 1944 - Aug. 1945

      Series 1: Whitehead Purchase of Government Bonds, 1942 - 1945

      Series 1: 1st Lt. Whitehead Insurance Information, 1945

      Series 1: 1st Lt. Whitehead Pay Information, Mar. – Oct. 1945

      Series 1: 1st Lt. Whitehead Awards & Commendations, May 1944 – Aug. 1945

      Series 1: 1st Lt. Whitehead W.D. A.G.O. Forms, Jan. – July 1945

      Series 1: 1st Lt. Whitehead Transfer to Reserves, Sept. 1945

      Series 1: 1st Lt. Whitehead W.D. A.G.O. Form 53-98, June – Oct. 1946

      Series 1: Request of Promotion from Active Duty, Feb. 1946 – Mar. 1948

      Series 1: Certificate of Eligibility for Language School, Mar. 1946 – Aug. 1947

      Series 1: 1st Lt. Whitehead Appointment to National Guard, Apr. – June 1947

      Series 1: New Jersey National Guard Special Orders, May – June 1947

      Series 1: 1st Lt. Whitehead Discharge from National Guard, Oct. 1947 – July 1948

      Series 1: Folder, Envelope, and Record Transfers, Mar. – Sept 1947

      Series 1: Whitehead Application for Reserves, Feb. - July 1948

      Series 1: Whitehead Miscellaneous Paperwork, Nov. 1945 – July 1949

      Series 1: Whitehead Military Memorabilia, 1942 – 1948

      Series 1: Roger Williams Family Assn., 2000

      Series 2: Dorothy Buehl Junior Highschool Autograph Book, 1935

      Series 2: Hand-Written Knitting Letters

      Series 2: Individual Knitting Instructions & Clippings, 1940

      Series 2: Knitting Books, 1934

      Series 2: Knitting Magazines, 1917 – 1934

      Series 3: Barbara Beer’s Sunday School Bible, 1957 – 1958

      Series 3: Beginner Guitar Book, 1957

      Series 3: Beginner Piano Books, 1937 – 1954

      Series 3: Piano Music Books, 1942 – 1961

      Series 3: “Moore’s Irish Melodies” Piano Music Book, 1859

    Artifacts

    See Nabb Center Staff

    Attachments

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