Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 70,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World to soldiers’ letters from World War II and Vietnam. Explore primary sources, visit exhibitions in person or online, or bring your class on a field trip.

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5 March 1943

Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad and Bee." Finished up his "pyschs" this week, but has not written to anyone for a week. The first day was an eight-hour multiple choice test to determine placement, followed by "penny arcade day" where his coordination was tested with a variety of contraptions, the next day was "ARMA" or "adaptability relative to military aeronautics," followed by an interview with a psychiatrist. He mentions that most of the fellows "wash out" at this point.

GLC09620.013

21 March 1943

Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone and brothers

Addressed to "Dad and Bee (also the freres [brothers] if home)." Hasn't written lately because he was sick "with a temp of 102 and a very bad sore throat," and just got out of the hospital after being there for five days. He was disappointed earlier in the week as he and others received shipping orders, but were taken off said orders. Their numbers started at two hundred and ten and been narrowed down to thirty "poor souls." He mentions that today is the first day of Spring, but it is snowing. He blames the weather for making everyone sick.

GLC09620.014

24 March 1943

Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad and Bee." Mentions a phone call they had earlier that day. He apologizes for the late letter he wrote "last Saturday" (GLC9620.014). He hopes it will arrive shortly.

GLC09620.015

3 April 1943

Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad and Bee." Now at Ellington Field, Texas, the men are kept to a strict routine starting at 5:30AM. They eat breakfast, go to calisthenics, and then go to classes with a lunch break. There is one more hour of drills, supper, and lights are out at 10:00PM. Talks briefly about the tough classes he must take now, even though he has avoided them in college and prep school. The weather is brutally hot, and asks for salt tablets to be sent. It's even tougher as he came from a cold climate. The food is terrific, and rivals that of restaurants in New York City.

GLC09620.016

4 April 1943

Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad and Bee." Remembered a few things he forgot to include in a previous letter. Asks for a shaving bowl, shaving talcum, wooden hangers, and some salt tablets. He hates to bother them with these, but he can't get them anywhere. Asks about his subscriptions to three magazines and asks that they be forwarded as well.

GLC09620.017

12 April 1943

Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad and Bee." The class work is very difficult, physics and math are college courses taught in a very short amount of time. His squadron was surpised with an "open-post" where they could leave the base and many people left to go to Houston while he stayed to study and keep up in his classes. He recieved many of the things he asked for, and the letters that were sent. The weather is still very warm, and bearable now. The fellows in the barracks are great, and the food continues to be fantastic. Asks that they continue writing.

GLC09620.018

18 April 1943

Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Gella Hecht

Addressed to "O'ma," his step-grandmother. Thanks her for a generous check. Writes briefly about the difficult classes, and drills that last from 5 AM to 5:30PM. Compares the weather to New York City in the middle of the season. Tells her the food is the best, even better than back home. The fellows in his squadron range from twenty to twenty-six in age and are from any area from Maine to California.

The date is written as "Sunday" but "Letters in a Box" notes the letter was written on April 18, 1943.

GLC09620.019

25 April 1943

Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad and Bee." Dropping a line to say all goes well. The work is "tough as hell," and "instruction is far from good." He hasn't been off post, as he's been on guard duty, studying, or preparing for a big parade. Thanks Dad and Bee for the photo of Don, and asks for another photo of Jacob in uniform. He is more accustomed to the extremely warm weather, and it's only rained once. Includes an updated address, with an explanation as to why his group number changed.

GLC09620.020

27 April 1943

Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad + Bee." A hasty letter as he has a lot of work to do for class tomorrow. Grateful for the pictures his father sent. Sending a picture book of Ellington along with his letter so his family can check it out. Hopes to go to Houston on Saturday night and then swimming in Galveston on Sunday. He's looking forward to the break from army life.

The date is written as "Thursday Nite" but "Letters in a Box" notes the letter was written on April 27, 1943. Letter is typed on U.S. Army Air Forces letterhead.

GLC09620.021

2 May 1943

Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009)

Typed letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad and Bee." Tough week with tests and two big parades and it's warmer. He was made the Squadron Supply Sgt. and is now in charge of the supply room and shoe repairs. The job comes with a lot of benefits, including his own room. Bob left base to go to Houston and go swimming in Galveston. He was a "dope" and was out in the sun too long. He is miserable and burnt.

He thanks Bee for attending to his pen, and asks if she could send him a pair of swimming trunks.

GLC09620.022

3 May 1943

Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009)

Typed letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone

Addressed to "Dad." Thanks his father for the pictures he just received. Writes that he just got out of the hospital for treatments for his sun burn. Curses the Texas sun for burning him.

The date is written as "Monday Night" but "Letters in a Box" notes the letter was written on May 3, 1943. Letter is on U.S. Army Air Forces letterhead.

GLC09620.023

4 May 1943

Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009)

Postcard

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Folks." Brief note to say he was "as red as a lobster" from a day trip to the beach. It was a good break from the routine of training.

"Letters in a Box" notes the letter was written on May 4, 1943.
Postcard image is "Beach Front, Showing Hotel Buccaneer and Murdoch's Bathhouse, Galveston, Texas."

GLC09620.024

10 May 1943

Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009)

Postcard

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone and Don Stone.

Addressed to "All." Brief note stating he went to the beach again in Galveston, but remembered to put on Skol [sunscreen] so he wouldn't "crisp again."

"Letters in a Box" notes the letter was written on May 10, 1943.
Postcard image is "Galveston's $1,500,000 Pleasure Pier, Galveston, Texas."

GLC09620.025

10 May 1943

Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone

Addressed to "Dad." A brief note as he has a math test tomorrow, but wanted to answer a few questions. He did recieve the photos sent, and hopes to get one taken of himself soon. Has gone swimming a few times, but not lately due to all the studying he has to do.

The letter is dated "Monday Night," but "Letters in a Box" notes the letter was written on May 10, 1943. The letter is written on "PreFlight School, Bombardier, U.S. Army Air Corps, Ellington Field, Texas" letterhead.

GLC09620.026

22 May 1943

Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009)

Typed letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad and Bee." "Busy as heck with tests." Completed two classes with flying colors and now has time to focus more on physics, which lasts as long as preflight training. Mentions that he is jealous that Don got to go home for a few days, but always looks forward to getting a letter from him and thanks Dad and Bee for writing so often. Moves on to talk about the movie stars who visited the field, including the leads from "Bombardier." He closes the letter writing that he hopes to go to Galveston tomorrow, and take a break from the army life.

GLC09620.027

24 May 1943

Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009)

Postcard

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Folks." Brief note from Galveston saying he's getting some relaxation in, and while it isn't much, it's "fun for a change." Written in pencil.

The postcard is not dated, except for a post office stamp. "Letters in a Box" notes the postcard was written on May 24, 1943. The postcard image is a "Scene of Loading Cotton, One of Galveston's Leading Industries."

GLC09620.028

25 May 1943

Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009)

Typed letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone

Addressed to "Dad." A brief note asking Jacob Stone to purchase gifts for Bob's brothers, Jimmy and Barry on his and Don's behalf. Enclosed two slips of paper congratulating each boy on graduating. He offers to pay his father back, and apologizes as he cannot go out and purchase something himself due to a physics test.

The is not dated, except for a "Tuesday afternoon" in the top right corner. "Letters in a Box" notes it was written on May 25, 1943.

GLC09620.029.01

25 May 1943

Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009)

Autograph note signed

Title: to Jim Stone

Addressed to "Jim." A brief note of congratulations upon his graduation. Enclosed with GLC09620.029.01 and GLC09620.029.03.

GLC09620.029.02

25 May 1943

Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009)

Autograph note signed

Title: to Barry Marks

Addressed to "Barry." A brief note of congratulations upon his graduation. Enclosed with GLC09620.029.01 and .02.

GLC09620.029.03

June 1943

Army Air Forces

Printed document signed

Title: Aviation Cadet Detachment Army Air Forces Bombardier School, Childress, Texas

Card authorizing Robert L. Stone to leave Post, but not exceed a distance of 25 miles without written permission. Card is a faded olive green, with black type, Bob's name, and the Commandant of Cadet's signature, T.R. Mason.

GLC09620.037

13 June 1943

Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone

Addressed to "Dad." A letter focusing on his father's birthday. There was a slight change to the date, but he wanted to make sure his father knew he would celebrating in spirit and hopes that the next year will be happier than this past one.

The letter is not dated, except for a "Sunday" in the top right corner. "Letters in a Box" notes it was written on June 13, 1943.. Written on "PreFlight School, Bombardier, U.S. Army Air Corps, Ellington Field, Texas" stationary.

GLC09620.030

14 June 1943

Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone, Beatrice Stone, Jim Stone, and Barry Marks

Addressed to "Dad, Bee, Jim, and Barry." He owes everyone a letter as he hasn't been able to write. His classes are finished, and he did well above average. They don't mean too much, as the real scores come in during Advanced Training. Briefly walks through the basics of Advanced Training which is 12 weeks long. Only one-third of the group will move on, and he should get preference as a Cadet Officer.

GLC09620.031

20 June 1943

Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Folks." He is very annoyed. He and Don were supposed to meet in Dallas, but Don never showed up. He risked being picked up by an M.P. [Military Police] as he couldn't get a pass to travel outside the 50 mile radius. There were no rooms to rent, and the next morning Don's train came late, with no Don. He felt stood up, grabbed lunch, and waited for another train from Missouri, before hopping on a train back to Houston.

GLC09620.032

23 June 1943

Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Folks." He is incredibly happy as he is going on to Advanced Training. He was surprised to hear he was "car commander" and in charge of forty others. They are leaving this afternoon to a destination unknown.

Post-Script: Sent his class yearbook along as well (not included).

The letter is not dated, except for "Wednesday" in the top right corner. "Letters in a Box" notes it was written on June 23, 1943.

GLC09620.033

24 June 1943

Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009)

Postcard

Title: to Jacob Stone, Beatrice Stone, and family and friends

Addressed to "All." Stepped off for a break in Fort Worth, Texas. Writes that he will arrive at Advanced this afternoon.

Postcard is an image of "Texas Christian Stadium, Fort Worth, Texas."

GLC09620.034

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