Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Painter, Heber, 1841-1900 to sister Ella

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02016.001 Author/Creator: Painter, Heber, 1841-1900 Place Written: Washington, District of Columbia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 20 December 1860 Pagination: 4 p. ; 25 x 20 cm. Order a Copy

Written on the day South Carolina seceded from the Union. Jokingly writes that he dreamt of being at a party with agreeable young ladies, but was abruptly awakened when he fell off his chair. Reports of strong Union feelings in Washington City amidst the secession of South Carolina. States that he infrequently visits the White House and has yet to see the East Room. He has received an invitation to visit Senator Simon Cameron, but has yet to reply. Complains of poor weather and asks Ellen to forgive him for such an "uninteresting letter."

Painter, Heber, 1841-1900
Painter, Ella, fl. 1844-1870

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