Includes Ade Bethune’s personal correspondence with a large number of people on a wide range of subjects, mostly relating to art and religion, revealing a busy social life.
Creator: Bethune, Ade, 1914-2002
Title: Personal Correspondence, Ade Bethune Papers
Dates : 1914-2002 (Bulk, 1935-2002)
Quantity: 6.5 Linear feet (15 boxes)
Language Note: The majority of this collection is written in English, with the exception of Series 1 and parts of Series 4, which are in French. There is also some correspondence in German, Italian, and Spanish in Series 3
Repository: Ade Bethune Collection, St. Catherine University Library
Preferred Citation: [Series], Personal Correspondence, Ade Bethune Papers. Ade Bethune Collection, St. Catherine University Library, St. Paul, MN 55105.
About Ade Bethune
Ade Bethune (full name Marie Adélaïde Anne Caroline de Bethune) was born into a privileged life in the Schaerbeek district of Brussels on January 12, 1914. A few months after Bethune's birth, her father was enlisted into the Belgian army and subsequently served in WWI. The rest of the family continued to live at her maternal grandfather’s country home in Belgium, where her first languages were Flemish and French. Her mother was one of the first major influences that helped shaped her life in the way of valuing her Catholic heritage, being politically active, and often striving to help people, especially children and the elderly. Another early influence that “converted” Bethune was when she learned of the life of St. Francis and his commitment to a life of poverty. When Bethune’s father, who was a chemical engineer, decided to patent and sell his inventions in America, the family immigrated to New York City in 1928.
As a teenager in New York, Ade Bethune attended Cathedral High School in New York City and the National Academy of Design. To help save her own money, she gave occasional private French lessons to Americans. In the midst of the Great Depression, she attended the Cooper Union as an art student and it was here that she was exposed to worker’s issues and publications. Her interest in one of those publications, the Catholic Worker, led to her extensive involvement in the Catholic Worker Movement. It was her involvement with the Catholic Worker Movement that would launch her liturgical art career, which then served as a stepping stone for an abundance of other accomplishments. Her illustrations in the publication drew the attention of many including her future mentors, Arthur Graham Carey, a writer and art philosopher, and John Howard Benson, a fellow artist. John Howard Benson had given Bethune studio space at the John Stevens Shop in Newport, Rhode Island, in order to work on art commissions that she had received due to her connections through the Catholic Worker. John Howard Benson’s influence also instilled in Ade a love for calligraphy, which is apparent in much of her correspondence.
Ade Bethune died in her long time home of Newport, Rhode Island on May 1, 2002.
Contents
The collection includes personal correspondence with more than 150 individuals: handwritten and typed letters, photographs, postcards, and greeting cards, also any enclosed materials, such as print samples, informal sketches, or other items, that Bethune kept with the correspondences.
Ade Bethune was prolific in her correspondence. Especially of note is the over 30 years worth of correspondence she had with Arthur Graham Carey, as well as correspondence with Carey's wife, Nancy, and others in his family (Series 2). Bethune and Cary discussed matters such as art commissions, personal affairs, and John Stevens Shop or Catholic Art Association business, as well as more general thoughts on the theory and philosophy of art.
It appears from the breadth of this collection that Ade Bethune faithfully saved all the letters that she possibly could. Often times, correspondence was with church community figures (such as Sister Peter Claver Fahy or Rev. Frederick R. McManus) or admirers from all over the world. Topics included informal art and design advice, discussions on liturgy, religion, or other personal matters. Letters to news editors, television hosts, and political leaders are somewhat common. She also corresponded with other successful artists such as Leandro Locsin, Alfonso Ossorio, and Fernando Zobel.
Organization
The collection is divided into four series, with the last series containing a number of subseries.
Series 1: Family Correspondence
Series 2: Bethune-Carey Correspondence
Series 3: Correspondence with Individuals
Series 4: Miscellaneous Correspondence
4.1 — Correspondence by Year
4.2 — Correspondence by Initial
4.3 — Other Correspondence
4.4 — Children's Drawings and Letters
Administration
Publication Information
St. Catherine University Library May 2007
2004 Randolph Ave.
St. Paul, MN, 55105
651-690-6599
bethune@stkate.edu
Revision Description
Finding Aid revised by Deborah Kloiber Fall 2010
Acquisition
Ade Bethune donated her collection of personal and business papers, sketches, artwork, books, and artifacts to the College of St Catherine (now St. Catherine University) over the period from 1984-2002.
Processing Information
The collection was processed and the finding aid written by Ruth Paloma, February through April 2009.
Related Materials
Most other parts of the Ade Bethune Papers also contain Ade Bethune's correspondence. Of particular interest may be her correspondence with Dorothy Day and others in the Catholic Worker Movement, found in the Catholic Worker Materials; correspondence on projects with priests, designers and others in the Liturgical Design and Consulting Files; and correspondence with apprentices and others who worked with her in the John Stevens Shop/Apprentices Materials.
Selected Search Term
Personal Name(s)
- Carey, Arthur Graham -- Correspondence
Finding Aid Note
An index to the correspondence in Series 2 is available.
Detailed Description
Series 1: Family Correspondence1928-1999 (Bulk, 1950-1999) Contents: Arrangement: Language: |
|
Box | |
de Bethune, Agnes : 1969 |
1 |
de Bethune, Liz : 1975-1983 |
1 |
de Bethune, Pierre -- House Plans : 1974 |
1 |
de Bethune, Pierre -- Lectures : 1958-1975 |
1 |
Family : 1935-1979 (Bulk, 1963-1979) |
1 |
Family : 1947-1955 |
1 |
Family : 1977-1978 |
1 |
Family : 1979-1981 |
1 |
Family : 1982-1984 |
2 |
Family : 1985-1987 |
2 |
Family : 1989-1997 |
2 |
Family Business : 1967 |
2 |
Fuchss, Francoise : 1977-1999 |
2 |
Fuchss : 1959-1963 |
2 |
Oldenhove, Baudouin : 1959 |
2 |
Series 2: Bethune-Carey Correspondence1935-1973 (Bulk, 1935-1950) Contents: Arrangement: Other Information: |
|
Box | |
1935-1943 |
3 |
1944-1959 |
4 |
1960-1973 (1960-1967) |
5 |
undated |
5 |
Carey, Betty : undated |
5 |
Carey, Joan : 1985 |
5 |
Carey, John : 1985-1986 |
5 |
Carey, Nancy : 1971-1992 |
5 |
Carey, Nancy : 1994 |
5 |
Carey, Nancy : undated |
5 |
Not found in originals : 1936-1955 |
5 |
Fine Arts : 1944 |
5 |
Related Correspondence : 1945-1963 |
5 |
Series 3: Correspondence with Individuals1933-2002 (Bulk, 1940-1990) Contents: Arrangement: Language: |
|
Box | |
Adams, Mary Lou : 1983-1984 |
6 |
Africa [Mother Mary Osmond] : 1940-1948 |
6 |
American Embassy, Zimbabwe - Kenneth Nakoma : 2002 |
6 |
Angela, Sr. Helen : 1936-1937 |
6 |
Art Association of Newport -- Exhibition Loan Agreement : 1982-1983 |
6 |
Assisi, Sr. Francis, Marymount Convent, Tarrytown, N.Y. : 1984 |
6 |
Auger, Paul -- West Warwick : 1979 |
6 |
Auve, Eugene J. : 1954-1955 |
6 |
Baldwin, Chaplain John F. -- Chapel of Hope : 1987 |
6 |
Bartos, Joseph G. Fr. : 1965-1966 |
6 |
Bean, Sister Rhea : 1986 |
6 |
Becker, Stanley : 1953 |
6 |
Behan, George P. : 1965-1968 |
6 |
Benedict, Evenlyn : 1940-1950 |
6 |
Benner, Georgianna Sr. : 1985 |
6 |
Bilotta, Vincent -- House of Affirmation : 1986 |
6 |
Blackwell, Sister J. : 1987 |
6 |
Blessing, Kathy : 2001 |
6 |
Bob [Ossorio, Robert?] : 1946-1949 |
6 |
Bonsanti, Giorgio : 1984 |
6 |
Borgia, M. : 1953 |
6 |
Bozzi, Kathryn : 1984-1985 |
6 |
Brady, Jeremiah D. : 1982-1990 |
6 |
Breydert, Dr. Claude : 1982-1986 |
6 |
Breydert, Dr. Katherine L. : 1949-1973 |
6 |
Briana, Lillian : 1952-1956 |
6 |
Brock, Monsignor Edmund -- St. Augustin's Rectory : 1984 |
6 |
Brown, Robert F. -- Smithsonian Archives of American Art : 1983 |
6 |
Buccieri, Gay : 1986 |
6 |
Buckley, Father Dan : 1980 |
6 |
Burke, Reverend Michael : 1989 |
6 |
Canisius College Library : 1951 |
6 |
Casey, Sister Cyril Clare, CSJ : 1935-1945 |
6 |
Catholic Press Association -- Richard Mannion : 1960-1963 |
6 |
Catholic Truth Society : 1985 |
6 |
Catich, Rev. Edward M. -- St. Ambrose College : 1942? : 5 folders |
6-7 |
CBS Morning News "Pan" : 1973 |
7 |
Charlton, Olga : 1967-1985 |
7 |
Christian Art / Christian Art Association : 1963-1967 |
7 |
Clarke, Rev. Peter : 2000 |
7 |
Clir : undated |
7 |
Coddington, Cecily : 1962-1964 |
7 |
Coddington, Tom : 1939-1953 |
7 |
Comiskey, Monsignor James A. : 1987 |
7 |
Comstock, Nan : 1986-1990 |
7 |
Conahan, Peggy |
7 |
Connick Exhibition : 2001 |
7 |
Connick, Mabel : 1933 |
7 |
Corcoran, Mike : 1987 |
7 |
Costa, A. : 1950 |
7 |
Covell, King : 1928-1935 |
7 |
Cox, Daphne : 1977 |
7 |
Cummingham, Joan : 1988 |
7 |
Cunningham, W. Patrick : 1983-1986 |
7 |
Damasus, Fr. : 1962 |
7 |
DeBoer-Langworthy, Carol : 1999 |
7 |
De Vitry, Pierre : 1983 |
7 |
Dickson, Charles R., Estate of -- Laces : 1970-1972 |
7 |
Diekman, Rev. Godfrey -- St. John's Abbey : 1988-1991 |
7 |
Dimrock, Rev. Giles, "The Face of the Lord" : 1978 |
7 |
Doblmeier, Martin : 1976-1986 |
7 |
Doherty, Catherine : 1935-1965 |
7 |
Douglas, Lorrie Nelson : 1944 |
7 |
Drolet, Kathi : 1983-1984 |
7 |
Dupuis, Lucille : undated |
7 |
Dussault, Janis : 1974 |
7 |
Eccles, Mrs. Henry : 1989 |
7 |
Edelen, Mary Isabel : 1953-1954 |
7 |
Edgar, Mrs. W.J.B. (Margaret) : 1954-1969 |
7 |
Ellard, Gerald : 1962 |
7 |
Endo, Hiro : 1959-1961 |
8 |
Eucharist (Father Julian Stead) : 1974 |
8 |
Sister Eugenie : 1954-1955 |
8 |
Fahy, Sister Peter Claver : 1967-1995 |
8 |
Father Tim : 1990 |
8 |
Felicia : 1998 |
8 |
Fernando, Rev. Antony : 1952-1954 |
8 |
Firestone, Mrs. Harvey S. : 1988 |
8 |
Fitch, Rik : 1984-1985 |
8 |
Fry, Timothy : 1942-1944 |
8 |
Garavaglia, Father Silvio S.J. : 1956-1960 |
8 |
Gardiner, Arthur : 1955 |
8 |
George, Sister Mary : 1985 |
8 |
Glasses : 1951 |
8 |
Gneuhs, Geoffrey B. : 2000 |
8 |
Haley, Sr. Marie Philip : 1982 |
8 |
Halloran, Alice : 1952 |
8 |
Hansen, Rena : 1968 |
8 |
Heinrichs, Beatrice -- "Icons and Images" : 1983 |
8 |
Helene, Sister : 1955-1956 |
8 |
Hogan, Anna : 1986 |
8 |
Holton, Bob -- Our Sunday Visitor : 1990 |
8 |
Holub, William : 1989 |
8 |
Huggins, Ruth : 1975 |
8 |
Hughs, Kathleen RSCJ : 1990-1994 |
8 |
INRI -- The American Catholic Theater : 1990 |
8 |
Jacquard, Claire : 1995 |
8 |
Jane : undated |
8 |
Jessup, Reverend Hubert : 1973 |
8 |
Kaune, Anne : 2000 |
8 |
Kelley, Repr. Leona -- Ade's Citation : 1995 |
8 |
Khu, Josette T. : 1953-1986 |
8 |
Knowlton, George : 1986 |
8 |
Kraehenbuehl, David -- J.S. Paluch Co. : 1972 |
8 |
Kristoff, Sr. Donna : 1977 |
8 |
Kuhnke, Laverne : 1991 |
8 |
Kwit, Paul : 1985 |
8 |
Ladd, Thomas : 1977-1985 |
8 |
"Ladybug" : 1974 |
8 |
Lafleur, Richard : 1995 |
8 |
Lahey, Margaret : 1949-1954 |
8 |
Larson, Claudia : 1996-1998 |
8 |
Laubinger, Corona : 1961 |
8 |
Lawrence, Trudi : 1983 |
8 |
Leeman, Stephen : 1943 |
8 |
Leonard, W.J. Rev. : 1939, 1985 |
8 |
Librairie Saint-Michel, Inc. : 1956-1966 |
8 |
LTP [Liturgy Training Publications] : 1999 |
8 |
Livingston, Mabel : 1942-1950 |
8 |
Locsin, Leandro : 1957-1959 |
9 |
Lyczak, Nathan : 1996-1999 |
9 |
Mahoney, John : 1996 |
9 |
Marie Pierre : 1953 |
9 |
Marion : 1935-1955 |
9 |
Marra, Loretta : 1987 |
9 |
Marty, Rev. Martin : 1987 |
9 |
Mary : 1954 |
9 |
Maya : 1953-1955 |
9 |
McDonnell, Rev. Graham : 1984-1985 |
9 |
McManus, Rev. Frederick R. : 1960-1965 |
9 |
McTernan, Fr. Frederick : 1942-1943 |
9 |
Megley, Sheila Sister : 1979 |
9 |
Meinberg, Fr. Cloud : 1954-1959 |
9 |
Melone, Mark : 1974-1981 |
9 |
Mitchell, Rose : 1980 |
9 |
Mollo, Arlene : 1986 |
9 |
Mount Mercy on the Hudson -- Sisters of Mercy : 1973 |
9 |
Mueller, Franz, Dr. : 1974 |
9 |
Mueller, Theresa : 1942-1964 |
9 |
Murphy, Maureen : 1973 |
9 |
Murray, Dave : 1973 |
9 |
Murray, Rev. Edward -- Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate : 1984 |
9 |
Mushlin, Miles : 1977 |
9 |
Nimmo, Eileen : 1999 |
9 |
Norman, Rev. Charles : 2001 |
9 |
Norton, Ann : 1960 |
9 |
NRL News -- JC Wilke : 1987 |
9 |
Ossorio, Alfonso : 1933-1957 : 2 folders |
9 |
Ossorio, Frederic & Siena : 1997 |
9 |
Paschal, Mother Mary : 1954 |
10 |
Paul, Leon : 1965 |
10 |
Pecklers, Keith : 1995 |
10 |
Peggy : 1954-1955 |
10 |
Pflaum, George : 1973 |
10 |
Phillips, Rev. Christopher : 1988 |
10 |
Pires, A.J. (R.I. Representative) : 2000 |
10 |
Poirier, Bernard : 1962 |
10 |
Price, Edith : 1998 |
10 |
Pyne, Marion : 1988 |
10 |
Raffie : 1994-1996 |
10 |
Ricketts, Ted : 1972-1974 |
10 |
Rivers, Rev. Clarence : 1993-1994 |
10 |
Roberts, Taff : 1991 |
10 |
Rosa : 1954-1955 |
10 |
Ryan, Greg : 1983 |
10 |
Sawicki, Marianne : 1979 |
10 |
da Silva, Elisa : 1949-1955 |
10 |
Sisson, Elbert R. : 1946-1953 |
10 |
Sister Nora -- St. Mary's Junior College |
10 |
Skillin, Jane : 1977 |
10 |
Sneesby, Theresa : 1987-1988 |
10 |
St. Germain, Fernand : 1980 |
10 |
Stahley, Rev. Steven -- Baptismal Font : 1983 |
10 |
Stern, Karl : 1952 |
10 |
Stevens, Ayers G. : 1944 |
10 |
Stoeckle, Louis -- Catholic Bible College : 1985 |
10 |
Stoughton, Sister Judith : 1967-1988 |
10 |
Sullivan, Mark : 1953-1954 |
10 |
Thomas, Brother John W. : 1943 |
10 |
Tobin, John L. : 1985 |
10 |
Tripp, Barbara : 1997 |
10 |
Ursala, Sister Mary : 1945 |
10 |
Van der Meer : 1961-1974 |
10 |
Waldron, John : 1940 |
10 |
Walsh, Elizabeth : 1937 |
10 |
Wanenmacher, Francis : 1943 |
10 |
Wanner, David : 1965-1966 |
10 |
Whitson, Rev. Robley Edw. : 1974-1986 |
10 |
Wilken : 1939 |
10 |
Williams, Doris : 1953-1970 |
11 |
Williams, Yvonne : 1943 |
11 |
Wilson, Jean G. : 2001 |
11 |
Wittman, Sister Carolyn : 1952-1953 |
11 |
Woltjen, John : 1952 |
11 |
Yeh Diaries (Reverend Joseph Whann) : 1973 |
11 |
Zobel, Fernando : 1953-1954 |
11 |
Zurier, Rebecca : 1982 |
11 |
Series 4: Miscellaneous Correspondence1914-2002 Contents: Organization: 4.1 — Correspondence by Year Arrangement varies by subseries. Language: |
|
4.1 -- Correspondence by Year1979-2000 Contents: Arrangement: |
|
Box | |
1979-1989 (Bulk, 1982-1989): 9 folders |
11 |
1990-2000 : 9 folders |
12 |
4.2 -- Correspondence by Initial1938-1995 Contents: Arrangement: |
|
Box | |
A : 1940-1954 |
12 |
B : 1952-1984 |
12 |
C : 1944-1983 |
12 |
D : 1939-1953 |
12 |
E : 1939-1953 |
12 |
F : 1939-1954 |
12 |
G : 1938-1949 |
12 |
H : 1942-1956 |
12 |
I : 1954 |
12 |
J : 1951-1953 |
12 |
K : 1939-1954 |
12 |
L : 1939-1955 |
12 |
M : 1942-1986 |
12 |
N : 1943-1952 |
12 |
O : 1944-1971 |
13 |
P : 1955-1995 |
13 |
R : 1940-1965 |
13 |
S : 1938-1955 |
13 |
T : 1942-1955 |
13 |
V : 1953-1956 |
13 |
W : 1940-1953 |
13 |
4.3 -- Other Correspondence1934-2001 (Bulk, 1950-1998) Contents: Arrangement: |
|
Box | |
Ade/Personal : 1957-1977 |
13 |
Ade/Personal : 1965-1968 |
13 |
Bilingual Education -- Letters to Editors : 1979 |
13 |
Bills, Legislative -- Comprehensive Child and Family Service Bills : 1975 |
13 |
Burial : 1973 |
13 |
Certificates, Baptism, Marriage : 1954 |
13 |
Christmas Cards : 1998-2001 |
13 |
Christmas [Correspondence] : 1952-1953 |
13 |
College of St. Catherine : 1991-1997 |
13 |
Correspondence [Misc.] : 1936-1973 |
13 |
Correspondence [Misc. ] : 1985-1996 : 3 folders |
13 |
Correspondence [Misc.] : 1992-1994 |
13 |
Correspondence [Misc.] : 1994-1996 |
13 |
Easter Rabbit : 1961 |
13 |
Foreign Mail : 1950-1970 |
13 |
Greeting Cards I : 1934-1949 |
14 |
Greeting Cards II : 1983-1998 : 3 folders |
14 |
Jane Marie : 1966 |
14 |
Local Community : 1967-1986 |
14 |
Miscellaneous Letters : 1950-1957 |
14 |
New Visions Child Care Center : 1989-1990 |
9 |
Newport Electric Company : 1987 |
9 |
Newport This Week : 1986 |
9 |
Old Books : 1964 |
14 |
Parish Council -- St. Joseph : 1973-1978, 1982 : 2 folders |
14 |
Personal Notecards to Ade II : 1967 |
PC 15 |
Providence Visitor : 1965-1976 |
10 |
Reader's Digest : 1988-1990 |
10 |
Safe Power, Rhode Islanders for : 1976 |
15 |
St. Ignatius High School : 1939 |
10 |
Sales Tax -- Mail Order Sales : 1989 |
15 |
Science News -- "Rock and Roll Bridge" : 1990 |
15 |
Songs : 1952 |
15 |
Undated letters : c. 1980s to 1990s |
15 |
Wakarusa Public Library (Commercial Funeral -- Ernest Morgan) : 1974 |
15 |
4.4 -- Children's Drawings and Letters1955-1960 Contents: Arrangement: |
|
Box | |
Children's Drawings : 1955-1959 : 2 folders |
15 |
Children's Letters to Ade : 1960 |
15 |
Thomas Tew Drawings : undated |
15 |
Works of Art -- Children's : 1970 |
15 |