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Joyce Kilmer Collection

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CREATOR: Joyce Kilmer and various

EXTENT:  Linear Feet: 1.5 linear feet, number of containers: 3 boxes

COLLECTION SUMMARY: This collection contains correspondence, legal documents, poems, newsletters, and photographs, as well as an axe head and tree ring. 

ACCESSIONS: 2009.12, 2013.20, 2013.29, 2013.30, 2014.10, 2018.2, 2020.04, 2021.02, 2023.02

RECEIVED FROM: Joyce Kilmer ( 2009.12, 2014.10, 2023.02); Ann Vandenberg (2013.20); Mahwah Museum ( 2013.30); Mahwah Museum Joyce Kilmer Exhibit Part II (2018.02); Ethel Ludvik Collection (2020.04); James Menzie (2021.22)

LANGUAGES: English 

PROCESSING ARCHIVIST:  Renae Grippo, March 2025

Collection Details

Biographical / Historical Note:  Joyce Kilmer (1886 – 1918) was an American writer and poet, well known for his short poem titled “Trees” (1913). He resided in Mahwah, New Jersey with his wife, Aline Murray Kilmer, and five children: Kenton Sinclair Kilmer; Rose Kilburn Kilmer; Deborah Clanton Kilmer; Michael Barry Kilmer; and Christopher Kilmer. Kilmer was killed in action during the Second Battle of Marne of World War I. 

Collection Description: This collection represents Joyce Kilmer’s career as a poet with emphasis on his short poem titled “Trees”. There is a rich collection of correspondence between Kilmer and publication companies, documenting the publication process. 

Arrangement Description: The collection is organized into six series. 

Series 1: Correspondence:  This series covers professional correspondence detailing Kilmer’s journey to become a published writer. It includes discussions with several publishing companies such as Baker and Taylor, DoubleDay Publishing Co., and International Publishing Co. 

Series 2: Writings/Poems: This series contains poems written by Joyce Kilmer, including his well known short poem titled “trees” ( 1913). There are hand written notes related to Joyce Kilmer

Series 3: Historical Materials: This series contains historical materials such as legal documents and organization memberships. Oversized materials are at the end of the series. 

Series 4: Photographs: This series contains photographs of historic places and unknown historical figures. 

Series 5: Newspaper Clippings/Articles: This series contains several newspaper clippings and articles showcasing Joyce Kilmer’s poetry. 

Series 6: Oversized: This series contains oversized objects such as an axe head, tree ring, and notebook.

Separated Materials: Duplicates were discarded. 

Subject Headings: 

  • Airmount Road
  • Kilmer, Joyce.
  • Mahwah, NJ, history
  • Poetry
  • World War I

Using the Collection

ACCESS STATEMENT:  Collection is open and available for use.  If used in a publication, the Museum expects to be credited. 

RIGHTS STATEMENT: The Mahwah Museum owns the materials, but researchers wishing to publish or reprint materials need to secure permission from the copyright holder. 

PREFERRED CITATION:  [ITEM DESCRIPTION], Joyce Kilmer Collection, Mahwah Museum, Mahwah, NJ.

Collection Inventory

Box 1

Series 1: Correspondence

  1. Correspondence with Authors Club (1915) 
  2. Correspondence with Baker & Taylor Publishing Co. ( Feb 1911 – Jan 1912) 
  3. Correspondence with Bonynge ( January – October 1912) 
  4. Correspondence with Cragmere ( August 1911 – Aug 1912)
  5. Correspondence with Doran (1915) 
  6. Correspondence with Doubleday Publishing Co. ( April 1912 – February 1913)  
  7. Correspondence with Ellis (1931) 
  8. Correspondence with Father Cullen ( July 1914) 
  9. Correspondence with Funk & Wagnalls Company (1912) 
  10. Correspondence with Graham Hawley ( November 24 1911 – July 1913)
  11. Correspondence with Graham Nursery Company ( 1915) 
  12. Correspondence with Hastings House ( 1947) 
  13. Correspondence with International Publishing Co. ( 1914) 
  14. Correspondence with Kennerly ( June 1912) 
  15. Correspondence with Literary Digest ( Oct 1914)
  16. Correspondence with H. Lorge ( 1911) 
  17. Correspondence with MacKeely (1915) 
  18. Correspondence with Magnus  
  19. Correspondence with Markham 
  20. Correspondence with McCreery & Co. ( 1911) 
  21. Correspondence with O’Neill-Adams Co. (1912) 
  22. Correspondence with Pine Apartments ( 1911) 
  23. Correspondence with Rittenhouse 
  24. Correspondence with Rufner (1915) 
  25. Correspondence with Sherman ( 1914) 
  26. Correspondence with Sotheby Parke Bernet Inc. ( Nov 1978 – Jan 1979) 
  27. Correspondence with Stern Brothers ( 1910 – 1912) 
  28. Correspondence with Tullis and Blanchard Inc. ( May – September 1912)  

Series 2: Writings/Poems

  1. “Esther and the Angel” 
  2. Handwritten Note ( 1912) 
  3. Handwritten Note ( 1914) 
  4. “The House With Nobody In It” 
  5. “ Madness” 

Series 3: Historical Materials

  1. Agreement between Joyce Kilmer and Baker & Taylor Co. ( March 1911) 
  2. Bond ( 1911) 
  3. Certificate ( 1973) 
  4. Certificate of Citizenship ( 1872)  
  5. Deed – Between Louis Bevier and Aline M. Kilmer ( 1911) 
  6. First National Bank, Morristown, N.J Checkbook 
  7. Hohokus Township Tax Bill ( 1912) 
  8. Insurance Co. Certificate ( 1915) 
  9. Joyce Kilmer Certificate of Membership – Cragmere Association ( 1913) 
  10. Joyce Kilmer Day Program ( 1979) 
  11. Joyce Kilmer Death Notice ( 1918) 
  12. Joyce Kilmer Home, Larchmont N.Y. , from N.Y. State Dept. Environmental Conservation’s  “Conservationist”   (March 1983) 

Box 2

  1. Joyce Kilmer Memorial Program Pamphlet ( May 24, 1952) 
  2. Joyce Kilmer Open House Pamphlet ( July 29, 1979) 
  3. Kenton Kilmer Baptism Certificate ( 1908) 
  4. Last Will and Testament of Alfred Joyce Kilmer ( 1911) 
  5. Last Will  and Testament of Aline Murray Kilmer ( 1911) 
  6. Legal Agreement ( 1914) 
  7. Mortgage Settlement ( 1912) 
  8. Panels from Joyce Kilmer Exhibit
  9. Pew Rent Card ( 1914) 
  10. Postcard from Camp Kilmer, N. J. 
  11. Royalty Statement ( 1915) 
  12. Savorite Prayers to Our Lady 
  13. Socialist Party Membership Card ( 1910) 
  14. Steinbruchs Christmas Card
  15. Title Guarantee (1911) 
  16. Title Insurance Agreement 
  17. “Trees” Piano Sheet Music ( 1922) 
  18. Tuition Receipt ( 1915) 
  19. Warranty Deeds ( 1911) 

Series 4: Photographs

  1. Historical Photographs – Holy Innocence Church, 37th Street New York City 
  2. Historical Photograph – “ House with Nobody in it” 
  3. Historical Photographs – Landscaping of Mahwah Museum 
  4. Historical Photographs – Unknown People ( 1918) 

Series 5: Newspaper Clippings/Articles

  1. Joyce Kilmer Comic Strip 
  2. Newspaper Clippings ( No Date) 
  3. Newspaper Clippings (1912) 
  4. Newspaper Clippings (1914) 
  5. Newspaper Clippings (1915) 
  6. Newspaper Clippings ( 1960) 
  7. Newspaper Clippings (1961) 
  8. Newspaper Clippings (1963) 
  9. Newspaper Clippings (1978) 
  10. Newspaper Clippings (1979) 

Box 3

Series 6: Oversized

  1. Axe Head
  2. CD- Joyce Kilmer File, Testsu Amagasu 
  3. Cut Tree RIng with Joyce Kilmer’s Poem “Trees” glued on top 
  4. Panels From Joyce Kilmer Exhibit 
  5. Joyce Kilmer Notebook 
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