Donate Materials
We cordially invite you to consider donating copies of wartime letters and related documents to the Legacy Initiative. Our emotional ties to specific wars varies, based on the passage of time - for more recent conflicts, it is often difficult to share or talk about the events, but to share these memories will benefit future generations.
The Civil War was the first truly citizen-soldier war. It was also a war in which a highly literate society wrote letters with incredible frequency. Because it was also a war which literally engaged one in every four adult males, few if any families remained untouched by the hand of war. And because it was a defining moment in American history, families kept their wartime letters. Even today, many families can trace their ancestry back to those who fought on either side of the conflict. From these letters one can glean a better understanding of the social history of the 19th century - and what was valued by the participants.
Similarly, letters form World War I and World War II impart a special patriotism albeit for a wider cause - to defend our freedoms from aggressors. To the "greatest generation" we owe a tremendous debt. With only 3.5 million World War II veterans remaining, it is most important to hear, read and collect their stories before they are lost to us.
Therefore, if you have parents or grandparents who are willing to share their experience and/or diaries or other reminiscences, or if you have inherited a legacy of letters, consider sharing this heritage with the Legacy Initiative - and help preserve these memories. If you wish, print out the following questionnaire and donor agreement forms and mail them to the Legacy Initiative at Park Tudor. We will contact you about making copies. Any questions are welcomed as well.
Kathryn Lerch
(317) 415-2880
Park Tudor School
Legacy Initiative
7200 N. College Avenue
Indianapolis, IN 46240
Donor Agreement