Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1895-1920 (Creation)
Level of description
Collection
Extent and medium
2 cubic feet : 4 boxes + 4 digital objects
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Peter Clark Wolcottt was born in New York, New York, May 4, 1856. He became an Episcopal deacon in 1879. He served the Diocese of Iowa. until his February 3, 1892 election as rector of the Trinity Episcopal Church.
Reverend Wolcott served as the churches Rector, 1892-1925. In addition to his clerical duties, he served on the Highland Park Public Library Board, 1893-1923, and on the high school board, 1898-1916. He served terms as president of the library board and terms as chief executive for the high school board.
Dr. Wolcott married Elinor Louise Smith in 1885, and the couple had three children who grew up in Highland Park.
Archival history
Dr. Wolcott's great-grandson transferred collection to a cousin who donated the materials to the HPALHC.
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
John P. Ropiequet.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
There are two series in the Wolcott collections: Journals and photographs.
Reverend Wolcott was an avid diarist. Diaries from the years 1895; 1897-1899; 1900-1910; 1912-1913, 1915, 1919-1920; 1923-1929 are arranged chronologically in the series. Wolcott was an active member in the community who always started out his entries describing the weather. He tended to describe nicer days, but also included the “coldest day of the year” and when the weather was just “fine.” Towards his later diaries, he also started recording the exact temperatures of the day, something he continued to do towards his later diaries. Wolcott talked about his daily masses, how many people attended, and his plans for the day. He noted visits to the high school where he was a member on the board of education for 9 years as well as taking the train down to Chicago. His last entry on December 31st, 1929 talked about his night out with friends on New Year's Eve and how his friends “raged after midnight.” The reverend died a few days after his 75th birthday.
The second series contains family photographs.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Box 1 : 1895 ; 1987-1904. Box 2 : 1905-1910. Box 3 : 1912-1913, 1915, 1919-1920; 1923. Box 4 : 1924-1929.