Enthusiastic letter from Louise thanking her husband for being allowed to attend 4-H Club Camp and promising to be a better wife (1955)

(2)p on single sheet of 4H stationery, 8.5 x 5.75 inches, with original cover addressed to Earl Foresman, Columbus Ohio, June 20, 1955. A note from Louise Foresman to her husband while on a trip to Washington D.C. with her young daughter. She was attending the 25th Annual 4-H Club Camp, held June 15-22, 1955, in Washington, D.C.

Louise had previously attended the national meeting as a delegate in 1940, before marrying Earl. She writes about her overwhelmingly positive experience--enjoying a sense of camaraderie and purpose underscoring the value of social organizations and community participation. Louise is relishing the proverbial fresh air; her letter hints at a restrictive home life. Effusive in her gratitude for being allowed to go to the Camp, she prioritizes being a "better wife" in her list of positive outcomes.

Amelia Louise Salzgaber (1922-1996) married Earl Foresman (1920-2005) in 1941, when she was 19. She was granted a divorce from him in 1971 on the grounds of gross neglect. (Ohio County Marriage Record)

Partial transcription:

Today has been a wonderful day. Of course it was "our" day for visiting, etc., but each day here has been most wonderful. I don’t know. We may stay a bit longer for there is so much yet for us to see and do. Tonight is a program "Deep are the Roots." I know it will be splendid.

Earl, I want to say, "thank you" from the bottom of my heart for making it possible for us to come here to this inspirational camp program. You cannot begin to realize how wonderful the purpose is unless you’ve been here. 4-H Club work is so valuable in moulding good lives and I only pray that through this re-stimulation I’ve received here that I can be a better wife, mother, leader, and citizen. Words cannot express how I appreciate your letting me come, and I am so proud of Mary Louise. Everyone seems so happy to greet us. There are now over 300 former delegates who returned from all over the country.--Washington state, California, Puerto Rico, etc. Everyone is having a fine time reminiscing about former years...