Dandridge-Surkamp Collection
Dublin Core
Title
Dandridge-Surkamp Collection
Subject
Caroline "Danske" Dandridge; Jim Surkamp; West Virginia
Description
This collection primarily consists of the personal and professional correspondence, poems, and other assorted materials of West Virginia poet and historian Caroline "Danske" Dandridge (1854-1914). Dandridge was a resident of Shepherdstown, WV, which is near the location of the APUS Headquarters in Charles Town, WV.
She was born Caroline Bedinger in Copenhagen, Denmark the daughter of Henry Bedinger, President James Buchanan's ambassador to Denmark. This is where she gained the nickname, Danske, meaning "Little Dane."
She would go on to marry Adam Stephen Dandridge, Jr. who was a local businessman and would later serve in the West Virginia House of Delegates. They lived on the Bedinger family estate on the outskirts of Shepherdstown, which Danske would name Rose Brake. She oversaw the expansion of the garden and grounds there and it would serve as a source of inspiration throughout her life.
After her marriage, Dandridge began writing and publishing poetry. Her poems appearing in some of the leading literary magazines of the era. Two volumes of her poems would be published, Joy and Other Poems (1888) and Rose Brake (1890).
While publishing poetry, Dandridge was also writing and publishing articles on gardening that highlighted her garden at Rose Brake, and she gained a reputation in the gardening world.
Later in her life, Dandridge shifted her focus away from poetry and garden writing towards writing histories. She released biographies on her ancestors, George Michael Bedinger: A Kentucky Pioneer (1909), a history of her town, Historic Shepherdstown (1910), and a tome on the Revolutionary War, American Prisoners of the Revolution (1911).
The collection includes letters written by Danske Dandridge to her family members, letters written to Danske Dandridge by her husband, children, other members of her family, friends, editors, and business associates. Also, available in the collection are handwritten copies of her poems and garden articles, and other material related to the Dandridge family.
This collection of material was donated to the APUS University Archives by Jim Surkamp and also includes notes and research he has compiled on Danske Dandridge as well as material related to a theatrical production he created based on the life and writings of Dandridge. Additional archival collections of Dandridge can be found at the West Virginia State Archives, West Virginia University's West Virginia and Regional History Center, and Duke University Archives.
She was born Caroline Bedinger in Copenhagen, Denmark the daughter of Henry Bedinger, President James Buchanan's ambassador to Denmark. This is where she gained the nickname, Danske, meaning "Little Dane."
She would go on to marry Adam Stephen Dandridge, Jr. who was a local businessman and would later serve in the West Virginia House of Delegates. They lived on the Bedinger family estate on the outskirts of Shepherdstown, which Danske would name Rose Brake. She oversaw the expansion of the garden and grounds there and it would serve as a source of inspiration throughout her life.
After her marriage, Dandridge began writing and publishing poetry. Her poems appearing in some of the leading literary magazines of the era. Two volumes of her poems would be published, Joy and Other Poems (1888) and Rose Brake (1890).
While publishing poetry, Dandridge was also writing and publishing articles on gardening that highlighted her garden at Rose Brake, and she gained a reputation in the gardening world.
Later in her life, Dandridge shifted her focus away from poetry and garden writing towards writing histories. She released biographies on her ancestors, George Michael Bedinger: A Kentucky Pioneer (1909), a history of her town, Historic Shepherdstown (1910), and a tome on the Revolutionary War, American Prisoners of the Revolution (1911).
The collection includes letters written by Danske Dandridge to her family members, letters written to Danske Dandridge by her husband, children, other members of her family, friends, editors, and business associates. Also, available in the collection are handwritten copies of her poems and garden articles, and other material related to the Dandridge family.
This collection of material was donated to the APUS University Archives by Jim Surkamp and also includes notes and research he has compiled on Danske Dandridge as well as material related to a theatrical production he created based on the life and writings of Dandridge. Additional archival collections of Dandridge can be found at the West Virginia State Archives, West Virginia University's West Virginia and Regional History Center, and Duke University Archives.
Creator
APUS Richard G. Trefry Archives
Publisher
APUS Richard G. Trefry Archives
Date
1877-1951
Language
en
Type
Collection
Coverage
Located at the APUS Richard G. Trefry Archives
Collection Items
Correspondence: Adam Stephen Dandridge to Danske Dandridge
Letter from Adam Stephen Dandridge to Danske Beddinger shortly before their wedding on 5/3/1877. Dandridge was in West Virginia while Danske was in Flushing, NY. The two were engaged at the time.
Correspondence: Unknown Sender to Danske Dandridge.
Letter from a family member or friend from Danske Dandridge's childhood providing some updates from their family.
Correspondence: Danske Dandridge to Adam Stephen Dandridge
Letter from Danske Dandridge to her husband Adam Stephen Dandridge. Danske was away recuperating at The Walter Sanitarium in Walters Park, PA in Berks County. She was being treated by Dr. Robert Walter.
Correspondence: Adam Stephen Dandridge to Danske Bedinger
Letter from Adam Stephen Dandridge to Danske Bedinger prior to their marriage. Adam is trying to figure out a time for them to meet.
Correspondence: Danske Dandridge to Adam Stephen Dandridge
Letter from Danske Dandridge to her husband Adam Stephen Dandrige which appears to be written from a hospital or sanitarium in Farmington, CT. Talks of going to New York to visit editors at various publications.
Correspondence: Danske Dandridge to Adam Stephen Dandridge
Letter from Danske Dandridge to her husband Adam Stephen Dandridge written from Farmington, CT, where it appears she was convalescing.
Correspondence: Danske Dandridge to Adam Stephen Dandridge.
Letter from Danske Dandridge to her husband, Adam Stephen Dandridge, written while she was in Connecticut. She writes of going for a ride and says she is feeling better.
Correspondence: Danske Dandridge to Adam Stephen Dandridge
Letter from Danske Dandridge to her husband, Adam Stephen Dandridge. She is writing from Connecticut and discusses a land purchase and buying fencing for their property.
Correspondence: Waitman Barbe to Danske Dandridge
A collection of letters totaling seven from Waitman Barbe to Danske Dandridge over the course of 1891 and 1892. Barbe discusses the publication of his book of poetry, Ashes and Incense. Includes an advertisement with pull quotes praising the book. At…
Correspondence: Danske Dandridge to Adam Stephen Dandridge
Letter from Danske Dandridge to her husband, Adam Stephen Dandridge, written while she was in Connecticut.