Family Correspondence
name: label: Collection Creator
content: Volk, Leonard Wells, 1828-1895
label: Collection Creator
content: Volk, Douglas , 1856-1935
setName: label: See more items in
content: Douglas Volk and Leonard Wells Volk papers
label: See more items in
content: Douglas Volk and Leonard Wells Volk papers / Series 1: Douglas Volk Papers / 1.2: Correspondence
physdesc: label: Extent
content: 3.05 Linear Feet (Boxes 1-4)
unitdate: label: Date
content: 1871-1960
dataSource: label: Archival Repository
content: Archives of American Art
identifier: label: Identifier
content: AAA.volkleon, Subseries 1.2.1
objectType: label: Type
content: Archival materials
altformavail: label: Existence and Location of Copies
content: Series is scanned in entirety.
scopecontent: label: Scope and Contents
content: The bulk of the correspondence is between Douglas and Marion Volk, dating from around the time of their first encounter and documenting their married life beginning in 1881, and ending in 1924, just prior to Marion's death in 1925. Their correspondence details all aspects of their careers and personal lives as Douglas worked and taught often away from home, and Marion ran the family home and worked to promote the activities of the Sabatos Handicraft Society in Center Lovell, Maine. 

The bulk of the letters from the 1890s to circa 1915 are from Douglas to Marion detailing his painting, teaching, business affairs, personal relationships, and living conditions. These letters are most prolific from 1880-1888. His responses to his wife's letters in the early 1900s provide some insight into the heyday of production at Hewnoaks, but two folders of undated letters from Marion to Douglas appear to be from circa 1900-circa 1910, and provide the most detailed information in the series about the family's involvement in the Center Lovell community and Marion's activities in rug-making and textiles. There appear to be no letters from 1891, 1902, and 1905-1906, although some letters are undated and may be from these years.

Volk's 1919 letters to Marion contain detailed descriptions of his European trip to paint portraits of World War I leaders.

Other family correspondence includes letters to Marion Volk from her mother, Margaret Larrabee, and to Marion from other family members and friends; two letters from Emily Clarissa Volk to her son, Douglas; and circa 0.75 linear feet of letters to Douglas and Marion from their children, Gerome (Jerry), Marion Volk Bridge (Mary Ann) and Wendell, which primarily describe daily life unrelated to artistic endeavors. Also found is one letter from Douglas Volk to his son Leonard "Leo" Volk, and two folders of letters from Douglas Volk's sister, Nora Volk Colt.