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Joan Thomas papers

 Collection
Identifier: ACCN 2595

Scope and Contents

The Joan Thomas papers (1893-2014) contain personal materials along with prose and poerty. The collection also contains materials related to her relationship with Ammon Hennacy and their focus on pacifism and workers' rights. Included are numerous drawings created by Thomas.

Dates

  • 1893-2014

Creator

Language of Materials

Collection materials are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this Collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.

Conditions Governing Use

The library does not claim to control copyright for all materials in the collection. An individual depicted in a reproduction has privacy rights as outlined in Title 45 CFR, part 46 (Protection of Human Subjects). For further information, please review the J. Willard Marriott Library’s Use Agreement and Reproduction Request forms.

Biographical Note

Josephine Ann Thomas was born October 1, 1934 in Inglewood, California. She married Hennacy in 1965 and, after the death of Ammon in 1970, Joan moved to Phoenix, Arizona. Thomas was a prolific poet, writer and artist. She is best known for her book The Years of Grief and Laughter: A "Biography" of Ammon Hennacy.

Ammon Ashford Hennacy was born July 24, 1893, in Negley, Ohio. He was a member of the Catholic Worker Movement and a Wobbly. He established the "Joe Hill House of Hospitality" in Salt Lake City, Utah and practiced tax resistance. He studied a year each at Ohio State University, Hiram College in Ohio, and University of Wisconsin-Madison. At the outbreak of WWI Hennacy was imprisoned for 2 years in Atlanta, Georgia for resisting conscription. In 1953 he moved to New York and became editor of the Catholic Worker, moving to Utah in 1961. Hennacy died January 14, 1970, in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Extent

35.75 Linear Feet (44 boxes)

Abstract

The Joan Thomas papers (1893-2014) contain personal materials along with prose and poerty. The collection also contains materials related to her relationship with Ammon Hennacy and their focus on pacifism and workers' rights. Included are numerous drawings created by Thomas.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged into the following series: I. Personal and family materials; II. IWW Organization records; III. Writings and artwork; IV. Books; and V. Oversize materials.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Donated by Joan Thomas in 2003, 2004, 2009, 2013.

Bulk of the collection donated by Joan Thomas via the University of Wyoming, American Heritage Center in 2011.

Related Materials

See also the Ammon Hennacy papers (MS 0555) located in the Manuscripts Division of Special Collections.

Separated Materials

Photographs and audio-visual materials were transferred to the Multimedia Division of Special Collections.

Processing Information

Processed by Julia Huddleston.
Title
Inventory of the Joan Thomas papers, 1893-2014
Author
Finding aid created by Betsey Welland.
Date
2022
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English.

Repository Details

Part of the J. Willard Marriott Library Special Collections Repository

Contact:
295 South 1500 East
Salt Lake City Utah 84112 United States
801-581-8863