TABLE OF CONTENTS
Descriptive Summary
Biographical Note
Scope and Contents
Arrangement
Restrictions
Index Terms
Administrative Information
Description of Series
Personal records and legal records
Genealogy
Academic records
Service and recognition
Correspondence
Personal notes
Miscellaneous
Rita Shelton
Photographs
Artifacts
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Versie Shelton Collection:
An Inventory of her Records at the Houston Metropolitan
Research Center, Houston Public Library
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| Creator | Shelton, Versie Antoinette, 1918-2001 |
| Title | Versie Shelton Collection |
| Inclusive Dates | December 1915 to December 2003 |
| Bulk Dates | 1960’s |
| Identification | MSS 1433 |
| Extent | 8.5 lin. ft.: 7 document boxes, 1 oversized document box, 5 photo boxes, 1 large flat box, 1 small flat box, 1 cylinder |
| Language | Materials are
in English. |
| Repository | Houston Metropolitan Research Center, Houston Public
Library |
Versie and Hugh Shelton were best known for their unwavering dedication to the communities of Houston through service and activism. Versie Powell came to Houston in 1926, married Hugh Shelton in 1940, and remained married for the next 62 years. Hugh Shelton was employed with the United States Postal Service for 34 years; progressing to the position of Superintendent of Postal Sub-Stations. Versie worked for both academic and non-profit organizations during the course of her career with the express interest in providing opportunities to the disenfranchised. Her employers included Baylor University College of Medicine , Texas Southern University, Ben Taub Hospital and the Negro Child Center. She was the first Black secretary to integrate Houston’s downtown offices.
Her charitable activities included work for the Houston Association for Better Schools, Institute for International Education and Jack and Jill of America as well as participation as a member of the Chaplaincy Consulting group for the Harris County Hospital District.
Much of the Shelton’s personal success has culminated in the accomplishments of their daughter Dr. Rita Shelton Deverell. Dr. Deverell’s hard work and ambition has afforded her the title of actress, journalist, television producer, university assistant professor, and Member of the Order of Canada. Dr. Deverell attributes her achievements to the support of her parents and the family’s personal philosophy.
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The Versie Shelton Collection contans information relating to the community involvement, relationships and accomplishments of the Shelton family.
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Arrangement
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| This collection is arranged topically and by types of material. Box 1 contains vital records and other personal records. Box 2 contains academic records, papers relating to community service and awards of recognition. Boxes 3 and 4 contain correspondence and personal letters of Versie and Hugh Shelton. Boxes 5, 6, 7, and 8 relate to the academic achievements and personal correspondence of Rita Shelton and chronicle her growth from her teen years to adulthood. Boxes 9 and 10 contain artifacts and awards. Boxes 11, 12 and 13 contain photographs. Box 14 contains oversize items including family trees, photographs and newspapers. Box 15 contains the Shelton family tree. |
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| | Personal records and legal records |
| | Genealogy |
| | Academic records |
| | Service and recognition |
| | Correspondence |
| | Personal notes |
| | Miscellaneous |
| | Rita Shelton |
| | Photographs |
| | Artifacts |
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Access Restrictions
None.
Use Restrictions
None.
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| Subjects |
| | African American Families--Texas--Houston--Correspondence |
| | Manners and customs--Texas--Houston--20th century |
| | African-Americans--Social conditions--1955-2001 |
| | African American Intellectuals |
| Personal names |
| | Shelton, Versie Antoinette, 1918-2001 |
| | Deverell, Rita Shelton, b. 1945--Intellectual life--Correspondence |
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Versie Shelton Collection. Houston Metropolitan Research Center, Houston
Public Library.
Donated by: Rita Shelton Deverell, January 14, 2005.
Processed by: Tammy Jordan,
completed September 2005.
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Personal records and legal records
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| | | Vital records |
| | Item separated: see Box 14 Oversized items, Folder 253,
Marriage license, James Powell wed to Cliffie Wylie, Dec. 19, 1915
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| Box | Folder |
| 1 | 1 | | | Birth, death and marriage records |
| 2 | | | Rita Shelton birth certificate, Canadian immigration card |
| 3 | | | Accounts, Retirement, Social Security, Taxes, Selective Service, Voter registration |
| | | Wills |
| Box | Folder |
| 1 | 4 | | | Shelton wills, Forms designating beneficiaries |
| 5 | | | Eula Shelton will |
| 6 | | | Carl Shelton will |
| | | Property records |
| Box | Folder |
| 1 | 7 | | | Automobile loan, Title transfer home (Eagle St.), Property improvement
loan, Clarewood House, apartment floor plan |
| | | Medical records |
| Box | Folder |
| 1 | 8 | | | Do Not Resuscitate order, Medical Consent to Disclose |
| | | Insurance records |
| Box | Folder |
| 1 | 9 | | | Life insurance policies, Postal Employees Immediate Relief Association,
Health insurance |
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Genealogy
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| | | Powell/Shelton family obituaries |
| Box | Folder |
| 1 | 10 | | | Obituaries for Hugh Shelton and Versie Shelton, Correspondence, Contributions |
| 11 | | | Correspondence, death of Hugh Shelton |
| 12 | | | Deaths, Powell family obituaries, services, correspondence |
| 13 | | | Deaths, Shelton family obituaries, services, correspondence |
| | | Powell/Shelton family documented facts |
| Box | Folder |
| 1 | 14 | | | Shelton family marriages |
| 15 | | | Shelton family genealogy |
| 16 | | | Powell family genealogy |
| 17 | | | Video, personal narrative chronicling Versie Shelton's life |
| | | Powell/Shelton family trees |
| | Item separated: see Box 14 Oversized items, Folder 252,
Powell family tree. |
| | Items separated: see Box 15 (storage tube),
Shelton family tree, Powell family tree. |
| Box | Folder |
| 1 | 18 | | | Powell family tree |
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Academic records
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| Includes transcripts, school assignments, degrees. |
| Item separated: see Box 14 Oversized items, Folder 265
Phillis Wheatley High School diploma, Versie Antoinette Powell, May 31, 1935. |
| Box | Folder |
| 2 | 1 | | Versie Shelton’s transcripts, school assignments, degrees |
| 2 | | Hugh Shelton’s transcripts, school assignments, degrees |
| 3 | | Program, Phyllis Wheatley High School 75th Anniversary, 2002,
50th Reunion Banquet, 1985 |
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Service and recognition
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| | | Employment |
| | Item separated: see Box 14 Oversized items, Folder 262,
Houston Post, Ben Taub's Ambassador, Nov. 4, 1983
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| Box | Folder |
| 2 | 4 | | | Hugh Shelton-news clippings, correspondence |
| 5 | | | Versie Shelton-articles, correspondence |
| | | Community service |
| Box | Folder |
| 2 | 6 | | | Community service correspondence, 1960-1965 |
| 7 | | | Community service correspondence, 1972-2002 |
| | | Awards and certificates |
| | Item separated: see Box 14, Folder 263
Award of appreciation bestowed upon Versie Shelton for her work at Ben Taub
Hospital from the Mayor of Houston and Council Members, Jan. 24, 1984. |
| | Item separated: see Box 14, Folder 264
Certificate of Appreciation from the City of Houston bestowed upon The Shelton
Family, June 22, 1985. |
| Box | Folder |
| 2 | 8 | | | Articles-Versie Shelton, 1983-1993 |
| 9 | | | Awards, certificates-Versie Shelton, 1968-1999 |
| 10 | | | Awards, certificates-Hugh Shelton, 1972-1999 |
| 11 | | | Senior Olympics, Versie Shelton, Mar. 1993 |
| 12 | | | Alpha Kappa Mu, Hugh Shelton, Feb. 18, 1941 |
| | | Charitable contributions |
| Box | Folder |
| 2 | 13 | | | Charitable contributions, 1964-2004 |
| 14 | | | Shelton household budget
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Correspondence
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| | | Personal letters, friends |
| Box | Folder |
| 3 | 1 | | | Personal letters, friends, July 1945- May 1972 |
| 2 | | | Screenplay, The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman, Allan Page,
Tomorrow Entertainment, Inc., Dec. 1972 |
| 3 | | | Screenplay, Mrs. Sundance, Allan Page, 20th Century Fox Television,
American Broadcasting Company, Jan. 1973 |
| 4 | | | Personal letters, friends, June 1972-Nov. 1976 |
| 5 | | | Personal letters, friends, Oct. 1974-Apr. 1975 |
| 6 | | | Play, Agape’ is a Form of Love, Charlotte Kraft, Dec. 1982 |
| 7 | | | Personal letters, friends, June 1975-Sept. 1983 |
| 8 | | | Personal letters, friends, Oct. 1983-Jan. 1986 |
| 9 | | | Personal letters, friends, Jan. 1985-Aug. 1988 |
| 10 | | | Personal letters, friends, Nov. 1988-Sept. 1993
Card, Lorraine Malach, 1993
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| Box | Folder |
| 4 | 1 | | | Personal letters, friends, Mar. 1994-July 2000 |
| 2 | | | Personal letters, friends, Feb. 2002-Dec. 2003 |
| 3 | | | Personal letters, friends, no dates |
| | | Personal letters, family |
| | See also: Box 12 Folder 225 Photo 272 and Box 12 Folder 226 Photo 273
in Photographs Series. |
| Box | Folder |
| 4 | 4 | | | Personal letters, Powell family, Dec. 1951-Mar. 2001 |
| 5 | | | Personal letters, Shelton family, Sept. 1977-Apr. 1974
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Personal notes
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| Includes schedules and event planning. |
| Box | Folder |
| 4 | 6 | | Schedules, menus announcements,
Hugh and Versie Shelton’s hosted family visits. |
| 7 | | Announcements, cards, lists
Hugh and Versie Shelton’s anniversaries. |
| 8 | | Guest lists, cards, invitations, notes
Versie Shelton’s birthdays. |
| 9 | | Reservations, cards, lists, notes
Hugh Shelton’s birthdays. |
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Miscellaneous
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| Includes personal interest papers, including travel, theater, articles. |
| Item separated: see Box 14, Folder 245 for Video, Hugh Shelton's 90th birthday party. |
| Item separated: see Box 14, Folder 257
for Houston Post newspaper, Nuns break language barrier at hospital, July 23, 1994. |
| Box | Folder |
| 4 | 10 | | Map of the Shelton’s travels
Mexican currency, Australian currency
Itinerary Paris travel. |
| 11 | | Playbill, Bidi Sayao, Houston Music Hall, Mar. 1949 |
| 12 | | Conference materials, National Association of Human Rights Workers, Oct. 1972 |
| 13 | | Articles, Newspaper clippings
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Rita Shelton
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| | | Personal letters, family |
| Box | Folder |
| 5 | 1 | | | Personal letter, Santa Claus, no date;
Budget, no date |
| 2 | | | Correspondence, Herald Tribune, Apr. 1957;
Article, Houston Post, Sept. 1964
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| 3 | | | Correspondence, Versie Shelton regarding schools, Oct. 1959-Jan. 1960 |
| 4 | | | Personal letters, July 1959 |
| 5 | | | Personal letters, July 1960-Aug. 1960 |
| 6 | | | Personal letters, June 1961-July 1961 |
| 7 | | | Personal letters, July 1961 |
| 8 | | | Personal letters, July 1961-Dec. 1961 |
| 9 | | | Personal letters, Apr. 1962-Oct. 1962 |
| 10 | | | Personal letters, Oct. 1962-Dec. 1962 |
| 11 | | | Personal letters, Jan. 1963-Feb. 1963 |
| 12 | | | Personal letters, Feb. 1963-Mar. 1963 |
| 13 | | | Personal letters, Mar. 1963 |
| 14 | | | Personal letters, Apr. 1963 |
| 15 | | | Personal letters, May 1963-Dec. 1963 |
| 16 | | | Personal letters, Jan. 1964-Feb. 1964 |
| 17 | | | Personal letters, Feb. 1964-Mar. 1964 |
| 18 | | | Personal letters, Mar. 1964-June 1964 |
| 19 | | | Personal letters, June 1964-Sept. 1964
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| Box | Folder |
| 6 | 1 | | | 1 Personal letters, Oct. 1964-Dec. 1964 |
| 2 | | | Personal letters, Jan. 1965-Feb. 1965 |
| 3 | | | Personal letters, Mar. 1965-Dec. 1965 |
| 4 | | | Personal letters, Jan. 1966-Dec. 1966 |
| 5 | | | Personal letters, Feb. 1967-July 1967 |
| 6 | | | Personal letters, July 1967-Dec. 1967
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| 7 | | | Personal letters, Jan. 1968-May 1968 |
| 8 | | | Personal letters, June 1968-Dec. 1968
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| 9 | | | Personal letters, Jan. 1969-Dec. 1969 |
| 10 | | | Personal letters, Jan. 1970-Nov. 1970
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| 11 | | | Personal letters, Jan. 1971-Dec. 1971
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| 12 | | | Personal letters, Jan. 1972-Dec. 1972
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| 13 | | | Personal letters, Apr. 1973-Dec. 1973 |
| 14 | | | Personal letters, Jan. 1974-Nov. 1982 |
| 15 | | | Personal letters, Feb. 1984-Dec. 1999
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| | | Academic records |
| Box | Folder |
| 7 | 1 | | | Transcripts, test scores, high school diploma
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| 2 | | | Program, Atherton School, May 1958 |
| 3 | | | Commencement program, William E. Miller Junior High School, June 1959 |
| 4 | | | College applications, 1961-1962 |
| 5 | | | Financial aid application, Jan. 1962 |
| 6 | | | Grades, class schedules, Adelphi College, 1962
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| 7 | | | Registration instructions, Adelphi College, Mar. 1963 |
| 8 | | | Correspondence, financial aid, Sept. 1963 |
| 9 | | | Correspondence, program, Yale Drama Festival, Mar. 1963 |
| 10 | | | Class schedules, 1963 |
| 11 | | | Transcripts, 1963
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| 12 | | | Class schedules, 1964 |
| 13 | | | Correspondence, financial aid, 1964 |
| 14 | | | Transcripts, class schedules, 1965
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| 15 | | | Correspondence, financial aid, 1965
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| 16 | | | Correspondence, universities, Mar. 1966 |
| 17 | | | Correspondence, financial aid, 1966
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| | | Correspondence, employment |
| Box | Folder |
| 7 | 18 | | | Correspondence, Sept. 1963 |
| | | Miscellaneous |
| | Item separated: see Box 14 Oversized items, Folder 254
for Delphian newspaper, Adelphi College, Long Island, NY, A.U. Mourns Kennedy
Nov. 27, 1963
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| | Item separated: see Box 14 Oversized items, Folder 255
for Perry-Mansfield Pine Bark newpaper, Rita Shelton mentioned, Jan. 1964. |
| | Item separated: see Box 14 Oversized items, Folder 256
for St. Thomas Times-Journal newspaper, Open Lid Coffee House, Dec. 23, 1967. |
| | Item separated: see Box 14 Oversized items, Folder 266
for Rex Deverell, Rita Shelton wedding sermon, May 24, 1967. |
| Box | Folder |
| 7 | 15 | | | Receipts |
| 16 | | | Newspaper clippings, correspondence, Deverell/Shelton marriage,
May 1967 |
| 17 | | | Articles, news releases on Rita Shelton, 1971-2004
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| 18 | | | Invitation, Premier of Saskatchewan, Ramsey Deverell
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| 19 | | | Announcement, Chalmers Award, Rex Deverell, 1996 |
| 20 | | | Convocation Program, Mt. Allison University, Shelton Ramsay Deverell, May 1997 |
| 21 | | | Personal notes, Reflections, Nov. 2002
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| | | Personal letters, family (reel tapes) |
| Box | Folder |
| 8 | 1 | | | Personal letters, family, Spet. 1966 |
| 2 | | | Personal letters, family, Oct. 1966 |
| 3 | | | Personal letters, family, no date |
| 4 | | | Personal letters, family, no date |
| 5 | | | Personal letters, family, no date |
| 6 | | | Personal letters, family, Jan. 1967 |
| 7 | | | Personal letters, family, Feb. 1967 |
| 8 | | | Indecipherable content
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Photographs
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| | | Family and friends |
| | Item separated: see Box 16 Oversize photographs
for Drawing, Veryl Powell, June 19, 1946. |
| Box | Photo |
| 11 | 1-70 | | | Family and friends |
| Box | Photo |
| 13 | 279-288 | | | Family and friends |
| | | Employment and community service |
| Box | Photo |
| 11 | 71-77 | | | Versie Shelton and Rita Deverell employment and community
community service
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| Box | Photo |
| 13 | 282 | | | Hugh Shelton employement and community service |
| | | Genealogy |
| | Item separated: see Box 16 Oversized photographs
Powell family members: Vernie Powell, Jimmie Powell McCollum, Ennis Powell, Clotele Powell Tatum, James Powell, Versie Powell Shelton, Veryl Powell Askernee. |
| | Item separated: see Box 16 Oversized photographs
Powell family members: Vernie Powell, Jimmie Powell McCollum, Ennis Powell, Clotele Powell Tatum, James Powell, Versie Powell Shelton, Veryl Powell Askernee. |
| | Item separated: see Box 16 Oversized photos
Family photograph, enlarged inset, no date. |
| | Item separated: see Box 16 Oversized photos
Shelton, Deverell families, no date. |
| | Item separated: see Box 16 Oversized photos
Rita Shelton, 18 months, 1945. |
| Box | Photo |
| 11 | 78-87 | | | Early photographs found glued together on one page |
| 88-98 | | | Early photographs |
| 99-103 | | | Rita Shelton and Shelton Ramsey Deverell |
| 104-110 | | | Powell and Shelton family |
| Box | Photo |
| 13 | 276-291 | | | Powell and Shelton family |
| | | Personal achievements and academic achievements |
| Box | Photo |
| 11 | 111-118 | | | Versie Shelton, Senior Olympics, 1995 |
| 119-131 | | | Shelton Ramsey Deverell's graduation, 1997 |
| | | Celebrations |
| Box | Photo |
| 12 | 132-139 | | | Shelton family holidays |
| 140-143 | | | Wedding of Rex Deverell and Rita Shelton |
| 144-145 | | | Versie Shelton’s birthday, no date |
| 146-148 | | | Hugh Shelton’s 80th birthday, Mar. 1989 |
| 149 | | | Hugh and Versie Shelton at Eagle St., Houston home kissing, May 1989 |
| 150 | | | Hugh and Versie Shelton eating with Sister Mary Agnes Joy, May 1989 |
| 151 | | | Hugh and Versie Shelton at Eagle St., Houston home sitting in yard, May 1989 |
| 152-153 | | | Hugh and Versie Shelton's 50th anniversary, 1990 |
| 173-190 | | | Hugh Shelton’s 80th birthday party, May 1989 |
| 191-192 | | | Hugh Shelton, 90th birthday party, 1999 |
| 193-223 | | | Hugh & Versie Shelton’s 60th anniversary, Galveston, May 2000 |
| 224 | | | Hugh and Versie Shelton dressed up at celebration, Aug. 17, 2001 |
| 225-250 | | | Friends at Versie Shelton’s 85th birthday party, Clary’s Restaurant, Galveston, May 2003 |
| 251-252 | | | Neena Shelton’s son’s wedding, Sept. 2003 |
| | | Personal interest, including travel |
| | See also: Video of Hugh Shelton's 90th birthday in Box 14 Folder 245. |
| Box | Photo |
| 12 | 253-268 | | | Vacation photos |
| | | Miscellaneous photographs |
| Box | Photo |
| 12 | 269 | | | Mt. Vernon Methodist Church, location of marriage of Versie and
Hugh Shelton, lifelong members of church since that time, no date |
| 270 | | | Giant crab at Gaido's Restaurant, Galveston, no date |
| 271 | | | Vivian Hubbert's correspondence to Rita Shelton, 1961 |
| 272 | | | The Shelton's pet dog, 1964 |
| 273 | | | Lorraine Malach's art, no date |
| 274 | | | Lorraine Malach's art, no date |
| 275 | | | House at Eagle St., Houston, no date |
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Artifacts
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| Box | Folder |
| 9 | 1,2 | | Pendant |
| 3 | | Pin |
| 4-6 | | Medal, Senior Olympics, May 1995 |
| Box | Folder |
| 10 | 1-4 | | Award |
| Box |
| 14 | | | Oversize items |
| Box |
| 15 | | | Oversize items |
| Box |
| 16 | | | Oversize items |
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