ARTHUR G. DRAPER PAPERS

Collection

Identifier: TMD199

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The bulk of the Arthur G. Draper papers consists of letters he wrote to his wife Lili and their children from 1942 through 1945. Also included are letters to and from his parents from 1943 through 1945 and letters Daper received from various people. Lili Draper made copies of Draper's letters for his parents and for the Vetter family, whose son also served with the 10th Mountain Division.

The papers include a newspaper clipping, military papers, and an article Draper wrote for American Ski Annual of 1946 titled "Doughnuts to Doughnuts with the Mountain Troops."

The oversize file contains loose scrapbook pages consisting primarily of newspaper clippings and magazine articles collected during the war.

SERIES 1 CORRESPONDENCE 1942-1945 BOX 1-2

This series contains letters written by Draper to his wife, Lili, and to their children as well as letters to his parents. Copies of letters Draper's wife sent to others and her correspondence received are also included.

SERIES 2 PAPERS 1943-1945 BOX 2

This series consists of memorabilia, a military paper, and an article written by Draper.

SERIES 3 OVERSIZE 1942-1996 OVBOX 1

The Oversize series consists of loose scrapbook pages containing newspaper clippings, magazine articles, and a map pertaining to Camp Hale and the history of the 86th Infantry Regiment.

Dates

1942-1996

Creator

Draper, Arthur G.,1909-1975. (Person)
Lussi, Caroline Draper, (Person)

Language of Materials

Material is in English unless otherwise noted.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

All requests for permission to publish, reproduce, or quote from material in the collection should be discussed with the appropriate librarian or archivist. Permission for publication may be given on behalf of the Denver Public Library as the owner of the physical item. It is not intended to include or permission of the copyright holder, which also must be obtained by the customer. The imply Library does not assume any responsibility for infringement of copyright or publication rights of the manuscript held by the writer, heirs, donors, or executors. Reproduction restrictions are decided on a case-by-case basis.

Biographical / Historical

Arthur Gibb Draper (nicknamed Gibby) was born in Brooklyn, New York, on February 28, 1909, to Arthur S. and Frances G. Draper. He had attended Phillip Exeter Academy and Harvard University prior to completing a graduate degree in history at University of Cambridge in England. Draper married Lili Gadeke and the couple had two children, Charles and Caroline (nicknamed Sis). He left a career as a journalist with the New York Times to work as a forest ranger with the New York State Conservation Department. In December 1942 he enlisted in the Army in Albany, New York. His basic training took place at Camp Croft, South Carolina, before he was transferred to the 10th Mountain Division, Camp Hale, Colorado. He transferred to Camp Swift, Texas, with the 10th before shipping out to Italy. Draper was originally assigned to the 86th Infantry Regiment, Company D, before joining the 86th Infantry Regiment Headquarters, 3rd Battalion, Medical Detachment. He attained the rank of Staff Sergeant.

Draper earned two Bronze Stars for action in Italy: one for service near Mount Della Torraccia on February 25, 1945, and the second for service in the Apennine Mountains and the Po River Valley. After the war, Draper developed ski areas in New York for the State of New York and served as general manager of the Whiteface Mountain Ski Area. Draper died in 1975.

Extent

2 Boxes

1 oversize boxes

Additional Description

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift; Caroline Draper Lussi; 2000, 2002, 2007, 2008. Gift; Fred Vetter; 1993.

Separated Materials

A roster of 86th medics, circa 1945, was transferred to TMD1 10th Mountain Division Records.

Journal of injuries and illness December 1944 - May 1945 was also transferred to TMD1 10th Mountain Division Records.

Copies of various issues of Blizzard, Camp Hale Ski-Zette, Stars and Stripes (Mediterranean Edition), Yank