Preliminary Inventory of the Schnorrenberg Family Papers, 1821-2000s

These and related materials may be found under the following headings in online catalogs.

Biographical Note

The Schnorrenberg family includes Laura Schaeffer Schnorrenberg (1900-1975), the daughter of Martin Wilhelm Schaeffer (1868-1945) and Frances Spencer Carter (1875-1938), a resident of Asheville, N.C., who was an active Episcopal layperson as well as an actress in Germany and the United States; John Martin Schnorrenberg (1931- ), her son, who was professor of art at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1959-1976; and his wife, Barbara Brandon Schnorrenberg (1931- ) who also taught at the University as a lecturer in the Department of History.

Collection Overview

The collection includes correspondence and other papers of members of the Schnorrenberg family, including Laura Schaeffer Schnorrenberg (1900-1975), resident of Asheville, N.C., Episcopal layperson and actress in Germany and the United States, 1921-1928; her son, John Martin Schnorrenberg (1931- ), professor of art at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1959-1976; and his wife, Barbara Brandon Schnorrenberg (1931- ), lecturer in the Department of History at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Much of the correspondence consists of letters exchanged among the three Schnorrenbergs as well as letters from Laura Schnorrenberg's brother, Theodore Wilhelm Schaeffer (1907- ). It deals largely with family and community matters, including John's experiences, 1946-1949, as a student at Christ's School, Arden, N.C., and, 1949-1953, at the University of North Carolina; Laura's work in Asheville with the National Conference of Christians and Jews; and Barbara's studies and travels in Europe, 1955-1956. Also included is a diary, 1821, in German, of Christian Friedrich von Schrickell, concerning a trip from Gonlitz, Germany, to Switzerland; a handwritten transcription of an account book with slave lists, 1861, of Emily Ryan of Bertie County, N.C.; notebooks of miscellaneous writings and poetry; a photograph album and scrapbook of clippings relative to Laura's theatrical career, chiefly in German; and Barbara's diary, 1955-1956.

Detailed Description of the Collection

Correspondence and other papers of members of the Schnorrenberg family, including Laura Schaeffer Schnorrenberg (1900-1975), resident of Asheville, N.C., Episcopal layperson and actress in Germany and the United States, 1921-1928; her son, John Martin Schnorrenberg (1931- ), professor of art at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1959-1976; and his wife, Barbara Brandon Schnorrenberg (1931- ), lecturer in the Department of History at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Much of the correspondence consists of letters exchanged among the three Schnorrenbergs as well as letters from Laura Schnorrenberg's brother, Theodore Wilhelm Schaeffer (1907- ). It deals largely with family and community matters, including John's experiences, 1946-1949, as a student at Christ's School, Arden, N.C., and, 1949-1953, at the University of North Carolina; Laura's work in Asheville with the National Conference of Christians and Jews; and Barbara's studies and travels in Europe, 1955-1956. Also included is a diary, 1821, in German, of Christian Friedrich von Schrickell, concerning a trip from Gonlitz, Germany, to Switzerland; a handwritten transcription of an account book with slave lists, 1861, of Emily Ryan of Bertie County, N.C.; notebooks of miscellaneous writings and poetry; a photograph album and scrapbook of clippings relative to Laura's theatrical career, chiefly in German; and Barbara's diary, 1955-1956.

Items Separated

Items separated include photographs (P-4002/1) and a photograph album (PA-4002/1).