Letters Home to Widener’s Valley

Episode 7 - October 21, 1918

In episode seven we read the first letter we have from Oscar Widener to his wife, Myrtle Wright, after his arrival in France. Additional context is provided concerning the American Expeditionary Forces.

Episode 6 - October 6, 1918

This episode features Oscar Widener's first letter home from France with information about his trip across the Atlantic Ocean and the letter's recipient, his father, David Campbell Widener.

Episode 4 - September 10, 1918

We explore Oscar's last letter home to Myrtle before he is shipped off to the battlefields of Europe. The episode includes more information about the Widener family, including Oscar's Revolutionary War veteran Michael Widener.

Episode 5 - Special Episode: Music from the Valley

A detour from Oscar Widener's letters as we listen to music sung by Charles Jackson Brown, Sr., a contemporary resident of Oscar and Myrtle Widener. Recorded in the 1960s, the songs range from old ballads to a church hymnal. Joining Brown are long time Washington County residents, Howard Litton and Katherine Mock.

Episode 3 - August 9, 1918

August 9, 1918 letter from Oscar Widener to his wife, Myrtle Widener. In this, one of his longest letters, Oscar talks more about his camp experience and we try to understand Myrtle's world back home.