Collections

This collection maintains vast photographs of the Arguelles family starting in the 1930s. The significance of this collection relates directly to what life was like for a typical Cuban family before the Revolution and before Fulgencio Batista seized power. This includes photographs of plantations, farms, local airfields, and even a typical day at the beach with the family. Digital images of these albums are available through the Digital Library of the Caribbean (Dloc). Physical copies are available at FIU Special Collections Department.

Aniel H. House, Sr., served in the Army Air Force as a member of Combat Flight Crew #3123 in the 459th Bomb Group, 15th Air Force on a B-24 Liberator, in the Atlantic theater. This collection contains a manuscript titled "Reflections of WWII" written by the father-son team of Aniel House, Jr., and Sr.. It is the memoirs of Aniel House, Sr.. He received the Air Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters and three Battle Stars. He fought in Naples, Arno, Ploesti, the Rhineland, and France. He enlisted on 8 Feb 1943 in Camp Joseph T. Robinson, Arkansas, and was discharged at Ellington Field, TX. He was an airplane mechanic gunner and gunnery instructor. This manuscript also contains numerous photographs, House's diary, flight records, and discharge records. He describes being shot down and forced to land in the Adriatic, where his crew was rescued by South African soldiers.

The Arlyn Austin Katims Civil War Collection focuses upon the Civil War from the Union position. Within the collection are illustrations, currency, and a number of artifacts from the era. Items of special interest include an authentic mourning card from Abraham Lincoln's funeral and newspapers reporting Lincoln's death.

This collection includes letters written to Arnold Busch, a basketball coach for Calvary Methodist Church in Lakewood, Ohio, by the students he previously coached. Whether drafted or enlisted, many of the men kept up a correspondence with Busch throughout the war years. This collection also includes Calvary Church newsletters and pamphlets, pamphlets regarding persons registered for service, ration books and other rationing documents, and letters returned to Busch because their recipients were MIA, deceased, or relocated. Also included are photographs of Calvary Church activities on the Homefront, the basketball team, and the Calvary Church's V-J Day service as well as a copy of an article in which the photograph was featured.