Cameron Reynolds Collection, 1926-1973, bulk 1945-1956

Summary

Creator:
Cameron Reynolds
Abstract:
Cameron Stewart Reynolds, at the age of 26, began his military career in training at Fort Dix, New Jersey in 1953 and stationed in Germany through 1956. Reynolds wrote dozens of letters from abroad to his parents and sister back in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., which are featured in this collection. Reynolds’ travels brought him to England, Spain, Switzerland, and France at points, as can be seen in the letters and photographs. Reynolds was promoted to Corporal and later to specialist rankings during his military service, but did not re-enlist, completing his duties in Europe in November of 1956. On February 2nd, 1958, Reynolds married Dianna Wright. Cameron Reynolds went on to work for Ring Real Estate in Hyde Park and for his father’s business, S.J. Reynolds Inc., a Poughkeepsie Chrysler Dealership. This collection contains materials created or saved by Cameron Reynolds and family throughout Cameron Reynolds’ life, most notably during his time stationed overseas in 1950s Germany.
Extent:
1 Linear Foot 2 Boxes 32 Folders
Language:
English German
Preferred citation:

[Description of item, date, location of item in order of series, box number, folder number], in the Cameron Reynolds Collection, Archives and Special Collections, James A. Cannavino Library, Marist College

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains materials created or saved by Cameron Reynolds and family throughout Cameron Reynolds’ life, most notably during his time stationed overseas in 1950s Germany. Materials include: letters written by Cameron to his parents and sister Beverly; a baby book, family photographs/ slides/ film strips, childhood portraits, photographs of Cold War Europe, family news clippings, and souvenir photos; high school and college certificates and yearbooks; and paperwork, mostly consisting of military orders and automobile papers. The correspondence and photographs take up the bulk of the collection, a unique primary example of documents and materials demonstrating what daily life was like for American soldiers stationed in Germany from 1954 to 1956.

Biographical / historical:

Cameron Stewart Reynolds was born on July 21st, 1927 to parents Stewart James Reynolds and Marguerite Smith Reynolds in Peekskill, New York. Reynolds graduated from Pine Plains High School in 1946 and went on to study at Cornell University. On May 14, 1949, Reynolds married Roberta Shepherd at the First Presbyterian Church in Poughkeepsie, New York. Roberta passed on September 11, 1952, but Reynolds remained in contact with the Shepherd family, as exemplified in his letters. In 1953, at the age of 26, Cameron Reynolds began his military career in training at Fort Dix, New Jersey. Reynolds was sent to a reception area in Atlanta in 1954, until his subsequent stationing in Germany through 1956. Cameron Reynolds served in the U.S. 7th Army- 6th P.S. Ordinance in Germany and earned a National Defense Service medal, a Good Conduct medal, and an occupation of Germany medal during his time. Reynolds wrote dozens of letters from abroad to his parents and sister back in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., which are featured in this collection. Reynolds had one sister, Beverly Emsley (nee Reynolds), who graduated from Arlington High School in 1954. Some letters in the collection discuss Beverly’s tour of Germany in 1956, where she met up with brother Cameron Reynolds along the way. Cameron Reynolds’ travels brought him to England, Spain, Switzerland, and France at points, as can be seen in the letters and photographs. Reynolds was promoted to Corporal and later to specialist rankings during his military service, but did not re-enlist, completing his duties in Europe in November of 1956. On February 2nd, 1958, Reynolds married Dianna Wright, a classmate of sister Beverly. Cameron Reynolds went on to work for Ring Real Estate in Hyde Park and for his father’s business, S.J. Reynolds Inc., a Poughkeepsie Chrysler Dealership. Reynolds retired in April of 1977. Cameron and Dianna Reynolds were survived by son Reverend Dr. Bryon Reynolds and daughter Sylvia Reynolds. Wife Dianna Reynolds predeceased Cameron Reynolds on August 3rd, 2006. On January 1st, 2021, Cameron Reynolds passed away at Renaissance Rehabilitation Center at 93 ½ years old.

Acquisition information:
The Collection was purchased by the Marist College Archives Special Collections.
Arrangement:

This collection is organized into four series: 1) Cold War Letters, 2) Photographs and Family Memorabilia, 3) High School and College Ephemera, and 4) Paperwork.

Accruals:

No accruals are expected.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: a Content Standard

Indexed terms

Subjects:
Cold War
Places:
Poughkeepsie (N.Y.)

Access and use

Restrictions:

There are no restrictions on this collection

Terms of access:

Individuals requesting reproductions expressly assume the responsibility for compliance with all pertinent provisions of the Copyright Act, 17 U.S.C. ss101 et seq. Patrons further agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Marist College Archives & Special Collections and its staff in connection with any disputes arising from the Copyright Act, over the reproduction of material at the request of patrons. For more information please visit the following website: https://www.loc.gov/copyright/title17/.

Preferred citation:

[Description of item, date, location of item in order of series, box number, folder number], in the Cameron Reynolds Collection, Archives and Special Collections, James A. Cannavino Library, Marist College

Location of this collection:
3399 North Road
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601, United States
Link to repository site
Contact:
845-575-3364
library.archives@marist.edu