Weyforth Collection of WWII Correspondence

This collection contains letters, greeting cards, postcards, and photographs sent to Emma Elizabeth Weyforth from family members, friends, and students during WWII. Most were written by soldiers stationed abroad. Many of her former students wrote to her, describing the details of their lives in the military.

Emma Weyforth was born October 8^th, 1893. She graduated in 1909 from Western High School in Baltimore, then attended Goucher College, majoring in English and graduating in 1913. She studied music theory and piano at Peabody Conservatory, then went to Columbia University where she earned her master's degree in music. In the fall of 1925 she became a teacher at the State Teachers College at Towson where she taught a number of introductory and upper level music classes.

The Glee Club was established in 1922, and Weyforth became the director in 1928. Under her leadership, the club expanded not only in popularity but also in scope, performing at many events outside of STC and with other school choral groups.

After the outbreak of World War II, many of her male students enlisted to fight. Throughout the war she kept in contact with her nephews and many of her students, sending them holiday cards, gifts, and letters. After the end of the war, Weyforth would continue as a teacher and as director of the Glee Club until her retirement in 1962.

In these historic archives, you may encounter words, images or other language used that were reflective of the tenor of our nation, and thus university, at that time in history. Those images may be disturbing and offensive, as they reflect the prejudice of the time. However, they do not reflect Towson University’s values and our commitment toward building a welcoming, diverse and inclusive campus that supports all the members of our community to thrive, regardless of their race, religion, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation or levels of ableness.