Eva Behn Chapline papers

Eva Behn Chapline papers, 1880-2013 (bulk 1920-1965)

Overview of the Collection

Creator: Chapline, Eva Behn
Title: Eva Behn Chapline papers
Dates: 1880-2013 (bulk 1920-1965) (inclusive)
Date of CollectionDate of Collection
Quantity: 14.64 cubic ft. (21 boxes)
Collection Number: 10438
Summary: The papers of Eva Behn Chapline, who created colored motion picture film travelog lectures from her travels in the American West; Washington, D.C.; Europe; and South America in the late 1930s-1950s.
Repository: American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
American Heritage Center
University of Wyoming
1000 E. University Ave.
Dept. 3924
Laramie, WY
82071
Telephone: 3077663756
ahcref@uwyo.edu
Access Restrictions: Access Restrictions
There are no access restrictions on the materials for research purposes, and the collection is open to the public.
Languages: English

Historical NoteReturn to Top

Eva Behn Chapline (Eve) was born in 1895 in Prescott, Arizona where her father was a businessman and gold prospector in the Arizona Territory. Both Eva and her husband, William Ridgley Chapline, worked for the U.S. Forest Service. She was a photographer and traveler and made numerous films of her travels throughout the world, particularly while her husband worked for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in Rome. She presented travelog lectures with her 16mm motion pictures to a wide range of audiences, mainly in the Washington, D.C. area, where she lived with her husband, and on the east coast. She was a member of the Arts Club of Washington and the Society of Women Geographers. She died in 1965.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The Eva Behn Chapline papers contain correspondence, photographs, 16mm color motion picture film, personal files, and audio materials. The correspondence includes letters written between her and her husband, notes and invitations regarding her travelog lectures, and other general correspondence. The bulk of the photographs depict friends and family, including some dating to the late 1800s. Most of the film was shot by Chapline between 1937 through the 1950s while she and her husband traveled throughout the United States and the world, including the American West; Washington, D.C.; Europe; and South America. The collection also contains other personal files, as well as some audio materials.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

The researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.

Preferred Citation

Item Description, Box Number, Folder Number, Eva Behn Chapline papers, 10438, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Related Materials

There are no known other archival collections created by Eva Behn Chapline at the date of processing.

Acquisition Information

This material was received from Eve Ridgely Chapline Peterson (daughter) in 1987, Martha P. Gonzalez (granddaughter) from 2001-2019, and Barbara Chapline Waldner (daughter) in 2012.

Processing Note

Processing Information

The collection was processed by Emily Christopherson in April 2012 and updated by Jamie J. Greene in August 2021.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Series I. Personal files, 1912-1981Return to Top

Arranged alphabetically. Contains correspondence between Chapline and her husband, letters and invitations regarding Chapline’s film lectures, and other general correspondence. Also present are notes, descriptions, and programs regarding Chapline’s film and slide lectures. The series also contains school work and other personal files.

Container(s)	Description	Dates
Box
5	Biographical file - Eve Behn Chapline	undated
5	Biographical file - William Ridgely Chapline	circa 1955-1977
6	Books: "Richard Arnold Peterson and Eve Ridgely Chapline Peterson" by Martha Peterson Gonzalez	2013
6	Books: "Chapline Family Christmas Memories" by Martha Peterson Gonzalez	2013
5	Business cards	undated
6	Calendars, diaries, and daybooks	1916-1961
5	Certificates	1954, undated
5	Christian Science materials	1934-1961
4	Correspondence - Christmas cards	undated
1	Correspondence - from Eve to William (husband)	1915-1947
2	Correspondence - from Eve to William (husband)	1948-1959, undated
4	Correspondence - from William (husband) to Eve	1920-1957
2	Correspondence - general	1919-1947
3	Correspondence - general	1948-1981, undated
4	Correspondence - general	circa 1936-1957, undated
4	Correspondence - regarding Eve Chapline's death	1965
4	Correspondence - with family members	circa 1925-1965
6	Diploma - Normal School of Arizona	1913
5	English Speaking Union	1949-1950
5	Farm and Garden Association	1955-1957
5	Film descriptions (lectures and slides)	undated
4	Financial files	circa 1940-1960
5	Invitation to Charles Lindbergh reception	1927
5	Lectures and slides - correspondence	circa 1939-1965
5	Lectures and slides - notes	undated
5	Lyrics and poems	undated
5	Membership cards	undated
4	Miscellaneous	circa 1920-1965
6	Miscellaneous personal artifacts	undated
5	"Movies Are Not a Man's World," by Eve Chapline	undated
5	Newspaper clippings	circa 1935-1965
5	Newspaper clippings - H.K. Behn	1927-1931
5	Notebook	undated
19	Poster for "Around the Seasons in Washington" - film by Eve Chapline	undated
5	Programs and pamphlets	circa 1930-1965
5	Programs and pamphlets featuring Eve Chapline's films	1939-1964
6	School science notebooks	1912, 1921-1924
5	School work	1912
5	William Ridgely Chapline business card printing plate	undated
5	Writing by Eve Chapline [?]	undated

Series II. Photographs, circa 1880-1965Return to Top

Arranged alphabetically. Contains primarily black and white photographs of Eva Behn Chapline’s family and friends, her husband William Ridgely Chapline’s family, and some photographs depicting agricultural and forestry work. Not all photographs are labeled or identified. Some color prints and negatives are also present.

Container(s)	Description	Dates
Box
18	Agriculture/Forestry conference in the Netherlands [?]	undated
18	Agriculture/Forestry work - Spain	undated
18	Agriculture/Forestry work	1910, 1951, undated
20	Alphabetically filed color photographs and negatives - miscellaneous	undated
19	Arizona delegation to christen the Battleship Arizona at the White House	1915
18	Bull fight in Cadiz	undated
17	Eve Chapline	circa 1900-1965
17	Eve Chapline in middle school	undated
16	Eve, Barbara, and Ridgely Chapline (daughters) (tintype)	undated
17	Eve Chapline's 5th grade class	undated
16	Family	circa 1880-1965
19	Family	circa 1880-1965
21	Family (nitrate negatives)	circa 1930s-1940s
17	Miscellaneous contact prints	circa 1940s-1950s
21	Navajo women at Fort Wingate (nitrate negatives)	1941
18	Panama Canal - first battleship to pass through	1915
16	Postcards from family	circa 1905-1911
18	Prints made from Eve's movies	circa 1940-1950
18	Rodeo in Prescott, Arizona	1921
16	Unidentified baby	undated

Series III. Films, circa 1930-1962Return to Top

Arranged alphabetically. Contains 16mm color film reels shot by Eva Chapline depicting her travels around the world and the United States. Prominent locations include the American West; Washington, D.C.; Europe; and South America. Many of these films were made into lectures that Chapline gave to many organizations and groups. Not all reels are well-labeled. Some films are given a tentative title based upon what was written on the film canister and the film titles and descriptions that are found within the collection. A number of family films are also present.

Container(s)	Description	Dates
Box
9	Alps (Italy)	undated
9	Alps [Mountain Climbing By Jeep?] (2 reels)	undated
9	Alps to Biarritz (Austria, Germany)	undated
7	America Is Beautiful - Canadian Rockies	1940
7	America Is Beautiful - Wisconsin Dells	1940
7	America Is Beautiful - Wisconsin Dells, Cook City Hwy, Grand Coulee, Utah, Great Basin	1940
7	America Is Beautiful - Yellowstone and Glacier	1940
10	Arizona - Fort Apache	undated
10	Arizona - Grand Canyon	undated
7	Autumn	undated
7	Autumn through inaugural	undated
13	Autumn, Col. C. Club windows	1956
13	Barbara, WW I [?]	1942
13	Barbara's high school graduation (daughter); sunset over Watergate	1945
9	Benelux, the Low Countries [Belgium, Netherlands, Luxemburg] (4 reels)	undated
8	Brice	undated
9	By-Ways of Britain (4 reels)	undated
12	California	undated
12	California coast	undated
13	California to Nevada	undated
12	Camp Topridge	1955
9	Canister reads "Europe '37" / leader tape reads "D.C."	undated
10	Canister reads "Nevada through Shasta, 1941" / leader tape reads "Karachi, Bangkok to Cairo,"	circa 1941
13	Chapline family - Washington, D.C.	1930
9	Chapline official	undated
10	Colonial Virginia	undated
12	Covenant church, Biden Gardens [?]	undated
13	D.M.R., K.C.	undated
8	Dem. Lunch	undated
10	East coast	undated
10	Eastern vacation, January Journey [Maryland shore?]	undated
8	Edison (Huron River appears at end of reel)	undated
7	Fairfax gardens [When It's Springtime In the Gardens?]	undated
10	Family tree (south and north banks of James River; Jamestown estates along the river)	undated
8	Family	undated
13	Fashion show	1950
12	Georgia	undated
12	Girl Scout film	undated
7	Girl Scouts at cathedral, Bonnie Brae, Ben Murch	undated
10	Great Basin to D.C.	undated
9	Greece	undated
8	Gunewardene wedding (daughter of Ambassador to Ceylon/Sri Lanka)	undated
10	Heading East	1962
12	Iguazu	undated
8	Italy (3 reels)	undated
8	Italy - Sicily, Paestum, Pompeii	undated
8	Italy and Rome extras	undated
7	Japanese garden to tree planting	undated
8	Jeffrey [?]	undated
10	Jerome? [Western Wanderings?]	1941
12	Johnson cabin	undated
12	Juanita	undated
12	K-11, post-college	undated
8	Leaving New York to Rome	undated
10	Marfa to Tucson [Western Wanderings?]	1941
12	Margarita, Ridgely, and Barbara	undated
12	Mariners	undated
9	Morocco and Algeria	undated
10	Mount Vernon, seminary	undated
13	Mrs. K.'s Christmas	undated
13	Munger Hall [?]	undated
10	N.E.	undated
10	NY Fair, Indian's pottery, New Mexico, Great Basin, Tucson [From Coast to Coast and Home Again?]	undated
13	NY	1950
10	NY, NE	undated
10	Oak Creek, S.F. peaks [Western Wanderings?]	1941
10	Oregon [Western Wanderings?]	undated
12	Oregon coast, Eureka parade, Sequoia Park, Yosemite, Salt Lake, Ogden	undated
12	Phoenix desert	undated
10	Phoenix to Laguna	undated
12	Pierce church, [?] bride	undated
12	Pink dogwood, lilac for wedding	undated
13	Pipe laying in Iowa, home	1941
10	Potomac Hunt	undated
12	Pres. House	undated
12	Pussy willow in snow	undated
12	Queen's carpet	undated
12	Ridgely (daughter) at Leila's reception	undated
13	Ridgley's birthday (daughter)	undated
8	Rome [Rome Mosaic?] (4 reels)	undated
13	Rome, Swedes on FAO	undated
8	South America [By-Ways of South America?] (4 reels)	undated
12	South America	undated
10	South East [West By South East?]	1941
7	Spring - Mrs. Ike at cathedral	undated
7	Spring to autumn	undated
7	Summer	1938
13	Tower - Little Washington	1944
13	Tregaron midseason	1950
12	Tregaron spring, tea	undated
7	Troop activities [Girl Scouts?]	undated
7	Truman inauguration, cherry blossom show, Washington sesquicentennial	1952
11	Unlabeled small reel-to-reels (68 reels)	undated
13	Unlabeled	1937
13	Unlabeled	undated
9	Unlabeled	undated
13	W. Wilson play	1942
13	W.W. 43	1945
7	Washington, D.C. (2 reels)	undated
7	Washington, D.C. - spring [Around the Seasons In Our Nation's Capital?]	undated
12	Washington, D.C. - White House	undated
7	Washington, D.C. - winter odds and ends [Around the Seasons In Our Nation's Capital?]	undated
7	Wellesley graduation	1945
7	Winter	undated
9	World tour	undated

Series IV. Audio materials, 1957-1958, undatedReturn to Top

Arranged alphabetically. Contains reel-to-reel audiotapes and phonograph records of popular and classical musical arrangements. Also present is a recording of a lecture by Jules Cern on Christian Science. All materials are reel-to-reel unless listed otherwise.

Container(s)	Description	Dates
Box
14	Concerto de Aranjuez - National Orchestra of Spain	undated
15	Cugat Cavalcade	undated
14	Easter Parade, water lilies, wedding march	undated
14	Guitars	undated
14	Gypsy! - Hollywood Bowl Symphony Orchestra and Carmen Dragon	1957
14	Hymns - Mary Baker Eddy, Hymns from the Christian Science Hymnal	undated
14	Jules Cern lecture - Christian Science: The Understanding and Practice of God's Allness	undated
15	Mambos and cha chas	undated
14	Nights in the Gardens of Spain	undated
15	Roger Wagner Chorale - House of the Lord	undated
14	Rossini - William Tell Overture - Vienna State Opera Orchestra	1958
14	Starlight Chorale - Roger Wagner Chorale with Hollywood Symphony Orchestra	1958
15	Strauss Sparkles in Hi-Fi	undated
14	Symphonium Music Box	1957
15	Ted Heath music	undated
14	Unlabeled	undated
14	Viennese Waltzes - Harry Horlick and His Orchestra	1958
15	Phonograph records - Billy May	undated
15	Phonograph records - cha chas	undated
15	Phonograph records - dance music	undated
15	Phonograph records - Dick Contino	undated
15	Phonograph records - fox trots	undated
15	Phonograph records - Lawrence Welk	undated
15	Phonograph records - mambos	undated
15	Phonograph records - Mills Brothers	undated
15	Phonograph records - rhumbas	undated
15	Phonograph records - sambas	undated
15	Phonograph records - swing	undated
15	Phonograph records - tangos	undated

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

Adventure travel.
Women geographers.
Travelogues (Motion pictures)

Personal Names

Chapline, W.R. (William Ridgely), b. 1891.

Geographical Names

Europe -- Description and travel.
South America -- Description and travel.
West (U.S.) -- Description and travel.

Form or Genre Terms

Travelogs.

Archives West Finding Aid

Table of Contents