View XML QR Code

Ezra Stone and Sara Seegar Stone family papers, 1821-2018

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Stone, Ezra, 1917-1994; Stone, Sara Seegar, 1914-1990
Title
Ezra Stone and Sara Seegar Stone family papers
Dates
1821-2018 (inclusive)
Quantity
32.81 cubic ft. (39 boxes) + 55.30 MB
Collection Number
12928
Summary
Ezra Stone (1917–1994) was an American actor and television director, best known for his portrayal of Henry Aldrich in The Aldrich Family. Sara Seegar-Stone (1914–1990) was an American actress. The couple wed in 1942, and lived primarily in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. This collection contains family correspondence, photographs, biographical material related to members of the Stone family, books, and film.
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

There are no access restrictions on the materials for research purposes, and the collection is open to the public.

Languages
English
Return to Top

Historical Note

Ezra Stone (1917–1994) was an American actor and television director, best known for his portrayal of Henry Aldrich in The Aldrich Family. Born Ezra Chaim Feinstone on December 2, 1917, Stone began performing publicly at age seven and later studied acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. His career-defining role came in the mid-1930s when he was cast as Henry Aldrich in What a Life, a part that transitioned into the popular radio comedy The Aldrich Family in 1939. The show became widely known for its trademark opening dialogue between Henry and his mother. Stone remained in the role until 1942, when he joined the U.S. Army’s Special Services unit during World War II. He married actress Sara Seegar that same year, and upon returning from military service, he resumed the Henry Aldrich role until 1952.

After retiring from acting, Stone focused on directing both stage and television. He directed the TV adaptation of The Aldrich Family in 1952 and went on to direct numerous programs including Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theater, Lassie, Lost in Space, Julia, and Love, American Style. His Broadway acting appearances included productions of Treasure Island, O Evening Star, Tom Sawyer, Horse Fever, and This is The Army. As a director, he worked on stage productions such as Curtains Up!, Me and Molly, and At War with the Army. In 1961, he produced the television series The Hathaways, and over an 18-year period, he created 200 motivational and training films for IBM. Stone was recognized with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the Radio section at 1634 Vine Street, dedicated on February 8, 1960.

Sara Seegar-Stone (1914–1990) was an American actress. Born Sarah Wall Seegar on July 1, 1914, in Indiana to Frank and Carrie Seegar, she was educated in London and Paris before graduating from Hollywood High School and earning a drama degree from Los Angeles Junior College. Seegar began her stage career in London with Three Men on a Horse but returned to the United States at the onset of World War II. From 1940 onward, she built a diverse performance career, appearing on Broadway, in films, and across numerous radio and television programs. She was a regular on The Red Buttons Show, played Elsie in Room for One More, and appeared in popular series including Suspense, Perry Mason, and The Donna Reed Show. Her most recognized role was as Mrs. Wilson during the 1962–63 season of Dennis the Menace.

Sara Seegar met Ezra Stone while the two were performing in Horse Fever on Broadway in 1940. The couple got married on October 5, 1942. They were married for 48 years, residing mainly in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. The couple commuted between Bucks County and either Hollywood or New York as work demanded, otherwise they remained on their farm, Stone Meadows, and raised Ayrshire cattle. The couple had two children, a son, Josef, and a daughter, Francine. Sara passed away at age 76, on August 12, 1990. Four years later Ezra was fatally wounded in a car accident and passed away at age 76 on March 3, 1994.

Return to Top

Content Description

This collection contains artifacts related to the Stone family’s personal and professional lives, books gifted to the family, as well as books Ezra used for inspiration. Also included are family memories on 8mm and 35mm film. There are also VHS tapes, audio tapes, phonograph records, and digital materials related to some of the productions Ezra Stone was involved with. The collection also includes both professional and personal correspondence for various family members, as well as personal and professional photographs. Also included is manuscript work and biographical information about various members of the Stone family, as well as records related to the family farm.

Return to Top

Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

Copyright Information

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

Restrictions on Use

Statement on Potentially Harmful Language and Images Found in Collections

The American Heritage Center aspires to approach all areas of our work in ways that are respectful to those who create, use, and are represented in our collections. For a variety of reasons, however, users may encounter offensive or harmful language or images in some of our finding aids, catalogs, and collection materials.

Note that the AHC does not censor or alter contents of the collections as they provide context and evidence of a time, people, place, or event. Therefore, we encourage users to bring questions and concerns about descriptions in our finding aids to our attention via email or anonymous web-form. For more information, read our full statement.

Preferred Citation

Item Description, Box Number, Folder Number, Collection Name, Collection Number, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

Return to Top

Administrative Information

Acquisition Information

This material was received from Francine Linda Stone in August and October of 2024.

Processing Note

The collection was processed by Brittany Heye between April and June of 2025.

Related Materials

The Sol Feinstone collection, the David Center for the American Revolution.

Return to Top

Detailed Description of the Collection

Processed by Brittany Heye
2025

CC Attribution
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

About Creative Commons Licenses in Archives West