Linda Abess Ellis Collection

Correspondence written by Lillian Smith in 1947 and 1948 pertaining to the Laurel Falls Camp for Girls in Clayton, Georgia. The collection also includes correspondence written by Linda Abess as a young girl attending the summer camp. The majority of the letters are written to the parents of Linda Abess, Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Abess. One letter is written by Smith to Marcella and Arthur Ungar, the grandparents of Linda Abess.

The letters primarily describe activities at the camp where "Miss Lil" taught young white girls. An innovative and daring experiment in education in the South, the camp was used by Smith to teach the children about social issues, particularly regarding race relations. Although these issues are not included in her correspondence with the parents, Smith does describe camp operations and her personal activities, including the status of her writing and her friendship with Paula Snelling. One letter, mailed to all parents of children attending the camp, describes a polio case in Georgia and the precautions Smith has taken at the camp to safeguard against polio. Other letters discuss procedures for enrolling attendees, clothing requirements, planned activities, and special events at the camp. Several letters, including those written by Linda Abess to her parents, refer to Smith's fictional creation named "Buss Eye."

In her handwritten letter to the Ungars, who owned a nearby farm, Smith thanks them for a Christmas turkey and describes her relations with her other neighbors. She also discusses Christmas activities and her writing in this undated letter.