The Eli Lilly Archaeology Papers, 1885-1977
A Guide to his Papers at the Erminie Wheeler – Voegelin Archives
Finding aid prepared by Allison Siekman
Summary Information
Repository
Erminie Wheeler-Voegelin Archives
James H. Kellar Library
Glenn A Black Laboratory of Archaeology
423 N. Fess St.
Bloomington, IN 47408
Phone: 812-855-9544
Fax: 812-855-1864
Email: gbl@indiana.edu
http://www.gbl.indiana.edu/collec/archive-library/
Creator
Eli Lilly
TitleThe Eli Lilly Archaeology
Papers, 1885-1977
Collection No.
2014/002
Extent
5.5 linear feet
Language
Materials are in English
Abstract
The Eli Lilly Archaeology Papers, 1885-1997, consists of correspondences
specifically relating to archaeology.
Access Restrictions
This collection is open for research. Advanced notification is required for
access.
Biographical Note
Eli Lilly - The Beginnings of an Archaeologist:
Eli Lilly began his career in the family pharmaceutical company, succeeding his
father as President in the year 1932. His interest in archaeology would not develop
until he reached his forties and, even then, his dedication to Eli Lilly and Company
would continue to absorb much of his time and attention. Still, Lilly managed to
pursue his developing interest by becoming a collector of artifacts, specializing in
"problematical forms" (artifacts of a mysterious, unresolved nature). He eventually
transitioned from the role of interested collector to professional student. He was
even driven to conclude his close friendship with W.A. McGuire, an official dealer
of antiquities. As his interest progressed, Lilly became involved with an early
group of archaeologists belonging to the Indiana Historical Society (IHS), a group
which also included Glenn A. Black. The year 1931 marked a turning point for Lilly
and his fellow IHS members when they embarked on a 3-day tour around Indiana's
various archaeological sites, a trip that energized and re-confirmed Lilly's passion
for prehistoric archaeology. Inspired, he began to concentrate his research and
became particularly concerned with the concept of time, exploring ideas of
chronology that would define his archaeological work for the rest of his life.
Eli Lilly - Professional Archaeologist:
Eli Lilly took these ideas and experiences and began to build towards two new works
that would later represent his monumental contributions to the archaeology of
Indiana—
Prehistoric Antiquities of Indiana (1937) and the
Bibliography on Indiana
Archaeology
(1932). As these works developed, Lilly began constructing his "plan of
triangulation" for various sites around the state. This was meant to be a holistic
approach to a single archaeological site, incorporating as many perspectives and
methods as was relevant to solving the ancient puzzles, particularly when concerned
with understanding the chronology of a given location. This approach resulted in the
expansion of his involvement in the archaeological community, making him not only an
active participant in research but the sponsor of other students and archaeologists
as they explored their own works, recruiting them as a means of developing the
larger picture of prehistoric cultures and chronologies. It was at this time that he
began his collaboration with Edward Sapir in founding a fellowship for
archaeological fieldwork. This was the beginning of a long period of time devoted to
graciously funding and supporting other research interests and projects,
demonstrating great tolerance and patience when needed. Around 1935 Lilly became
involved with the Angel Mounds project, covering various costs that could not be
obtained through local communities or the WPA project due to the impact of the
Depression.
Eli Lilly and the GBL
The success of Eli Lilly's involvement with the Angel Mounds
site might not have been possible if it had not been for his very close relationship
with Glenn A. Black with whom he maintained a personal bond frequently described as
one between father and son. Black maintained the care and excavation of Angel Mounds
through his IU field schools, frequently writing to Lilly with updates, requests,
and questions. Following Black's death in 1964, Lilly requested the opening of a new
lab in Black's name, a lab which would house the results of both of their careers.
His efforts were successful and the Glenn Black Lab of Archaeology opened in 1971
(Madison 1988). The lab today houses approximately 7,500 artifacts belonging to the
Lilly Collection. This particular collection consists of everything from stone tools
to large pottery specimens to gorgets and axes.
Arrangement
This collection consists of one series: Correspondence
Scope and Content Note
The Eli Lilly papers span 1894-1923 and are arranged into one series: Correspondence
and then into two subseries: correspondence by last name and general correspondence,
A-Z These papers consist of Eli Lilly's correspondence with men and women in the
archeaology field, an area of great interest to him. Some correspondents include
notable archaeologist, anthropologists, and other scholars in related fields.
Letters to Glenn A. Black, whom Lilly funded to conduct archaeological digs are also
included.
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Indexing Terms
-
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in
IUCAT, the IU Libraries'
online catalog. Materials about related topics, persons or places can be found by
searching the catalog using these terms.
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Names
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Lilly, Eli,
1885-1977
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Black,
Glenn A (Glenn Albert), 1900-1964
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Voegelin,
C. F. (Charles Frederick), 1906-1986
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Wheeler-Voegelin, Erminie, 1903-1988
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Guernsey,
E.Y.
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Griffin,
James B. (James Bennett), 1905-1997
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Guthe, Carl
E. (Carl Eugen), 1893-1974
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Separated Material
This collection contains photographs and other items. These items are still within
the collection and have not yet been separated.
Related Material
Eli Lilly Papers, 1937-1961 at the
Indiana Historical Society, Indianapolis, Indiana
Administrative Information
Acquisition Information
Acession: 2014/002
Usage Restrictions
Copyright interests for this collection have been transfered to the Trustees of
Indiana University.
Preferred Citation
[item], The Eli Lilly Archaeological Papers, Erminie Wheeler-Voegelin Archives,
Indiana University, Bloomington.
Provenance
This collection was receievd as part of the Angel Mounds Agreement, December 20,
1965.
Processing InformationProcessed by Allison Siekman.
Completed in 2014
Contents
Series:
Correspondence,1885-1977
Subseries:
Correspondence: Arranged by last name. 1885-1977
Box 1: Addis-Black
Addis, Albert L.
1930-1931
Black, Glenn A.
1930-1931
Black, Glenn A.
1933-1934
Black, Glenn A.
1937-1939
Black, Glenn A.
1940-1941
Box 2: Black-Fowke
Black, Glenn A.
1942-1951
Lilly eulogy for Glenn A. Black,
n.d.
Boudeman, Donald O.
1931-1938
Brown, Charles E.
1933-1937
Campbell, Revis
1931-1975
Carpenter, E.S.
1942-1949
Coleman, Christopher B.
1931-1939
Cooper-Cole, Fay
1936-1940
Cooper-Cole, Fay
1941-1947
Greenman, Emerson F.
1930-1951
Box 3: Griffin – Guernsey
Griffin, James B.
1934-1938
Griffin, James B.
1939-1944
Griffin, James B.
1945-1947
Griffin, James B.
1948-1954
Box 4: Guernsey – Guthe
Guernsey, E.Y.
1935-1936
Box 5: Guthe – Morse
Guthe, Carl E.
1938-1944
Hendricks, Thomas A.
1930-1944
Heye, George G.
1931-1932
Historical Society, Indiana
1943
King, Fain White
1931-1941
Logan, W.N.
1931
McCann, Catherine
1946-1950
McCann, Catherine
1947-1948
Messenger, John B.
1930-1932
Box 6: Neumann- Sapir
Neumann, Georg
1936-1940
Ritchie, William A.
1946-1949
Box 7: Shetrone – Voegelin
Shetrone, H.C.
1931-1942
Speck, Frank G.
1946-1949
Teel, William R.
1931-1936
Voegelin, Carl and Erminie W.
1933-1934
Voegelin, Carl and Erminie W.
1935
Voegelin, Carl and Erminie W.
1936
Voegelin, Carl and Erminie W.
1937
Voegelin, Carl and Erminie W.
1938
Voegelin, Carl and Erminie W.
1939
Box 8: Voegelin – Wyatt
Voegelin, Carl and Erminie W.
1940
Voegelin, Carl and Erminie W.
1941-1943
Voegelin, Carl and Erminie W.
1944-1946
Voegelin, Carl and Erminie W.
1947-1948
Voegelin, Carl and Erminie W.
1949-1963
Webb, William S.
1935-1943
Subseries:
General Correspondence: A-Z.
1885-1977
Box 11: Q-X,Y,Z
R
1931-1938