{"value"=>"<p>This series consists mostly of letters and postcards from Lillian H. Barker, Ms. Barker’s mother, and from Dr. Lewellys F. Barker, her father. Mrs. Barker’s earliest letters are written to “Punkie” and later to “Beany,” Ms. Barker’s nicknames. In addition to family and everyday matters, these letters often contain information relating to Ms. Barker’s career. One notable letter from Mrs. Barker mentions “Alger’s visit” to Ms. Barker’s dressing room after a performance of <span class=\"title\">The Master Builder</span> (1955). Mrs. Barker also often relates news of theatrical productions she has seen in Baltimore. It is only in her letters early in 1942 that Ms. Barker’s possible marriage to Alexander Kirkland is mentioned. There are no letters in the collection from Mrs. Barker between 1944-1950. The last letters from Mrs. Barker are in 1964.</p> <p>Dr. Barker’s letters are often typed and sometimes discuss his medical practice in Baltimore. Several of his letters mention patients whom Ms. Barker had referred to him, such as Lee Strasberg, Bobby Lewis and actress Dorothy Patten. Also included are several letters from Dr. Barker’s staff members, who mostly wrote on his behalf. Other family correspondents include Ms. Barker’s brother, Dr. William Halsey Barker, his wife Mary Randol Barker (“Polly”), and four of his five children--Elizabeth R. Barker (“Betty”), Lee Randol Barker “(Randy”), Lewellys F. Barker II (“Lou”), and Margaret Carol Barker (“Sugie,”). There are also letters from Ms. Barker’s aunts, Grace S.T. Barker (“Gravy”), Rosalie V. Halsey, who had been a child actress, and various members of the extended Barker and Halsey families. Dr. Barker’s letters end in 1943, the year he died.</p>"}