This collection includes approximately 300 letters written predominantly between 1890-1905 by a diverse group of Helen Blackmer’s friends, family, and colleagues. Frequent correspondents include her three brothers, William, Ezra, and Alfred, who all moved from New York to Arizona in the early 1890s. Many of the letters discuss life in the West, particularly in Montana and Arizona, with career opportunities, lifestyle, weather, food, and illness depicted in these states. Many of the letters also contain material objects such as pressed flowers, cloth, or hair. Most letters have their original mailing envelope attached. Other documents within the collection include telegrams,newspaper clippings, show flyers, medicine informational pamphlets, and photographs.