Travel Papers

The Shriver-Foster family collection contains family papers, business correspondences, certificates, newspaper clippings, and photographs that span over 100 years. There are also various certificates and family memorabilia dating from 1764 to 1826.

The Shriver-Foster family papers cover the growth of the family from 1911 until 1980. The bulk of the material is made up of personal correspondences and business papers; but also included are certificates, photographs, newspaper clippings, and travel agendas. The Shriver-Foster collection begins with the correspondences and legal papers of George M. Shriver, Sr. Many of his personal correspondences discuss experiences with local Baltimore government officials and involvement with the expansion of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. Mr. Shriver served as the Vice President of the B&O Railroad, Co. and as the lawyer on the Busey - Parish property dispute.

George M. Shriver, Sr. and his wife Elizabeth had five children. This collection mainly focuses on Elizabeth M. and Charles M. Shriver. Elizabeth married Charles Moore in September, 1942. The correspondences between Elizabeth and Charles mostly tells of his time in the military service during World War II. Charles was stationed in the African Theatre for the majority of his tour.

The papers of Charles M. Shriver consists mostly of personal correspondences concerning his tour of duty in France during World War I, business letters and recommendations concerning placement and advancement within the B & O Railroad, Company and travel itineraries. Charles worked for the B & O Railroad from 1910 and was promoted to Superintendent of the Baltimore Division and then the Superintendent of the Cumberland Division. Charles M. Shriver was married to Ruth Lee French. They had one daughter, Ruth Lee French Shriver (French).

The Shriver Collection provides information on family life in Baltimore during the early twentieth century, the Shriver family involvement with the B & O Railroad, Company, and family reactions to personal involvement in World War I and II.

The Foster family papers are a continuation of the Shriver family papers upon the marriage of Ruth Lee French Shriver (French) to John Walter Smith Foster, Jr. (Wally). The Foster collection also contains personal correspondences, family papers, newspaper articles and documentation of the family's involvement in the Baltimore community. The bulk of the correspondences pertain to

French and Wally's children, Lee French Foster, John Walter Smith Foster III (Johnny), and Charles Shriver Foster.

The Foster papers provide detailed information about family life, the progress of Lee in the Cardigan Mountain School and the Adirondack Mountain School, JWS Foster III's engagement, and Charles Shriver's service in the United States Navy.

The papers of the Shriver - Foster family provide detailed information that helps preserve the history of an important and established Maryland family. The Shriver-Foster family's commitment to the local Baltimore government and the contributions made to the B & O Railroad Company are well preserved in the family's personal correspondences, business and legal papers.