Graeme McGowan Sr. and Elise Benedict Gilmore papers

Content Description

Graeme Gilmore worked in program production for Louisville’s WAVE radio station in the years immediately before and after World War II, serving as a local U. S. Navy recruiting publicist during the conflict. From 1947 until his death at age 49 in 1959, he worked as an advertising writer and executive for Louisville’s Zimmer McClaskey agency. As a community volunteer, he wrote and produced skits and promotions for the Advertising Club of Louisville and other civic organizations that reflect the political and cultural values—frequently satirically-- of Louisville’s white leadership. Gilmore married Elise Benedict in 1942 and the couple had two sons, Graeme Jr. and Edward T. In 1957, the Gilmores built a modern suburban residence on Woodhill Valley Road off Brownsboro Road. The papers consist largely of radio dramas (plus the continuity for a few radio music programs), musical scores and community skits, a short story, and poetry/satirical limericks written in the 1930s – 1950s by Graeme Gilmore Sr. There are a few clippings and promotional items that document Elise Gilmore’s interest in costuming, dance instruction, and community arts, as well as her play outline. Personal correspondence, family photos, residence construction photos and documents, and a few ad agency recording discs are also found.

Acquisition Type

Gift

Language of Description

English

Script of Description

Latin

Restrictions Apply

No