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Eichberger East African Art Collection

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Collection number: MS-88

Scope and Contents

Willis George Eichberger was born in Nebraska in 1912 and died in Texas in 1996.  He attended the University of Nebraska and Iowa State University earning degrees in Agricultural Economics and a PhD in Economics.  He had a long career with the federal government working with the Department of Health, Education and Welfare, ultimately becoming Deputy Chief Economist for HEW.  While there he established the National Economics Division for Water Safety and Pollution.  In the 1960’s he joined the State Department and travelled to East Africa, where he lived for ten years in Ghana West Africa and Ethiopia.  After he retired in 1972, he lived briefly in Valdosta, Georgia, before finally moving to Texas, his last residence.  His wife was Gretchen Eichberger, who predeceased him in 1993; the Eichbergers had two children: a daughter, Erma Cunningham, and a son, Robert Eichberger.  The Eichberger children have added to the additional collection.  The collection includes wooden masks, carved figures, and wooden tools and implements. It also includes jewelry, leather goods, and textiles.  One of the highlights is the Ge'ez chant book, written on parchment with wooden covers in a leather case.  There is a small collection of metal coptic crosses as well as framed drawings and paintings. Hundreds of images are also part of this collection, as well as two boxes of printed materials from Ethopia.

Dates

  • Acquired: 2007-05-03

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Biographical or Historical Information

Willis George Eichberger was born in Nebraska in 1912 and died in Texas in 1996.  He attended the University of Nebraska and Iowa State University earning degrees in Agricultural Economics and a PhD in Economics.  He had a long career with the federal government working with the Department of Health, Education and Welfare, ultimately becoming Deputy Chief Economist for HEW.  While there he established the National Economics Division for Water Safety and Pollution.  In the 1960’s he joined the State Department and travelled to East Africa, where he lived for ten years in Ghana West Africa and Ethiopia.  After he retired in 1972, he lived briefly in Valdosta, Georgia, before finally moving to Texas, his last residence.  His wife was Gretchen Eichberger, who predeceased him in 1993; the Eichbergers had two children: a daughter, Erma Cunningham, and a son, Robert Eichberger.  The Eichberger children have added to the additional collection.

Note written by

Extent

16.00 Boxes

9 items

Language

English

Abstract

The Eichberger East African Art Collection is over 130 items, mostly from the tourist trade, that were collected in Africa during the 1960's to the 1970s.

Source of Acquisition

Blake Pearce

Method of Acquisition

Deed of Gift

Appraisal Information

Eichberger East African Art Collection

Accruals and Additions

Other items in this collection donated later by son and daughter.  No deed of gift.  Handled by mail.  Gave slides and jewelry and carvings and other items.

Related Materials

http://archives.valdosta.edu/eichberger/

Title
Archon Finding Aid Title
Status
Completed
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
eng

Revision Statements

  • 2020-04-26: Revised for DACS compliance by Douglas Carlson.

Repository Details

Part of the Valdosta State University Archives and Special Collections Repository

Contact:
Valdosta State University Archives, Odum Library
1500 N. Patterson St.
Valdosta GA 30601 United States
7063728116
229-259-5055 (Fax)