Postcard production and popularity in the U.S. erupted in the 1890s and early 1900s. This is demonstrated in the collection, with a majority of the postcards hailing from the first half of the twentieth century. Postcards served as a fast and easy way to communicate with peers and loved ones at the time.This collection consists of postcards and some flyers from the Hudson Valley region of New York with most depicting places and things in Poughkeepsie, New York. The collection includes both blank and used postal cards, the bulk of which are from the first half of the twentieth century (1904-1944). Undated postcards in the collection are also presumably from the twentieth century.

Cameron Stewart Reynolds, at the age of 26, began his military career in training at Fort Dix, New Jersey in 1953 and stationed in Germany through 1956. Reynolds wrote dozens of letters from abroad to his parents and sister back in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., which are featured in this collection. Reynolds’ travels brought him to England, Spain, Switzerland, and France at points, as can be seen in the letters and photographs. Reynolds was promoted to Corporal and later to specialist rankings during his military service, but did not re-enlist, completing his duties in Europe in November of 1956. On February 2nd, 1958, Reynolds married Dianna Wright. Cameron Reynolds went on to work for Ring Real Estate in Hyde Park and for his father’s business, S.J. Reynolds Inc., a Poughkeepsie Chrysler Dealership. This collection contains materials created or saved by Cameron Reynolds and family throughout Cameron Reynolds’ life, most notably during his time stationed overseas in 1950s Germany.