Peter Kosmas Diaries
Description of Contents
The collection consists of loose-leaf diaries written by Peter Kosmas between 1936 and 1943 while he was a student at Washburn High School and the University of Minnesota. The bulk of the diary entries are handwritten and focus on Kosmas' academic, social, and family life. In addition to Kosmas' reflections, the entries occassionally include newspaper clippings, photographs (1940 and 1941), and ephemera, including a 1941 Washburn High School commencement program.
While some years have extensive diary entries, other time periods have only minimal coverage. Kosmas' entries are most frequent in 1938, 1940, and 1941. A few entries reference events of World War II, including the attack on Pearl Harbor and Kosmas' enlistment. The diary ends when Kosmas reports to Fort Snelling for military duty.
Dates
- 1936 - 1943
Creator
- Kosmas, Peter G. (Person)
Access Restrictions
The collection is available for use in Special Collections during the department's open hours.
Biography
Peter George Kosmas was born December 27, 1922 in Minneapolis. He lived at 4517 Aldrich Ave. S. in the East Harriet neighborhood and attended Washburn High School, graduating in 1941. After graduation, Kosmas attended the University of Minnesota. In 1943, he reported to Fort Snelling for military duty, and returned to the University after the war to finish his degree.
In 1948, Kosmas married Hibbing-native Marguerite Sampson. The couple had two sons: Peter and George. George died from leukemia as a child, which spurred the Kosmases to found The Kosmas Cancer Research Fund, a predecessor to the Children's Cancer Fund. The couple was also actively involved in the establishment of the Minneapolis Ronald McDonald House.
In partnership with his brother-in-law, Peter Kosmas ran the Park Terrace restaurant in St. Louis Park for many years. He died in 1978 at age 55.
Extent
0.21 Linear Feet (1 box)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
The collection consists of loose-leaf diaries written by Peter Kosmas between 1936 and 1943 while he was a student at Washburn High School and the University of Minnesota. The bulk of the diary entries are handwritten and focus on Kosmas' academic, social, and family life. The diaries occassionally include newspaper clippings, photographs, and ephemera, including a 1941 Washburn High School commencement program. Several entries relate to World War II.
Donor Information
This collection was purchased by the Hennepin County Library in the 2010s as accession 2018.26.
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Jenna Himsl in July 2018. Photographs and newspaper clippings remain in their original locations, but were separated from other materials with buffered paper for preservation purposes.
- College students. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Diaries. Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Minnesota World War II Collections Subject Source: Local sources
- Teenagers Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- University of Minnesota
- Washburn High School (Minneapolis, Minn.)
- World War, 1939-1945 -- Minnesota Subject Source: Local sources
- Title
- Peter Kosmas Diaries
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Jenna Himsl
- Date
- July 2018
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Hennepin County Library Special Collections Repository
Minneapolis Central Library
300 Nicollet Mall
Minneapolis MN 55401 U.S.A.
612-543-8200
specialcoll@hclib.org
