Researching the autograph albums gives a rich aspect of history that is not often afforded to the narrative typically made about this time period. The focal point of history typically highlights a few important powerful people of the time and tells their story; nevertheless autograph albums show an aspect of personal lives going through a period of change within their lives and within societal revolutions. Primary documents written by women, to other women, and preserved by women makes accentuates their importance, because of their rarity in preservation. The historical narrative typically brought to life, especially in the late 19th century, is that of the while male. Women and all minoritized groups are left out of the conversation, as if their lives did not shape the American West as richly as the others. The autograph signatures are living proof of how much women were involved in the creation of history.
It is commonly thought that women during the 19th century were only mothers and homemakers, but these autograph albums and the women inside of them challenge this idea and ultimately disprove that notion. The autograph albums and their inscriptions are important because they show women’s lives outside of the men in their lives. These are primary sources created by women, from other women, and maintained by them. They demonstrate women’s ability to maintain relationships, their ability to read and write fluently, and a 19th century reimagining of womanhood.
Here are three spotlights over individuals featured in the autograph books:
