Visiting Miss Evelyn Isensee in 1952: A Glimpse into Mid-Century American Life

From: Adeline. To: Miss Evelyn Isensee, 1952

Hi!

Have been so busy. I’m afraid I’ll get there before my card does. Mother seems to be feeling better. Truly hope it lasts. Be seeing you soon.

Love,

Adeline

In 1952, Harry Truman was president, Academy awards went to An American in Paris and A Place in the Sun, the United States detonated the first hydrogen bomb in the Marshall Islands, and radar tracked UFO’s over Washington D.C. Though Hollywood Directors shot their films in the lurid brightness of Technicolor, the Cold War cast a long shadow over America.

In August, however, Adeline planned on visiting Miss Evelyn Isensee. Green Lake, WI is only about an hour and a half by modern car from Madison. In the 50’s, this wouldn’t have been an extremely arduous journey — other than Adeline likely didn’t have air conditioning on the drive there. It makes sense, therefore, that she expected to see Evelyn before her card arrived.

What’s interesting about this postcard is that it functions much like other, older postcards. Most of the written space is taken up with information about family (Mother seems to be feeling better…). The card also alerts Evelyn to Adeline’s visit, though it’s not the main reason for the card.

It’s a commentary on how society was beginning to change. The telephone was common in the 1950’s, so there’s an expectation that Evelyn already knows Adeline is gong to visit. We can surmise that information was probably delivered over the phone. However, despite quicker means of communication, it was still common — and much more personal — to drop a line to a friend or loved one. Which Adeline chose to do in the muggy summer of 1952.

As for our friend Evelyn, at first I was sure I wasn’t reading the name correctly. Isensee didn’t quite seem like the correct last name, yet when I searched for her, two obituaries quickly popped up. The first didn’t match (last name by marriage, not by birth). The second, however, seems like it could be our Evelyn.

If so, she had quite an illustrious career. She worked for the Federal Government in both Madison, WI and Washington D.C. If the woman I found is our Evelyn, she would have been 32 in 1952, so I have to say that the timing feels a little off (since she was still a “Miss”). The obituary also does not list an Adeline as a sibling. It’s feasible that Adeline is a cousin or even close friend, but I still feel like some pieces to the puzzle are missing. Yet, the obituary did say Evelyn worked in Madison for part of her career, so the dots certainly line up even if they don’t make a complete picture.

Nonetheless, it’s a lovely postcard. The front depicts the Roger Williams Inn. Built in the 1930’s, it displays the beauty and engineering of the United States, something we prided ourselves on in the 1950’s. Progress, progress, progress. It must be demonstrated even on the postcards sent to loved ones.

Or perhaps the truth is much more boring. Perhaps it has nothing to do with the Cold War or America’s need to best Communism through architecture. Perhaps Adeline was on a longer journey and stopped over at the inn for a night or two. Deadly dull, but such is the way of life.

“Roger Williams Inn From the Lake”