Sam Siegel papers

Collection

Identifier: Mss 1181

Staff Only

Collection Overview

Papers chiefly consist of Sam Siegel’s diaries containing brief handwritten or typed daily entries regarding business matters, weather, and relationships with friends and family. An early diary documents Siegel’s experience during World War II as part of the US Army’s 78th Division, including his participation in the Battle of the Bulge and his hospitalization after being seriously wounded in action. Also included are biographical materials relating to Siegel, including clippings and photographs, and a scrapbook containing V-mail letters from Siegel to his wife Leona Novit Siegel, clippings and photographs re WWII, and assorted black and white photographs of family and friends. There is also an oversized photograph of Siegel with his army platoon at Camp Blanding, Florida, biographical materials relating to his father-in-law and business partner, Albert J. Novit, several photographs of the Temple Mt. Sinai synagogue congregation, and a Temple Mt. Sinai synagogue dedication pamphlet.

Dates

Creation: 1935-2007

Creator

Siegel, Sam, 1915-2007 (Person)

Language of Material

Materials in English.

Access Restrictions

This collection is open for research.

Copyright Notice

The nature of the College of Charleston's archival holdings means that copyright or other information about restrictions may be difficult or even impossible to determine despite reasonable efforts. Special Collections claims only physical ownership of most archival materials.

The materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. copyright law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source.

Biographical Note

Sam Siegel (1915-2007) was born in Anderson, South Carolina, to Russian immigrants Max and Bess Siegel. Siegel, a graduate of Anderson Boys High School and the University of Georgia, attended the University of South Carolina Law School. In 1941, after marrying Leona Novit, they moved to Walterboro, South Carolina. Siegel would go into business with his in-laws, operating various businesses, including the Novit-Siegel Department Store, Novit’s Fashion Shop, and The Lady Lafayette Hotel and Cottages. He was drafted in 1943, and his company, the US Army’s 78th Division, participated in the Battle of the Bulge, where Siegel was seriously wounded in action while attempting to rescue a wounded comrade. Returning to the States, Siegel continued operating his various business enterprises until his death in 2007.

Extent

2.75 linear feet (5 document boxes, 1 slim document box, 1 oversize paper folder)

Additional Description

Abstract

Assorted papers of Sam Siegel of Walterboro, South Carolina. Papers primarily consist of diaries, including an early diary documenting Siegels experience during World War II as part of the US Army’s 78th Division. Also included are materials relating to Siegels father-in-law and business partner, Albert J. Novit, and the Temple Mt. Sinai synagogue in Walterboro, South Carolina.

Collection Arrangement

Materials are described at the folder level.

Acquisitions Information

Materials donated in 2023 by Penny Siegel Blachman, Nancy Siegel Colfield, Gale Siegel Messerman, and Paul Novit Siegel.

Related Material

Related materials in Special Collections include the Lady Lafayette Hotel souvenir plate (Mss 1173).

Processing Information

Processed by Josh Minor, October 2024. At the point of acquisition, this collection contained no original order. For preservation purposes, diaries have been removed from their original three ring binders and the collection was re-housed by transferring materials into acid-free boxes and placing loose materials into acid-free folders. Materials were then arranged chronologically. This finding aid may be updated periodically to account for new acquisitions to the collection and/or revisions in arrangement and description.