J. B. Girard Papers

The collection includes Girard's diaries, certificates, military appointments, travel orders, sketchbooks, photographs, passports and newspaper clippings. The sketchbooks contain sketches of western landscapes and European landscapes. The photographs in the collection are of J. B. Girard, his family, and family friends.

There are eight diaries in the collection, which span the years 1900-1907. The diaries detail the Girard family and their day-to-day activities, including visits with friends and the extensive traveling they did moving to and from military posts. The diaries also give detailed accounts of Girard's military duties including inspections of hospitals at several military posts in the mid-West. The diaries often discuss Girard's failing health, his depression after his wife's death and his increasing unhappiness with his life and his service in the U. S. Army. In the memoranda section in the last pages of the 1903-1907 diaries, there is information concerning bonds Girard purchased throughout the years. These diaries also include several addresses of Girard's family members and acquaintances.