The Wasson family papers include the diaries, photographs, manuscripts, correspondence, publications and ephemera belonging to the Wasson family. The core of the collection draws its strength from materials related to Edmund Atwill Wasson, Mary DeVeny Wasson and their sons, Thomas Campbell Wasson and Richard Gordon Wasson. The bulk of materials date to the early and middle decades of the twentieth century, providing a unique perspective on historical events and social attitudes.

Materials housed in the collection encompass a broad range of subjects and interests, but the majority of the collection is made up of correspondence between family members.

The other focus of the collection is centered around the career of Thomas Campbell Wasson. Wasson served as a member of the American Foreign Service between 1924 and 1948. His career was brought to an abrupt end shortly after his appointment to the Truce Commission in Jerusalem. Wasson was shot by a sniper’s bullet and fatally wounded after returning from a meeting at the French Consulate. The collection is a testament and memory to Thomas, which was largely curated and preserved by his devoted brother, Richard Gordon.

The Richard G. Wasson papers contain mostly personal correspondence between family and business colleagues. Richard Wasson’s career as Vice President of Social Media Relations at J.P. Morgan and contributions to the field of ethno-mycology, brought him into contact with figures such as Richard Schultes, Bern Dibner, and Albert Hofmann.