Collection Scope and Content Note

The Philip Wagner papers consist of correspondence, photographs and negatives, manuscripts, an obituary, clippings, subject files, nursery, viticulture and wine making records, notebooks, order books, logbooks, and other material relating to Wagner's career as a winemaker, grapegrower, and cultivator of new varieties of grapes. Correspondence with other growers and winemakers shows the operation of the Boordy Vineyard and reveals Wagner's standing in the industry. Also included in the correspondence is documentation of dealings with the interstate liquor licensing boards in Texas and Pennsylvania, and lading slips from shippers.

Vintage records include logbooks for each season, nursery and supply records, transaction records with individuals and privately owned vineyards and wineries from widely varying regions of the U. S. including Maryland, New England, New York's Finger Lakes Region, the Midwest, Texas, and California, and some reports of experimentation during the establishment of these enterprises. There is correspondence with agriculture departments in Maryland, New York, New Hampshire, Arkansas, Missouri, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and California. Business records include sales book receipts for vine and non-vine supplies.

New York State wineries included in the correspondence are: Amberg Nursery and Winery, Clifton Springs; Brimstone Hill Vineyard, Pine Bush, and Lucas Vineyards, Interlaken; Bully Hill, Pleasant Valley, Taylor, and Urbana Wineries, Hammondsport.

Photographs and slides include scenery of many vineyards and winery operations from the Wagners' trips in the United States and abroad. Also included are many images of family and friends.

The final section includes newspaper columns from Philip's assignment to London in 1936-37.