Papers of Lucy Flower Karl (1870-1958), consisting of correspondence, ephemera, a photograph, and other documents. Lucy Karl was married to William C. Karl, and the papers include items related to her 13-year-old son William Raymond Karl, who had the unfortunate distinction of being Litchfield's first motor vehicle fatality in 1915. William C. Karl was one of seven Karl brothers who came to Litchfield with their parents, Peter and Wilhelmina Hudel Karl, in the 1880s. William died in 1903. Although they held a variety of other occupations, the Karl brothers also had a photography studio and published picture post cards. Two of the brothers, John and Rudolph, were town clerks of Litchfield.

The papers include condolence letters written to Lucy Karl and her three surviving children, Viola Karl MacDonald, Elsie Karl Bigelow, and Rudolph. William Raymond's Boy Scout manual and notebook, drawings, school work, and correspondence with a friend, Hope Louise Farris of St. Augustine, Fla, are also found. Additionally, the papers include a letter sent to William C. Karl from his brother Rudolph in 1896; Christmas, greeting, and post cards from family members; correspondence between Lucy Karl and her two sons; a 1929 letter from Lucy's granddaughter Barbara Bigelow; and a number of religious tracts; and other items.