Elanora Peake Zint Collection (MS345)

Collection

Identifier: MS345

Staff Only

Content Description

The collection consists of primarily of photographs, with some artwork, correspondence, and contracts included. The photos are primarily centered around the 1920’s Washington D.C. vaudeville scene. Included are letters from Allen Dulles, former head of the CIA, one concerning Elanora’s death and service, and another commending Raymond upon his retirement. Another letter concerns a friend of Elanora’s, which describes her experience with the Mange Bros. Circus in Venezuela. There are also a small number of photos and negatives of the couple’s travels in the 1940’s and 50’s to Niagara Falls, and Great Falls, VA.

Dates

1924 - 2006

Creator

Zint, Elanora Peake, 1907-1957 (Person)

Biographical / Historical

Elanora Zint nee Peake was born December 20th 1907 in Alexandria, VA, where she attended St. Mary’s Academy. In the 1920’s, she was a ballerina with the Pemberton Dancers, led by Stafford Pemberton, dancing in venues around Washington D.C, such as the Earle (now Warner) theater. In 1928 she joined the Pantages Vaudeville Circuit, where she met her future husband, Raymond Zint, and they were married in 1930. With the onset of the depression, Elanora and her husband moved to Wapakoneta, OH, Raymond’s hometown, where she owned and taught in a dance studio. In 1942, they moved to Alexandria, where they both served in the OSS and the CIA. Elanora Zint died April 20th, 1957 due to complications from an operation.