Bayrd Still Papers

Call Number

MC.44

Dates

1926-1988, inclusive

; 1950-1980, bulk

Creator

Still, Bayrd

Extent

65.94 Linear Feet

in 59 record cartons, 5 manuscript boxes, 4 oversize flat boxes, one square box, 3 card boxes, and 3 folders in a shared flat box.

Language of Materials

Materials are in English.

Abstract

From 1947 to 1987, Bayrd Still served New York University (NYU) as historian, archivist, teacher, and administrator. An authority on urban history and development, Still also studied landmark preservation in New York City. This collection documents Still's professional life at NYU. It also contains some personal materials.

Biographical Note

From 1947 to 1987, Dr. Bayrd Still served New York University (NYU) as historian, archivist, teacher, and administrator. An authority on urban history and urban development, Dr. Still's interests and commitments extended beyond his academic research and the university to involve landmark preservation in New York City.

Bayrd Still was born on July 7, 1906, in Woodstock, Illinois. He received bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in history from the University of Wisconsin. Before assuming his professorship at NYU, Still taught at Ohio Wesleyan University, the University of Wisconsin, and Duke University.

From 1947 to 1974 Dr. Still was a professor at NYU in the Department of History, for which he also served as chair from 1955-1970. In 1955 Still was appointed head of the undergraduate history department at University College as well as head of the graduate program of history. In 1957 he became head of the all-university Department of History and remained so until 1970. Additionally, he served as acting dean for both the undergraduate College of Arts and Sciences and the Graduate School of Arts and Science from 1958-1959, and again from 1959 to 1960. Throughout his teaching career, Still taught at both the University Heights campus and the Washington Square campus.

President James M. Hester established the Office of the Archivist in 1967, appointing Thomas C. Pollock as University Archivist, and Bayrd Still as Chair of the Advisory Committee on the History of New York University. The committee helped to write the NYU history. When Pollock resigned in 1969, Still declined the position of University Archivist, continuing instead as chair of the Advisory Committee. He played a key role in the founding of the University Archives project until 1975, when he became University Archivist.

Still was an authority on United States urban development and westward expansion. Courses he taught included "The History of the American City since 1820" and "The History of New York City." His publications include: Urban America: A History with Documents, Milwaukee, The History of a City, Mirror for Gotham: New York as Seen by Contemporaries from Dutch Days to the Present, and The West: Contemporary Records of America's Expansion Across the Continent, 1609-1890.

In 1961 Still served as supervisor for New York University graduate fellowships with the New York Community Trust. In 1962 Mayor Robert F. Wagner appointed Still to the Landmarks Preservation Commission, a position he held until 1965. Still also served on the Mayor's Task Force on Municipal Archives in New York. In 1975 he became the Chairman of the Advisory Board for the Brooklyn Rediscovery Project. He was a member of the New-York Historical Society, the American Studies Association, and the Society of American Historians. In the 1980s Still organized and conducted walking tours of NYU and Greenwich Village. Dr. Still died in Woodstock, Illinois, on November 19, 1992.

Sources:

New York Community Trust, "The Heritage of New York". (New York: Fordham University Press): xviiiKald, Milt "Meeting The Guardian of NYU's Past." Washington Square News. (September 29, 1980): 3 Bayrd Still: vita

Arrangement

Materials are largely in their original order. Most folders are arranged chronologically. Within the folders the material is arranged chronologically in descending order. Some arrangement was imposed by archivists when original order was not known, or materials had been separated from the rest of the collection, as in Series VI through VIII.

The collection is arranged into 8 series and 19 subseries:

Series I: Subject, Historical Reference, and Personal Files

Subseries A: Subject Files

Subseries B: Historical Reference Files

Subseries C: Personal Current Papers (Restricted)

Subseries D: Personal Notebooks

Series II: Research, Committees, Talks, Reviews, Still's Articles

Subseries A: Published Sources

Subseries B: Original Research

Subseries C: Published Sources

Subseries D: NYU Committees

Subseries E: Talks, Reviews

Subseries F: Partial Collection of Articles in Historical Journals

Series III: NYC Research

Subseries A: Landmarks

Subseries B: Research on NYC

Subseries C: Sources about Urbanism and Urban Development

Subseries D: Mirror For Gotham Research Materials

Series IV: Speeches, Reviews, Doctoral Student Files, Mayoral Research, NYU Archives

Subseries A: Speeches, Reviews, Press

Subseries B: Doctoral Students (Restricted)

Subseries C: Mayoral Research

Subseries D: Archives, Talks, and Articles

Series V: Correspondence

Subseries A: Correspondence

Subseries B: NYC Research

Series VI: Landmarks

Series VII: Copper Photo Engravings

Series VIII: Books on New York City and Urban America

Scope and Contents

The bulk of this collection documents Dr. Bayrd Still's professional life and work as a historian of New York City and urban America, a professor of history at New York University, and as a New York University Archivist. The collection contains correspondence; published and unpublished articles and speeches; historical research materials; photographs; and information regarding Still's professional associations and early career. A series of copper engraving plates, prints from which were included in Still's book A Mirror for Gotham (New York University Press, 1956), and a series of books annotated by Still are also included in the collection.

Subjects

Conditions Governing Access

Administrative records and unpublished reports of New York University are closed for a period of 20 years from the date of their creation. Access to files spanning multiple years will be opened to researchers based on the date of the most recent materials. Board of Trustees records are closed for 35 years from the date of creation. Materials related to personnel, grievances, job and fellowship searches and applications, and all files that fall under the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) are permanently restricted. Additional restrictions may apply to other materials in this collection. For questions regarding specific restrictions, please contact the University Archives.

Conditions Governing Use

Any rights (including copyright and related rights to publicity and privacy) held by the creator are maintained by New York University. Permission to publish or reproduce materials in this collection must be secured from New York University Archives university-archives@nyu.edu.

Preferred Citation

Identification of item, date (if known); Bayrd Still Papers; MC 44; box number; folder number; New York University Archives, New York University Libraries.

Location of Materials

Most materials are stored offsite, and advance notice is required for use. Please request materials at least two business days prior to your research visit to coordinate access.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Given to University Archives by Bayrd Still in 1985. One student notebook in Series VIII was transferred to the University Archives in 1993 by Fred Schult, the Director of Undergraduate Studies in the Department of History. It was added to Series I, Subseries D, of this collection in 2016. The accession number related to this collection is 85.033.

Materials found in Series III: NYC Research, Subseries D: Mirror For Gotham Research Materials were transferred from the New York University Archives Photograph Collection (PHOTO.00001) in May 2024. The accession number associated with this accretion is 2024.031.

Related Materials

Records of the Office of the President (James M. Hester) (RG 3.0.7)

Collection processed by

Marilyn Pettit, Courtney A. Smith and Maneesha Patel. Inventory prepared by Norma Chaires and Bernadette Siddiqi.

About this Guide

This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2024-05-09 10:35:07 -0400.

Using Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Language: Finding aid written in English

Processing Information

The Bayrd Still Papers have undergone additional processing since they were opened to researchers. Added description reflects original file categories and titles that Still used in his inventory.

The Bayrd Still Papers and the Landmarks Collection were originally two discrete collections before they were merged in 2001. Materials from the Landmarks Collection are now in Series VI.

Series VII was added to the collection in 2011, and Series VIII in 2016. Boxes 64 and 65 were rehoused in manuscript boxes and integrated into the Bayrd Still Papers in May 2016.

Personal notebooks found in the repository were added to Series I as Subseries D: Personal notebooks in December 2018.

In 2019 materials were rehoused by Preservation and sent to offsite storage.

In May 2024, 6 legal sized folders of photographs, 3 12x15" sized folders of photographs, and 1 legal sized folder of notes and clippings were transferred from New York University Archives Photograph Collection (PHOTO.00001). These materials were added to Series III: NYC Research, Subseries D: Mirror For Gotham Research Materials and inventoried at the file level. The accession number associated with this accretion is 2024.031.

Revisions to this Guide

December 2018: Updated by Jacqueline Rider to include materials found in repository and for compliance with DACS and ACM Required Elements for Archival Description

June 2019: Updated by Jennifer E. Neal to incorporate materials being sent to offsite storage in 2019

July 2019: Updated by Jennifer E. Neal to incorporate materials being sent to offsite storage in 2019

October 2019: Conditions Governing Access note updated by John Zarrillo

May 2024: 2024 accretion added to Series III: NYC Research, Subseries D: Mirror For Gotham Research Materials by Aki Snyder

Repository

New York University Archives

Series I: Subject, Historical Reference, and Personal Files, 1933-1988, inclusive

Scope and Contents

Series I materials reflect Still's professional and personal involvement with NYU and New York City.

ID Number: 206. Description: Bobst Library, The black-, tan-, and rust-colored canvas bag is 13 x 11 x 4.5. Creator/Donor/Subject: Bayrd Still Collection.

Scope and Contents

Subseries D contains Stills personal student notebooks, some early teaching notebooks, and later travel notebooks.

Student Notebook, 1926-1939, inclusive

Box: 66 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

Academic Notebooks, Grade Books, Air Force Books, Travel Notebooks, correspondence, 1926-1974, inclusive

Box: 67, Folder: 1-10 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

Box: 68, Folder: 1-11 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

Series II: Research, Committees, Talks, Reviews, Still's Articles, 1935-1977, inclusive

Scope and Contents

Series II contains materials relating to Still's research, scholarship, and writings.

Subseries D: NYU Committees, 1956-1971, inclusive

Box: 64, Folder: 9 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

Language of Materials

English.

Series III: NYC Research, 1650-1989, inclusive

Scope and Contents

Series III contains materials related to Bayrd Still's research interest in New York City and urban history.

English.

English.

Subseries D: Mirror For Gotham Research Materials

Photographs -- Street Scenes, undated

Box: 73, Folder: 1 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

Photographs -- Prominent Buildings, Structures, and Bridges, undated

Box: 73, Folder: 2 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

Photographs -- People, undated

Box: 73, Folder: 3 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

Photographs -- Engravings and Drawings, Old New York (Pre-19th Century), Buildings, and People, undated

Box: 73, Folder: 4 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

Photographs -- Views of New York (Panoramas), 1942

Box: 73, Folder: 5 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

Photographs -- New York Scenes from the Late 19th Century to Early 20th Century, undated

Box: 73, Folder: 6 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

Notes and Clippings, 1972

Box: 73, Folder: 7 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

Photographs -- Historic Houses in NY, undated

Box: Shared University Archives 152, Folder: 2 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

Photographs from Professor Still's Office, 1985

Box: Shared University Archives 152, Folder: 3-4 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

Series IV: Speeches, Reviews, Doctoral Student Files, Mayoral Research, NYU Archives, 1947-1976, inclusive

Scope and Contents

Series IV contains speeches, materials related to reviews of other historians' works written by Still, Still's files on his doctoral students, research files on the New York City Office of the Mayor, and materials documenting Still's work with the University Archives.

3 1142 04225097 0

Scope and Contents

Series V contains Still's correspondence regarding his work at NYU and research for the New York City Landmarks project. It also contains clippings, correspondence, and other materials related to Still's book Urban America and a Greenwich Village Walking Tour organized by Still.

Series VI: Landmarks, 1957-1983, inclusive

Scope and Contents

Series VII: Copper Photo Engravings, circa 1800s

Box: 60 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)

Box: 61 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)

Box: 62 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)

Box: 63 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)

Language of Materials

English.

Scope and Contents

This series is comprised of four boxes containing 47 copper engravings individually mounted on wood blocks. Prints created from these engravings were included in Still's book, Mirror for Gotham, which was published by New York University Press in 1956.

Series VIII: Books on New York City and Urban America, 1969-1975, inclusive

Bayrd Still Papers

Call Number

Dates

Creator

Extent

Language of Materials

Abstract

Biographical Note

Arrangement

Scope and Contents

Subjects

Organizations

Genres

People

Topics

Places

Conditions Governing Access

Conditions Governing Use

Preferred Citation

Location of Materials

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Related Materials

Collection processed by

About this Guide

Processing Information

Revisions to this Guide

Repository

Series I: Subject, Historical Reference, and Personal Files, 1933-1988, inclusive

Scope and Contents

Subseries A: Subject Files, 1937-1979, inclusive

Scope and Contents

American Historical Association (A.H.A.) Session, Dec. 30, 1957, 1957, inclusive

General note

A.H.A. Session, Dec. 29, 1950, 1950-1951, inclusive

General note

A.H.A. Meeting, Dec. 28 - Dec. 30, 1954, 1954-1955, inclusive

General note

A.H.A. Session, Dec. 28, 1959, 1959, inclusive

General note

Pacific Coast Branch, A.H.A. --- Session, Sep. 1, 1966, 1966, inclusive

General note

A.H.A. Session, Dec. 30, 1969, 1969, inclusive

General note

A.H.A. Session, Dec. 29, 1971, 1971, inclusive

General note

Census, A.H.A. and M.V.H.A. Committee on, 1951-1953, inclusive

General note

Organization of American Historians (O.A.H.) Session, Apr. 28, 1967, 1967, inclusive

General note

O.A.H. Session, Apr. 14, 1973, 1972-1973, inclusive

General note

Progressive Education Association Regional Conference, Apr. 9, 1937, 1937, inclusive

General note

Mississippi Valley Historical Association (M.V.H.A.) Session, Apr. 25, 1941, 1941, inclusive

General note

M.V.H.A. Session, May 2, 1957, 1957, inclusive

General note

"Problems of an Urban Biographer," Talk, Milwaukee County Historical Society, Mar. 4, 1967, 1966-1967, inclusive

General note

"Suggestions for a Municipal Archive," ca. 1940, 1940, inclusive

General note

Gallatin Papers Project, 1970-1972, inclusive

General note

Bobst Library; Elmer Bobst, 1966, inclusive

General note

Bobst Library Guy E. Still Seminar Room, 1973, inclusive

General note

Tucker, Louis, State Historian, 1971, inclusive

General note

Columbia University Colloquium on City in American History, 1966-67, 1966-1967, inclusive

General note

"Statehood Process," Reprint of article on, 1966-1968, inclusive

General note

History Seminar Room, Gift of, for History Seminars, 1967-1968, inclusive

General note

Gifts to N.Y.U., 1975-1979, inclusive

General note

Heffer, Jean, American Council of Learned Societies Scholar, 1967-1968, inclusive

General note

Kenan Chair in History, 1971, inclusive