Series 1: Photographs, 1927-1966, inclusive

Box: 1 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)

Extent

0.4 Linear Feet

Scope and Contents

This series consists of black-and-white and color photographic prints documenting the construction, opening, architectural features, employees, and customers of the Williamsburgh Savings Bank Building located at One Hanson Place in the Fort Greene neighborhood of Brooklyn. It includes exterior and interior construction photographs, showing the building's foundations, framework, and vault. The series also includes interior photographs of the bank lobby after completion, of holiday installations in the building, and of the vault in use. It also includes images of events held at the building such as the Williamsburgh Savings Bank annual Christmas party, and building tours.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The photographs in Folders 1 through 15 and all associated rights, including copyright, were transferred to Brooklyn Historical Society in 2008 by Heather L. Nesle, Vice President of Community and Philanthropic Services, HSBC Bank USA, N.A.

The provenance and source of acquisition of photographs in Folder 16 is unknown. The lack of documentation about them when the bulk of the collection was donated by HSBC Bank in 2006 indicates that they were not part of that accession, but were subsequently added to the collection artificially.

Exterior views - construction and early exterior views, 1927-1950, inclusive; 1927-1929, bulk

Box: 1, Folder: 1 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)

Exterior views - lighting, 1929, inclusive

Box: 1, Folder: 2 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)

Construction - foundations and framework, 1927-1928, inclusive

Box: 1, Folder: 3-5 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)

Construction - mechanical infrastructure, 1929 February 5, inclusive

Box: 1, Folder: 6 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)

Construction - vault, 1928-1929, inclusive

Box: 1, Folder: 7 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)

Construction - lobby, 1928-1929, inclusive

Box: 1, Folder: 8 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)

Tellers and customers, circa 1955-1965, inclusive

Box: 1, Folder: 9 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)

Bank offices, 1955-1965, inclusive

Box: 1, Folder: 10 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)

Vault use, circa 1929-1965, inclusive

Box: 1, Folder: 11 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)

Tours, circa 1955-1975, inclusive

Box: 1, Folder: 12 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)

Holidays, 1946-1966, inclusive; 1950-1956, bulk

Box: 1, Folder: 13 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)

Architectural model, 1955, inclusive

Box: 1, Folder: 14 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)

Drawings, circa 1929-1940, inclusive

Box: 1, Folder: 15 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)

Artificial collection, circa 1941-1962, inclusive

Box: 1, Folder: 16 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)

Scope and Contents

38 items, showing both the Williamsburgh Savings Bank Building at One Hanson Place and another unidentified bank branch. Materials include black-and-white and color transparencies, black-and-white and color prints, polaroid prints, 3" x 3" and 35mm slides, and two pieces of correspondence that were grouped with photographic materials.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The provenance and source of acquisition of these items are unknown. The lack of documentation about them when the rest of the collection was donated by HSBC Bank in 2006 indicates that they were not part of that accession, but were subsequently added to the collection artificially.