Erasmus Hall collection
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Abstract
The Erasmus Hall collection includes documents, ephemera, and publications from Erasmus Hall Academy and Erasmus Hall High School.
Historical Note
The first school to be chartered by New York State, Erasmus Hall Academy was founded as a private school in 1786 by Dutch settlers in the town of Flatbush in Kings County (the present-day borough of Brooklyn). The Academy's original building was built on land donated by the Flatbush Dutch Reformed Church the following year. The Academy was deeded to the City of Brooklyn in 1896, after which it became a public high school named Erasmus Hall High School. From 1905 to 1939, four adjoining buildings were constructed for the school around a central courtyard, and the school's original building underwent restorations in 1936, 1952, and 1987. As of 2011, the school continues to be a part of New York City's public school system, and is located at 911 Flatbush Avenue. It is now the second-oldest public high school in the United States.
Sources:
- Taylor, B. Kimberly. "Erasmus Hall High School and Academy of the Arts," in The Encyclopedia of New York City, ed. Kenneth T. Jackson (New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Press; New York: New York Historical Society, c1995), 382.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged into two series by institution and time period. Within each series, the arrangement is roughly chronological.
Scope and Contents
The Erasmus Hall collection is arranged into two series: Erasmus Hall Academy (1786-1896) and Erasmus Hall High School (1896-). Series 1: Erasmus Hall Academy includes a typescript copy of the Academy's certificate of incorporation from 1787; an account book listing all students and tuition payments from 1787 to 1792 and treasurers' accounts from 1819 to 1875; receipts for tuition payments and insurance policy documents dating from 1865 to 1869; and original and copied land records from 1787 to 1896, along with other materials. Series 2: Erasmus Hall High School includes images, ephemera, publications, and documents from the school.
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Conditions Governing Access
Open to users without restriction.
Conditions Governing Use
While many items at the Center for Brooklyn History are unrestricted, we do not own reproduction rights to all materials. Be aware of the several kinds of rights that might apply: copyright, licensing and trademarks. The researcher assumes all responsibility for copyright questions.
Preferred Citation
Identification of item, date (if known); Erasmus Hall collection, ARC.230, Box and Folder number; Brooklyn Public Library, Center for Brooklyn History.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
BHS accession 1977.377 was the gift of Mrs. A. Lloyd Lott, 1946. BHS accession 1978.113 was the gift of Alma Uhlitz, 1974. BHS accession 1978.193 was the gift of Kranzt, Landau, Lieb and Nostrand, 1978. BC accession 2009.0015 was a transfer from the Queens Library, 2009. BC accessions 2018.0001 and 2018.0020 were purchased from Brian Merlis.
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
If digital surrogates exist, they should be used in place of the originals whenever possible.
Separated Materials
Some duplicates and original news clippings were discarded.
About this Guide
Processing Information
This collection was originally titled "Erasmus Hall Academy records" and combined BHS accessions 1977.377, 1978.113, and 1978.193. In 2023, materials from BHS accession 1985.054, BC accession 2009.0015, the Brooklyn ephemera collection (BCMS.0007), and the Brooklyn Collection clippings files were added as well and the collection was renamed to better reflect its contents.
Sponsor Note
Repository
Series 1: Erasmus Hall Academy, 1786-1896, inclusive
Account book, 1787-1875, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Lists all students and tuition amounts paid (1787-1792) as well as treasurers' accounts (1819-1875).
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Alma Uhlitz, 1974.
Lease [modern copies], 1797
Immediate Source of Acquisition
These items and the two indentures of 1861 and 1893 were the gift of Kranzt, Landau, Lieb and Nostrand, 1978.
Commercial course receipt, 1801
Land indenture, 1861
Receipts for payments of courses and insurance policies, 1865-1869, inclusive
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Mrs. A. Lloyd Lott, 1946.
Debating club notes, circa 1880s, inclusive
Catalogue, 1885
Centennial materials, 1887
Land indenture, 1893
Series 2: Erasmus Hall High School, 1896-, inclusive
Images and postcards, circa early to mid-20th century, inclusive
Glass plate negatives, 1900-1910, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Clubs, sports teams and graduating classes.
Commencement programs, 1904, 1907, 1920, 1922, 1941, inclusive
Event programs, 1905-1952, inclusive
Correspondence, 1905, 1983, inclusive
Scope and Contents
1983 letter is from Mayor Ed Koch to Mrs. Mindy M. Turkenitz of the Special Education Department.
Class Day programs, 1907, 1924, 1935, inclusive
125th anniversary materials, 1912
Scope and Contents
Includes an anniversary publication and a pageant postcard set with nine of the original 11 postcards.
Clipping about student riot, 1916
Class photograph, 1932
Erasmian magazine, 1935, 1970-1971, inclusive
150th anniversary materials, 1937
Ruth B. Goldsmith (nee Green) materials, 1937-1941, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Commencement program, June 1941; Concert program, May 1940; Class Day programs, January and June 1941; 150th anniversary booklet, 1937.
Diplomas and certificates, 1947-1952, inclusive
Scope and Contents
The diploma was awarded to Frederick Kraushar and the certificates for achievement in Spanish and English were awarded to Judith Wagman.
Sing materials, 1956-1957, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Includes front page and clippings from The Dutchman, 1956, and a photocopy of a Sing button from 1957.
