Series 4: President files, 1944-2020, inclusive

Scope and Contents

Despite the difference in the positions of President of the Board and President of the Brooklyn Historical Society, these files are kept together because of their use of the same title.

These files are arranged first according to the president to whom they were either created by or for, or were utilized by during their tenure. From there, the files are arranged alphabetically according to subject, then arranged chronologically.

Historical note

The title of President originally referred to the head of the Board of Directors. This position lasted with that title from the inception of the Long Island Historical Society in 1863 until 1999.

When the By-Laws were changed in 1999, the title of "President" no longer referred to the head of the Board (that title became the "Chair"). The title of "President" became the title for the former Executive Director position. All presidents after 1999 were the heads of the Brooklyn Historical Society, not the Board. Carol Clark held the role at that time of the title change and, according to Jessie Kelly's oral history, was the one who pushed for the change.

Sub-series 4.1: William B. Davenport, 1929

[Note from Society of Old Brooklynites], 1929-10

Box: 729 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

Historical note

The note is misaddressed to a "John B. Davenport"; there was no John Davenport who was president of the Long Island Historical Society. However, William B. Davenport's ancestor was notably Reverend John Davenport, founder of New Haven colony.

Sub-series 4.2: B. Herbert Smith, 1938

75th Anniversary, 1938 January

Box: 729 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

Sub-series 4.3: Guy du Val, 1944-1948, inclusive

Historical note

Guy du Val was the President of the Board of Directors of the Long Island Historical Society from 1939 until 1949.

[Correspondence with William Robbins], 1943 February

Box: 729 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

[LIHS member newsletter], 1944 July-1948, inclusive

Box: 729 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

[Long Island Historical Society articles], undated scan; original published 1925 January

Box: 729 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

Schenck House, Highland Park, 1941 April-May, inclusive

Box: 729 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

Sub-series 4.4: Lewis W. Francis, 1951

Scope and Contents

Lewis W. Francis's papers include LIHS Newsletters and a Certificate of Report of Existence for the Long Island Historical Society issued by the State of New York.

Arrangement

The two folders in this sub-series are arranged alphabetically by topic.

Historical note

Lewis W. Francis was the President of the Board of Directors of the Long Island Historical Society from 1949 until 1951.

Certificate of Report of Existence, 1951 February

Box: 729 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

[LIHS member newsletter], 1949 September-1951 June, inclusive

Box: 729 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

[George Washington birthday celebration], 1932 January-February, inclusive

Box: 729 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

[Correspondence, newsletters, and pamphlets], 1949 November-1951 May, inclusive

Box: 729 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

Sub-series 4.5: Joseph Dana Allen, 1956

Box: 729 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

Language of Materials

English.

Scope and Contents

This sub-series consists of a single folder containing the June 1956 LIHS member newsletter.

Historical note

Joseph Dana Allen was the President of the Board of Directors of the Long Island Historical Society from 1952 until 1957.

Sub-series 4.6: Edgerton G. North, 1957-1964, inclusive

Scope and Contents

Edgarton G. North's papers include correspondence, loan applications, a survey of LIHS, and LIHS policy.

Arrangement

Edgarton G. North's papers are organized into Correspondence and Subject Files. The correspondence is arranged chronologically. The subject files are arranged alphabetically.

Historical note

Edgarton G. North was the President of the Board of Directors of the Long Island Historical Society from 1957 until 1965.

Processing Information

The title of Subject Files was applied retroactively to various papers that had been originally organized by topic.

Correspondence, 1957-1964, inclusive

Box: 729 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

Subject files

Loan Applications, 1959 June

Box: 729 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

[LIHS member newsletters], 1957 June - 1959 October, inclusive

Box: 729 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

LIHS policy, undated

Box: 729 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

Survey of LIHS, undated

Box: 729 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

Sub-series 4.7: William R. Fisher, 1974

Box: 729 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

Language of Materials

English.

Scope and Contents

William R. Fisher's papers include a memorandum to the Board of Directors, a list of LIHS Directors, meeting minutes, and correspondence.

Arrangement

This sub-series consists of a single folder.

Historical note

William R. Fisher was the President of the Board of Directors of the Long Island Historical Society from 1974 until 1975.

Sub-series 4.8: Dwight B. Demeritt, Jr., 1967-1978, inclusive

Scope and Contents

Dwight B. Demerrit, Jr.'s papers include materials relating to the 114th Annual Dinner, Battle of Long Island research, the Missouri Historical Society, and Raymond Chambers and the Camberwell Collection.

Arrangement

Dwight B. Demerrit, Jr.'s papers are arranged alphabetically by topic.

Historical note

Dwight B. Demeritt, Jr. was the President of the Board of Directors of the Long Island Historical Society from 1978 until 1980.

114th Annual Meeting and Dinner, 1978 February - May, inclusive

Box: 730 (Material Type: Text)

Battle of Long Island, 1967 September - 1968 January, inclusive

Box: 730 (Material Type: Text)

Missouri Historical Society, undated, inclusive

Box: 730 (Material Type: Text)

National Maritime Historical Society and Sloop Clearwater, 1978 February - November, inclusive

Box: 730 (Material Type: Text)

Raymond Chambers and the Camberwell Collection, 1973 July - 1978 April, inclusive

Box: 730 (Material Type: Text)

SPLIA Liason Committee, 1976 January - 1977 May, inclusive

Box: 730 (Material Type: Text)

Sub-series 4.9: Irving Choban, 1974

Box: 730 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

Language of Materials

English.

Scope and Contents

Irving Choban's papers consist of intra-institutional correspondence to and from LIHS members and the Board of Directors.

Arrangement

There is only one folder.

Historical note

Irving Choban was heavily involved in the Long Island Historical Society/Brooklyn Historical Society. He served as the LIHS President of the Board of Directors from 1981 until 1984. Outside of that, he continued to serve on the board for many years, including supporting the name change to Brooklyn Historical Society. Choban is also responsible for donating both money and several items in the collections of what is today the Center for Brooklyn History. He had also served as the President of the Flatbush Historical Society for a number of years prior to serving on the board of LIHS.

Sub-series 4.10: Susan Mullin, 1978-1991, inclusive

Scope and Contents

Susan Mullin's papers include various amendments to the by laws, a museum conservation plan, and fundraising plans for the Shellens Gallery, as well as materials related to an antiques show.

Arrangement

Susan Mullin's papers are arranged alphabetically by topic.

Historical note

Susan Mullin joined the Board of Directors in 1981. In June of 1985, Susan Mullin was voted to become the first female president of the Board of Directors in its entire history since it was established in 1863. Only a few months later in October of that same year the institution's name changed from Long Island Historical Society to Brooklyn Historical Society. With the name change, Mullin became not only the first female president of the new Brooklyn Historical Society, but the first president under a new name and mission. Susan Mullin stepped down from her role as President in 1990.

["Brooklyn Baseball and the Dodgers" exhibit correspondence], 1987 February

Box: 730 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

[Budget and curator planning], 1983 January

Box: 730 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

By-laws, 1983-1985, inclusive

Box: 730 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

Amendment, 1983 February

Amendment, 1985 April

Memos and drafts, 1985 October

Amendment, 1985 October

Museum conservation plan, 1986-1991, inclusive

Box: 730 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

Shellens Gallery fundraising, 1986-1989, inclusive

Box: 730 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

Antiques show, 1978-1983, inclusive

Box: 729 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

Box: 738 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

Box: 739 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

Scope and Contents

Planning documents, advertisements and clippings, correspondence, invitations, committee documents, and financial records.

Sub-series 4.11: Carl Ferenbach III, 1994

Box: 729 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

Language of Materials

English.

Scope and Contents

Carl Ferenbach's papers consist of an invitation to the 1994 Founders Ball.

Arrangement

There is only one folder.

Historical note

Carl Ferenbach III served as the President of the Board of Directors of the Brooklyn Historical Soceity from 1990 until 1993. He also served as a member of the board both prior to and after his tenure as President.

Sub-series 4.12: Jessie Kelly, 1983-2007, inclusive

Language of Materials

English.

Scope and Contents

The bulk of Jessie Kelly's papers are subject files that were originally arranged according to topic. The bulk of the subject files are various BHS materials, such as the building renovation, grant funding, exhibitions, and by laws. The subject files also include other materials ranging from professional development to the Brooklyn Heights Association and the Flatbush Historical Society.

Jessie Kelly's papers also include correspondence, which includes ingoing and outgoing correspondence from both internally within BHS and externally from other institutions. There is also a collection of outgoing correspondence that Jessie Kelly sent to various celebrities.

Arrangement

Jessie Kelly's papers are organized as Correspondence and Subject files. The correspondence is arranged chronologically. The subject files are arranged alphabetically.

Processing Information

Jessie Kelly held the title of "President" in two different functions: first as the President of the Board of Directors, then as the President of the Brooklyn Historical Society (formerly referred to as the Executive Director). All materials related to Jessie Kelly were therefore kept together under the President files for this reason, despite the differing functionality of the two roles.

The title of Subject Files was applied retroactively to various papers that had been originally organized by topic.

Correspondence, 2003-2005, inclusive

Box: 716 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

Subject files, 1983-2007, inclusive

Box: 716 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

Box: 717 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

Box: 718 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

Box: 719 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

Box: 720 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

Box: 721 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

Box: 722 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

Sub-series 4.13: Carol Clark, 1998-2003, inclusive

Scope and Contents

Carol Clark's papers include materials related to insurance, the building renovation from the late 90s/early 00s, BHS exhibitions, correspondence, events, fundraising, NEH grants, staffing, and education programming.

Arrangement

Carol Clark's papers are arranged alphabetically by topic.

Biographical / Historical

Carol Clark filled the position as head of the Brooklyn Historical Society from 1998 until her departure in 2001. Carol Clark is responsible for instigating the change in the title from Executive Director to President. The change was made official in a 1999 revision of the Society's by-laws. She was also the President of BHS during a major renovation that occurred from 1999 until 2003, after her departure. During this time, BHS operations were run out of an office in the MetroTech campus.

Processing Information

Since there was only one folder originally labeled Correspondence, the archivist decided to integrate it with the alphabetical arrangement, rather than separate it into its own section as was done with other President and Executive Director sub-series.

AAM Directors and Officers Liability Insurance, 1999 January, inclusive

Box: 654 (Material Type: Text)

Board of Education, 2001 July, inclusive

Box: 654 (Material Type: Text)

[Brochures from Other Institutions], 1996-1999, inclusive

Box: 654 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

"Brooklyn at Play", 2000 April, inclusive

Box: 654 (Material Type: Text)

Brooklyn Bridge Park Coalition, 1999 March - 2000 August, inclusive

Box: 654 (Material Type: Text)

Brooklyn Discovery Center, 2000 June - October, inclusive

Box: 654 (Material Type: Text)

Brooklyn History Fair, 1999 October, inclusive

Box: 654 (Material Type: Text)

Brooklyn Walks, 1999 April - 2000 August, inclusive

Box: 654 (Material Type: Text)

Brooklyn Works draft, 2001 May, inclusive

Box: 654 (Material Type: Text)

BHS exhibition articles and awards, 2003

Box: 654 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

C.W. Shaver, 1997-1998, inclusive

Box: 654 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

Capital Projects Campaign, 1998 September - 1999 July, inclusive

Box: 654 (Material Type: Text)

Ceasar and Washburn Contract and Invoices, 1999 November - 2000 August, inclusive

Box: 654 (Material Type: Text)

Celebration Dinner, 1999 April, inclusive

Box: 654 (Material Type: Text)

Correspondence, 1998 September - 1999 December, inclusive

Box: 654 (Material Type: Text)

DUMBO, 1999 June - July, inclusive

Box: 654 (Material Type: Text)

East Hampton Library, 2000 July - August, inclusive

Box: 654 (Material Type: Text)

Exhibition Department: Long Range Plan, 2001 May, inclusive

Box: 654 (Material Type: Text)

"Famous Brooklynites", 1999 March, inclusive

Box: 654 (Material Type: Text)

Fundraising, 1998 September - 1999 July, inclusive

Box: 655 (Material Type: Text)

Jan Hird Pokorny Building Renovation, 1998-1999, inclusive

Box: 655 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

Leffers Homestead, 1999 March, inclusive

Box: 655 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

[Leonard Goodstein Coney Island Collection], 1999 May - 2000 May, inclusive

Box: 655 (Material Type: Text)

Making History Campaign, 2002 February, inclusive

Box: 655 (Material Type: Text)

[Meeting Notes], 1998 January, inclusive

Box: 655 (Material Type: Text)

Memorandum to Board of Trustees, 1999 January, inclusive

Box: 655 (Material Type: Text)

Millennium Time Capsule, 1999 April - July, inclusive

Box: 655 (Material Type: Text)

National Leadership Grant, Worklore: Brooklyn Voices Speak, 2001 November, inclusive

Box: 655 (Material Type: Text)

NEH grant proposal and planning, 1999-2000, inclusive

Box: 655 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

Program Committee, 2000 April, inclusive

Box: 655 (Material Type: Text)

[Robert A. M. Stern], 1999 September - November, inclusive

Box: 656 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

Staffing Announcements and Job Listings, 1998 November - 1999 July, inclusive

Box: 656 (Material Type: Text)

State Senator Velmanette Montgomery, 2000 August, inclusive

Box: 656 (Material Type: Text)

Strategy Planning for Education Department, 2001 March, inclusive

Box: 656 (Material Type: Text)

YWCA/YMCA, 2000 May - September, inclusive

Box: 656 (Material Type: Text)

Sub-series 4.14: Gail S. Shaffer, 2001

Box: 729 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

Scope and Contents

This sub-series consists of newspaper clippings.

Sub-series 4.15: Deborah Schwartz, 1956-2020, inclusive

Box: 698 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

Box: 699 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

Box: 700 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

Box: 701 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

Box: 702 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

Box: 703 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

Box: 704 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

Box: 730 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

Box: 690 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

Box: 691 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

Box: 692 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

Box: 693 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

Box: 694 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

Box: 695 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

Box: 696 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

Box: 697 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

Language of Materials

English.

Scope and Contents

Deborah Schwartz's papers include materials related to local politicians, BHS exhibitions, correspondence, grants including IMLS and NEH, press coverage, building renovations, auctions, other local institutions, fundraising, donations, legal materials, membership, state funding, president succession plans, records management, strategic planning, and staff materials.

Some of Deborah Schwartz's papers are seemingly duplicates of materials from other series but kept with her sub-series both because they include notes and marginalia from Schwartz and to showcase the subjects and departments she was taking an active interest in while serving within her role as President and CEO.

Arrangement

Deborah Schwartz's papers are arranged alphabetically by topic.

Historical note

Deborah Schwartz served as the President and CEO of the Brooklyn Historical Society from 2006 until 2020. Schwartz was serving in this position when BHS merged with the Brooklyn Public Library, and departed the institution after the merger was complete.

Conditions Governing Access

This sub-series has folder-level information on the back end. If researchers are in need of more detail, they should consult CBH staff.

Processing Information

Since there was only one folder originally labeled Correspondence, the archivist decided to integrate it into the alphabetical arrangement by topic, rather than separate it into its own section as was done with other President and Executive Director sub-series.