Myron S. Falk family papers
Call Number
Date
Creator
Extent
Language of Materials
Abstract
The Myron S. Falk family papers include correspondence, financial ledgers, diaries, photographs, print matter, artifacts, and film pricipally related to Falk, a New York City based engineer, and his immediate family, and to a lesser extent to his wife Milly's family, the Einsteins . Myron Falk (1878-1945) worked as a consulting and chief engineer for the New York State Water Supply Commission and multiple construction and manufacturing companies. He was also on the Board of Directors or an officer of various institutions, including Wonham, Bates, and Goode Trading Corp. and Mt. Sinai Hospital. Additionally, Falk was Vice President at the American Bemberg Corporation, and served as a Lieutenant during World War I and World War II in the Ordnance Department building ammunition plants. For his work, Falk traveled often, going to Cuba, Brazil, and the Mediterranean, as well as China, Japan, and Korea with the American Silk Mission in 1923, during which he wrote detailed correspondence to his children.
Biographical/Historical Note
Myron S. Falk was born in New York City on 13 September 1878. His parents were Arnold Falk (1843-1891) and Fannie Falk (1856-1920). Falk graduated as a Civil Engineer from Columbia University in 1899, and as a Mechanical Engineer from Stevens Institute in 1900. He received his Ph.D. from Columbia in 1904. He spent ten years at Columbia teaching in the Civil Engineering Department, where he wrote text books on the design of bridges with Professor of Civil Engineering, William A. Burr. While teaching, Falk was made head of the Testing Laboratory which resulted in his book "Cements, Mortars and Concretes." In 1904 he was appointed a member of the New York Bay Pollution Commission by Governor Benjamin B. Odell to investigate the pollution of New York Harbor. In 1905 he was appointed Consulting Engineer to the New York State Water Supply Commission, which had control and supervision of all water supplies in the state, including New York City. In 1905, he became Chief Engineer of the Godwin Construction Company. Two years later he became Chief Engineer of H.H. Oddie Inc, a New York construction firm. At the same time, he formed an association with Albert B. Hager, Civil Engineer, with whom he designed many steel building frames for architects.
In 1917 Falk was appointed Major in the Ordnance Department of the Army and was in charge of the production of raw materials for the Ammunition Division during World War I. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel before his retirement in July 1919. He became Chairman of the Board of Directors of Wonham, Bates & Goode Trading Corporation in 1920, which was a branch of M. Samuel & Co. Ltd, of London, an importing and exporting firm for whom he made trips to China, Japan, Brazil, Cuba, etc. In 1923, he traveled with the American Silk Mission to China, Japan, and Korea to discuss silk trade. He resigned his position at Wonham in 1927 to become Vice President and Chief Engineer of the American Bemberg Corporation, for which he built a large plant for the manufacture of rayon at Johnson City, Tennessee. He was also Consulting Engineer to many other projects, such as the construction of the Temple Emanu-El at 65th Street and Fifth Avenue in New York City. He also served as an officer and director of the Mercury Theatre.
Falk retired from all active work in 1928 but in 1941, in the months leading to America's entry into World War II, he returned to the Ordnance Department as Consulting Engineer to the Ammunition Division. Based primarily in Washington, Falk was a special assistant to the chief of the division on matters concerning the construction and operation of about seventy powder, explosives and loading plants. In late 1942, Falk was commissioned into the Army and assigned to the St. Louis Ammunition Branch as Head Engineer, before transferring in 1943 to the New York District as Principal Engineer of Industrial Production.
Falk was also associated with various organizations, some referencing his Jewish heritage, such as the Hebrew Technical Institute, the Institute for the Deaf, the Home for Aged and Infirm Hebrews, chairman of the Lavanburg Foundation, and trustee and chairman of the Building and Laboratory Committees of Mt. Sinai Hospital. He was in Harmonie Club, Engineers Club, Columbia University Club, and the Army-Navy Club.
In 1903, Falk married Milly Judith Einstein (1883-1915) whose father was Henry L. Einstein, a wool manufacturer and owner of New York Press. The Falks had two daughters, Eleanor and Mildred, and a son, Myron Falk Jr., who was known as "Johnny." Falk purchased in 1913 Tophill Farm on King Street in Greenwich, Conn.; the property is commonly referred to in the documents as being in Port Chester, N.Y., which was the closest town center/train station. After Falk's death in 1945, the property was sold to the Thermix Corporation as their new headquarters. It was in the vicinity of what is now the Brunswick School's pre-and lower schools.
[This biography was drawn primarily from biographical notes found within the collection, and a New York Times obituary.]
Arrangement Note
The records are arranged in seven series as follows:
Series I. Travel (1888-1937)
Series II. Subject Files (1895-1945)
Series III. Financial and Legal Papers (1910-1947)
Series IV. Print Matter (1889-1932)
Series V. Photographs (1903-1928, undated)
Series VI. Artifacts (1869-1945, undated)
Series VII. Film (circa 1920s-1950s)
The collection arrived in a somewhat disorganized fashion and the processing archivist established the above overall organization. Nonetheless, if materials of various formats or subjects were found together in envelopes or folders, the archivist did not sort them into various series, but left them together. Therefore, although the series may appear rigid, the subject matter can be found in various parts of the collection. Accordingly, it is recommended that researchers look through all the series to ensure they have identified all relevant materials.
Scope and Contents Note
The Myron S. Falk papers include documents related to the personal and professional life of Myron S. Falk (1878-1945), an engineer from New York City. The collection spans from 1867-1947, although the bulk of the collection dates from the 20th century, after Falk graduated with a Civil Engineering degree from Columbia University (1899) and Mechanical Engineering degree from Stevens Institute of Technology (1900).
Falk's professional career is represented in this collection through his published works on engineering and his correspondence with companies he worked for, such as H.H. Oddie Inc, the American Bemberg Corporation, and the trading company Wonham, Bates, and Goode, for whom he would often travel.
A significant portion of travel correspondence, ephemera, and photographs derives from his journey in 1923 to China, Japan, and Korea with the American Silk Mission, which met with and discussed trade with silk manufacturers.
Additionally, there is an abundance of financial and legal documents regarding Falk and his family, including wills, estate and trust accounts, tax documents, ledgers, appraisals of his homes, and general financial correspondence and bills, some of which touch upon his involvement with Mercury Theatre.
There is also a scrapbook that contains information that commemorates important events involving Falk and his family, such as Columbia University Class of 1899 memorabilia, World War I and World War II clippings, clippings on their home Tophill Farm, and his children's wedding invitations and graduation pamphlets.
Also included in the collection is correspondence from Falk's time in the Ordnance Department during World War I and World War II, where he worked designing and manufacturing ammunition plants. Correspondence and artifacts also represent the numerous associations he was involved in, such as the Harmonie Club, the Society of American Magicians, Mt. Sinai Hospital committees, and Congregation Emanu-El. There is also a significant amount of condolence notes from when Falk died in 1945.
The collection also holds an assortment of photographs of his family and travels, some of which are in photo albums with captions or indexes, and others are loose with little identifying information.
Also in the collection are reels of film. Many of these were taken by Falk on his travels during the 1920s and later and many are home movies of his family. Several of the reels are from the years after Falk's death and were taken by Myron Falk, Jr. The family had many of these digitized and the digital files are on a USB and a set of DVDs.
Subjects
Organizations
Genres
Topics
Access Restrictions
Materials are stored offsite and advance notice is required for use. Please contact manuscripts@nyhistory.org prior to your research visit to coordinate access. Keep in mind that it will take between two (2) and five (5) business days for collections to arrive, and you should plan your research accordingly.
Use Restrictions
Taking images of documents from the library collections for reference purposes by using hand-held cameras and in accordance with the library's photography guidelines is encouraged. As an alternative, patrons may request up to 20 images per day from staff.
Application to use images from this collection for publication should be made in writing to: Department of Rights and Reproductions, The New-York Historical Society, 170 Central Park West, New York, NY 10024-5194, rightsandrepro@nyhistory.org. Phone: (212) 873-3400 ext. 282.
Copyrights and other proprietary rights may subsist in individuals and entities other than the New-York Historical Society, in which case the patron is responsible for securing permission from those parties. For fuller information about rights and reproductions from N-YHS visit: https://www.nyhistory.org/about/rights-reproductions
Preferred Citation Note
This collection should be cited as Myron S. Falk family papers, MS 3047, New-York Historical Society.
Immediate Source of Acquisition Note
Gift of Robert Lewis Lenzner, 2016. Film donated by Nancy Falk and Michael S. Falk, 2016. Additional materials collected from various family members and donated by Nina Lenzner Evison, February 2021.
Separated Materials Note
Nitrate negatives were removed from the collection and placed into separate storage.
About this Guide
Processing Information Note
Collection processed by archival intern Alexandra Gomer, Spring 2018. Additional materials were donated in 2021 and processed by archivist Larry Weimer.
Repository
Series I. Travel, 1888-1937, inclusive
Extent
Scope and Contents Note
This series includes material related to Myron S. Falk's travels, much of which was done for the company Wonham, Bates & Goode for whom he was Chairman of the Board of Directors. Most documents are dated 1923 or after, excluding one travel diary written by Falk at 10 years old in 1888. There is also a diary that dates 1910-1934, in which Falk details some of the trips he went on, which also have material within this series. A set of snapshots from 1910-11 depict Myron and Milly on travels to Europe (primaily Italy) and to the Caribbean and Panama where they saw construction underway on the canal.
A significant amount of material in this series was obtained in his journeys with the American Silk Mission, which was a group of businessmen who traveled around East Asia visiting silk manufacturers and factories in order to discuss the silk trade. Included are newspaper clippings from regional newspapers in Asia that welcomed the Silk Mission and give context to their travels, as well as itineraries and ephemera from each factory visited. There are also many photographs, some taken by Falk, which are more candid and also larger, posed ones given to him by the factories. Of particular significance is the detailed correspondence of his journeys through China, Japan, and Korea through which he not only details his daily travels, but also comments on cultural customs of these countries through a Western perspective. Korea was occupied by Japan during this period and the impact of that occupation is noted at times by Falk. Also within this correspondence is a description of a brief meeting with Sun Yat Sen, the first provisional President of the Republic of China.
Arrangement Note
This series is arranged in chronological order.
Travel diaries, 1888, 1910-1934
Scope and Contents Note
Includes two diaries. One is a travel diary written by Falk in 1888 concerning his travels in Germany, England, Austria, and France. The second diary, from 1910-1934, includes entries that relate to some of the material listed in this series. Includes some Jamaica-related documents from the diary.
Photographs (2 folders), 1910-1911, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Includes captioned snapshots from Myron and Milly's travels to Europe (1910) and Caribbean/Panama in 1911. Europe includes mostly various ports of call in Italy (Genoa, Naples, Sorrento, Amalfi, Pompei, Rome, Milan, Florence, Venice) as well as Azores, Madeira, and Algecira, with a few from England, Versailles, and on-board ships. Caribbean includes Puerto Rico/San Juan, Panama (canal construction), and Bermuda. (Part of 2021 gift)
General family correspondence, 1890-1943
Scope and Contents Note
Includes, among others, letters from Myron to his father (1890) and later letters between Myron and his children. Subject matter varies widely and includes some travel-related. Bulk sections of the correspondence date from the summer of 1928 and January-February 1936.
American Silk Mission. Correspondence to children (3 folders), 1923
Scope and Contents Note
Includes three typed transcripts of Falk's correspondence to his children during his trip with the American Silk Mission to China, Japan and Korea during 1923. Includes, among other things, a description of a meeting with Dr. Sun Yat Sen, first provisional president of Republic of China and leader of the Chinese Nationalist Party.
American Silk Mission. Documents and ephemera (4 folders), 1923
Scope and Contents Note
Includes menus, itineraries, invitations, informational brochures, newspaper clippings, correspondence, and photographs obtained throughout China, Japan, and Korea.
American Silk Mission. Photographs (1 of 3), 1923
American Silk Mission. Photographs, oversize (2 of 3), 1923
Scope and Contents Note
Panorama of participants in the American Silk Mission in China.
American Silk Mission. Photographs, flat file (3 of 3), 1923
Scope and Contents Note
Photographs from dinners during American Silk Mission. Includes Yokohama Raw and Waste Silk Guild, Chamber of Commerce and Silk Guild of Nanzing, China Export Co. Lmt. (Shanghai), Yung Tah Silk Filature & Soy Lun Anchor Filature (Shanghai).
American Silk Mission. Newspapers, 1923
Scope and Contents Note
Includes articles welcoming the American Silk Mission from Nanshin Hibi Shinbun and The Japan Advertiser.
American Silk Mission. Rolled textile, flat file., 1923
Mediterranean. Correspondence to children during trip, 1927
Brazil. Correspondence to children during trip, 1930
Scope and Contents Note
Includes a copy of daughter Mildred's birth certificate, Myron's small pox vaccination record, and photographs.
Correspondence, 1930-1934, inclusive
Scope and Contents
4 letters: from New York (1930), on board Vulcania (1931), on board Virginia (1932), and at Panama Canal Zone (1932). Photocopy of 1932 passenger list of Scythia and obituary of Falk mentor William Hubert Burr (1934).
Caribbean and Central America. Photographs (2 folders), 1934
Scope and Contents Note
Unbound photo album of travels to Cuba, Jamaica, Panama, Costa Rica, and Miami. Contains an original typed index with descriptions of each photo. The archivist wrote numbers on the backing of each photograph in brackets to facilitate the use of the index with the corresponding photo.
Mediterranean. Correspondence from Myron and Mildred to family, 1937
Series II. Subject Files, 1895-1945, inclusive
Extent
Scope and Contents Note
This series includes Myron Falk's correspondence and related documents, spanning from 1895 to 1945, on a wide variety of subjects of a personal and professional nature. Included are subjects relating to his work as an engineer and other associations he took part in, such as the State Water Supply Commission, the American Bemberg Plant, Congregation Emanu-El, his work in the Ordnance Department during World War II, the Harmonie Club, and Mount Sinai Hospital. Also included are his school notebooks, documents relating to his house in Greenwich, Conn., his personal diaries and address books, and clippings concerning Orson Welles's Mercury Theatre. The scrapbook folders also contain material related to his family, such as his son Myron Falk Jr.'s graduation from Yale and his daughter's wedding invitations. There is also mixed general correspondence that contains documents often related to Falk's club memberships, Columbia, engineering jobs, and the American Silk Mission.
Arrangement Note
This series is arranged by subject matter.
Diaries (2 folders), 1908-1938
WWII/Ordnance Dept. documents (4 of 6 folders), 1942-1944
Scope and Contents Note
Includes ammunition plant organizational maps, correspondence, and Falk's handwritten notes.
WWII/Ordnance Dept. documents (1 of 6 folders), 1940-1942, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Notebook with Falk's notes and other documents concerning various US ordnnce production facilities. (Part of 2021 gift.)
WWII/Ordnance Dept. documents (1 of 6 folders). Oversize, 1942-1944
Scope and Contents Note
Includes oversized Ordnance organizational charts and maps.
Water Supply Commission (3 folders), 1905-1906
Scope and Contents Note
Includes documents and correspondence relating to the State Water Supply Commission report, including a report by Falk as the Consulting Engineer of the commission.
Bemberg Plant clipping and photographs, 1927
Scope and Contents Note
From the The Bristol Herald Courier. Includes preservation photocopies and original clipping.
Congregation Emanu-El documents, 1927-1929
Scope and Contents Note
Includes plans and descriptions of the new building at 65th and Fifth Avenue.
Mount Sinai Hospital correspondence, 1938-1940
Scope and Contents Note
Includes correspondence and reports (e.g., statistical and comparative) from Mount Sinai Hospital to committee members, especially related to the Medical Board's Dental Committee (e.g., organizational structure, services to German refugees, appointments).
Home for Aged and Infirm Hebrews, 1937-1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes correspondence and minutes from the meeting of the Executive Committee of the Home, which Falk was invited to as Chairman of the Building Committee. Includes the "Preliminary Study for the Future Development of the Home for Aged and Infirm Hebrews" (1937) and correspondence from architects Robert D. Kohn and Charles Butler.
Greenwich property septic tank correspondence, 1942
Oversized property maps and blueprints, 1913-1930
Scope and Contents Note
Includes Greenwich topographical map, septic tank blueprint, linen prints of the house (1913), and a map of Greenwich (1930). Also includes a supplementary drawing of W. 53rd Street showing Route No. 101 for the subway system (1928).
School notebooks (3 folders), 1895-1902
Scope and Contents Note
Includes notebooks from a course in Practical Metallurgy at Columbia University, and from his travels visiting factories in Pennsylvania.
Address book, Undated
The Tennyson Birthday Book, Undated
Engagements/Appointments Book, circa 1903?
Scope and Contents
Social engagements for a period November-May of an unspecified year. Appears to be Milly Falk's book. (Part of 2021 gift.)
Myron & Milly Wedding (2 folders), 1903, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Includes a "souvenir" "Bride's Book" that includes some entries about the couple and their wedding. Also includes a "record of gifts" and many congratulatory telegrams and letters that had been placed inside the front cover of the Bride's Book. (Part of 2021 gift)
Scrapbook (1 of 7 folders), 1922-1934
Scope and Contents Note
These papers were found loose in the cover of the scrapbook. They include, among other material and subjects, an assortment of bills, correspondence, the 1934 catalog for the Hebrew Technical Institute, documents regarding a dispute about renovations to the Century Country Club, and material related to the American Silk Mission (articles from the Yokohama Tsushin, passenger list of the ship Empress of Australia, etc.).
Scrapbook (2 of 7 folders), 1906-1939
Scope and Contents Note
The unbound scrapbook includes, among other material, newspaper clippings of family achievements, including real estate transactions; clippings and publicity pieces about the Mercury Theater and its productions; travel ephemera; programs from Temple Emanu-El and Columbia University reunions; and correspondence from the Ordnance department (World War I) and from Wonham, Bates & Goode.
Scrapbook (3 of 7 folders), 1910-1943
Scope and Contents Note
Includes, among other material, clippings about Henry L. Einstein and other family members (obituaries, announcements, etc.), and bills from European travel (1910) .
Scrapbook (4 of 7 folders), 1899-1925
Scope and Contents Note
Includes, among other material, clippings from groups and companies Falk was associated with, such as the American Bemberg Company, State Water Supply Commission, Mount Sinai Hospital, and Columbia University.
Scrapbook (5 of 7 folders), 1899-1944
Scope and Contents Note
Includes material from Columbia University, Mt. Sinai, and the Harmonie Club. Includes a list of all members of the American Silk Mission, with titles and associated companies.
Scrapbook (6 of 7 folders), 1930-1945
Scope and Contents Note
Includes, among other material, a handwritten biography of Myron S. Falk.
Scrapbook (7 of 7 folders), 1922-1932
Scope and Contents Note
Includes, among other material, three letters from Myron Falk's father postmarked from Amsterdam (1890) that are written in another language (possibly Dutch), his WWI military record, and correspondence.
Condolences on the death of Myron S. Falk (4 folders), 1945
Scope and Contents Note
Includes related correspondence.
Yale Graduation (2 folders), 1928
Scope and Contents Note
Includes materials from Myron S. Falk, Jr.'s graduation from Yale in 1928. See also Photographs Series for an oversize panorama of the graduating class.
Chinese porcelains guide, 1921-1931
Scope and Contents Note
Includes a copy of "Chinese Porcelains, Their History and How to Distinguish Their Dates and Styles" by Major Arthur De Bles from the Art Culture Institute of America. Also includes some travel ephemera and some correspondence.
General correspondence (2 folders), 1920-1923
Scope and Contents Note
Includes Wonham, Bates & Goode Trading Corporation correspondence, bills, Falk's driver's license, estimates for Mt. Sinai Hospital, some American Silk Mission documents, and other matters.
Series III. Financial and Legal Papers, 1905-1947, inclusive
Extent
Scope and Contents Note
This series includes the financial and legal papers of Myron Falk and his family members, including his wife, Milly Falk, his father-in-law, Henry L. Einstein, and his children, Mildred, Eleanor and Myron Falk Jr. from 1898-1946. The series includes financial diaries, appraisals of his properties at 130 East 44th St and in Greenwich, Conn. (often referred to as Port Chester, N.Y.), and documents relating to estates, trusts, wills and testaments, tax documents, and insurance policies. A large portion of this series contains general financial and legal correspondence, bills, club dues, and account statements. Some correspondence relates to Falk's investment in the Mercury Theatre and a dispute with Orson Welles concerning use of the Mercury name outside of the Theatre's interests.
Arrangement Note
Arranged in rough chronological order.
Financial diaries (4 folders), 1910-1945
Investment accounts diary, 1926-1930
Ledger books (2 folders), 1911-1935
Ledger book. Flat box, 1917-1936
Appraisal of 130 East 44th St, 1921 April
Inventory and Appraisal of Furnishings and Personal Effects of Myron S. Falk, King Street, Port Chester, N.Y., 1921, 1923
Scope and Contents Note
Also contains bills and receipts from Japan dated 1923 for items possibly bought during the Silk Mission (artwork, sculptures, textiles, etc.).
Estate of Milly E. Falk (2 folders), 1916-1922, 1939-1940
Scope and Contents Note
3 account books.
Last Will and Testaments of Milly E. Falk and Henry Einstein, 1898-1947
Scope and Contents Note
Includes, among other documents, certified copy of Milly E. Falk's last will and testament; Estate of Milly E. Falk "B" Account checkbook; Myron Falk's Income Tax Record Book (income, deductions, securities) for 1918-1934; Falk's diary notes for August 6-September 17, 1945; and printed version of last will and testament of Henry L. Einstein.a letter to Myron Falk Jr.
U.S. Trust Company (1 of 2), 1927-1944
Scope and Contents Note
Relates primarily to financial matters with the trusts set up under Henry Einstein's will for his grandchildren, Mildred and Myron Jr. Includes blueprint for West 53rd street (Falk owned building 44 W. 53rd).
U.S. Trust Company (2 of 2). Oversize, 1926-1944
126 East 70th Street documents, 1927-1946
Insurance policies, 1940-1945
Financial and legal correspondence (2 folders), 1905-1944
Scope and Contents Note
Includes, among other material, general financial correspondence, bills, tax related documents, Harmonie Club correspondence, Mercury Theatre/Orson Welles debt matters, photocopies of 1905 letters betwen Falk and William H. Burr on their joint interest in their published books, and legal documents regarding the trust of Henry L. Einstein.
Financial and legal correspondence (2 folders), 1941-1945
Scope and Contents Note
Includes, among other material, correspondence mentioning Orson Welles and the Mercury Theatre, WWII clippings and correspondence, bills, invoices, estimates, trust related documents, membership cards to clubs, and monthly statements for his properties.
Financial and legal correspondence (2 folders), 1944-1945
Scope and Contents Note
Includes, among other material, stock certificates, bills, invoices, correspondence relating to World War II Ordnance department, taxes, insurance, trust accounts, and the Harmonie Club.
Myron Falk Estate Matters, 1946-1947, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Includes letters to Myron Falk, Jr. regarding estate matters, including bequest to Mt. Sinai Hospital for endowment of a bed in the Chidren's Pavilion; letter regarding arrangements for sale of the Tophill Farm property; allocation of securities among trusts; and letter from the farm caretaker(?) regarding repairs, egg accounts and other matters. (Part of 2021 gift)
Series IV. Print Matter, 1887-1932, inclusive
Extent
Scope and Contents Note
This series contains a mixture of published material from 1889-1932, the bulk of which was authored by Myron S. Falk. There are three hardcover engineering books written by Falk, as well as the Second Annual State Water Commission report which includes Falk's individual report. There are also numerous copies of booklet reprints of Falk's engineering writings. Material not written by Falk include, among others, Union Prayer books, engineering textbooks, and two books inscribed to Henry L. Einstein and to Lewis Einstein.
Arrangement Note
This series is arranged by format and then chronologically, beginning with the hardcover books authored by Falk, followed by the Second Annual Report of New York State Water Commission, the reprint booklets, and then books in the collection not authored by Falk.
Cements, Mortars, and Concretes by Myron S. Falk, 1904
Scope and Contents Note
Inscribed to Henry Einstein
Design and Construction of Metallic Bridges by William H. Burr and Myron S. Falk, 1908
Influence Lines for Bridges and Roofs by William H. Burr and Myron S. Falk, 1909
Second Annual Report of the New York State Water Supply Commission, 1907
Scope and Contents Note
Stamped with 'Myron S. Falk. Mar 5 - 1907.'
Report of Myron S. Falk - Appendix I. Pages 24-69.
The Sanitary Disposal of Municipal Refuse. An Informal Discussion., 1903
Scope and Contents Note
By Messrs. Rudolph Hering, John McGaw Woodbury, H. De B. Parsons, W. F. Morse, George A. Soper, Theodore Horton, W. J. Baldwin, Charles B. Ball, M. N. Baker, Elmer W. Firth, Myron S. Falk, Charles H. Haswell, W. H. Booth, and H. A. Young.
Reprinted from Transactions, Vol. L, page 95. (1903.)
Note on the Coefficient of Elasticity of Concrete and Mortar Beams During Flexure, 1903
Scope and Contents Note
Reprinted from Transactions, Vol. L, p. 473 (1903).
On the Use of Influence Lines in Graphic Statics, 1903
Scope and Contents Note
Reprinted from the School of Mines Quarterly, Vol. XXIV, January, No. 2, April, No.3, and July, No. 4, 1903.
The Detailed Design of a Railroad Bridge, 1904
Scope and Contents Note
By Wm. H. Burr and Myron S. Falk
Reprinted from The School of Mines Quarterly Vol. XXV, April, 1904, No. 3, and July, 1904, No. 4
Some Primary Truss Principles, 1904-1905
Notes on The Design of High Masonry Dams, 1905
Influence Lines for Suspended Cantilevers, 1907
Scope and Contents Note
Reprinted from the School of Mines Quarterly, Vol. XXVIII, No. 3.
The Deflection Polygon of a Framed Structure as a Funicular Polygon, 1908
Scope and Contents Note
Reprinted from the School of Mines Quarterly, Vol. XXX, No. 1.
Displacement Diagrams of Framed Structures by Deflection Angles, 1908
Scope and Contents Note
Reprinted from the School of Mines Quarterly, Vol. XXIX, No. 3.
A System of Cost Keeping, 1909
Scope and Contents Note
Reprinted from Transactions, Vol. LXIV, p. 401 (1909).
Two Reinforced Concrete Coal Pockets, 1911
Scope and Contents Note
Reprinted from Transactions, Vol. LXXI, p. 192 (1911).
The Production of Toluol from Gas Plants, 1920
Scope and Contents Note
Reprinted from Transactions, Vol. LXXXIII, p. 904 (1920).
Copies of Falk booklet reprints (3 folders), 1903-1920
Engineering books, 1894-1932
Scope and Contents Note
Books not written by Myron S. Falk.
American Society of Civil Engineers: "Address at the Annual Convention, Hotel Wentworth, Near Portsmouth, N.H., June 21st, 1922." by John R Freeman ; "Charges and Method of Making Charges for Professional Services" 1930
"Notes on Code Words" by W.F. Friedman and C. J. Mendelsohn; inscription to Myron S. Falk by Charles J. Mendelsohn. 1932
"Report of Board of Engineer Officers as to Maximum Span Practicable for Suspension Bridges" - Major Chas W. Raymond, Captain Wm. H. Bixby, Captain Edward Burr, Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army, Members of the Board. 1894
"Notes on Foundations: Prepared for the Senior Class in Civil Engineering at Columbia University" By Wm. H. Burr
Le Siege de Berlin et Autres Contes par Alphonse Daudet, 1890
Language of Materials
Scope and Contents Note
Was Lewis Einstein's copy of "The Siege of Berlin and Other Tales" by Alphonse Daudet. L. Einstein and drawings are written on the cover in pencil.
Poetical Works of John Godfrey Saxe, 1887
Scope and Contents
Inscribed "To Lewis Einstein from Columbia Grammar School for Excellence in English Composition, June 8, 1894." Cover (detached) embossed "Lewis Einstein."
Paris Universal Exposition. Civil Engineering, Public Works, and Architecture, 1889
Scope and Contents Note
By William Watson
The Union Prayer Book for Jewish Worship Part I and II, 1895
Scope and Contents Note
'Regine Wallach' written in ink on front page of Part 1; Myron S. Falk inscribed on Part II.
Program for the show "Uncle", 1897
Scope and Contents
Presented by the Columbia University sophomores, Class of 1899, as a benefit for '99 Freshman Crew team. (Part of 2021 gift)
Columbia University Commencement Programs, 1899, 1901, 1904, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Part of 2021 gift.
Series V. Photographs and Drawings, circa 1870s-1950, undated, inclusive
Extent
Scope and Contents Note
This series brings together photographs that were not found with other documents or related correspondence in the collection. They include personal photographs of Falk and his family, friends, and associates. There are also three photograph albums, one from 1903 in Yellowstone with captions, one likely from circa 1880s-90s relating to the Einstein family, and a third which could not be placed. Also included are oversize photos and drawings depicting a variety of subjects, such as dinners, a panorama of Myron Jr.'s Yale graduation, the Ordnance Department in Washington, D.C. during World War I, and Falk's parents. There is also a book of pictures of buildings with their addresses, built by H.H. Oddie Inc of which Falk was Chief Engineer.
Arrangement Note
This series is arranged by subject matter, then chronologically.
American Silk Mission and other photographs (2 folders), Undated
Scope and Contents Note
Includes photographs from two envelopes. One labeled "Japanese Trip" and other is a Kodak envelope. Includes a mix of photographs other than from American Silk Mission. Nitrate negatives from the Kodak packet were removed for separate storage.
Myron Falk headshots. Flat box, Undated
Arnold Falk (Myron's father as young man). Charcoal drawing. Oversize, 1879
Scope and Contents
Item unframed and mounted by N-YHS conservator Alan Balicki, March 2021.
Kaufman Wallach (Myron's grandfather). Charcoal drawing. Oversize, 1879
Scope and Contents
Item unframed and mounted by N-YHS conservator Alan Balicki, March 2021.
Regine Wallach (Myron's grandmother). Charcoal drawing. Oversize, 1879, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Item unframed and mounted by N-YHS conservator Alan Balicki, March 2021.
Myron S. Falk (as infant). Charcoal drawing. Oversize, 1879
Scope and Contents
Signed "Falk." Item unframed and mounted by N-YHS conservator Alan Balicki, March 2021.
Arnold Falk (Myron's father as elderly man). Charcoal drawing. Oversize, undated
Scope and Contents
Item unframed and mounted by N-YHS conservator Alan Balicki, March 2021. Frame is also in box.
Family photographs, Undated
Tophill Farm / Thermix Corporation (1 of 2 folders), 1950, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Includes 3 documents: 8x11 version of the oversize aerial view found in the following folder; a color photograph of the exterior of the main building, labeled "The House of Thermix," subsequent to its acquisition by the Thermix Corporation in 1950; and a marketing brochure of the company with images of the house, with cover letter to Falk, Jr., transmitting the brochure. (Photos in this folder and the next were part of 2021 gift.)
Tophill Farm / Thermix Corporation (2 of 2 folders) Oversize, undated
Scope and Contents
Oversize aerial view of property and main building in Greenwich, Conn.
Photo albums (2 folders), Undated
Scope and Contents Note
One album appears to be of a camping or hiking trip. The other album includes photos of ships, docks, a parade, storefronts, at least one view of the Columbian Exposition in Chicago, and other subjects. One nitrate negative was removed for separate storage.
Photo album, circa 1880s-1890s, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Photo album of cabinet cards, cartes-de-visite and tintypes. All are unidentified, however there are some photos of boys in baseball uniforms with the initials CGS, which is perhaps Columbia Grammar School, suggesting that these are photos of Lewis Einstein and the Einstein (Milly's) family.
Photo album of Yellowstone/Colorado Springs (2 folders), 1903
H. H. Oddie. Flat box (2 folders), 1919-1923
Scope and Contents Note
Includes pictures of the Kelly-Springfield Building (1919), N.Y. Telephone Building (167th St and Grand View Pl), Revillon Freres Building (1923). Examples of other photos include the Town Hall (concert hall), the Martin Beck Residence, The Cluny, 6th Municipal District Court, Ziegler Building, the State Bank (Madison Square Branch). The bulk of the photographs were taken by the Wurts Brothers or by H. Shobbrook Collins. There are also photographs of foundations built by Miller-Daybill & Co.
Dinner in honor of Shozabura Hoshino given by Mr. & Mrs. Eugene Atwood at the Hotel Astor. Oversize, 1925 January 14
Society of American Magicians 22nd Annual Dinner at the Hotel McAlpin. Oversize, 1926 June 14
Canoeing panorama. Oversize, Undated
Scope and Contents Note
Thompson Photo Co. Rahway, NJ. n9 8011
Yale Graduation panorama. Oversize, 1928
Scope and Contents Note
Yale balloon in the middle
Ordnance Department, Washington, D.C. panorama. Oversize, 1919 January 3
Series VI. Artifacts, 1867-1945, undated, inclusive
Extent
Scope and Contents Note
This series contains artifacts found throughout the collection, including diplomas and certificates from Columbia University, the War Department (World War II), and Congregation Emanu-El. The container list itemizes all artifacts.
Arrangement Note
This series is arranged in chronological order with undated at the end.
Citizenship Naturalization Certificate, 1867
Scope and Contents
Certificate issued by the New York Court of Common Pleas granting U.S. citzenship to Arnold Falk (Myron Falk's father).
Napoleon III Emperor medal, 1869
Einstein Family Bible, 5633 [1873]
Scope and Contents
Text translated to English by Isaac Leeser, Third Edition, Printed Philadelphia by Sherman & Co. for the Rev. Abraham De Sola. At back of book are three sheets of genealogical details (births, deaths, marriages), primarily for Milly Falk's parents, Henry L. Einstein (1849-1918) and Cecilia Sulzbacher (1855 or 1856-1943), and their immediate ancestors and two later generations.
World's Columbian Exposition medallion to Bound Brook Woolen Mills, 1892-1893
Diploma for Lewis Einstein from Columbia Grammar School. Flat box, 1894
Diploma from Columbia for Civil Engineering. Flat box, 1899
Diploma from Stevens Institute of Technology. Oversize, 1900
Scope and Contents
Degree of Mechanical Engineer to Myron S. Falk.
Certificate/diploma granting Ph.D. to Myron Falk from Columbia. Oversize, 1904
Two-handled cup, 1904?
Scope and Contents
Small metal cup with two handles made of antlers(?), with inscription "To Myron S. Falk. With best wishes of Class of 1904, Civil Engineers, Columbia University." There is no maker's mark.
National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Membership Certificate. Oversize, 1914
Scope and Contents
Awarded to Milly Einstein Falk, national number 106998, given her descent from David Leivis, a soldier in the American Revolution.
Do Right and Fear No Man medal, 1916
Merritt Haviland Smith medallion, 1926
Scope and Contents Note
Inscripted: "Engineer for 40 years of the Water Supply of the City of New York - Colonel of Artillery in the Great War 1862-1926"
Emanu-El donation receipt in honor of Arnold and Fannie Falk. Flat box, 1927
World War II Commendation for Service. Flat box, 1945
Wallet, Undated
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the business card and scrap papers found in Falk's wallet. One nitrate negative from the wallet was removed for separate storage.
Seal stamps (2), Undated
Scope and Contents Note
Seal stamp 1 reads "Myron S. Falk Incorporated"; Seal stamp 2 reads "Myron S. Falk Chairman of Building Committee"
The "Aluminum" pocket seal with box, Undated
Thermometers (2). Flat box, Undated
Chesapeake and Ohio Railway Lines golf tees, Undated
Weaved paper, Undated
Coral, Undated
Series VII. Film, 1920s-1950s, inclusive
Extent
Scope and Contents Note
The series includes film taken mostly by Myron Falk in the 1920s-1930s. Falk's travels to the Middle East, Egypt, Europe, Panama, Brazil, Caribbean, and Western United States are included, but there do not appear to be any images from the American Silk Mission or other Asian travel. Falk's films also include images of home and family in Greenwich, Connecticut (commonly referred to in the collection as Port Chester, New York) and elsewhere. Some moving images were made by Myron Falk Jr. (Johnny), including European travel in the 1930s and later family images. Much of the film was digitized by the family and digital copies were included with the collection and in the series.
During processing, the film was not viewed. Subject content noted in the container list was derived from the various labeling found on the reels and their canisters. Various labels appear to have been added over time and the container list notes their references, to the extent they could be read. All but a few reels included a reference number and a "new" number; both numbers are included in the container list.
Arrangement Note
The series is arranged, with minor adjustment, as presented to N-YHS by the donor. Film related to "travel" opens the series and is found in boxes 9 and 10. These are followed by film related to "family" in boxes 11 and 12.
Most of the reels were originally in four tin storage cases, labeled A-D. During processing at N-YHS, the film reels were rehoused into archival containers. The tin storage containers were discarded, however, the tins that housed the individual reels were retained as they have information written on them. Reels that were loose in the collection (i.e., not stored in one of the four tins) are also in Box 10. Digital media provided by the donor are noted at the close of the series.
Access Restrictions
The film reels are restricted from being viewed though the cans can be accessed for their information. The DVDs and USB with the digitized content provided by the donor are also restricted to avoid corruption of the original files. However, the contents were copied to N-YHS's network. For access to the files, contact manuscripts@nyhistory.org.
Processing Information Note
The series was inventoried by archivist Larry Weimer in May 2018. The film was surveyed by conservator Alan Balicki in May 2018 who confirmed that it was safety film; the materials were labeled as such by him. The film was also rehoused into archival containers by the conservator in 2018.
#21 / New #26
Scope and Contents
Original handwriting on bottom of can includes notes in Falk's handwriting, but cannot be fully made out: [2 words?] pictures of Scythian[?] trip. Modern tape on can: "Egypt."
#22 / New #27
Scope and Contents
Original handwriting on bottom of can is faded, but appears to refer to Luxor and other sites, 1923-1924. Original tape around can has notations: "Scythia trip", "Feb 23, 1927: Ferry up Nile River trip," "ED * FOU," and [Trip 2/24 Luxor?]. White leader on film marked as "Kids 1938 & 1939."
#23 / New #28
Scope and Contents
Original handwriting on bottom of can and similar to tape around can: "2/26/27: Nile, Luxor, Assuan, Kamomba [Kom Umbu?]." Modern tape on top of can: "Egypt."
#24 / New #29
Scope and Contents
Original handwritten note around can: "Scythia trip 1927, March." There are many other words; those that can be made out are: Jerusalem street scenes, Wailing Wall, Palestine, Bethlehem. Original handwriting on bottom of can: "Jerusalem, Egypt." Tape on reel: "Herbert [name?] Scythia trip, Feb-Apr 1927."
#25 / New #30
Scope and Contents
Original handwriting on bottom of can: "Mixture, Jerusalem, Venice." Modern tape: "Jerusalem."
#26 / New #31
Scope and Contents
Original handwriting on tape around can: "Feb 1927: Constantinople, the Mosques[?], American College, Stadium, Acropolis, The Scythia [word?], Venice, St. Marks." White leader on reel marked: Panama 1932.
#27 / New #32
Scope and Contents
Original handwriting on bottom of can is too faded to read, but dates from March 14-22. Modern tape: Munich 192?
#28 / New #33
Scope and Contents
Original handwritten note around can: "Scythia trip, March 1927: Rhine [Bemberg?] Factory [several unidentified words], Amsterdam, [Brussels?], Paris Races, [Alice Cocher?]." Original handwritten on bottom of can: [?] 3/26, Amsterdam 3/28, Brussels 3/31, Paris Apr 1-[4?]." Modern tape: Amsterdam, Brussels, Paris."
#30 / New #34
Scope and Contents
Original handwriting on bottom of can: "Colored [word?], Pictures Panama, 1929 [1927 also appears]." Modern tape: "Panama 1927. Myron, Eleanor, Mildred "boy dancing" good. rest is boring." "Reviewed by Mike & Lynne, 12/3/12."
#37 / New #37
Scope and Contents
Written on bottom of can: "Montego Bay, 1934" and "Rapps, Pursells, Hoggs."
#36 / New #39
Scope and Contents
Handwritten on bottom of can: "Panama, Feb 1933. [word?] Caracas, [word?], Panama." Modern tape on can and on reel: "Panama 1933, ?, Caracas, Caracas, Panama. Myron Falk, Cruise."
#35 / New #40
Scope and Contents
No can. Modern plastic reel. Tape on reel: "1932: Panama, Havana [3 words]."
#39 / New #41
Scope and Contents
Original handwriting on bottom of can: "Scythia, #1 Pier, 4 Madeira, Granada." Original tape around can: "Roma, Feb 1937." Modern tape: "SS Romo '37, Medit"
#34 / New #43
Scope and Contents
Original handwriting on bottom of can: "Mexico City, Ribera, Cuernavaca, Buckingham Palace, [Berongaria?] Howes, Bemberg Pl."
#33 / New #44
Scope and Contents
Original handwriting on bottom of can: "Mexico, Apr 20/31."
#38 / New #45
Scope and Contents
Original handwriting on bottom of can: 1936: Auto trip #2, Grand Canyon [other words unclear, including Patricia?]"
#5 / New #2
Scope and Contents
Original handwriting on bottom of can: "Duck hunting, football, Pre-28." Original tape around is difficult to read, but seems to include: [Yale West Point football?], Duck hunting, Naumberg, Bemberg officials, Godwin, Eleanor, Our house. Modern tape: "1925: Picnic, Duck hunting, aereal views of Portchester." On white leader of film: 1925: "Duck hunt/aereal."
#4 / New #3
Scope and Contents
Original handwritten on bottom of can: "Bucklands, Yale Game, Portchester scenes, 1925." Original tape around can is difficult to read but seems to include the following words, among many others: Portchester, father, Johnny on horse, Yale, Bucklands. Modern tape: 1925: "Family, football game, Portchester." On white leader of film: "Family 1925."
#6 / New #4
Scope and Contents
Original handwriting on bottom of can: "2nd Godwin, Naumberg, Parties [word?]" Original tape around can is difficult to read, but includes the following words, among others: summer, Grandma & children in garden, Godwin, Eleanor. Modern tape: "1926, football, Godwin Co Picnic, family w/dogs" and "1926 Godwin Co Picnic."
#8 / New #5
Scope and Contents
On bottom of can: '28. Modern tape: "1928: swimming, golf, dog play, Army vs. Yale game" and "1928: swim/golf."
#7 / New #6
Scope and Contents
On bottom of can: "circa 1927." No other subject information.
#1 / New #7
Scope and Contents
Modern tape: "Portchester in the 20s! Lots of the 3 kids, golf swings, an Isadora Duncan like dance, Perhaps Eleanor as child."
#10 / New #8
Scope and Contents
Written on bottom of can: "Old pictures, Cornell-Pa game, 1933, [caponizing hens?], Lake Placid, 1933."
#9 / New #9
Scope and Contents
Written on bottom of can: "Fire Island, July 1932; Jones Beach, Gill Haig, Johnny, Placid."
#11 / New #10
Scope and Contents
Written on can: "Feb 10, 1935: Miami, Coral Gables, [3 other words]". "[word?] Century, Arthur, Jesse, [word?], MSF: 1934." "Martin Erdmar, 1936." "Johnny @ Bermuda, 1936; Albert Hellers [word?] 1936."
#15 / New #12
Scope and Contents
Original handwriting on bottom of can: Eleanor's [honey?]moon, Mildred's graduation, Johnny flying: 1933"; "[Tex?] OK 1948." Modern tape: "1. Joe & Eleanor leaving on boat for honeymoon?, 2. Mildred's graduating, 3. Construction? 4. NY family: Joe, Eleanor, Mildred, Grandpa, Uncle George P. Andrea [?] Einstein. Mike 5/15/14"
#13 / New #16
Scope and Contents
Written on can: "Johnny's wedding trip, 1935. Italy, Berlin." On white leader on reel marked: "MSF & PB Wedding Trip (No USSR)."
#17 / New #14
Scope and Contents
Written on bottom of can (over "Rio" and other words): "Mildred Wedding, July 11, '39." Also labeled on such on reel.
#12 / New #15
Scope and Contents
Original handwriting on bottom of can cannot be read. Original tape around can: "Pat & Bobby." On top of can: "Baby Pat & Bobby." On reel: "Baby Pat & Robert."
#13 / New #16
Scope and Contents
No can. No subject label on reel. Notes from donor indicate this reel includes "Kids '38 & '39."
#14 / New #17
Scope and Contents
Original handwriting on bottom of can: "[2 words?], Taormina[?], Pompeii[?]" Modern tape: "Pat & Bobby, 1941." On white leader of film: "Bobby & Pat, 1941?"
#18 / New #19
Scope and Contents
Written on bottom of can: "Europe 1952." Written on reel: "Children in Europe.'
#19 / New #20
Scope and Contents
Written on bottom of can: "Europe, Johnny, II." Written on top of can: "Europe." Written on reel: "Europe, 1934 [overwritten to be 1930?], MSF Jr."
#2 / New #1
Scope and Contents
No original can. White leader on film: "Sports & family, Portchester, 1924?"
#3 / New #11
Scope and Contents
Film in deteriorated condition. Written on reel: "Wedding trip, 1935, Italy & Berlin." Written on tape on reel: "Lake Placid." Written on Post-it: "Could be Portchester, 1920s/1924, Lake Placid, year?"
#31 / No new # (2 reels)
Scope and Contents
No original cans. Two reels. Card describes as "Paris/Bremen/Berlin, 1931?"
#? / New #18
Scope and Contents
No original can. On white leader of film: "Color, 66th Street, B-Day/Portchester, 1941/Elberon 1942."
No numbers, 1943, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Small reel in box labeled as from Edgar Loew for development, subject "Alison at farm." DVD of the film has Post-it label "Mildred Falk Loew and Alison Loew, Summer 1943, Top Hill Farm, Port Chester.
14 DVDs and 1 USB Drive (RESTRICTED), 1920s-1950s, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Digitized versions of at least some of the film, provided by the donor. These versions include the film of Falk's travels and home movies. These discs are restricted from use. However the contents were copied to N-YHS's network. For access to the files, contact manuscripts@nyhistory.org.