Series III. Scrapbooks, 1880s-1946, inclusive
Scope and Contents
The series primarily consists of various types of documents retained in scrapbook form. Overall, the scrapbooks trace the activities of the organization from the 1890s to about 1921, though there are some earlier and later documents.
The bulk of the scrapbooks include a mix of orders, notices, announcements, circulars, newspaper clippings, programs, dress regulations for inspection or events, etc. Orders in the scrapbooks were issued by Corps headquarters or by particular offices, such as the Office of the Secretary or Office of the Commissary. Many of these documents relate to the "annual mess dinner" of the organization (the dinner menus are in the books). The Corps participation in various ceremonial events are also well-represented, for example, at the dedication of the Saratoga Battle Monument, an Evacuation Day parade, and the inauguration of William Sulzer as New York governor.
Two of the scrapbooks primarily relate to governance of the organization and hold minutes of the meetings of the Council of Administration of the Corps and Society. One scrapbook, apparently compiled by member Howland Pell, holds many original photographs and other pictorial works. A small number of related loose items that likely either fell out of the scrapbooks or were too large for them are included in the series.
Arrangement
The series is arranged with the two scrapbooks of minutes first, followed by eight general scrapbooks related to dinners, events, etc. The series closes with the pictorial scrapbooks and miscellaneous other related documents.
Minutes, reports, etc., 1904-1911, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Primarily holds Council meeting minutes, committee reports, treasurer reports, and other governance documents, as well as letters, orders, inspection announcements, clippings, etc.
Minutes, 1917-1921, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Holds minutes of the Council and of the annual membership meeting.
Events, dinners, inspections, etc., 1893-1915, inclusive
Events, dinners, inspections, etc., 1897-1913, inclusive
Events, dinners, inspections, etc., 1908-1912, inclusive
Events, dinners, inspections, etc., 1912-1914, inclusive
Events, dinners, inspections, etc., 1914-1916, inclusive
Events, dinners, inspections, etc., 1914-1918, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Among other subjects, this volume holds documents other than clippings concerning the Corps' World War I service.
Events, dinners, inspections, etc., 1916-1920, inclusive
Events, dinners, inspections, etc., 1917-1920, inclusive
Photographs & pictorials, 1880s-circa 1936, inclusive
Scope and Contents
This volume differs from the bulk of the scrapbooks in the series in two respects: 1) it is heavily pictorial with many original photographs (there are few if any original photos elsewhere in the collection) and an emphasis in the clippings on pictures rather than text, and 2) there is an overall emphasis on individuals in the organization (e.g., portraits, camps, the members' "ladies," etc.) rather than on the activities of the organization as a whole. The volume was likely compiled by a member, Howland Pell, as indicated by, among other things, letters in the volume addressed to him. Among the photographs is a striking one of a celebration on Wall Street at the surrender of Germany in World War I.
Miscellaneous clippings, 1895-1946, inclusive
Scope and Contents
This volume holds mostly clippings and differs from the other scrapbooks in the collection in that it has no perceptible focus. Its date range is long, but there are sizable gaps and is not comprehensive. Unlike the rest of the collection, the clippings extend into the 1940s. Much of the volume consists of obituaries, presumably of members. Other clippings, and some ephemera, relate to the annual dinners and other events.
Printed material, 1845-1917, inclusive
Scope and Contents
4 items: 1845 published booklet of the "Muster roll of citizen soldiers at North Point and Fort McHenry, September 12 & 13, 1814"; Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Day exercises in Manhattan, program booklets for 1903, 1904, and 1907; and an undated handbill with the memorial exercises at the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument.
Training camp cartoon strip, 1930, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Rolled item: a series of cartoon panels drawn by George Wornerspoon about Camp Lummis in Saugerties, N.Y.
Register of periodicals, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Copypress letterbook with blank, unused pages. Index at front was used as an alphabetical record of newspapers with numerical notations, for an unidentified purpose. The book was found with the collection when inventoried in 2022, but it is not evident that it was originally part of the collection.