Series IV. Official Papers, 1805-1938
Extent
Scope and Contents Note
The Official Papers series, which is the original name of the files, primarily includes material that directly relates to the Society membership and Executive Committee meetings and minute books (see Series I and II). Most of the documents are preparatory material for the meetings, preliminary notes and drafts of meeting minutes, or supporting or source materials concerning matters presented at the meetings. Much of the material in this series is likely also found recorded in the minute books or in print form, but that may not be true in all instances and these documents are typically the draft or manuscript versions which can have a research value separate from the final versions.
For each year's files from the 1840s to the 1910s, the overall content is fairly consistent. The files for these years primarily include documentation of proposed new members; drafts or manuscripts of the Librarian and Executive Committee's annual reports; drafts of statements and resolutions, including memorial remarks for recently deceased members; and documentation of the annual nomination and election of officers. The membership documentation is especially extensive and includes the original correspondence, paper slips, business cards, or standardized forms nominating candidates as members; the extract from the minutes recording the nominations, which were forwarded to the Executive Committee for its consideration; and the communication from the committee recommending acceptance of the nominees.
Also commonly found in the files of the 1840s to 1910s, though less consistently than the above materials, are remarks made by newly-elected presidents, reports of various committees formed on an ad hoc basis for particular purposes, and some financial and donation information. Some legal documents are in the series, including the agreement by which N-YHS acquired the collection of the New York Gallery of Fine Arts. Documentation related to the funding and construction of buildings for N-YHS is found in the years 1840s-1850s, and again in the 1880s-early 1900s. References to the publications program and its funding and to various special events are found here also. The container list below includes notes at the folder level to highlight at least some of the noteworthy items identified during processing.
The series includes a set of files dating from 1899-1905 that were maintained by Sydney H. Carney, Jr., N-YHS's Recording Secretary for much of this period. Carney was also a member of the Central Park West Building Committee during this period and was that committee's secretary in some years. The most substantive portions of Carney's files relate to the building project, especially in regard to controversy over the architect's unanticipated need to change the building design. These documents include correspondence from architects York & Sawyer and others; draft resolutions; drafts of Carney's outgoing correspondence to the architects, to N-YHS presidents Eugene and Samuel Hoffman, and to others; notes taken about telephone calls; draft committee minutes; a subscription book; and other documents related to the project. Carney's files also include correspondence related to his Recording Secretary responsibilities, including requests from Librarian Robert H. Kelby for signatures on meeting extracts, member certificates, and Publication Fund shares and share transfers; requests for resolutions to be drafted; notices from officers and committee members of meetings they would be unable to attend; and other such routine business matters.
Subsequent to the 1910s, for the files of the 1920s and 1930s, the scope of the documentation narrows, with little material related to the monthly Executive Committee minutes. Much of the routine matter for these years includes the manuscript Annual Reports (Librarian, Executive Committee, and Field Exploration Committee) and lists of approved new members and of deaths ("necrology"). The bulk of the documents for these years relate to the triennial officer elections, the by-law changes of 1917 and 1937, and the special membership meeting called in 1936 to approve the Executive Committee's decision to initiate construction of the Central Park West building expansion. Proxy voting was introduced with the 1917 elections and much of the bulk of the material for the 1920s and 1930s includes the proxy certificates and the recordkeeping concerning them. Nonetheless, the contentious elections of 1917 and 1920, driven by charges of mismanagement by Mrs. Van Rensselaer, are well-documented here with correspondence, circulars, meeting transcripts, and competing ballots.
For consistency with the Executive Committee minutes series, the Official Papers series includes the year 1938, the first year that N-YHS was governed by a Board of Trustees, newly-constituted under the by-law changes of 1937.
The earliest files in this series, from prior to the 1840s, are much more uneven in content and are of a different character than the later files. The bulk of the documents for these first three decades of N-YHS's history are invoices, receipts, and account statements, such as those related to purchases of books, moving the library to and setting up the rooms at the New York Institution and other places, creating the mineralogy cabinet, printing circulars and publishing advertisements, and other expenses. Files in the late 1820s are especially rich with regard to N-YHS's efforts to resolve its debts. This material concerns the claims of John Pintard and John Francis for purchases they made for N-YHS, and the releases obtained from various creditors. Other than financial matters, the early files contain some of N-YHS's early circulars to the public, meeting agendas and extracts, and librarian and committee reports.
Arrangement Note
The series is arranged in chronological order, which appears to have been the original order of the files. The files advance in yearly increments, except for the files from N-YHS's earliest decades, which were somewhat disorganized and included multiple years.
Within each year, the documents are also generally arranged in chronological order. Many documents though are undated; these were typically left in the folders in which they were found on the assumption they were filed with the correct year. These undated documents are found at the end of each year.
Most years include the manuscript drafts of the annual reports of the Executive Committee and the Librarian. These reports were prepared for the January membership meeting and summarized the activities of the prior year. The original filing of these reports was inconsistent across the series and could not be reliably rationalized during processing, especially since some are undated and unclear as to which year they refer. Accordingly, the annual report drafts were left in the files in which they were found. For the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, a year's report will typically be found in the following year's file. From about 1920 through the end of the series in 1938, the report will be found with its subject year.
Much of the material in the earliest years (1805-circa 1850) are invoices and other financial documents. Payment delays were common so the bills for a prior year are often found in the following year. Also, many of these financial documents are account statements that refer to past transactions of prior years.
Folders labeled with just a date or date range include standard subject matter as described in the Scope and Contents Note. Some individual documents were identified as specifically noteworthy and were referenced in a note at the folder level. Folders that include a subject in their label include documents related to that subject only.
Processing Information Note
The official papers were processed perhaps circa 2000, with documents transferred from original folders to archival containers. In 2015, project archivist Larry Weimer refined the arrangement, principally by sorting documents within each year into the meeting or topic they related to, created the inventory and other descriptive notes, and organized it as a series within the management committee record group.
Official Papers. 1805-1813 (1 of 7). Constitution, Address and Queries (drafts)., 1805
Scope and Contents Note
One of the drafts of the N-YHS Constitution indicates that it was found among family papers and presented to N-YHS by Samuel W. Francis, April 21, 1883.
Official Papers. 1805-1813 (2 of 7). Address to the Public (print)., 1805?, 1809-1810
Official Papers. 1805-1813 (3 of 7). Membership Invitation with Constitution, Address and Queries (print)., 1805 February 12
Scope and Contents Note
Includes a print invitation to become a member of N-YHS, signed by Corresponding Secretary Samuel Miller.
Official Papers. 1805-1813 (4 of 7). New York Herald Publication of N-YHS Constitution, 1805 February 13
Official Papers. 1805-1813 (5 of 7). Subscribers to the Anniversary Festival on St. Nicholas' Day, 1811 December
Official Papers. 1805-1813 (6 of 7). Report of Librarian John W. Francis., 1812 December 7
Official Papers. 1805-1813 (7 of 7). Donation List., 1813 July 21
Official Papers. 1816, 1816
Scope and Contents Note
Includes only one document: an extract of a letter from John W. Francis, writing from London with favorable views of Americans, the extract laid before a meeting of the Society.
Official Papers. 1817-1818 (1 of 3)., February-June 1817
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the printed circular of the American Zoology and Geology Committee and the printed Report on Botany and Vegetable Physiology.
Official Papers. 1817-1818 (2 of 3)., October 1817-January 1818
Official Papers. 1817-1818 (3 of 3)., April-December 1818
Scope and Contents Note
Includes G. Schulte's manuscript on serpents that was presented by Gov. Clinton at the November 10, 1818, Society meeting and referred to the Committee on Publications. Includes a report on the development of the zoological and geological specimens in the Cabinet and reports about the Library.
Official Papers. 1819, 1819
Scope and Contents Note
Includes a list of members from N-YHS's founding to October 1819; the list includes election date and the name of the nominating member. According to a card with the document, the list is in the handwriting of Dr. Lyman Spalding, N-YHS Corresponding Secretary in 1819-20. The list was given to N-YHS by Spalding's grandson, Dr. James Alfred Spalding, in 1919.
Official Papers. 1805-1819 (1 of 3). Invoices and Other Financial Documents., 1805, 1809-1811, 1816
Scope and Contents Note
See also the folders below for 1828; these include bills from 1809-19 submitted in 1828 by John Pintard for reimbursement. The bills include expenses related to the 1817 creation of the mineralogy cabinet.
Official Papers. 1805-1819 (2 of 3). Invoices and Other Financial Documents., 1817
Official Papers. 1805-1819 (3 of 3). Invoices and Other Financial Documents., 1818-1819
Scope and Contents Note
Includes invoice for cartage fees for a specimen of the Giant's Causeway.
Official Papers. "Invoices for Books, etc. Purchased for N-YHS by John W. Francis, John Pintard, and others" (1 of 2)., 1805, 1810, 1813-14, 1817-1818
Scope and Contents Note
These two folders of invoices include a note indicating they were presented to N-YHS by Dr. Valentine Matt Francis on Dec. 20, 1906.
Official Papers. "Invoices for Books, etc. Purchased for N-YHS by John W. Francis, John Pintard, and others" (2 of 2)., 1818, ca. 1818
Official Papers. John W. Francis Documents, 1815, 1818, Undated
Scope and Contents Note
Includes three photoreproductions of financial documents related to John Francis's transactions (originals not found).
Official Papers. Circa 1804-1820?, ca. 1804-1820?
Scope and Contents Note
Includes two undated documents: a draft of a "prospectus of a reading society" and a list of U.S. government documents of the 1790s.
Official Papers. 1820-1823, 1820-1823
Scope and Contents Note
Includes documents related to John W. Francis's financial claims on N-YHS and the report of the committee established to resolve these. Includes the report of the committee assigned to investigate the conduct of William Ducachet at meetings.
Official Papers. 1824-1826, 1824-1826
Official Papers. 1827, 1827
Official Papers. 1828 (1 of 5), 1828
Scope and Contents Note
Among other matters, this and the next three folders include a substantial number of documents concerning the work of the committee charged with resolving the claims of N-YHS's various creditors, among them being John Pintard and John Francis. Some of the documents submitted by the claimants in 1828 refer to transactions dating from as early as 1809. This first folder also includes a list of the N-YHS Cabinet objects left in rooms with the Lyceum.
Official Papers. 1828 (2 of 5), 1828
Official Papers. 1828 (3 of 5), 1824, 1828
Scope and Contents Note
This folder includes the releases negotiated with N-YHS's creditors: NY Evening Post, NY Daily Advertiser, NY American, David Hosack, William Mercein, John Francis, and George Gibbs. There are also unresolved claims from the estate of James Eastburn.
Official Papers. 1828 (4 of 5), 1817-1819, 1828
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the claims of John Pintard, the underlying transaction documents from 1809-1819, and the committee's analysis of the claims. Transactions include those associated with creating the mineralogy cabinet in 1817.
Official Papers. 1828 (5 of 5), 1828-1829
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the financial summary for 1828 prepared by Treasurer John Delafield showing revenue (dues collected from members, investment income, and the grant received from New York state) and expenses, with the June 1829 certification of the audit committee.
Official Papers. 1829 (1 of 2), 1829
Scope and Contents Note
Includes a printed N-YHS Constitution and By-Laws, with donor list; New York Assembly print of the report of N-YHS to the Legislature regarding the state's $5,000 grant; and the pamphlet Plan for Promoting Common School Education in Greece, produced by a committee chaired by Albert Gallatin and meeting at the N-YHS.
Official Papers. 1829 (2 of 2), 1829
Scope and Contents Note
Includes documents related to N-YHS's cataloging of its collection of coins and medals as of 1829, principally those received from the Kunze estate in 1818. These documents underlie N-YHS's 1830 print version of the coin catalogue. Among the documents are a lengthy extract from an 1800 letter from Kunze to Dr. Mitchell in which Kunze describes the collection, the report of the Committee on the Arrangement of the Cabinet, and inventories.
Official Papers. 1830-1839 (1 of 8). Bills Paid in 1830., 1829-1830
Scope and Contents Note
This folder and the following seven folders primarily include the bills presented to N-YHS for payment in the 1830s. Generally, the bills are grouped in a folder by the year they were paid, though the date range typically indicates the date of the bill, which is often from a prior year. Some bills dated in the 1830s include references to transactions occurring from as far back as 1827.
Official Papers. 1830-1839 (2 of 8). Bills Paid in 1831., 1830-1831
Official Papers. 1830-1839 (3 of 8). Bills Paid in 1832., 1827, 1830-1832
Official Papers. 1830-1839 (4 of 8). Bills Paid in 1833-1836., 1833
Official Papers. 1830-1839 (5 of 8). Bills Paid in 1836-1838., 1836-1838
Official Papers. 1830-1839 (6 of 8). Bills Paid in 1839., 1938-1939
Official Papers. 1830-1839 (7 of 8). Bills Paid in 1839., 1839
Official Papers. 1830-1839 (8 of 8). Various Receipts., 1830, [1839]
Scope and Contents Note
Includes a list of books auctioned for N-YHS, books exchanged, dues received, and miscellaneous receipts and financial notes. The bulk of the items are from 1839, but there is one 1830 receipt for dues paid by Dr. Francis.
Official Papers. 1839. Washington Inauguration Anniversary Festival., 1839
Official Papers. 1839-1842 (1 of 2)., 1839-1842
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the memorial of Timothy Alden. See also the 1843 folder below for a print advertisement for the 1841 lecture series to be delivered by Jared Sparks.
Official Papers. 1839-1842 (2 of 2). Eagle Fire Co. Insurance Policies., 1839-1842
Official Papers. 1843., 1841, 1843
Official Papers. 1844-1845 (1 of 4)., 1844-ca. 1845
Scope and Contents Note
Includes three designs for a N-YHS medal.
Official Papers. 1844-1845 (2 of 4)., 1845
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the report of the committee charged with considering whether a more appropriate name than "United States of America" might be recommended for the nation; they offer "Republic of Allegania." Includes an article from a German publication about the Collections of the New-York Historical Society, 2nd series, Volume 1; article is in German, with a translation.
Official Papers. 1844-1845 (3 of 4). 40th Anniversary Dinner., 1844
Official Papers. 1844-1845 (4 of 4). Bills and Accounts., 1841, 1844-1845
Official Papers. 1846 (1 of 6)., 1846
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the mailing to corresponding members requesting that they obtain and contribute materials for the Library and the N-YHS petition to the U.S. House of Representatives to remove import duties on books.
Official Papers. 1846 (2 of 6)., 1846
Official Papers. 1846 (3 of 6)., 1845-[1846]
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the Librarian's report concerning the proposed Vattemare donation and the statement by Thomas Henenden(?) opposing the proposed resolution memorializing former U.S. president Andrew Jackson.
Official Papers. 1846 (4 of 6). Revival of Lapsed Incorporation., 1846 ca. February
Official Papers. 1846 (5 of 6). Committee on Publishing of Proceedings., 1846 February
Official Papers. 1846 (6 of 6). Inventory of William L. Stone Collection., 1846 April
Official Papers. 1847 (1 of 5)., 1847
Scope and Contents Note
Includes committee reports concerning appeals for subscriptions to construct a fireproof building, with drafts of the appeal. Includes the memorial of Peter G. Stuyvesant, written by Luther Bradish.
Official Papers. 1847 (2 of 5)., 1847
Official Papers. 1847 (3 of 5)., 1847
Official Papers. 1847 (4 of 5). Committee on Publishing a Monthly Bulletin of Proceedings., 1847
Official Papers. 1847 (5 of 5). Bills and Accounts., 1847
Scope and Contents Note
Includes account summaries of transactions dating back to 1845. Most of these relate to the Library General Account and so identify purchased books and other items for 1845-46.
Official Papers. 1848 (1 of 4)., 1848
Official Papers. 1848 (2 of 4)., 1848
Scope and Contents Note
Includes copies of the print appeal for funds for a fireproof building, with handwritten draft of the covering letter.
Official Papers. 1848 (3 of 4)., 1848
Official Papers. 1848 (4 of 4). Bills and Accounts., 1848-1849
Official Papers. 1848. "Memoranda Relating to the Business of the Hist. Society.", 1848-1862
Scope and Contents Note
This folder includes a notebook that appears to have been started in 1848 and that includes entries and loose receipts and other documents to 1862, although there are not entries for every year in that range. Entries include lists of life members to 1848, list of tea and coffee furniture held by N-YHS in 1848, inventory of N-YHS publications on hand to 1850, publications sent to other Societies in 1848-1850, list of delinquents receiving the May 1, 1848, and February 1, 1849, circulars, member accounts given to Peter Jackson for collection in 1848 and 1849, expense summaries and distribution record of the 1859 catalogue, and various accounts with entries from 1848 to 1862.
Official Papers. 1849 (1 of 4)., 1849
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the report of the committee formed to consider the proposal from the Lyceum of Natural History for an exchange of objects found in the former Cabinet of the N-YHS for books; in considering this proposal, the committee briefly recounts the history of the Lyceum's acquisition of objects from N-YHS.
Official Papers. 1849 (2 of 4)., 1849
Official Papers. 1849 (3 of 4)., 1849
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the memorial of Albert Gallatin.
Official Papers. 1849 (4 of 4). Bills and Accounts., 1847-1849
Scope and Contents Note
Includes documents from 1847-1849 concerning bill payment disputes with William Van Norden, printer of the Proceedings; see also the 1848 folder of bills and accounts for Van Norden documents.
Official Papers. Circa 1840s., [1840s?]
Scope and Contents Note
Includes undated documents, possibly from the 1840s. These include a report from the Librarian proposing new regulations, member nominations, the print version of the request of members to pay any of their dues in arrears, and various financial-related notes.
Official Papers. 1850 (1 of 5)., 1850
Scope and Contents Note
Includes a draft of the by-laws for the Committee, or Trustees, of the Building Fund. Includes resolutions providing for some financial compensation for the Librarian.
Official Papers. 1850 (2 of 5)., 1850 June, 1852
Scope and Contents Note
Includes Luther Bradish's remarks regarding James Lenox and his presentation to N-YHS of a copy of Washington's Farewell Address. Includes newspaper clippings from 1852 about the authorship of the Address.
Official Papers. 1850 (3 of 5).
Scope and Contents Note
Includes resolutions concerning the death of U.S. President Zachary Taylor.
Official Papers. 1850 (4 of 5).
Official Papers. 1850 (5 of 5).
Official Papers. 1851 (1 of 6)., 1851
Official Papers. 1851 (2 of 6)., 1851
Official Papers. 1851 (3 of 6)., 1851
Official Papers. 1851 (4 of 6)., 1851
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the memorial to Philip Hone.
Official Papers. 1851 (5 of 6)., 1851
Scope and Contents Note
Includes newspaper clippings related to meetings, such as announcements, record of proceedings, remarks, etc.
Official Papers. 1851 (6 of 6). Bills and Accounts., 1847-1855
Scope and Contents Note
The original label for these documents indicates that they are for Librarian George H. Moore's account for the years 1850-51. The documents date from 1847-1955, with some account lists referring to transactions back to 1845.
Official Papers. 1852 (1 of 4)., 1852
Official Papers. 1852 (2 of 4)., 1852
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the records of ticket distribution for the Daniel Webster lecture of February 1852 and minutes of the committee making the arrangements.
Official Papers. 1852 (3 of 4). Building Fund., 1851-1852
Scope and Contents Note
Includes documents related to the efforts to raise subscriptions for a fireproof building fund. These documents include a print version of John Jay's objections to the building fund trustees' intent to purchase property before certain conditions were met, a renewal of the subscription appeal, the circular announcing a series of benefit lectures, and a ticket to the series.
Official Papers. 1852 (4 of 4)., 1852
Official Papers. 1853., 1853
Official Papers. 1854 (1 of 2)., 1854
Official Papers. 1854 (2 of 2)., 1854
Official Papers. 1855 (1 of 3)., 1855
Scope and Contents Note
Includes correspondence from Benson Lossing regarding New York state government manuscripts he has found from the colonial and early republic periods, and the report of the N-YHS committee formed to look into these.
Official Papers. 1855 (2 of 3)., 1855
Official Papers. 1855 (3 of 3). Building Fund., 1855
Official Papers. 1856 (1 of 4)., 1855-1856
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the report and memorial of the Committee on National Medals (formed in April 1854), with related response from the U.S. Mint. Includes records of dues in arrears and some related correspondence from former members declining to pay.
Official Papers. 1856 (2 of 4)., 1856
Official Papers. 1856 (3 of 4)., 1856
Official Papers. 1856 (4 of 4). Building Fund., 1856
Official Papers. 1857 (1 of 3)., 1857
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the report of the Fine Arts Committee recommending acceptance of the donation by John Earl Williams of a bust of Columbus.
Official Papers. 1857 (2 of 3)., 1857
Scope and Contents Note
Includes President Bradish's remarks at the November 3 dedication of the new N-YHS building and a ticket to the event, Chairman of the Building Fund Trustees de Peyster's draft remarks at the December meeting, and the final report of the Buildings Committee.
Official Papers. 1857 (3 of 3)., 1857
Official Papers. 1858 (1 of 7)., 1858
Official Papers. 1858 (2 of 7)., 1858
Official Papers. 1858 (3 of 7)., 1858
Official Papers. 1858 (4 of 7). Letter Concerning Steam Power., 1858 January 2
Scope and Contents Note
Includes Joseph Renwick's lengthy letter to Frederic de Peyster proposing a paper to be read to N-YHS regarding steam power. In the letter, among other topics, Renwick discusses his own experience aboard Fulton's original steamboat on the Hudson and other such experiences.
Official Papers. 1858 (5 of 7). Columbia College Rental., 1858 May
Scope and Contents Note
Includes documents related to the rental of the N-YHS Library to Columbia College for university lectures.
Official Papers. 1858 (6 of 7). NY Gallery of Fine Arts., 1858 June
Scope and Contents Note
Includes documents related to the acquisition of the collection of the New York Gallery of the Fine Arts, including the signed and sealed agreement, which includes a list of the paintings and sculpture acquired.
Official Papers. 1858 (7 of 7)., 1858-1859
Scope and Contents Note
Includes a recapitulation of the expenses and receipts (1850-1859) associated with the Building Fund.
Volume: By-Laws, Report on Seth Grosvenor's Will, New-York Gallery of the Fine Arts Agreement and Catalogue, Lectures, 1858
Scope and Contents Note
Includes transcribed copies of the noted documents. Lectures refers to the report of the committee on lectures for 1958. Volume was bound by N-YHS on July 2, 1936.
Official Papers. 1859 (1 of 4)., 1859
Official Papers. 1859 (2 of 4)., 1859
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the agreement between N-YHS and the Second Universalist Society for the rental of rooms for services, with provision to extend the agreement to 1862; later pencilled annotations indicate the possibility of extending the term to 1866.
Official Papers. 1859 (3 of 4)., 1859
Official Papers. 1859 (4 of 4). Ventilation Report., 1859 May
Scope and Contents Note
Includes a report by Dr. D.B. Reid assessing the ventilation of the N-YHS building.
Official Papers. 1860 (1 of 6)., 1860
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the memorial of James Kirke Paulding.
Official Papers. 1860 (2 of 6)., 1860
Scope and Contents Note
Includes a circular to members with information concerning meetings, library hours, collections, publications, etc.
Official Papers. 1860 (3 of 6)., 1860
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the report of the committee appointed to attempt to acquire the manuscripts owned by Abraham Tomlinson.
Official Papers. 1860 (4 of 6)., 1860
Official Papers. 1860 (5 of 6). Washington Irving Birthday Commemoration., 1860 March-April
Scope and Contents Note
Includes an event invitation and ticket, correspondence, draft circular announcement, N-YHS President Bradish's remarks at the event, annotated clippings of William Cullen Bryant's remarks, and the report of the N-YHS Committee on Arrangements.
Official Papers. 1860 (6 of 6). O'Reilly's Telegraph Documents. Draft Catalogue., 1860 May
Official Papers. 1861 (1 of 3)., 1861
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the report of the committee formed to draft regulations for admission to the N-YHS meetings and its collections.
Official Papers. 1861 (2 of 3)., 1861
Scope and Contents Note
Includes memorial of John W. Francis.
Official Papers. 1861 (3 of 3)., 1861
Official Papers. 1862 (1 of 4)., 1862
Official Papers. 1862 (2 of 4)., 1862
Scope and Contents Note
Includes member and non-member tickets for entrance to the March meeting.
Official Papers. 1862 (3 of 4)., 1862
Scope and Contents Note
The member nominations in this folder include that of Henry Dexter (October).
Official Papers. 1862 (4 of 4)., 1862
Official Papers. 1863 (1 of 6)., 1863
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the memorial of Edward Robinson.
Official Papers. 1863 (2 of 6)., 1863
Official Papers. 1863 (3 of 6)., 1863
Official Papers. 1863 (4 of 6)., 1863
Official Papers. 1863 (5 of 6). Luther Bradish Memorials., 1863
Official Papers. 1863 (6 of 6). William Bradford Birthday Commemoration., 1863
Scope and Contents Note
N-YHS petty cash expenditures are recorded on the back of tickets for the Bradford event. See also 1864 folders for similar petty cash records for that year on the back of Bradford tickets.
Official Papers. 1864 (1 of 8)., 1863-1864
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the rules established in January for the Executive Committee.
Official Papers. 1864 (2 of 8)., 1864
Scope and Contents Note
Includes documents related to the Jarvis and Thomas J. Bryan art collections.
Official Papers. 1864 (3 of 8)., 1864
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the committee report related to the Jarvis and Bryan art collections. Includes the circular requesting contributions of arms, trophies, and other artifacts related to the U.S. army and navy, especially New York City regimental flags and captured rebel flags. Includes documents related to the commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the conquest of New Netherland.
Official Papers. 1864 (4 of 8)., 1864
Official Papers. 1864 (5 of 8). Petty Cash Records., 1864
Official Papers. 1864 (6 of 8). Spooner Dictionary Matter., 1864
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the agreement between N-YHS and bookseller James Bonton for the use of N-YHS's stereograph plates to print new editions of two works by Spooner, the subsequent cancellation of the agreement and transferral of the ownership of the plates to Bonton, and the correspondence from Bonton concerning missing plates that related to these matters.
Official Papers. 1864 (7 of 8). Lectures on Egypt., 1864
Scope and Contents Note
Includes mostly financial bills and receipts related to the lecture series.
Official Papers. 1864 (8 of 8). E.H. Davis Collection., 1861, 1863-1864
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the signed agreement, inventory, and correspondence concerning the acquisition of Edwin Hamilton Davis's collection of American antiquities.
Official Papers. 1865 (1 of 4)., 1865
Scope and Contents Note
Includes a sketch "Waiting for the Returns--Annual Election NYHS," drawn by Domestic Corresponding Secretary Brodhead at the January meeting.
Official Papers. 1865 (2 of 4)., 1865
Official Papers. 1865 (3 of 4)., 1865
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the report of the committee on arms, trophies, and other U.S. army and navy artifacts.
Official Papers. 1865 (4 of 4). Committee on the Publication Fund., 1865-1866
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the Committee on the Publication Fund report of November 7, 1865, and the minutes of the committee meetings for March 18, 1865, to March 17, 1866.
Official Papers. 1866 (1 of 4)., 1866
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the letter from Mathew Brady of January 6, 1866, in which he proposes a conditional donation of his collection of photographs to N-YHS.
Official Papers. 1866 (2 of 4)., 1866
Scope and Contents Note
Includes documents concerning complaints about the cold winter temperature in the library, and its resolution.
Official Papers. 1866 (3 of 4)., 1866
Scope and Contents Note
Includes an unsigned agreement to rent the N-YHS hall to the Second Universalist Society for 1866-67, with pencilled revisions to rent it to the Reformed Presbyterian Church for 1867-68.
Official Papers. 1866 (4 of 4)., 1866
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the memorial of Horace Green.
Official Papers. Circa 1864-1866. De Peyster Matters., Circa 1864-1866
Scope and Contents Note
Includes various documents that appear to have been compiled by, or relate in some way to, N-YHS President Frederic De Peyster. These include records of the distribution, expenses and receipts associated with various addresses by De Peyster (ca. 1865-1866 and perhaps to 1868); historical observations sent to De Peyster by John McVicker(?); information from the Department of Charities and Correction on the number of people in its various institutions and receiving "outdoor" aid (1864); a letter from the New York City Inspector's Department responding to De Peyster that fears of the draft have prevented the taking of an accurate city census and so can only provide estimates for 1863-64 (1865); historical notes on some N-YHS presidents; a print of a speech made in Congress on April 11, 1864, by H. Winter Davis of Maryland, sent by Davis to De Peyster; appeals from the Ladies' Mount Vernon Association for contributions; and a clipping regarding remarks at N-YHS, including those of De Peyster and George Bancroft memorializing Edward Everett.
Official Papers. 1867 (1 of 5)., 1867-1868
Official Papers. 1867 (2 of 5)., 1867
Scope and Contents Note
Includes a signed agreement between N-YHS and the Second Reformed Presbyterian Church for rental of the hall for services for 1867-68.
Official Papers. 1867 (3 of 5)., 1867
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the memorial of John Alsop King.
Official Papers. 1867 (4 of 5)., 1867
Official Papers. 1867 (5 of 5). Plaster Bas-Relief by Ottin., 1855, 1867
Scope and Contents Note
Includes documents related to the acquisition of Ottin's bas-relief Triumphal March of the Republic. Two documents, including one signed by Monsieur Ottin, are in French.
Official Papers. 1867-1868. Sales of Osgood's Discourse., 1867-1868
Scope and Contents Note
Includes bills and other financial records related to the sales of a print of a discourse by Samuel Osgood.
Official Papers. 1868 (1 of 4)., 1868
Official Papers. 1868 (2 of 4)., 1868
Scope and Contents Note
Includes Librarian Moore's reflections on the history of his compensation since 1849 as the subject is on the April agenda; the related committee report is also in the folder. The folder also includes the N-YHS circular requesting support for creating the Museum of History, Antiquities, and Art in Central Park.
Official Papers. 1868 (3 of 4)., 1868
Official Papers. 1868 (4 of 4)., 1868
Scope and Contents Note
Includes unattributed remarks proposing an increase in membership dues in order to support current, operational expenses.
Official Papers. 1869 (1 of 4)., 1869
Official Papers. 1869 (2 of 4)., 1869
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the memorials of George Folsom and Alexander Stevens. Includes the report of the committee assigned to evaluate Thomas Townsend's Historical Record & Encyclopedia of the Great Rebellion to determine whether to acquire it; see also the next folder for other documents on this subject, including Townsend's comments to the Executive Committee about his work.
Official Papers. 1869 (3 of 4)., 1869
Official Papers. 1869 (4 of 4)., 1869
Official Papers. 1870 (1 of 4)., 1870
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the memorial of Gulian C. Verplanck.
Official Papers. 1870 (2 of 4)., 1870
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the memorial of Frederick S. Cozzens.
Official Papers. 1870 (3 of 4)., 1870
Official Papers. 1870 (4 of 4). Bryant Discourse on G.C. Verplanck., 1870 May
Scope and Contents Note
Includes tickets and other documents concerning William Cullen Bryant's discourse on Gulian C. Verplanck at Steinway Hall.
Official Papers. 1871 (1 of 3)., 1871
Official Papers. 1871 (2 of 3)., 1871
Official Papers. 1871 (3 of 3)., 1869, 1871
Scope and Contents Note
Includes pages from the October 9, 1869, publication The Academy.
Official Papers. 1872 (1 of 6)., 1872
Official Papers. 1872 (2 of 6)., 1872
Scope and Contents Note
Includes correspondence related to objections raised by the Society to the memorial to Mr. Motley, written by John Jay and read at the June meeting by John Austin Stevens.
Official Papers. 1872 (3 of 6)., 1872
Official Papers. 1872 (4 of 6). Henry B. Dawson Matter., 1872
Scope and Contents Note
This folder and the next includes correspondence, affidavits, newspaper clippings, notes, meeting extracts, and other documents related to Henry B. Dawson's purported membership in N-YHS, his proposed by-law amendment, and his related lawsuit.
Official Papers. 1872 (5 of 6). Henry B. Dawson Matter., 1872
Official Papers. 1872 (6 of 6). Buckingham Smith Acquisition, 1870-1872
Scope and Contents Note
Includes correspondence, purchase receipt, resolutions, inventory of volumes, object descriptive notes, and other documents concerning the acquisition of a globe and books from the estate of Buckingham Smith. The documents in this folder were found in 2016 in the manuscript collection of Buckingham Smith papers and were moved to the N-YHS institutional archive, which was their likely original location in large part. A few of the documents do not bear directly on the acquisition, including a statement from Bellevue Hospital concerning Smith's death.
Official Papers. 1873 (1 of 7)., 1873
Official Papers. 1873 (2 of 7)., 1873
Official Papers. 1873 (3 of 7)., 1873
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the memorial of Hickson W. Field.
Official Papers. 1873 (4 of 7)., 1873
Official Papers. 1873 (5 of 7)., 1873
Official Papers. 1873 (6 of 7)., 1873
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the memorials of John Romeyn Brodhead, John A. Parker, and Thomas Ward.
Official Papers. 1873 (7 of 7). Thomas W.C. Moore Collection., 1873
Scope and Contents Note
Includes documents related to the bequest to N-YHS of autograph letters and paintings from Thomas W.C. Moore. The documents include an inventory of Moore's paintings with what appears to be Moore's own remarks on the circumstances of his acquisitions of each. The inventory includes 77 paintings, only fifteen of which were bequeathed to N-YHS; two others are noted as having been presented to N-YHS in October 1857.
Official Papers. 1874 (1 of 4)., 1874
Official Papers. 1874 (2 of 4)., 1874
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the memorials of Millard Fillmore and Charles Sumner.
Official Papers. 1874 (3 of 4)., 1874
Official Papers. 1874 (4 of 4)., 1874
Scope and Contents Note
Includes N-YHS's petition to the Common Council that the pre-1831 manuscript originals of the Council minutes be printed; remarks and resolutions on the occasion of William Cullen Bryant's 80th birthday; and attendance record of the Executive Committee members for September 1872-March 1874.
Official Papers. 1875 (1 of 3)., 1874-1875
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the memorial of Jonathan Sturges. Includes the catalogue of items presented to N-YHS by Cyrus Curtiss on March 2, 1875.
Official Papers. 1875 (2 of 3)., 1875
Official Papers. 1875 (3 of 3)., 1875
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the report of the committee concerned with plans for celebrating the Centennial Anniversary of American Independence in 1876.
Official Papers. 1876 (1 of 4)., 1876
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the memorials of Prosper M. Wetmore, Peter Cooper, and Solomon Alofsen(?).
Official Papers. 1876 (2 of 4). Centennial Memorials., 1876
Official Papers. 1876 (3 of 4). Steam Heating for Building., 1876
Scope and Contents Note
This folder includes correspondence, print matter, and cost estimates received in connection with the possibility of installing steam heat in the N-YHS building. The project was not pursued at the time.
Official Papers. 1876 (4 of 4). Steam Heating for Building., 1876
Scope and Contents Note
This oversize folder includes one document: a plan drawn by engineers Baker Smith & Co. of the three floors of the N-YHS building. Although it emphasizes the placement of the steam heating facilities, it also includes some other details, such as room names and dimensions.
Official Papers. 1871-1876. Bills and Accounts., 1871-1876
Official Papers. 1877 (1 of 4)., 1876-1877
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the final report of the subscribers and expenses of the 1876 Celebration of the Battle of Harlem Plains. Includes a letter from E. Ellery Anderson and a report from the Librarian concerning the donation of 392 Egyptian and other objects.
Official Papers. 1877 (2 of 4)., 1877
Official Papers. 1877 (3 of 4)., 1877
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the memorial of John Lathrop Motley by John Jay.
Official Papers. 1877 (4 of 4)., 1877
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the memorial of James William Beekman, remarks by the N-YHS president acknowledging the donation by George Clinton Tallmadge of the portrait of Governor George Clinton by Ezra Hines, the remarks of the Librarian on his resignation, and drafts of N-YHS's protest to the New York State legislature concerning the proposed suspension of publication of colonial records.
Official Papers. 1878 (1 of 3)., 1878
Official Papers. 1878 (2 of 3)., 1878
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the memorials of Willian Cullen Bryant, Edward Satterlee and Joseph Henry. Includes the Librarian's comments on the discovery of pieces of the statue of George III formerly in Bowling Green and recently purchased for N-YHS.
Official Papers. 1878 (3 of 3)., 1878
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the list of individuals invited to the William Cullen Bryant commemoration. Includes the list of subscribers for the purchase of two paintings: A.B. Durand portrait of Col. Aaron Ogden and Charles C. Ingham portrait of Gulian C. Verplanck.
Official Papers. 1879 (1 of 3)., 1879
Official Papers. 1879 (2 of 3)., 1879
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the memorial of Governor John A. Dix.
Official Papers. 1879 (3 of 3)., 1879
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the memorial of Benjamin Winthrop.
Official Papers. 1880 (1 of 4)., 1880
Official Papers. 1880 (2 of 4)., 1880
Scope and Contents Note
Includes a memorial of Joel Munsell.
Official Papers. 1880 (3 of 4)., 1880
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the memorial of Erastus C. Benedict by George F. Betts (manuscript version of piece noted as printed in Magazine of American History for January 1881) and the report of the committee formed to select an artist (Daniel Huntington) for a portrait of the late John A. Dix.
Official Papers. 1880 (4 of 4). General Committee., 1880-[1882?]
Scope and Contents Note
Includes documents related to the committee formed in March 1880 to consider the future of N-YHS, especially in terms of a new building, an endowment, a Publication Fund, and other long-term matters. Invitations and responses to an October meeting and minutes of meetings are included. One summary document refers to related events out to June 1882.
Official Papers. 1881 (1 of 3)., 1881
Scope and Contents Note
Includes draft of a circular to members concerning membership privileges and related matters. Includes subscriptions for rearrangement of the Abbott Egyptian collection in new cases and into the principal gallery for better lighting and exhibition.
Official Papers. 1881 (2 of 3)., 1881
Official Papers. 1881 (3 of 3)., 1881
Scope and Contents Note
Includes documents concerning N-YHS's 77th anniversary celebration at which Andrew D. White spoke.
Official Papers. 1882 (1 of 4)., 1882
Scope and Contents Note
Includes a circular to members concerning membership privileges and related matters.
Official Papers. 1882 (2 of 4)., 1882
Scope and Contents Note
Includes one of the two reports submitted by the Committee on Publications to the Executive Committee in April 1882 assessing the operation of the Publication Fund.
Official Papers. 1882 (3 of 4)., 1882
Official Papers. 1882 (4 of 4). Fine Arts Committee, Durr Bequest., 1882
Official Papers. 1883 (1 of 6)., 1883
Official Papers. 1883 (2 of 6)., 1883
Official Papers. 1883 (3 of 6). Evacuation Day Centennial /N-YHS 79th Anniversary. General., 1883
Scope and Contents Note
This folder and the next three includes documents related to the celebration of the Evacuation Day centennial (November 26th parade) and of N-YHS's 79th anniversary (November 27 address by John Jay at the Academy of Music on "The Peace Negotiations of 1783.") This first folder includes special committee documents, remarks, and other general material about the events.
Official Papers. 1883 (4 of 6). Evacuation Day Centennial /N-YHS 79th Anniversary. Invitations., 1883
Official Papers. 1883 (5 of 6). Evacuation Day Centennial /N-YHS 79th Anniversary. Ticket Requests., 1883
Official Papers. 1883 (6 of 6). Evacuation Day Centennial /N-YHS 79th Anniversary. Tickets., 1883
Scope and Contents Note
Includes tickets for the 79th anniversary event and ribbons, presumably worn during the Evacuation Day parade.
Official Papers. 1884 (1 of 3)., 1884
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the Executive Committee attendance record for March 6, 1877, to January 1, 1884.
Official Papers. 1884 (2 of 3)., 1884
Official Papers. 1884 (3 of 3)., 1884
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the memorial of Charles Fenno Hoffman.
Official Papers. 1885 (1 of 4)., 1885
Scope and Contents Note
Includes print versions of the annual report for 1884 (printed 1885) and a related circular to members. Includes a petition to the New York State Legislature proposing that it propose to the federal government a national celebration in March 1889 of the centennial anniversary of the inauguration of the U.S. government under the Constitution.
Official Papers. 1885 (2 of 4)., 1885
Official Papers. 1885 (3 of 4)., 1885
Scope and Contents Note
Includes a circular for soliciting subscriptions for a new building.
Official Papers. 1885 (4 of 4). Delegation to the Public Obsequies for General Grant., 1885
Official Papers. 1886 (1 of 4)., 1886
Official Papers. 1886 (2 of 4)., 1886
Official Papers. 1886 (3 of 4)., 1886
Official Papers. 1886 (4 of 4). Bequests., 1886
Scope and Contents Note
The folder includes documents related to two bequests. The first includes the legal documents by which Austin Abbott, the executor of the estate of A. Ogden Butler, directed Butler's cash bequest to N-YHS; these papers include Abbott's final accounting of the estate, dating from 1874-1886. The second includes an extract of the will of Gustavus Seyffarth documenting his bequest of published works concerning Egyptian manuscripts.
Official Papers. 1887 (1 of 3)., 1887
Scope and Contents Note
Includes remarks of the Librarian concerning the donations of a portrait by Daniel Huntington of Benjamin H. Field and a bust by Franklin Timmons(?) of Samuel Osgood.
Official Papers. 1887 (2 of 3)., 1887
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the N-YHS appeal for funds to meet a conditional matching gift toward the erection of a new building.
Official Papers. 1887 (3 of 3). Washington Inauguration Centennial., 1887
Scope and Contents Note
Includes resolutions and other documents related to the initiation of plans to celebrate the centennial of George Washington's inauguration as president in April 1889. One of these resolutions is from the Sons of the Revolution.
Official Papers. 1888 (1 of 4)., 1888
Official Papers. 1888 (2 of 4)., 1888
Official Papers. 1888 (3 of 4)., 1888
Official Papers. 1888 (4 of 4). Publication Fund., 1888
Scope and Contents Note
Includes documents related to the committee formed to consider ways and means for the regular issue of volumes of the Publication Fund.
Official Papers. 1889 (1 of 3)., 1889
Official Papers. 1889 (2 of 3)., 1889
Scope and Contents Note
Includes a copy of the legislative act permitting the sale of the N-YHS 2nd Avenue building and site under certain conditions, while exempting from sale any new building that might be erected, and related correspondence from Senator George F. Langbein to N-YHS President John A. King and from King to Governor David B. Hill.
Official Papers. 1889 (3 of 3). Oversize Item., 1889
Scope and Contents Note
Includes one oversize certificate from the Grand Marshal of the George Washington Inauguration Centennial celebration with an engraving of the address and images of the silver case that held the address and of the medals presented to the public schools and the Veteran Firemen's Association at the event.
Official Papers. 1890 (1 of 2)., 1890
Official Papers. 1890 (2 of 2)., 1890
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the memorial of member Thomas Hicks, by Committee on Fine Arts Chairman Daniel Huntington. Includes an extract relevant to N-YHS from the will of Stephen Whitney Phoenix.
Official Papers. 1891 (1 of 2)., 1891
Scope and Contents Note
Includes notes on the Special Meeting of February 24 called to consider the acquisition of the Central Park West site for a new building. Includes the memorial of George Bancroft by N-YHS president John A. King. Includes a circular calling for subscriptions to the Publication Fund.
Official Papers. 1891 (2 of 2)., 1891
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the report of the Special Committee on Librarian George H. Moore's resignation.
Official Papers. 1892 (1 of 2)., 1892
Official Papers. 1892 (2 of 2)., 1892
Scope and Contents Note
Includes a copy of the trust agreement established by Joseph F. Loubat with the trustees of Columbia College. This trust was used to fund prizes in a competition in writing in history and certain other defined fields. The trust required that successful entries be published, and a copy of the publication be given to N-YHS, among others. Also includes a list of the N-YHS delegates to a celebration of the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence at White Plains.
Official Papers. 1893 (1 of 3)., 1893
Scope and Contents Note
Includes documents related to a proposal that New York's old city hall building be given to N-YHS for its use, after construction of a new city hall.
Official Papers. 1893 (2 of 3)., 1893
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the memorials of Benjamin H. Field by Edward F. de Lancey, of Rev. Dr. Vermilye by Henry W. Bookstones (?), and of Hamilton Fish by John A. King.
Official Papers. 1893 (3 of 3). Reception for Duke of Veragua., 1893
Scope and Contents Note
Includes correspondence related to the committee of the N-YHS that formed a joint delegation with the Chamber of Commerce and the American Geographical Society to greet the Duke of Veragua as he traveled through New York on his way to the Columbian Exposition in Chicago.
Official Papers. 1894 (1 of 3)., 1894
Scope and Contents Note
Includes notes from John A. King on the silver medals sent by Washington to the Indians in 1798, with typescripts and a copy of Rufus King correspondence of 1797-98. John King's paper was read at the January 1894 N-YHS meeting, along with a presentation of (copper?) duplicates of the medals from Rufus King's desk in Jamaica.
Official Papers. 1894 (2 of 3)., 1894
Scope and Contents Note
Includes offer from and acceptance of contractor P. Gillings's proposal to flag the sidewalk and reset the curb at the Central Park West site, in compliance with a city ordinance.
Official Papers. 1894 (3 of 3)., 1894
Scope and Contents Note
Includes "papers, etc. belonging to steam engine for the" N-YHS, which are various notes about a steam engine, including notes on Colden's biography of Robert Fulton. Includes the memorials of John Jay and Robert C. Winthrop by N-YHS president John A. King.
Official Papers. 1895 (1 of 2)., 1895
Official Papers. 1895 (2 of 2)., 1895
Official Papers. 1896 (1 of 2)., 1896
Official Papers. 1896 (2 of 2)., 1896
Scope and Contents Note
Includes remarks of N-YHS president at anniversary meeting.
Official Papers. 1897 (1 of 2)., 1897
Scope and Contents Note
Includes request from the Metropolitan Street Railway Company for consent to use underground electricity for the 8th Avenue Railroad.
Official Papers. 1897 (2 of 2)., 1897
Official Papers. 1898 (1 of 2)., 1898
Official Papers. 1898 (2 of 2). William Kelby Memorial., 1898 November
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the draft manuscript of John Austin Stevens's memoir of the former Librarian, William Kelby.
Official Papers. 1899 (1 of 2)., 1899
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the memorial of long-time Recording Secretary Andrew Warner.
Official Papers. 1899 (2 of 2)., 1899
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the memorials of members Charles Patrick Daly and Cornelius Vanderbilt.
Official Papers. 1900 (1 of 2)., 1900
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the request of John Austin Stevens for members to contribute funds for a portrait of the late Librarian William Kelby, and the subscription lists. See also February 1901 for a note from Stevens concerning the completed portrait and disposition of surplus funds.
Official Papers. 1900 (2 of 2)., 1900
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the memorials to N-YHS Treasurer Robert Schell by John A. King, and to King by a committee of three members.
Official Papers. 1901 (1 of 3)., 1901
Official Papers. 1901 (2 of 3)., 1901
Scope and Contents Note
Includes notes for a memorial to John A. Weekes, invitations and tickets to N-YHS's 97th anniversary celebration at which Charles Francis Adams spoke, the report of the Ladies Committee, and financial information, especially for the Building Fund.
Official Papers. 1901 (3 of 3). Building Committee., 1901
Scope and Contents Note
Includes documents related to the committee formed to raise funds for the erection of a building on the Central Park West site, including resolutions, circulars, subscription requests, a poem by J.L. Beekman, and other material.
Official Papers. 1902 (1 of 3)., 1902
Scope and Contents Note
Includes a circular for the Publication Fund.
Official Papers. 1902 (2 of 3)., 1902
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the memorials of Eugene Hoffman and Nicholas Fish, and the report of the Committee on Membership.
Official Papers. 1902 (3 of 3). Building Committee., 1902
Scope and Contents Note
Includes reports of the committee and the printed Communication to the Members of the New York Historical Society from the Building Committee, with floor plans of the projected Central Park West building.
Official Papers. 1903 (1 of 3)., 1903
Scope and Contents Note
Includes a report by H.A. Hammond Smith with his observations concerning the conservation needs of various paintings in the collection.
Official Papers. 1903 (2 of 3)., 1903
Official Papers. 1903 (3 of 3)., 1903
Scope and Contents Note
Includes Recording Secretary Sydney Carney's article "Historical Societies of the United States" for the Encyclopedia Americana as provided to the N-YHS Executive Committee.
Official Papers. 1904 (1 of 4)., 1904
Scope and Contents Note
Includes copy of letter to the New York City mayor and aldermen calling for the preservation of city records dating from the colonial period to early nineteenth century.
Official Papers. 1904 (2 of 4)., 1904
Scope and Contents Note
Includes documents related to Henry Dexter's contributions to the construction of the Central Park West building. Includes provenance documents concerning the donation to N-YHS of the padlock and key of the "long room" of the demolished "bridewell," formerly in City Hall Park.
Official Papers. 1904 (3 of 4). American Numismatic & Archaeological Society., 1904
Scope and Contents Note
Includes a draft agreement for a consolidation of the American Numismatic & Archaeological Society into N-YHS, and opposition circulars from members of the Numismatic Society.
Official Papers. 1904 (4 of 4). N-YHS Centennial., 1904
Scope and Contents Note
Includes documents related to the celebration banquet at Delmonico's (menu, seating plan, speeches) and the commemorative medal struck for the occasion.
Official Papers. 1905 (1 of 3)., 1905
Official Papers. 1905 (2 of 3)., 1905
Official Papers. 1905 (3 of 3). New York Genealogical & Biographical Society., 1905
Scope and Contents Note
Includes draft agreements for the amalgamation of N-YHS and the New York Genealogical & Biographical Society, and two letters from William Gordon Ver Planck of the latter organization.
Official Papers. 1899-1905. Sydney H. Carney, Jr. Files (1 of 10)., 1899-1901 May
Scope and Contents Note
Includes a subscription book for the Building Fund.
Official Papers. 1899-1905. Sydney H. Carney, Jr. Files (2 of 10)., 1901 June-December
Official Papers. 1899-1905. Sydney H. Carney, Jr. Files (3 of 10)., 1902 January-April
Official Papers. 1899-1905. Sydney H. Carney, Jr. Files (4 of 10)., 1902 May-December
Official Papers. 1899-1905. Sydney H. Carney, Jr. Files (5 of 10)., 1903
Official Papers. 1899-1905. Sydney H. Carney, Jr. Files (6 of 10)., 1904 January
Scope and Contents Note
Includes a letter from York & Sawyer in which the architects, in response to a challenge to their bill for services, reviewed their engagement with N-YHS, particularly with respect to the need for changes in the original building plans because of unforeseen restrictions related to the neighboring house of Oscar Strauss. See also NYHS-RG 3, Series III. Central Park West Construction - Central Portion for other correspondence between Carney and Committee Chair Samuel Hoffman concerning this matter.
Official Papers. 1899-1905. Sydney H. Carney, Jr. Files (7 of 10)., 1904 February
Official Papers. 1899-1905. Sydney H. Carney, Jr. Files (8 of 10)., 1904 March-December
(RESTRICTED). Official Papers. 1899-1905. Sydney H. Carney, Jr. Files (9 of 10)., 1904 October-November
Scope and Contents Note
This folder includes fragmented documents which have restricted access because of their condition. Photocopies of the documents are in folder 8 of 10 above and those copies should be used.
Official Papers. 1899-1905. Sydney H. Carney, Jr. Files (10 of 10)., 1905, undated
Official Papers. 1906 (1 of 2)., 1906
Official Papers. 1906 (2 of 2)., 1906
Official Papers. 1907 (1 of 3)., 1907
Official Papers. 1907 (2 of 3)., 1907
Official Papers. 1907 (3 of 3). 2nd Avenue Building., 1907
Official Papers. 1908., 1908
Official Papers. 1909 (1 of 2)., 1909
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the booklet regarding the placement of the Hudson ship "Half Moon" window in the N-YHS Library.
Official Papers. 1909 (2 of 2)., 1909
Scope and Contents Note
Includes N-YHS petition and eventual relief concerning an assessment and property lien for sidewalk flagging.
Official Papers. 1910 (1 of 2)., 1910
Official Papers. 1910 (2 of 2)., 1910
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the memorials of Henry Dexter, John Austin Stevens, and Richard Schieffelin.
Official Papers. 1911., 1911
Scope and Contents Note
Includes an extract from two deeds of gift to the Beekman Family Association that refer to contingencies by which N-YHS would take title to the gifts. Includes a draft resolution accepting relics from the Beekman House, including the family coach. Includes an insurance certificate covering transit to the Hotel Astor for one day of the painting Return of the 69th Regiment.
Official Papers. 1912 (1 of 2)., 1912
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the memorial of the sister and daughter of N-YHS president Samuel Hoffman, provenance information about a silver key inscribed to John S. Giles donated to N-YHS by Giles's grandson, the remarks of N-YHS delegate James Benedict at the dedication of the New York State Education Building, and the N-YHS petition to the U.S. House of Representatives to erect a National Archives building.
Official Papers. 1912 (2 of 2). George C. Dodd Matter., 1910-1912
Scope and Contents Note
Includes documents related to the dispute between N-YHS and photographer George C. Dodd over ownership of slides and negatives taken by Dodd. These documents include the agreement resolving the matter and detailed lists of the items at issue.
Official Papers. 1913 (1 of 2)., 1902-1903, 1913
Scope and Contents Note
Includes a print copy of the Executive Committee rules for 1913 and documents related to N-YHS's historical interest in New York State preserving its official records. This last includes material from 1902-1903.
Official Papers. 1913 (2 of 2). Proposed By-Law Revisions., 1913
Scope and Contents Note
Includes documents related to the by-law revisions proposed by the Special Committee formed for that purpose,
Official Papers. 1914., 1914
Scope and Contents Note
Includes resolutions concerning the sale to Patrick Burns of N-YHS's interest in a real estate lot at 63rd St. and 2nd Ave. and concerning N-YHS's consent to a matter related to the Beekman Family Association. Includes a pamphlet Don'ts: An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure issued by The Employer's Liability Assurance Corporation of London, England.
Official Papers. 1915 (1 of 2)., 1915
Official Papers. 1915 (2 of 2). Special Committee on the City Flag., 1915
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the report of the committee and other documents concerning the proposed design for a New York City flag.
Official Papers. 1916 (1 of 2)., 1916
Scope and Contents Note
Includes a proposed appeal, not acted on, for funds to expand the Central Park West building, two Finance Committee reports concerning investments, and a report of the Committee on the Audubon Memorial Exhibition.
Official Papers. 1916 (2 of 2). Abbott Egyptian Collection Preservation., 1916
Scope and Contents Note
Includes documents related to concerns about the condition of the Egyptian collection and opposition by some within N-YHS to any consideration of transferring the collection to a museum, specifically the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Official Papers. 1917 (1 of 8)., 1917
Official Papers. 1917 (2 of 8)., 1917
Official Papers. 1917 (3 of 8). Special Committee., 1900, 1917, 1919
Scope and Contents Note
This folder and the next include documents concerning the Special Committee formed in January 1917 to consider the resolutions offered by member Mrs. John Van Rensselaer, a critic of N-YHS's direction. This folder includes correspondence from the American Antiquarian Society, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, and others regarding Van Rensselaer's criticisms. The folder includes a letter from 1900 that relates to a specific criticism, and a 1919 letter that reflects back on one aspect of the committee's work.
Official Papers. 1917 (4 of 8). Special Committee., 1917 February
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the manuscript and print versions of the Special Committee's report, as approved at the February 6, 1917, Society meeting, with a typescript of the meeting's proceedings.
Official Papers. 1917 (5 of 8). Report of the Committee to Revise the By-Laws., 1917 November
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the manuscript and print versions of the report submitted to the Society meeting of November 13.
Official Papers. 1917 (6 of 8). Society Meeting to Take Action on the Report of the Committee to Revise the By-Laws., 1917 December
Scope and Contents Note
Includes copies of the transcript of the debate over the by-laws revision, which was passed.
Official Papers. 1917 (7 of 8). Proxies., 1917 January-February
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the forms returned by N-YHS members empowering J. Archibald Murray, Frederic D. Weekes, and R. Horace Gallatin, representing the Board of Officers, to vote as their proxy on any matter during 1917. The folder includes one of the form letters communicating the proxy form to the members.
Official Papers. 1917 (8 of 8). Proxies., 1916-1917
Scope and Contents Note
Includes a copy of the Charter, By-Laws, Officers, Members, Report of the Executive Committee of 1916, with the list of members annotated, apparently in connection with proxies.
Official Papers. 1918 (1 of 2)., 1918
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the memorials of Fancher Nicoll (killed in action in WWI) and of Gerard Beekman, drafts of appeals for funds for the Egyptian collection and expansion of the Central Park West building, and a report on a problem with the building's steam heating infrastructure.
Official Papers. 1918 (2 of 2). Membership Matters., 1918
Official Papers. 1919 (1 of 3)., 1919
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the report of the committee recommending against the loan of the Jarvis Indian objects to the Museum of the American Indian, the report of the Art Committee recommending the acceptance of the portrait of Robert Murray, and the recommendations of the Committee on Plan & Scope.
Official Papers. 1919 (2 of 3). Membership Matters., 1919
Official Papers. 1919 (3 of 3). Circulars., 1919 November-December
Scope and Contents Note
Includes documents concerning dissident membership charges of mismanagement and the proxy and circular mailings in advance of the January 1920 election of N-YHS officers. Documents include the N-YHS circulars of December 5 and December 16 responding to the charges, the December 9 statement of the dissidents, the proxy form mailing, and the slate of officers proposed by the Nominating Committee, among other items.
Official Papers. 1920 (1 of 11). Annual Meeting Typescript., 1920 January 6
Scope and Contents Note
Includes typescript of the proceedings of the Society meeting of January 6.
Official Papers. 1920 (2 of 11). Election Results., 1920 January
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the petition of the opposition with their slate of nominees, the regular and opposition tickets, certification of the election inspectors, and other documents.
Official Papers. 1920 (3 of 11). Clippings., 1920 January
Scope and Contents Note
Includes clippings and transcriptions of press coverage surrounding the January N-YHS meeting and election.
Official Papers. 1920 (4 of 11). Proxy Work Files., 1920 January
Scope and Contents Note
This file and the next three appear to be the workpapers related to the recording of returned proxy votes.
Official Papers. 1920 (5 of 11). Proxy Work Files., 1920 January
Official Papers. 1920 (6 of 11). Proxy Work Files., 1920 January
Scope and Contents Note
Includes a copy of the Annual Report, By-Laws and List of Members of 1919 (for year 1918), with annotations on the member list indicating those in opposition to the management slate.
Official Papers. 1920 (7 of 11). Proxy Work Files., 1920 January
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the opposition proxies received and some duplicate regular ticket proxies.
Official Papers. 1920 (8 of 11). Regular Ticket Proxies., 1919 December-1920 January
Official Papers. 1920 (9 of 11). Mrs. Van Rensselaer Communications., 1920, 1925
Scope and Contents Note
Includes Mrs. Van Rensselaer's communications of February (subsequent to the defeat of her opposition slate in January) to Stuyvesant Fish and the N-YHS Executive Committee, and the October report of the committee formed to consider those communications. A 1925 notice of Van Rensselaer's death is in the file.
Official Papers. 1920 (10 of 11). General Membership Matters., 1920
Official Papers. 1920 (11 of 11). Other Matters., 1920
Scope and Contents Note
Includes documents related to matters of 1920 other than the January election and general membership matters.
Official Papers. 1921 (1 of 2)., 1921
Scope and Contents Note
Includes counsel's opinion on the number of copies of publications to be printed by the DePeyster Publication Fund.
Official Papers. 1921 (2 of 2). Liberty Pole., 1921
Scope and Contents Note
Includes items related to the dedication of a replica of the Liberty Pole erected in City Hall Park. Items include the report of N-YHS's Liberty Pole Committee (chaired by Reginald Pelham Bolton), dedication program and tickets, and lapel pins.
Official Papers. 1922 (1 of 2)., 1922
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the Art Committee's proposal to dispose of 98 poor quality and deteriorated paintings, principally from the Durr estate donation.
Official Papers. 1922 (2 of 2). Building Committee., 1922, 1924
Scope and Contents Note
Includes documents concerning the renewed initiative to raise funds to acquire additional property on 76th and 77th streets and to expand the Central Park West building.
Official Papers. 1923 (1 of 2)., 1923
Scope and Contents Note
Includes a map by Reginald Pelham Bolton, done for the N-YHS Field Exploration Committtee, of Fort Washington and the line of the Third Line of American entrenchments (1776) along 159th-161st streets.
Official Papers. 1923 (2 of 2). Election of Officers., 1922-1923
Scope and Contents Note
Includes a copy of Annual Report, Charter, By-Laws, and List of Members for the year 1921, with an annotated member list indicating proxies received, and a typescript of the January 2 meeting.
Official Papers. 1924., 1924
Scope and Contents Note
Includes a report from Librarian Alexander Wall on his travels in Europe in the summer of 1924 on behalf of N-YHS. On this trip Wall purchased the collection of Cadwallader Colden papers in England; his report includes a summary of the collection.
Official Papers. 1925 (1 of 2)., 1925
Scope and Contents Note
Includes resolutions and printed correspondence concerning the donation of the collections of the Naval History Society, report of the committee considering a medal to be awarded by N-YHS on occasion for meritorious work in history, and the marketing material for the publication Uniforms of the American, British, French and Hessian Armies.
Official Papers. 1925 (2 of 2). Building Expansion., 1925
Scope and Contents Note
Includes an outline by York & Sawyer of proposed construction and alterations to the Central Park West building, resolutions, proposed property acquisitions, correspondence, and summaries of committee activities.
Official Papers. 1926., 1925-1926
Scope and Contents Note
Includes January 1926 officer election documents.
Official Papers. 1927., 1927
Official Papers. 1928., 1928
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the New York State legislative act adding "educational purposes" to the stated purposes of N-YHS.
Official Papers. 1929 (1 of 3)., 1929
Official Papers. 1929 (2 of 3). Election of Officers., 1928-1929
Scope and Contents Note
Includes a copy of Annual Report and List of Members for the year 1927, with an annotated member list indicating proxies received.
Official Papers. 1929 (3 of 3). Proxies., 1928-1929
Official Papers. 1930., 1930
Official Papers. 1931., 1931
Official Papers. 1932 (1 of 3)., 1932
Official Papers. 1932 (2 of 3). Election of Officers., 1931-1932
Scope and Contents Note
Includes a copy of Annual Report and List of Members for the year 1930, with an annotated member list indicating proxies received.
Official Papers. 1932 (3 of 3)., 1932
Official Papers. 1933., 1933
Scope and Contents Note
Includes a draft statement read at the Executive Committee's December 19 meeting on the purposes and risks of making exhibition loans from the collection, and proposing limitations on these.
Official Papers. 1934., 1934
Scope and Contents Note
Includes a report from the Art Committee concerning comments they received from restorers on the condition of the Old Masters in the collection.
Official Papers. 1935 (1 of 3)., 1935
Official Papers. 1935 (2 of 3). Election of Officers., 1934-1935
Scope and Contents Note
Includes a copy of Annual Report and List of Members for the year 1933, with an annotated member list indicating proxies received.
Official Papers. 1935 (3 of 3)., 1935
Official Papers. 1935-1936, 1935-1936
Scope and Contents Note
Includes documents related to an analysis of N-YHS's investments as of late 1935 with recommendations for changes to the portfolio, and related documents from 1936.
Official Papers. 1936 (1 of 3)., 1936
Scope and Contents Note
Includes a report by Hugh M. Flick with his observations concerning efforts to obtain historical documents from private owners in rural areas; minutes of the December 2 meeting of the Plan and Scope Committee with a draft agreement for the loan of various materials to the Brooklyn Museum, including the Abbott Egyptian collection, Lenox Ninevah sculptures, Foster and Larkin Peruvian objects, and the Anderson, Smith, Norman, and American Ethnological collections, among other objects; and memorials to James Barnes and Frederic Delano Weekes.
Official Papers. 1936 (2 of 3). Special Meeting of the Society., 1936
Scope and Contents Note
Includes documents related to the June 16 Special Meeting of the Society called by the Executive Committee for the purpose of having the membership approve of the Committee's decision to proceed with the construction of the wings for the Central Park West building.
Official Papers. 1936 (3 of 3). Proxies., 1936
Scope and Contents Note
Includes two copies of Annual Report and List of Members for the year 1935, with annotated member lists indicating proxies received.
Official Papers. 1937 (1 of 4)., 1937
Official Papers. 1937 (2 of 4)., 1937
Scope and Contents Note
Includes Librarian Alexander Wall's report to the Executive Committee presenting his vision for N-YHS's library, museum, and other operations in the completed Central Park West building, reports of the Building Committee providing status updates on the construction, reports from the Art Committee concerning possible restoration work on paintings, and the remarks at the presentation of a distinguished service medal to George A. Zabriskie.
Official Papers. 1937 (3 of 4). Special Meeting of the Society., 1937
Scope and Contents Note
Includes documents related to the November 18 Special Meeting of the Society called by the Executive Committee to obtain membership approval of revised by-laws that would place governance of the Society with a Board of Trustees. Includes a copy of Annual Report and List of Members for the year 1936, with an annotated member list indicating proxies received.
Official Papers. 1937 (4 of 4). Proxies., 1937
Official Papers. 1938 (1 of 2)., 1937-1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes an inventory of N-YHS institutional records boxed for moving.
Official Papers. 1938 (2 of 2)., 1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes minutes of the Art, Library, and Museum Committees. Includes credit reports on railroad companies and the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company debt modification plan sent to the Finance Committee by the Wall Street firm Halsted & Harrison.