Series II. Official Papers, 1939-1959, inclusive
Extent
Scope and Contents Note
The Official Papers series includes the working files and packets of material related to the Board meetings through 1959. There is considerable overlap between the content of these files and the meeting minutes because much of the official papers includes the committee (library, museum, finance, etc.) reports that were replicated in the minutes. Nonetheless, the official papers do hold additional material of interest including budgeting worksheets, expense details, attendance sheets, staff notices, staff lists, and other matter. The official papers of the early 1940s hold some documents related to N-YHS's wartime precautionary measures. Membership application forms make up a sizable volume of the series.
Arrangement Note
The series is arranged in chronological order.
Processing Information Note
The official papers were processed perhaps circa 2000, with documents transferred from original folders to archival containers. In February 2016, project archivist Larry Weimer refined the arrangement, created the inventory and other descriptive notes, and organized it as a series within the Board of Trustees record group.
Official Papers (2 folders), 1939
Scope and Contents Note
Includes a complete staff list as of 1939, including names, positions held, and date of hire; the document is particularly useful in illustrating the expansion of the staff in connection with the opening of the expanded building and programs.
Official Papers (2 folders), 1940
Scope and Contents Note
Includes correspondence concerning N-YHS's consideration of generating its needed electricity through its own plant operation. Includes a calculation of the floor space in the Central Park West building.
Official Papers (3 folders), 1941
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the draft report of the Board Committee in the Matter of the Preservation of the Aquarium Building in Battery Park; a detailed description "Resources of the Library" of N-YHS; the agenda for a meeting of art museum directors of December 20-21 in connection with wartime precautions, as well as other documents concerning World War II preparations; the "Rules and Duties of Attendants [e.g., guards, doormen, check room]"; program for the Stephen Collins Foster event, with manuscript of the printed content by George Zabriskie; and the certificate for an outstanding example of printing awarded to N-YHS by the New York Employing Printers Association for The Life of Emma Thursby.
Official Papers (2 folders), 1942
Scope and Contents Note
Includes an assessment of the impact of the war on staffing and steps to be taken in response to the resource constraints.
Official Papers. Wartime Matters, 1942-1943
Scope and Contents Note
Includes correspondence, government directives, applications related to rationing, information about protecting N-YHS's skylights against air raids, savings bond program, secure storage options, and other matters. Also includes some other general facilities maintenance related documents, both for Central Park West and for the Thompson estate building on Long Island opened as a summer museum.
Official Papers (2 folders), 1943
Official Papers. Wartime Matters, 1943-1945
Scope and Contents Note
Includes documents concerning air raid fire protection and a military deferment.
Official Papers (3 folders), 1944
Official Papers (4 folders), 1945
Official Papers (3 folders), 1946
Scope and Contents Note
Includes correspondence from other New York City institutions responding to N-YHS's survey of staff scheduling practices. Includes a report on the high school education programs currently presented and in development by N-YHS.
Official Papers (4 folders), 1947
Official Papers (2 of 6 folders), 1948
Official Papers (4 of 6 folders), 1948
Scope and Contents Note
Includes a proposal for changes to manuscript accessions and access.
Official Papers (5 folders), 1949
Official Papers (4 folders), 1950
Official Papers (6 folders), 1951
Scope and Contents Note
Includes N-YHS's consideration of purchasing the 6-16 West 77th Street property.
Official Papers (3 folders), 1952
Official Papers (3 folders), 1953
Official Papers (3 folders), 1954
Official Papers (2 folders), 1955
Official Papers (2 folders), 1956
Official Papers (2 folders), 1957
Official Papers (2 folders), 1958
Official Papers (3 folders), 1959
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the new "Library Acquisition Policy" approved by the Board on May 27, 1959. Includes the remarks prepared by the Downtown-Lower Manhattan Association for four of the speakers at the opening of the exhibition at Federal Hall commemorating N-YHS's 155th anniversary.