John and Ann Garvey Papers
Call Number
Dates
Creator
Extent
Extent
Language of Materials
Abstract
Ann and her late husband John Garvey were educators and active members of the New York City Irish American community. The couple were also past presidents and founding members of the American Irish Teachers Association (AITA). The Garveys focused much of their organizing on educational initiatives to increase and improve the teaching of Irish and Irish American culture and history. The John and Ann Garvey Papers document the Garveys' teaching through organizational newsletters (the majority of which are from the AITA), conference programs, as well as agendas, meeting notes, and correspondence from various committee meetings. The collection also documents the Garveys engagement with Irish American organizations through photographs, newspaper articles, and programs for conventions and other annual events. Organizations such as the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the United Irish Counties Association of New York, and various County Mayo-centered social organizations (especially the Mayo Society of New York) are particularly well represented.
Biographical Note for John Garvey
John J. Garvey (d. 2018) was an Irish American educator who held numerous leadership positions in the Irish American community. Garvey worked the bulk of his professional career in the New York City public school system with over three decades at P.S. 85. He focused much of his attention on educational outreach programs for new immigrants, as well as improving the treatment of Irish and Irish American history in curriculum. A native of County Mayo, Garvey studied at St. Muredach's College in Ballina (County Mayo) and Patrician College in Ballyfin (County Laois). He later earned a B.A. from Fordham University in Marketing and Management and a M.A. in Distributive Education from New York University.
Garvey was a president and founding member of the Irish American Teachers Association, a historian and president of the Mayo Society of New York, a member of the Board of Directors for the Emerald Isle Immigration Center, and a chair of the Irish American Heritage and Culture Committee (New York City Board of Education). He was also an essay judge for the St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee essay competition, a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians (Division 4), and a member of the Bronx Gaelic League.
Source:
Emerald Isle Immigration Center. "In Memory of John J. Garvey." https://eiic.org/blog/in-memory-of-john-j-garvey/ (retrieved September 11, 2020).
Biographical Note for Ann Garvey
Ann Garvey is an Irish American educator who has held numerous leadership positions in the Irish American community. She has held positions as a lecturer at New York University's Graduate School of Education and as an Educational Evaluator with the New York City Board of Education. Garvey is the past president of the American Irish Teachers Association (AITA), during which time she led the organization's campaign to include curriculum on Ireland's Great Hunger (commonly referred to as Ireland's Famine) in New York State's Human Rights Curriculum law, which mandated the study of this historical moment throughout the state. Alongside her husband John, Ann organized campaigns for the United States Postal Service to issue a commemorative stamp for the Great Hunger. In 1998, Ann was named Irish Woman of the Year by the Irish American Heritage and Culture Committee (New York City Board of Education) for her contributions.
Arrangement
This collection is arranged into three series, all of which are arranged alphabetically:
Series I: Education
Series II: County Mayo
Series III: Irish American Organizations
Scope and Contents
The John and Ann Garvey Papers, dated approximately 1935-2024, consist of materials documenting the couple's work as educators and their engagement with numerous Irish American organizations in the Greater New York City area. Materials documenting the Garveys teaching include organizational newsletters (the majority of which are from the American Irish Teachers Association), conference programs, as well as agendas, meeting notes, and correspondence from various committee meetings. These materials focus almost exclusively on organizations and education initiatives devoted to increasing and improving the teaching of Irish and Irish American culture and history, such as a proposed curriculum on the Irish Famine/Great Hunger. The collection also documents the Garveys engagement with Irish American organizations through photographs, newspaper articles, and programs for conventions and other annual events. Organizations like the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the United Irish Counties Association of New York, and various County Mayo-centered social organizations (especially the Mayo Society of New York) are particularly well represented.
Subjects
Donors
Conditions Governing Access
Materials are open without restrictions.
Conditions Governing Use
This collection is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use materials in the collection in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).
Preferred Citation
Identification of item, date; John and Ann Garvey Papers; AIA 088; box number; folder number or item identifier; Tamiment Library/Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives, New York University.
Location of Materials
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated by Ann Garvey in March 2020, with a further accretions donated in October 2021 and November 2024; the accession numbers associated with these gifts are 2020.024, 2021.063, and 2025.017.
Custodial History
One box of the 2025 accretion shipped by the donor was not received, and a claim was reported to the shipping vendor. The vendor marked the box as "unfound" and filed the claim as lost.
Audiovisual Access Policies and Procedures
Audiovisual materials have not been preserved and may not be available to researchers. Materials not yet digitized will need to have access copies made before they can be used. To request an access copy, or if you are unsure if an item has been digitized, please contact Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives, special.collections@nyu.edu, 212-998-2596 with the collection name, collection number, and a description of the item(s) requested. A staff member will respond to you with further information.
Appraisal
The repository kept three "Ceart Vótála" buttons; duplicates beyond this amount were returned to the donor. One t-shirt advocating the initiative to include the Irish Famine/Great Hunger in New York State's human rights curriculum was also appraised out of the collection.
Publications, photocopies of newspaper clippings, and duplicate event programs from the 2021 accretion were appraised out of the collection upon its arrival.
The following materials were appraised out of the 2025 accretion by the curator: duplicate materials, a plaque from the St. Patrick's Day Parade Celebration Committee to the Mayo Society, and Ann Garvey's notes from a student evaluation. Publications were appraised out of this accretion, with titles and issues not already represented in the Library's holdings accessioned into the Archives of Irish America Newspapers and Periodicals Collection (AIA 004). One DVD copy of Through Triumph and Tragedy: 50 Years of the F.D.N.Y. Pipes and Drums was appraised out of the collection due to copyright concerns; the cover art has been retained as an artifact. Blank letterhead was retained as evidence of the organizational leadership listed on the left-side.
About this Guide
Processing Information
At the time of accessioning, materials were rehoused in archival boxes and folders, maintaining their original order. The collection's existing series structure is original to the creator.
In the fall of 2022, accession 2021.063 was processed and described by an archivist. Original titles were retained when possible. Loose photographs were placed in acid free sleeves. Materials from this accession were intellectually incorporated into their appropriate series. One audiocassette was found during processing. It was assigned an AV unique identifier and placed in a shared audiovisual materials box.
In February 2025, an accretion of materials was rehoused in archival boxes and folders, and intellectually integrated into the collection's existing series structure. These materials are physically located in Boxes 38-44. One DVD was forensically imaged, analyzed, and appraised out of the collection by the curator due to copyright concerns.
Revisions to this Guide
Repository
Series I. Education, 1977-2019, inclusive
Extent
Scope and Contents
This series consists of materials documenting the Garveys' teaching and include organizational newsletters, conference programs, agendas, meeting notes, as well as correspondence from various committee meetings. The activities of the American Irish Teachers Association and the Irish American Heritage and Culture Week Committee (a New York City Board of Education initiative) are particularly well represented. These materials focus almost exclusively on organizations and education initiatives devoted to increasing and improving the teaching of Irish and Irish American culture and history, such as a proposed curriculum on the Irish Famine/Great Famine.
Arrangement
Folders are arranged alphabetically.
American Conference of Irish Studies Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference, 2000, inclusive
American Irish Teachers Association, 1973 - 2020, inclusive
American Irish Teachers Association, 1978-2006, inclusive
American Irish Teachers Association: Annual Conference, 1981-1993, inclusive
American Irish Teachers Association: Annual Conference, 1994-2004, inclusive
American Irish Teachers Association: Annual Conference, 2005-2008, inclusive
American Irish Teachers Association: Annual Conference, 2010-2014, inclusive
American Irish Teachers Association: Annual Conference, 2015-2016, inclusive
American Irish Teachers Association: Annual Conference, 2018-2019, inclusive
American Irish Teachers Association: Annual Conference Registration Forms, 1994-2016, inclusive
American Irish Teachers Association: Correspondence, 1995-2018, inclusive
American Irish Teachers Association: Dues Ledger, 1979-2005, inclusive
American Irish Teachers Association -- Famine Curriculum and Commemorative Stamp, 1994-2009, inclusive
American Irish Teachers Association: Installation of Officers, 1982-1985, inclusive
American Irish Teachers Association: Irish American Conference Program, 2002, inclusive
American Irish Teachers Association -- Korean War, Irish Memorial Committee, 1986
American Irish Teachers Association: Materials related to Irish American History, 1998, 2000-2001, inclusive
American Irish Teachers Association: Meeting Notes and Agendas, 1996-1997, inclusive
American Irish Teachers Association: Mentor Program, 1989-1990, 1994-1995, inclusive
American Irish Teachers Association: Newsletters and Other Collected Documents in Binder, 1988-2003, inclusive
American Irish Teachers Association: Notebook, 1984-1993, inclusive
American Irish Teachers Association: Proposal for US Stamp Commemorating 1916 Easter Rising, after 1994, inclusive
American Irish Teachers Association: Research Papers concerning the Great Famine, 1996-1997, 2003, inclusive
American Irish Teachers Association: Things Irish Newsletter, 1979-2018, inclusive
An Gorta Mor (Gaelic: the Great Hunger), 1996
Association of Teachers of New York, 1995, inclusive
Catholic Teachers Association of Brooklyn, 1985-2019, inclusive
Correspondence from Jacqueline Kennedy to President de Valera, 1964
Ellis Island Medals of Honor, 2001
Famine Articles, 1995, 1997, inclusive
Famine Related Materials, 1996, 2013, inclusive
Gaelic Gotham Information Package, 1995-1996, inclusive
Ireland's National Monument of the Fighting 69th, 2005
Irish American Heritage & Culture Committee (IAHCC), circa 1978-2020, inclusive
Irish American Heritage & Culture Committee (IAHCC): 1916 Centennial Events Calendar, 2015
Irish American Heritage & Culture Week: Committee (Board of Education), 1977-2019, inclusive
Irish American Heritage & Culture Committee (IHACC): Culture Week Committee, 2015
Irish American Heritage and Culture Committee -- City Hall Photographs, undated, inclusive
Irish American Heritage and Culture Committee -- City Hall Photographs, 1997, inclusive
Irish American Heritage and Culture Committee -- City Hall Photographs, 1998, inclusive
Irish American Heritage & Culture Committee (IAHCC): Photographs, undated
Irish American Heritage & Culture Week: Poster, 1984, inclusive
Irish American Heritage & Culture Week: Programs, 1981-1985, inclusive
Irish American Heritage & Culture Week: Programs, 1986-1987, inclusive
Irish American Heritage & Culture Week: Programs, 1988-1989, inclusive
Irish American Heritage & Culture Week: Programs, 1991-1992, inclusive
Irish American Heritage & Culture Week: Programs, 1993, inclusive
Irish American Heritage & Culture Week: Programs, 1994-1995, inclusive
Irish American Heritage & Culture Week: Programs, circa 1995-2017, inclusive
Irish American Heritage & Culture Week: Programs, 1996-1997, inclusive
Irish American Heritage & Culture Week: Programs, 1998-2016, inclusive
Irish American Heritage & Culture Week: Programs, 2017-2018, inclusive
Irish American Studies Committee of the United Teachers Federation (UFT), 1977-2016, inclusive
Irish American Teachers Association: Newsletters (Tir na n-Og), 2005-2014, inclusive
Irish Famine/Great Hunger Curriculum, 1991-2000, inclusive
Irish Famine/Great Hunger Memorial (Battery Park, New York City), 2001-2002, inclusive
Irish History, 1999, 2010, inclusive
Irish Hunger Memorial, 2002
Irish Hunger Memorial, 2002-2003, inclusive
John, Pete St - The Beggar at the Window, 2000
Mary-Anne's Famine by Colette McCormack, 1995
New York City Conference on Immigration, 1997
New York City Department of Education Emerald Society, 1977-2018, inclusive
New York Irish History Roundtable, 2005, inclusive
N.Y.U. Irish Institute - O'Malley Lectures, 2000, 2011, 2014, 2017, inclusive
Newsclippings, 1998-1999, 2003-2005, inclusive
Pace University: Ethnic Diversity Conference, 1988, inclusive
PEC Our Voice (Political Education Committee of the American Ireland Education Foundation), 1995
Sam O'Reilley, undated
St. Patrick's Day as Religious Holiday, 1993
St. Patrick's Day Essay Contest, 2003
Tribute to Paul O'Dwyer, 1994
U.S. Commemoration Events - Easter Rising 1916, 2016
U.S. Remembers the Easter Rising 1916, 2016
Series II. County Mayo, 1950-2019, inclusive
Extent
Scope and Contents
This series documents the Garveys' active engagement with various County Mayo-centered social organizations through photographs, newspaper articles, as well as programs for conventions and other annual events. Materials documenting the activities of the Mayo Society of New York comprise the majority of this series.
Arrangement
Folders are arranged alphabetically.
All-Ireland Fleadh (Ballina), 1997, inclusive
Correspondence, 1998, 2003, inclusive
County Mayo Association of Boston: Banquet Programs and Correspondence, 2008-2016, inclusive
The Mayo Anthology, 1990
Mayo Association of Chicago: Description of Group, after 2001, inclusive
Mayo Association (Dublin): Yearbook, 1990, inclusive
Mayo Association of Philadelphia: Annual Ball Programs, 1996-2010, inclusive
Mayo Associations World Convention: Programs, 1995-2016, inclusive
Mayo Ball Photographs, Invitations, Dues, Booklets, circa 2007-2014, inclusive
Mayo Ball Programs, 1998-2001, 2014, inclusive
Mayo Ladies Auxiliary, 1952-1988, inclusive
Mayo Ladies Auxiliary, Mayo Men's P.B. and B. Association, and Mayo Football Club: Photograph of 1st Annual Mass and Communion Breakfast, 1950, inclusive
Mayo Ladies Auxiliary Meeting Minutes, circa 1962-1986, inclusive
Mayo Ladies Auxiliary Organization: Oversize Photograph, 1954, inclusive
Mayo Ladies Auxiliary Personal Correspondence, 1986-1987, inclusive
Mayo Ladies Auxiliary -- Dues Book, 1963
Mayo Ladies Auxiliary -- Dues Book, 1981
Mayo Ladies Correspondence, circa 1966-1972, inclusive
Mayo Men's Association Membership Applications, circa 1946-1960, inclusive
Mayo Men's P. & B. Association Event Booklets, circa 1963-1989, inclusive
Mayo Men's P. & B. Ball Booklets, circa 1957-1961, inclusive
Mayo Men's Patriotic and Benevolent Association of the City of New York: Diamond Jubilee Program, 1954, inclusive
Mayo Men's Patriotic and Benevolent Association of the City of New York: Centennial Programs, 1979, inclusive
Mayo Men's Patriotic and Benevolent Association of the City of New York: 104th St. Patrick's Ball Program, 1983, inclusive
Mayo Men's Society and St. Patrick's Day Parade to Mayo Ladies (Correspondence), 1983-1987, inclusive
Mayo - New York, Philadelphia, Boston, circa 1989-2011, inclusive
Mayo Society - Constitutional By-Laws, Correspondence, 1954-1957, 1975, inclusive
Mayo Society - General, circa 1995-2017, inclusive
Mayo Society of Greater Cleveland, 2013-2019, inclusive
Mayo Society of Greater Cleveland: Annual Ball Programs, 2005-2019, inclusive
Mayo Society Minutes, 2006-2007, 2014, 2016, inclusive
Mayo Society of New York, 1989, 2003, 2012-2013, inclusive
Mayo Society of New York: Annual Ball and Dinner Programs, 1988-1990, inclusive
Mayo Society of New York: Annual Ball and Dinner Programs, 1991-1992, inclusive
Mayo Society of New York: Annual Ball and Dinner Programs, 1993-1994, inclusive
Mayo Society of New York: Annual Ball and Dinner Programs, 1995-1996, inclusive
Mayo Society of New York: Annual Ball and Dinner Programs, 1997, inclusive
Mayo Society of New York: Annual Ball and Dinner Programs, 1998, inclusive
Mayo Society of New York: Annual Ball and Dinner Programs, 1999, inclusive
Mayo Society of New York: Annual Ball and Dinner Programs, 2000, inclusive
Mayo Society of New York: Annual Ball and Dinner Programs, 2001-2002, inclusive
Mayo Society of New York: Annual Ball and Dinner Programs, 2003, inclusive
Mayo Society of New York: Annual Ball and Dinner Programs, 2004, inclusive
Mayo Society of New York: Annual Ball and Dinner Programs, 2006, inclusive
Mayo Society of New York: Annual Ball and Dinner Programs, 2007, inclusive
Mayo Society of New York: Annual Ball and Dinner Programs, 2009, inclusive
Mayo Society of New York: Annual Ball and Dinner Programs, 2010, inclusive
Mayo Society of New York: Annual Ball and Dinner Programs, 2011
Mayo Society of New York: Annual Ball and Dinner Programs, 2012, inclusive
Mayo Society of New York: Annual Ball and Dinner Programs, 2013, inclusive
Mayo Society of New York: Annual Ball and Dinner Programs, 2014, inclusive
Mayo Society of New York: Annual Ball and Dinner Programs, 2015, inclusive
Mayo Society of New York: Annual Ball and Dinner Programs, 2016
Mayo Society of New York: Annual Ball and Dinner Programs, 2017, inclusive
Mayo Society of New York: Annual Ball and Dinner Programs, 2018, inclusive
Mayo Society of New York: Annual Ball and Dinner Programs, 2024
Mayo Society of New York: Attendance Book, 2001-2005, inclusive
Mayo Society of New York: Binder of Collected Organizational Documents, 1950-2019, inclusive
Mayo Society of New York: Certificate of Incorporation, circa 1970s-1990s, inclusive
Mayo Society of New York: Constitutions, 1989, 2000, inclusive
Mayo Society of New York: Correspondence, Flyers, Newspaper Articles, 1990-2019, inclusive
Mayo Society of New York: General, undated
Mayo Society of New York: Man and Woman of the Year, 1996-2019, inclusive
Mayo Society of New York: Man and Woman of the Year, 1996-2019, inclusive
Mayo Society of New York: Minutes, 2005-2012, inclusive
Mayo Society of New York: Minutes, 2008-2011, inclusive
Mayo Society of New York: Meeting Minutes Book, 2012-2018, inclusive
Mayo Society of New York: Minutes and Correspondence, 2015
Mayo Society of New York: Minutes Financial Report, 2016
Mayo Society of New York: Newsletters, Flyers, Agendas, 1996-2018, inclusive
Mayo Society of New York: Newspaper Articles, circa 1980s-1990s, inclusive
Mayo Society of New York: Photographs, circa 1980s-1990s, inclusive
Mayo Society of New York and Mayo Society of Cleveland, 1992-2006, inclusive
Mayo Society - Various Locations Pamphlets and Ad Booklets, 1989, 1995, 2004, 2009, 2015, inclusive
Paul O'Dwyer Human Rights Program at CUNY School of Law: Kick-off Celebration Program, 1995, inclusive
Photographs - Mayo Society Events, 1989
Photographs - Mayo Society of New York, Event in Ireland Honoring Seamus Caulfield, 2005
West Side Irish American Club: Booklet, 1990, inclusive
Series III. Irish American Organizations, 1935-2019, inclusive
Extent
Scope and Contents
This series documents the Garveys' engagement with Irish American organizations through photographs, newspaper articles, programs for conventions, and other annual events. The majority of the organizations in this series are in the New York City. The Ancient Order of Hibernians, the United Irish Counties Association of New York, and planning groups for various St. Patrick's Day parades are particularly well represented.
Arrangement
Folders are arranged alphabetically.
