Skip to main content Skip to main navigation

Donald L. Nowlan Brooklyn collection

Call Number

ARC.120

Date

1930-1979, inclusive

Creator

Nowlan, Donald L. (Role: Photographer)

Extent

0.8 Linear Feet in nine folders, one album, and two postcard boxes.

Language of Materials

English .

Abstract

The Donald L. Nowlan Brooklyn collection, measuring .8 linear feet, consists of materials pertaining to Nowlan's high school and college years in Brooklyn, N.Y. and to Nowlan's effort to document Brooklyn through the creation or compilation of images of the borough. Though the collection contains materials dating from the late 19th century, the bulk of the collection spans the 1930s through the 1970s.

Biographical note

Donald L. Nowlan (b. circa 1921) is a Brooklyn resident who attended Brooklyn schools from elementary school through university. Nowlan went to Saint Saviour Elementary School located in the Park Slope neighborhood of Brooklyn. He graduated high school in 1939 from Manual Training High School (now the Secondary School for Law, Journalism and Research) also in Park Slope. Following his high school graduation, Nowlan served in the 12th Armored Division, 56th Armored Infantry Battalion, Company HQ during World War II. Known as the Hellcats, the 12th Armored Division helped to liberate 10 satellite camps of the Dachau concentration camp that was located in Germany. Following his military service, Nowlan attended Brooklyn College, located in the Midwood neighborhood of Brooklyn. He graduated in 1948 with a BA in Romance Languages. Nowlan grew up in Park Slope and lived at 470 3rd Street.

Scope and Contents

The Donald L. Nowlan Brooklyn collection, measuring .8 linear feet, consists of materials pertaining to Nowlan's high school and college years in Brooklyn, N.Y. and to Nowlan's effort to document Brooklyn through the creation or compilation of images of the borough. Though the collection contains materials dating from the late 19th century, the bulk of the collection spans the 1930s through the 1970s. The collection is organized into three series: Series 1: Papers; Series 2: Photographs and slides; and Series 3: Picture postcards.

Conditions Governing Access

Open to researchers without restriction.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright is retained by Donald L. Nowlan. Brooklyn Historical Society holds a nonexclusive license for the photographs and slides which authorizes BHS to use the materials for educational, exhibition, archival, documentary, publicity, promotional and research purposes. BHS is also authorized to license the materials for the same purposes listed above. Finally, we are authorized to distribute or sell to the public reporoductions of the materials in any form, including, but not limited to copy prints, slides, posters, postcards, note cards, tote bags, t-shirts, and other merchandise. Please consult library staff for more information.

Preferred Citation

Identification of item, date (if known); Donald L. Nowlan Brooklyn collection, ARC.120, Box and Folder number; Brooklyn Historical Society.

Photograph Records

Item-level description and digital versions of images from the collection are available for searching via the online image database

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Donald L. Nowlan, 1987 and 1990.

Collection processed by

Patricia Glowinski

About this Guide

This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2023-09-21 17:38:38 +0000.
Using Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language: English.

Processing Information note

Minimally processed to the series level.

This collection combines the accessions 1987.013, V1988.015, V1990.065, V1991.121, and V1990.002.

Repository

Brooklyn Historical Society

Container

Box: Postcards (Material Type: Graphic Materials)
Box: Postcards (Material Type: Graphic Materials)
Box: Slides by Accession 2, Box: 1, item: V1990.2.1-165 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)
Box: A0053 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)
Center for Brooklyn History
128 Pierrepont Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201