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Henry A. Meyer scrapbooks

Call Number

1977.193

Date

1888-1934, inclusive

Creator

Meyer, Henry A.

Extent

2.5 Linear Feet in one oversize manuscript box and two oversize flat boxes.

Language of Materials

English .

Abstract

The Henry A. Meyer scrapbooks date from 1888 to 1934 and consists of five scrapbooks which document the professional life of Henry Meyer, a Brooklyn businessman, real estate developer, and government official. The scrapbooks contain news clippings, correspondence, programs, photographs, and memorabilia. In addition to the scrapbooks, the collection includes a copy of Vanderveer Park, by Meyers, inscribed to his mother, 1901.

Biographical note

Henry Adolf Meyer (1860-1940) was born in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn. Meyer began his career as a grocer, serving as president of the Retail Grocer's Association of Brooklyn and the Retail Merchants Association of Brooklyn. In 1891, Meyer ran unsuccessfully for Mayor of Brooklyn as a Republican. He formed the Germania Real Estate and Investment Company, which in 1892 began the development of the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn, especially Vanderveer Park. Meyer was also committed to the development of Jamaica Bay as an industrial area and a harbor, working as the head of the Jamaica Bay Improvement Commission and as deputy New York City Dock Commissioner from 1918 to 1933. He authored two books: Vanderveer Park , published in 1901, and Looking Through Life's Window, an autobiography published in 1930.

Scope and Contents

The Henry A. Meyer scrapbooks date from 1888 to 1934 and measure 2.25 linear feet. The collection consists of five scrapbooks which document the professional life of Henry Meyer, a Brooklyn businessman, real estate developer, and government official. The scrapbooks contain news clippings, correspondence, programs, photographs, and memorabilia. The scrapbooks document the following topics: Meyer's campaign for mayor of Brooklyn and work with the United Retail Grocers' Association; publication of Meyer's autobiography, Looking Through Life's Window; the Meyer family, politics, real estate, and development of Jamaica Bay and Vanderveer Park; launch of the municipal ferry boat Henry A. Meyer; and Meyer's work with the New York City Docks Department, including Jamaica Bay and the Staten Island Ferry, as well as his campaign to be appointed postmaster of Brooklyn.

In addition to the scrapbooks, the collection includes a copy of Vanderveer Park, by Meyers, inscribed to his mother, 1901.

Conditions Governing Access

Open to researchers without restriction.

Preferred Citation

Identification of item, date (if known); Henry A. Meyer scrapbooks, 1977.193, Box and Folder number; Brooklyn Historical Society.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Mrs. Alfred Steers, Jr., 1957.

Collection processed by

Weatherly Stephan

About this Guide

This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2023-08-21 11:15:55 +0000.
Using Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language: English

Processing Information

Minimally processed to the collection level.

Repository

Brooklyn Historical Society

Container

Oversize: 1977.193 Box 3 of 3 (Material Type: Text)
Box: 1977.193 Box 1 of 3 (Material Type: Text)
Oversize: 1977.193 Box 2 of 3 (Material Type: Text)
Center for Brooklyn History
128 Pierrepont Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201