Guide to the Henry A. Meyer scrapbooks 1977.193
128 Pierrepont Street
Brooklyn, NY, 11201
718-222-4111
library@brooklynhistory.org
Brooklyn Historical Society
Collection processed by Weatherly Stephan
This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit
on November 14, 2014
English using Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Revised by John Zarrillo 2014
Descriptive Summary
| Creator: | Meyer, Henry A., b. 1860 |
|---|---|
| Title: | Henry A. Meyer scrapbooks |
| Dates [inclusive]: | 1888-1934 |
| 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. |
| Quantity: | 2.5 linear feet in one oversize manuscript box and two oversize flat boxes. |
| Text [Oversize]: | 1977.193 Box 3 of 3 |
| Text [Box]: | 1977.193 Box 1 of 3 |
| Text [Oversize]: | 1977.193 Box 2 of 3 |
| Call Phrase: | 1977.193 |
| Sponsor: | This collection was processed and described as part of the project, "Uncovering the Secrets of Brooklyn's 19th Century Past: Creation to Consolidation," funded by the Council on Library and Information Resources, with additional support from The Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation. |
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.
Access Points
Subject Names
- Meyer, Henry A., b. 1860
Document Type
- Clippings (information artifacts)
- Correspondence
- Memorabilia
- Photographs
- Programs (documents)
Subject Organizations
- Brooklyn Retail Merchants' Association (Brooklyn, New York, N.Y.).
- Germania Real Estate and Improvement Company.
- Henry A. Meyer (Ferry).
- Jamaica Bay Improvement Commission.
- New York (N.Y.). Dept. of Docks (1920-).
- Staten Island Ferry.
- United Retail Grocers Association of Brooklyn.
Subject Topics
- Business enterprises -- New York (State) -- Kings County
- Economic development -- New York (State) -- Kings County
- Local elections -- New York (State) -- Kings County
- Public officers -- New York (State) -- Kings County
- Republican Party (N.Y.) -- History -y 19th century
Subject Places
- Flatbush (New York, N.Y.)
- Gateway National Recreation Area (N.J. and N.Y.)
- Jamaica Bay (N.Y.)
- Vanderveer Park (New York, N.Y.)
Administrative Information
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 note
Gift of Mrs. Alfred Steers, Jr., 1957.
Processing Information note
Minimally processed to the collection level.