Scope and Contents

The sub-series contains one letter written by Crittenden (1874), and three copies of Sketch of the Life, Character and Work of Alonzo Crittenden (1885).

Scope and Contents

This sub-series includes two significant sets of correspondence. The first is correspondence to/from Dr. Truman Jay Backus (1842-1908), President of the Faculty at Packer Collegiate Institute from September 1883 through March 1908. The range of topics covered in this correspondence to/from Dr. Truman Jay Backus (1842-1908) includes scholastic accommodations and referrals for students, scholarship recommendations, faculty accommodations, and recommendations for teacher applicants and administrative matters such as building maintenance and facilities.

The sub-series has been broken into four sub-sub-series that include: 1) Multiple Correspondences arranged alphabetically by name; 2) General Correspondence between teachers; 3) Chronological files; and 4) Biographical/Memorabilia of Truman J. Backus

Multiple Correspondences

Highlights from this sub-sub-series include correspondence with William C. Lawton which constitutes a full exchange between Lawton and Dr. Backus about a teaching position, including interesting professional negotiations. Mr. Lawton did not end up teaching at the school. Noteworthy are the teacher recommendations made to Backus by Miss Lucy M. Salmon, Associate Professor of History at Vassar.

Additional materials include a folder containing correspondence between Backus and members of the Board of Trustees including letters from Board member Seth Low (1850-1916), who was the Mayor of Brooklyn, the Mayor of New York City, and served as the President of Columbia University. It also includes a six-page letter from Mr. McKeen, board member, in opposition to recommendations to the board to increase tuition. Also of noted significance is the last folder in the sub-series: correspondences between parents and Dr. Backus (1882-1891). The topics covered in this set include parental concerns over scarlet fever, scholarships, and lunch dismissals.

General Correspondence

Contains letters between Truman J. Backus and members of the teaching faculty. There is a letter written by Backus to the teaching staff asking for their opinions on the usage of the phrases "awfully bad" and "awfully pretty" (1900) and several responses from the teaching staff.

In addition, an eight-page letter from the Committee on Instruction (1899) regarding the possible reduction in teaching staff; a twenty page Report from Dr. Backus to the Committee on Instruction (1886) regarding curriculum; reports from Miss Susan K. Cook, teacher of "Mental and Moral Philosophy"; a report on individual teacher performance and recommendations about changes in assignments for teachers. This final report provides instructions on teaching etiquette accompanied by a 3 page statistical report.

Chronological files

Includes folders that span the years 1883-1894 with the exception of 1893.

Biographical/Memorabilia of Truman J. Backus

Contained in this sub-sub-series are 1) Published items written by Dr. Backus and 2) Biographical material about Dr. Backus. There is a short pamphlet written by Dr. Backus entitled: "Various Phases of an Important Subject" pertaining to the education of Blacks in the South, published by American Missionary Association, 12 pages. This sub series also contains a memorial essay written about the school's founder, Harriet Packer by Dr. Backus, and describes the education of young women in Brooklyn, in addition to detailing the first meeting between Dr. Backus and Mrs. Packer.

Scope and Contents

The sub-series contains three published lectures by Edward J. Goodwin (1907-1908), as well as a set of verses that were presented to Goodwin by the faculty in 1918.

Scope and Contents

The sub-series contains items relating to John Denbigh, including correspondence regarding M. Sugimoto (1921) and articles written by or about Denbigh (1930s).

Scope and Contents

This sub-series contains assorted materials from Packer Collegiate Institute's President Dr. Paul Shafer, 1938 – 1968.

The first group of materials consists of speeches delivered to students, faculty, parents and/or alumni by Dr. Shafer between 1930-1953. The speeches address WWII and its impact on education. Speeches following WWII are addressed to the PTA and focus on education within the home. Two examples of Shafer's writings appear in print outside of the Packer community: Forbes Magazine and Vital Speeches of the Day. A large formal document, with the signature and official seal of New York City's Mayor, Fiorello H. LaGuardia, and names Shafer a trustee of the Brooklyn Public Library. Shafer's 1967 announcement of his retirement is also included in the series by the Alumni Association. Materials are in good condition, although, Vital Speeches of the Day magazine's condition is deteriorating and should be handled with care.

The secound group of material consists of Dr. Shafer's office files. Arranged in rough chronological order for the academic years between 1960-1967. Folders include: Annual Report, Daily Program, Finances, School Organization and Administration and Teacher Reports. Items within this group detail Dr. Shafer's philosophy of education, his leadership style and his thoughts regarding topical issues pertaining to the school as a whole. The format of materials ranges from printed programs to handwritten notes on 4 x 7 colored note cards.

The Annual Report folders contain President Shafer's notes in preparation of his reports to the Board of Trustees. The Daily Program folders contain Dr. Shafer's notes for addresses to groups including the Board of Trustees, faculty, and students at the beginning of the each school year. Many notes are typed with handwritten edits while others are handwritten. There are printed programs for school events such as theater performances or the Christmas Carol Sing. There are minutes from meetings of the Board, and there are lists such as, "Colleges entered by graduates of the Academic School."

The Finance Reports are inconsistent between 1960 and 1968. The Treasurer of the Board of Trustees is responsible for delivering these reports detailing school expenses for events such as theater performances or the Spring Concert.

The School Administration and Organization folders contain items dealing with campus life and the President's responsibilities. Some items are related to the faculty such as a description of the school's Major Medical Insurance policy coverage and a list of new teachers, or instructions, such as "Procedures for Examinations." Some items detail student life, for example Permission Slip forms for a school dance or a directive regarding the lapsed enforcement of rules prohibiting girls from leaving school between the times of arrival and dismissal. Miscellaneous items include air raid drill instructions and a list of families with two or more children in the school.

The Teachers' Report folders are comprised of evaluations by faculty members, reports on the activities school clubs and reports from the dean and department heads. Among the materials are mimeographed examples of class assignments and exams.

Scope and Contents

The sub-series contains a few items relating to Jack Skillman, dating from 1968 to 1969.