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New-York Historical Society financial records

Call Number

NYHS-RG 24

Date

1837-2005 (bulk 1800s-1930s, 1980s-1993), inclusive

Creator

New-York Historical Society

Extent

18 Linear feet in 18 record cartons

Language of Materials

The documents in the collection are in English.

Abstract

Although the record group does not hold comprehensive records concerning N-YHS's financial history, there are several 19th century records (cash ledgers, mortgagee holdings documentation, bank books, etc.) that provide glimpses into N-YHS's early finances. Also there is extensive financial data (expenses, budgets, investments, etc.) for the late 1980s and early 1990s; though the timeframe is limited, it represents a period when N-YHS faced a severe fiscal crisis and so can provide insight into that pivotal moment in the organization's history. The record group also holds much information about many of N-YHS's special funds (e.g., Harper Fund) and the financial aspects of the Encyclopedia of New York City project.

Arrangement

The record group is organized in five series:

Series I. Investments, 1880s-1993

Series II. General Office Files, 1930s-2005

Series III. Account books, journals & ledgers, 1837-1927, 1958-1993

Series IV. Working files, 1988-1993

Series V. Encyclopedia of New York City Files, 1988-1991

Scope and Contents

Although the record group does not hold comprehensive records concerning N-YHS's financial history, there are several 19th century records (cash ledgers, mortgagee holdings documentation, bank books, etc.) that provide glimpses into N-YHS's early finances. Also there is extensive financial data (expenses, budgets, investments, etc.) for the late 1980s and early 1990s; though the timeframe is limited, it represents a period when N-YHS faced a severe fiscal crisis and so can provide insight into that pivotal moment in the organization's history. The record group also holds much information about many of N-YHS's special funds (e.g., Harper Fund) and the financial aspects of the Encyclopedia of New York City project.

Access Restrictions

Materials in this collection may be stored offsite. For more information on making arrangements to consult them, please visit www.nyhistory.org/library/visit.

Use Restrictions

Taking images of documents from the library collections for reference purposes by using hand-held cameras and in accordance with the library's photography guidelines is encouraged. As an alternative, patrons may request up to 20 images per day from staff. Application to use images from this collection for publication should be made in writing to: Department of Rights and Reproductions, The New-York Historical Society, 170 Central Park West, New York, NY 10024-5194, rightsandrepro@nyhistory.org. Phone: (212) 873-3400 ext. 282.

Copyrights and other proprietary rights may subsist in individuals and entities other than the New-York Historical Society, in which case the patron is responsible for securing permission from those parties. For fuller information about rights and reproductions from N-YHS visit: https://www.nyhistory.org/about/rights-reproductions

Preferred Citation

The collection should be cited as: New-York Historical Society financial records, NYHS-RG 24, New-York Historical Society.

Location of Materials

Materials in this collection may be stored offsite. For more information on making arrangements to consult them, please visit www.nyhistory.org/library/visit.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Most of the content of the record group was found in the archives at the time of the institutional archives project of 2015-16. The bulk of Series II was transfered to the archives by the Accounting & Finance Department in March 2020.

Related Materials

This finding aid relates to just one record group of the New-York Historical Society archives. Additional correspondence about N-YHS financial matters can be found throughout the General Correspondence record group (RG 2). Lists of expenses and investments, related resolutions, etc. can be found in the minutes of the Society and the Executive Committee (RG 1). Record groups for building construction (RG 3 and RG 4) have expense records for those projects. For information about the other record groups and for overall information about the archives, please see the overview Guide to the New-York Historical Society Archives (NYHS Archives).

Collection processed by

Larry Weimer

About this Guide

This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2023-08-21 15:48:36 -0400.
Using Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language: Finding aid written in English

Processing Information

The record group was processed by archivist Larry Weimer in September 2022.

Repository

New-York Historical Society
New-York Historical Society
170 Central Park West
New York, NY 10024