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Carole De Saram papers

Call Number

MS 3059

Date

1972-2011, inclusive

Creator

De Saram, Carole

Extent

11.5 Linear feet in 11 record cartons, 1 document box, and 1 over-size folder

Language of Materials

The documents in the collection are in English.

Abstract

The Carole De Saram papers include materials gathered and produced by De Saram as a result of her involvement in Tribeca community affairs. De Saram is both the former Chair of Community Board 1 in Manhattan and the former President of the Tribeca Community Association. The bulk of the content is textual with some photographs, maps, and ephemera included.

Biographical / Historical

Carole De Saram is both the former Chair of Community Board 1 (CB#1) in Manhattan and the former President of the Tribeca Community Association (TCA). Active in the Tribeca community for over 40 years, De Saram witnessed and shaped the development of this historical area. She was also influential in the feminist movement and is the former president of the New York City chapter of the National Women's Organization (NOW). An interview with Carole De Saram was conducted by The New York Preservation Archive Project, which can be found here.

In the 1970s, many artists moved into Tribeca's large and inexpensive lofts, creating a progressive community in a mostly industrial section of Manhattan and stimulating desirability. Around this time, the name Tribeca was coined for the "Triangle below Canal" Street, previously known as Washington Square Market. De Saram became involved with CB#1 and the TCA and helped organize the process of designating Tribeca as a landmark historic district in the 1980s. The area was split into four separate landmark districts: Tribeca North, East, South and West. De Saram felt strongly about issues that affected quality of life for Tribeca residents. These ranged from environmental concerns, noise and light pollution, open space initiatives, and safety considerations. Development in Tribeca saw a tremendous boom starting in the 1980s. De Saram paid careful attention to zoning laws and changes, strategizing legal action when CB#1 and the TCA felt building preservation and community well-being were threatened by developers.

Arrangement

The collection is organized in two series: Subject Files and Publications. The Subject Files comprise 10 record cartons and 1 over-size folder and the Publications, 1 record carton.

Scope and Contents

The materials in the Carole De Saram papers generally relate to development and quality of life issues, landmark designations, community supported projects, and lawsuits that affected Tribeca.

Series I includes correspondence, press releases, memorandum, minutes, articles, resolutions, newsletters, meeting notices, booklets, handbooks, brochures, pamphlets, journals, photographs, ephemera, maps, guides, and legal documents that were gathered and produced by De Saram as a result of her involvement in Tribeca community affairs. Many specific buildings, addresses, developers, and corporations are documented within these papers. New York City government departments including the Board of Standards and Appeals, the Landmarks Preservation Commission, the City Planning Commission, and the Department of Sanitation are also represented. More detailed information pertaining to topics, names, and places covered by each subheading can be found in the collection inventory scope and contents notes.

Series II consists of publications such as booklets, guides, pamphlets, brochures, ephemera, periodicals, manuals and reports.

Access Restrictions

Open to qualified researchers. Materials are stored offsite and advance notice is required for use.

Use Restrictions

This collection is owned by the New-York Historical Society. The copyright law of the United States governs the making of photocopies and protects unpublished materials as well as published materials. Unpublished materials created before January 1, 1978 cannot be quoted in publication without permission of the copyright holder. Photocopying undertaken by staff only. Limited to 20 exposures of stable, unbound material per day.

Preferred Citation

The collection should be cited as: Carole De Saram papers on Tribeca, MS 3059, The New-York Historical Society.

Location of Materials

Materials are stored offsite and advance notice is required for use. Please contact manuscripts@nyhistory.org prior to your research visit to coordinate access. Keep in mind that it will take between two (2) and five (5) business days for collections to arrive, and you should plan your research accordingly.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift from Carole De Saram, 2016, with some additional photographs received in 2018.

Collection processed by

Ariana Heinsdorf

About this Guide

This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2023-08-21 15:47:14 -0400.
Using Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language: English

Processing Information

Processed by archival intern Ariana Heinsdorf in July 2018.

Repository

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