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TABLE OF CONTENTSInventory |
Guide to the Newtown Historical Society Records
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Descriptive Summary | ||
| Creator | Newtown Historical Society (Elmhurst, New York, N.Y.) | |
| Title | Newtown Historical Society Records, | |
| Dates: | 1941-1968 | |
| Abstract: | The records of the Society were donated to the Library in March 1969. Though not very extensive, they give some indication of the operations involved in the management of an historical society. The records have not been arranged in any series. | |
| Extent: | 5 boxes, 2.8 cubic feet | |
| Identification: | N-1 | |
| Location: | The material is located in the Archives at Queens Library. | |
Historical/Biographical Note
The Newtown Historical Society founded in April 1941 counted two Archives at Queens Library staff members among its founders, namely, Mr. Herbert P. Ricard and Miss Marguerite V. Doggett. Its first, and only president was Mr. John P. Gering, attorney, banker and civic leader. Most of the Society’s meetings were held at the Elmhurst branch of the Queens Borough Public Library, or at the office of Mr. Gering. Especially during its latter years, the latter’s office was used more and more.
On November 20, 1968, Mr. Gering passed away. Shortly after wards, it was decided to disband the Society. Though a large membership was never achieved, the Newtown Historical Society made a distinctive contribution by keeping the spirit of history alive in the Newtown area, one of the oldest areas in the borough of Queens.
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Scope and Content Note
The records of the Society were donated to the Library in March 1969. Though not very extensive, they give some indication of the operations involved in the management of an historical society. The records have not been arranged in any series. They consist of the following items:
Two volumes of meetings (mainly in typescript) for the periods of Sep 1945 to Sep 1968 and Sep 1958 to Nov. 1968. Newspaper clippings or like materials have been inserted in the volumes from time to time.
Rough minutes of the Society’s meetings held between ca. Sep 1945-Jun 1946 and 1949-1951
Membership lists compiled at various times, together with copies of some notices mailed out regarding meetings; several small membership application blanks; and blank membership cards, ca. 50 items.
General Correspondence Received and Sent, for the period, 1945-1964. There are about 50 items in this file consisting either of letters received by Society, or copies of the letters which they sent out. Most items are dated in the 1960s. Some of the correspondence concerns gifts of articles donated by the Society to various libraries. Another portion deals with such matters as arranging for speakers or taking part in various historical observances. There is also a thank-you letter from Ex-President, Herbert Hoover, acknowledging the receipt of birthday greetings from the Society.
File accumulated during the course of a special committee created by the Society "to prepare a de sign for a seal for the Society”. Consists of a few letters; the letter-head of the Society; and some draft copies of the seal.
Correspondence file accumulated during the course of research undertaken for Miss Doggett’s work, Early History of Newtown High School and Anecdotes of the Old Town of Newtown. This correspondence is virtually all between Mr. Gering and various school officials, graduates of Newtown High School, and interested parties. Included with the correspondence are type written articles copied from various old issues of the newspaper9 "The Newtown Register".
Copies of articles written by John P. Gering. There are about 10 such articles, all in typescript. An occasional correction is found on some. The articles deal not only with Newtown1s history, but with wider aspects of history. One of the articles is in reality the Constitution of the Newtown Historical Society, as drawn by Mr. Gering.
Copies of papers read (or in some case, perhaps, issued by the Society) before the Society at various times during its existence. These copies are all in typescript and most have been placed in binders. There are about 25 such papers, (probably some duplicate items or slightly different format) among them the following:
Early History of Newtown High School and Anecdotes of the Old Town of Newtown, by Marguerite V. Doggett (a lengthy paper in 3 parts)
Some of the Original Families of Old Newtown, by Louis P. Silvestro
Nineteenth Century Authors, by Marguerite V. Doggett
The majority of these papers were prepared by Miss Doggett. Included is also a brief history of the Society, probably prepared, or at least brought up-to-date in early 1969. Though there is no author indication, it was prepared by Miss Doggett, she was, as mentioned previously, one of the original founders of the Society.
Two copies of special anniversary issue of the "Newtown Register" issued in 1942 on the occasion of the Tercentennial celebration of the founding of Newtown. The material for this issue was prepared by the Society. In this folder is also a copy of an article written by Mr. Gering, titled "Short Outline History of Town of Newtown"; a photocopy of a map of Newtown; and a copy each of two form letters Issued by the Society setting forth its objectives.
Historical Societies’ Publications such as copies of the "Newsletter" issued by the Society For the Preservation of Long Island Antiquities; and the "Bulletin" issued by the New York State Historical Association. There are about 20 such publications, and they were probably used by the Society to locate information pertinent to its interests. Dated ca 1946-1966
Photocopies of various newspaper articles dealing in some way with Newtown. Most of the photocopies were made from microfilm, and have not reproduced too well. Most of the articles are from the paper, "The Newtown Register", and are dated ca. 1898-1925. These were probably collected In conjunction with the undertaking of research for a publication undertaken by the Society, during the tercentenary of the celebration of the Town of Newtown’s founding, setting forth a brief history of the area.
A collection of about a dozen old greeting cards (ca.18801910). Most of the cards appear to be St. Valentine cards. Also Included are a few picture advertisement cards Issued by A.H. Phillips’ tea store of Brooklyn. According to a note written on an enclosing envelope, the collection was donated to the Society by Miss Josephine Hewins.
Scrapbook containing newspaper clippings. It was compiled by society member, Mrs. Margaret E.J. Yanson and begun in 1942 when the town of Newtown was celebrating the tercentenary of its founding. The clippings cover other historic events associated not only with Newtown, but with Long Island generally. The latest clipping is dated, 1952.
Photographs of various Newtown scenes. There are two groups, one of which was identified as being "Photographs presented to Newtown Historical Society at meeting Nov 20, 1945 by Mrs. Schwartz These were given to Mrs. Schwartz by Mrs. Frank Keyser daughter of the original owner, Mrs. Bernard”. There are about a dozen photographs of varying sizes, and they depict different scenes, basically rural in nature. They were probably taken in the very late 1890s or at the turn of the century, at least for the most part. Most are at least partially identified.
The other group is larger, containing as it does about 42 photographs. These do not appear to be original but perhaps copies made in the 1930s or 1940s. They depict, however, scenes of around 1900 or a bit later. These are all identified briefly. All but six are Manhattan photographs, however, not Queens.
Miscellaneous materials including a copy of the Society’s Constitution and By-Laws; several copies of stationery used by the Society (2 different letterheads involved); program of Class Day 1909 held at the Newtown High School; autographed copy signed by Dr. Victor Hugo Paltsits of his description of The Queens Borough Seal and The Seals of New York; map of old Newtown Village; copy of memorial service held on May 25, 1930 for the Rev. Edward Mansfield McGuffey; some miscellaneous tear sheets or publications; some publications pertaining to St. James Episcopal Church; and volume titled Gospel Sonnets or Spiritual Songs, by Rev. Ralph Erskine, published in 1762. Tipped in this latter item is a note reading "Presented to the Newtown Historical Society October 17th, 1950 by Maud Mary Griswold to be Kept by that society unless some member of the Lawrence family of Old Newtown wishes it, when it shall be given to that person”. The book, evidently, was originally owned by Thomas Lawrence.
In addition there are also the following four non textual items: Rubber stamp used by the Society for its notices of meetings; a medal issued on June 12, 1909, the Queensboro Bridge Celebration; an Iron Clothes Hanger taken from the Moore House (presumably, the one in Elmhurst); a silver tablespoon with 7 engraved names of members of the Luyster, Wyckoff, Burroughs, Roach and Tabing families; a note written by a member of the Society states that the spoon was "handmade in 1740” (probably an error since another note states 1944, and presented to the Society in 1950 by Ada Roach Tabing.
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Administrative Information
Preferred Citation
Published citations should take the following form:
Creator of item, date of item (if known), identification of item, if a photograph its control number. The Newtown Historical Society Records, Archives at Queens Library, Queens Borough Public Library.
Access Restrictions
Open for research without restrictions. Manuscripts are only available in the Archives at Queens Library, please call (718) 990-0770 for hours. Manuscript users will be required to complete the division's Manuscript Usage Form and deposit their photograph identification or Queens Borough Public Library card with a staff member. The identification will be returned to the user after she/he has returned the material. Manuscript users will deposit all their personal items behind the reference desk. Manuscript users must use the division's loose sheets of paper for note taking. To reiterate, no pen of any type is permitted. Paper and a pencil are available upon request. Manuscript users may be required to use special handling procedures depending on the conditions of the material.
Use Restrictions
Permission to publish materials must be obtained in writing from the:
- Archives at Queens Library
- Queens Borough Public Library
- 89-11 Merrick Boulevard
- Jamaica, NY 11432
- Phone: (718) 990-0770.
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Access Points
Subject Organizations:
- Newtown Historical Society (Elmhurst, New York, N.Y.)
Subject Places:
- Newtown (Queens County, N.Y.)
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Inventory
[The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.]
