A. Harvey Schreter (1916-2008) was a world traveler and collector of pre-Columbian, African, and Pacific art. The collection contains materials related to trips taken by Harvey and his wife Phyllis between 1960 and 2000, slide lectures based on these trips,and personal and professional papers.
Scope and Contents:
The A. Harvey Schreter papers consist of correspondence, lecture notes, promotional materials, clippings, photographs (color 35mm slides and prints), scrapbooks, and audio and video recordings documenting his world travels, lecture series, and personal and professional life. The bulk of the collection contains material related to trips taken by Harvey and his wife Phyllis to North and South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Oceania between 1960 and 2000. These trips becasme the basis for lectures delivered by the Schreters monthly from the 1980s through the early 2000s. Also included are personal and biographical papers of Harvey Schreter, his wife Phyllis, their children and extended family; materials related to Harvey's membership in the Explorers Club; materials related to the Schreter Neckwear Company; and materials related to the "Schreter System," an exercise program for the pelvic floor muscles.
Please note that the contents of the collection and the language and terminology used reflect the context and culture of the time of its creation. As an historical document, its contents may be at odds with contemporary views and terminology and considered offensive today. The information within this collection does not reflect the views of the Smithsonian Institution or National Anthropological Archives, but is available in its original form to facilitate research.
Arrangement:
The collection is arranged into two series: (1) World travels, lectures, and related documentation and (2) Personal and professional papers.
Biographical Note:
A. Harvey Schreter (1916-2008) was the President of Schreter Neckware, a necktie manufacturer, as well as a world traveler and collector of pre-Columbian, African and Pacific art. Schreter became a member of the Explorers Club in 1982, frequently lecturing to the Washington Chapter about his travels with his wife, Phyllis Schreter.
Related Materials:
The Baltimore Museum of Industry holds the records of the Schreter Neckwear Company.
The Mid-Atlantic Regional Moving Image Archive Repository holds the A. Harvey Schreter Home Movies collection.
Separated Materials:
Video recordings in this collection have been transferred to the Human Studies Film Archives.
Provenance:
Received from Harvey Schreter in 1985 and Carol Schreter in 2016.
Restrictions:
Access to the A. Harvey Schreter papers requires an appointment.