Edison General Electric Works. (Schenectady (N.Y.) Search this
Former owner:
National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of Mechanical and Civil Engineering Search this
National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of Work and Industry Search this
Names:
Edison, Thomas A. (Thomas Alva), 1847-1931 Search this
Extent:
0.3 Cubic feet (2 boxes)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Photograph albums
Photographs
Place:
Schenectady (N.Y.)
Date:
1892
Scope and Contents note:
An album entitled "With Edison in Schenectady". It contains captioned photographs of subjects such as building exteriors and interiors, staff members, the power station, generators, close-ups of machines, and scenes of the factory floor. It was compiled and published by William H. Butler.
Arrangement:
Collection is arranged into one series.
Biographical/Historical note:
Electrical product manufacturing company, established by Thomas A. Edison in Schenectady in 1886, consolidating all of Edison's electrical and power machinery interests.
Provenance:
Collection purchased from dealer, Keith D. DeLellis, 1985.
Restrictions:
Collection is open for research but is stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection is open for research but is stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
1 Photographic print (Silver albumen on paper, Image 8-3/8" x 11-1/16", mounted on board, 12-1/4" x 15-1/2".)
Container:
Oversize 72, Folder 2
Type:
Archival materials
Photographic prints
Photographs
Place:
Paris (France) -- 1890-1900
Tour Eiffel (Paris, France)
Date:
1889
Scope and Contents:
Sculpture and fountain in foreground, Eiffel Tower in background. Photographer unidentified.
Local Numbers:
AC0060-0000886.tif (Nonacc. no.)
Restrictions:
Unrestricted research access on site by appointment. Unprotected photographs must be handled with gloves.
Series Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Warshaw Collection of Business Americana Subject Categories: World Expositions, Archives Center, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution
Sponsor:
Funding for partial processing of the collection was supported by a grant from the Smithsonian Institution's Collections Care and Preservation Fund (CCPF).
Six images of animals, including two views of "Alligators in Central Park" published by Alfred S. Campbell with an advertisement for the American Tobacco Company on the versos; an Alaskan wolf; 2 donkeys; a cat, printed by the Wendt Bros., Albany, N.Y.; and a lithoprint of "'Romey,' Hero Dog of the Great Johnstown Flood".
Restrictions:
Unrestricted research use on site. Photographs must be handled with white cotton gloves, unless protected by plastic sleeves.
Series Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Warshaw Collection of Business Americana, Archives Center, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution
Sponsor:
Funding for partial processing of the collection was supported by a grant from the Smithsonian Institution's Collections Care and Preservation Fund (CCPF).
Beach scenes: people in bathing attire on beaches and in the water at Atlantic City, N.J., Asbury Park, N.J., and Narragansett, by B.W. Kilburn, C.H. Graves, and unidentified photographers.
Restrictions:
Unrestricted research use on site. Photographs must be handled with white cotton gloves, unless protected by plastic sleeves.
Series Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Warshaw Collection of Business Americana, Archives Center, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution
Sponsor:
Funding for partial processing of the collection was supported by a grant from the Smithsonian Institution's Collections Care and Preservation Fund (CCPF).
Two images of the General Electric Company in Schenectady, N.Y., printed by Julius Wendt (Albany).
Restrictions:
Unrestricted research use on site. Photographs must be handled with white cotton gloves, unless protected by plastic sleeves.
Series Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Warshaw Collection of Business Americana, Archives Center, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution
Sponsor:
Funding for partial processing of the collection was supported by a grant from the Smithsonian Institution's Collections Care and Preservation Fund (CCPF).
(Translated: The Cake Walk danced at the new circus. Negro children.) Rudy and Fredy Walker dancing. See "Rudy and Fredy Walker, c.1903 postcard series 'Le Cake-Walk' by Rainer E. Lotz, http://songbook1.wordpress.com/pp/fx/african-american-musical-theater-1896-1926/rudy-and-fredy-walker/cake-walking-babies-from-home/
Arrangement:
In Box 1, Folder Cake Walk.
Local Numbers:
AC0281-0000007.tif (AC Scan)
Collection Restrictions:
The collection is open for research use.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Hoffman/Boaz Postcard Collection, 1898-1920, Archives Center, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution, box X, folder XX, digital image file XXXXXXX.
The Cake Walk (as) danced at the new circus. Negro children. Young girl, Rudy Walker, dancing alone. Real photo postcard. See "Rudy and Fredy Walker, c.1903 postcard series 'Le Cake-Walk' by Rainer E. Lotz, http://songbook1.wordpress.com/pp/fx/african-american-musical-theater-1896-1926/rudy-and-fredy-walker/cake-walking-babies-from-home/
Arrangement:
In Box 1, Folder Cake Walk.
Local Numbers:
AC0281-0000008 (AC Scan)
Collection Restrictions:
The collection is open for research use.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Hoffman/Boaz Postcard Collection, 1898-1920, Archives Center, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution, box X, folder XX, digital image file XXXXXXX.
(Translation: The Cake Walk danced at the new circus.) Negro children. Rudy and Fredy Walker dancing together. See "Rudy and Fredy Walker, c.1903 postcard series 'Le Cake-Walk' by Rainer E. Lotz, http://songbook1.wordpress.com/pp/fx/african-american-musical-theater-1896-1926/rudy-and-fredy-walker/cake-walking-babies-from-home/
Arrangement:
In Box 1, Folder Cake Walk.
Local Numbers:
AC0281-0000013.tif (AC Scan)
Collection Restrictions:
The collection is open for research use.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Hoffman/Boaz Postcard Collection, 1898-1920, Archives Center, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution, box X, folder XX, digital image file XXXXXXX.
Collection consists of photographs, commercially published sheet music, and original music manuscripts from the McNallys' vaudeville careers. Materials include minstrel show and blackface material; photo of Albert Tovell, once the master of ceremonies for Frances H. "Peaches" Browning; and a photograph of "Gov. Jordan," a blackface female impersonator.
Scope and Contents:
Series 1: Original Music Manuscripts/Arrangements contains original manuscripts used in the Hokem is Hokem act orchestrated by Neva Satterlee Mello. There are parts scores for five musical instruments and various instruments have additional music scores as well for individual selections. The series is arranged alphabetically.
Series 2: Commercial Sheet Music contains commercially printed sheet music, mostly from the vaudeville era with a few exceptions such as Hello Dolly and others. The series contains some well worn sheet music selections, some of which were presumably used by Neva's orchestra or the Hokem is Hokem troupe. One piece, Lily of the Valley, has been sewn along its spine by a sewing machine to help keep it together. The series is arranged alphabetically.
Series 3: Photographs contains photographs of George Mello and some of the Mello's/McNally's vaudeville contemporaries. Of special interest is one photograph of a man dressed in drag and blackface and a photograph of Albert Tovell, one time master of ceremonies for the somewhat infamous Frances H. Browning aka Peaches Browning (1910-1956). There is also another photograph of two men dressed in blackface.
Series 4: Memorabilia contains the music covers for the Hokem is Hokem act and one publication.
Arrangement:
Collection is divided into four series.
Series 1: Original Sheet Music
Series 2: Commercial Sheet Music
Series 3: Photographs
Series 4: Memorabilia
Biographical / Historical:
According to family history, Neva Satterlee at the age of seventeen formed an orchestra and was its leader for many years. At one time she was under contract with Charles Hoyt Productions, probably the same Hoyt of Morgan & Hoyt's who boasted a Ladies Band and Imperial Singing Orchestra on their bill. She was an accomplished musician and actress. Neva married George McNally and they took the stage surname of Mello. Neva did all the musical arrangements as she was the only one of the pair who could read music. Their home base was the town of Fulton, New York. The couple remained on the vaudeville circuit as entertainers until Neva's death during child birth in 1909. The couple had at least one child, Angeline McNally. George continued to work in vaudeville. The act was under the direction of George Mello and Eddie Shaw. The act, titled Hokem is Hokem, was a minstrel, musical revue style show and apparently consisted of at least five musical selections; the opening Hot-Time, followed by He's Goin' to Hab a Hot Time Bye an' Bye termed (the greatest coon song ever published), Tall Girl (arranged by Neva Satterlee Mello), Snaps, and The Man Behind the Plow. The act's band consisted of a piano, violin, cornet, trombone, drums, clarinet, and flute but may have included other instruments. According to family tradition, Mello ceased his vaudeville career by 1928.
The vaudeville tradition began in the aftermath of the Civil War when numerous minstrel companies began touring the country in minstrel shows presenting songs and comedy in an easily accessible format. Vaudeville became the staple American family entertainment during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Tony Pastor gave the first big time vaudeville show in New York City in 1881 and by 1919 there were reportedly 900 vaudeville theatres in the country. Featuring a collection of sketches, short plays, popular songs, and simple comedy routines, the show often featured minstrel-type acts presented by actors in blackface. With the influx of immigrants in the latter 19th century, the tradition continued but was changed by European and ethnic influences. Booking agents operated in the major cities of New York, Chicago and San Francisco promoting and developing their own Vaudeville Acircuits. Booking agents booked small troupes of actors, specialty acts and musical performers to tour the circuit traveling from one town's vaudeville house to the next. (Encarta Encyclopedia, IATSE)
Provenance:
Collection donated to the Archives Center by the granddaughter of the McNallys, Beatrice M. LaClair, in 2000.
Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Rights:
Rights situation uncertain. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
George E. "Mello" and Neva Satterlee McNally Vaudeville Collection, 1889-1964, Archives Center, National Museum of American History. Gift of Beatrice M. LaClair.
Hammer, William J. (William Joseph), 1858-1934 (electrical engineer) Search this
Extent:
1 Item (Silver gelatin on paper, mounted., 6.3" x 4.3")
Container:
Box 85, Folder Charles Kintner
Type:
Archival materials
Cabinet prints
Photographs
Studio portraits
Date:
Circa 1895
Scope and Contents:
Studio portrait by G. W. Davis, with studios in Washington, D.C. and Richmond, Va. Subject's name hand-written in ink at bottom of print.
Local Numbers:
AC0069-0000006 (AC scan number)
Restrictions:
Unrestricted research use on site by appointment. Photographs must be handled with cotton gloves unless protected by sleeves.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
[William Hammer sitting in his lab, black & white photoprint]
Collector:
Hammer, William J. (William Joseph), 1858-1934 (electrical engineer) Search this
Collection Creator:
Hammer, William J. (William Joseph), 1858-1934 (electrical engineer) Search this
Extent:
1 Item (Silver albumen? on paper., 10.1" x 13.3")
Container:
Box 94, Folder 3
Type:
Archival materials
Photographs
Date:
Circa 1900
Scope and Contents:
Lab contains a wide variety of items -- books, light bulbs, x-rays, photographs, recording machines, etc.
Local Numbers:
AC0069-0000007 (AC scan number)
Restrictions:
Unrestricted research use on site by appointment. Photographs must be handled with cotton gloves unless protected by sleeves.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Hammer, William J. (William Joseph), 1858-1934 (electrical engineer) Search this
Extent:
1 Item (Silver albumen on paper, mounted on cabinet card., 6.2" x 4.2".)
Container:
Box 85, Folder Edward Johnson
Type:
Archival materials
Photographs
Cabinet prints
Studio portraits
Date:
Circa 1895
Scope and Contents:
Studio portrait (cabinet print) by Falk of New York City.
Local Numbers:
AC0069-0000008 (AC scan number)
Restrictions:
Unrestricted research use on site by appointment. Photographs must be handled with cotton gloves unless protected by sleeves.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Hammer, William J. (William Joseph), 1858-1934 (electrical engineer) Search this
Extent:
1 Item (Silver gelatin on paper, 6.5" x 4.2")
Type:
Archival materials
Studio portraits
Photographs
Date:
1891
Scope and Contents:
Studio portrait by Wood of Kalamazoo, Michigan.
Arrangement:
Series 4, box 85. folder George F. Green.
Local Numbers:
AC0069-0000012 (AC scan number)
Restrictions:
Unrestricted research use on site by appointment. Photographs must be handled with cotton gloves unless protected by sleeves.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
[William Hammer sitting in his lab, black & white photoprint]
Collector:
Hammer, William J. (William Joseph), 1858-1934 (electrical engineer) Search this
Collection Creator:
Hammer, William J. (William Joseph), 1858-1934 (electrical engineer) Search this
Extent:
1 Item (10.1" x 12.5")
Container:
Box 89
Type:
Archival materials
Photographs
Photographs
Date:
Circa 1900
Scope and Contents:
Lab contains a wide variety of items - books, lightbulbs, x-rays, photographs, recording machines, etc. Duplicate and cropped version of photograph in box 94, folder 3.
Arrangement:
Series 4, box 89. folder ?.
Local Numbers:
AC0069-0000017 (AC scan number)
Restrictions:
Unrestricted research use on site by appointment. Photographs must be handled with cotton gloves unless protected by sleeves.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Night view of the electric lights in the Court of Honor. Photographer unidentified.
Local Numbers:
AC0047-0000009.tif (AC Scan No.)
Restrictions:
Unrestricted research use on site by appointment. Photographs must be handled with cotton gloves unless protected by sleeves.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Script on photograph: "Experimental station fully developed / Activity (power delivery) one hundred thousand horsepower."
Local Numbers:
AC0047-0000026.tif (AC Scan No.)
Restrictions:
Unrestricted research use on site by appointment. Photographs must be handled with cotton gloves unless protected by sleeves.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
1 Item (Silver albumen? on paper, mounted., 9.0 x 13.9 in.)
Container:
Box 3, Folder 2
Type:
Archival materials
Photographs
Place:
Washington
Date:
Circa 1895
Scope and Contents:
Eight men, including Emile Bachelet, in front of a store with a large switchboard.
Local Numbers:
AC0302-0000023.tif (AC Scan)
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research. Gloves must be worn when handling unprotected photographs and negatives.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
The collection consists of cyanotype and silver gelatin photographs, print negatives, publications, stamps, and a glass plate negative, documenting the Metropolitan Water Works during its construction.
Scope and Contents:
The collection consists of four series. Series 1,Cyanotype photographs and Series 2,Cyanotype photographs contain a total 877 cyanotype photographs.
Series 3, contains 128 silver gelatin photographs, 14 print negatives.
Series 4, contains one glass plate negative, two stamps and two publications.
The material's from 1895 to 1919. The material is arranged by number.
Overall the cyanotype photographs are in good condition while some show signs of water damage. Images depict different installations of the Boston Waterworks system, views of pumping stations being installed and in operation as well as views of water mains. The first publication relates to the Metropolitan District Water supply tunnel from the Ware River to the Wachusett Reservoir and the second publication relates to the Boston Society of Civil Engineers excursion to water supply from the Metropolitan District, October 22, 1932. The stamps were used to label the cyanotype photographs with the name of the collection, date it was received, and the museum division name.
Arrangement:
The Collection is organized into three series.
Series 1: Cyanotype Photographs, 1897-1919
Series 2: Silver Gelatin Photographs, 1896-1921
Series 3: Glass Plate Negative, Stamps, and Publications, 1932
Biographical:
In 1846, the city of Boston established the first municipal water utility in order to maintain and operate the Cochituate Water Works, known as the Boston Water Commissioners. In 1850, the Cochituate Water Board is established.In 1865, the Mystic Water Board was established. In 1875 the Cochituate Water Board and Mystic Water Board merge to create the Boston Water Board. Later in 1895, the Boston Water Board was abolished, which lead to the establishment of the Metropolitan Water Board, resulting in the transfer of maintenances and operations of the Boston Water Board to the Metropolitan Water Board as well as the Spot Pond Water Works of the towns of Melrose, Malden and Medford. The Boston Water Board then became known as the Boston Water Department. In 1901, the Metropolitan Water Board merged with the Board of Metropolitan Sewerage Commissioners to form the Metropolitan Water and Sewerage Board. In 1919, the Metropolitan Park Commission merges with the Metropolitan Water and Sewerage Board to form the Metropolitan District Commission (MDC).
Source
Historical note was provided courtesy of: Sean M. Fisher, Archivist, DCR Archives, Office of Cultural Resources, Bureau of Planning and Resource Protection, MA Department of Conservation and Recreation, 251 Causeway St., Suite 600, Boston, MA 02114-2119
Related Materials:
Commonwealth of Massachusetts State Archives
Metropolitan Water Works photograph collection, 1876-1930 (bulk 1895-1921)
Series includes photographic documentation of the Boston Water Board's construction between 1890 and 1895, representing the Hopkinton Reservoir and Dam, and Sudbury Reservoir and Dam; and the photographic documentation of the Metropolitan Water Works system through three successive state agencies between 1895 and 1926.
Provenance:
The collection was acquired by Curator Robert Vogel, Division of Work and Industry, National Museum of American History, 1964-1965.
Restrictions:
The collection is open for research use. Researchers must handle unprotected photographs with gloves.
Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
