Alice Austen Family Correspondence Collection, 1885

PI

Version: 4 (current) | Updated: 12/9/2025, 9:53:50 PM | Created: 12/9/2025, 7:18:55 PM

Added description

Description

Alice Austen Family Correspondence Collection, 1885

Overview

The Alice Austen Family Correspondence Collection, 1885, is a digitized assemblage of handwritten letters, envelopes, calling cards, and negative sleeves, accompanied by typed transcriptions. It is part of the Alice Austen Family Papers (MS1) held by the Alice Austen House Museum in Staten Island, New York, and is released into the public domain. The collection captures a single calendar year of personal and social communication within the Austen circle.

Background

Elizabeth Alice Austen (1866‑1952) was a pioneering American photographer whose home on Staten Island became a hub for upper‑middle‑class social life in the late‑Victorian era. The 1885 correspondence reflects her relationships with friends, family, and business associates, and illustrates the social customs of the period. The museum’s digitization project organized the material into scanned images and transcribed text files for research accessibility.

Contents

  • Letters and Envelopes – 30+ scanned images of handwritten correspondence from figures such as Mr. Bruce, Elizabeth B. Strong, Annie Hedley, Julia T. Martin, Julie Bredt, Violet M.E. Ward, Isabella King, Bessie Strong, Eva M. Hartnell, Grace Hustace Simonson, and Gertrude Eccleston.
  • Calling Cards – Victorian‑style social cards that provide insight into the etiquette and networking of the era.
  • Negative Sleeves – Photography‑related artifacts indicating Alice’s commercial activity.
  • Transcriptions – Typed versions of the handwritten letters, facilitating textual analysis.

Key themes emerging from the letters include social events (Calico Ball, Progressive Euchre Party, Phantom Party, May Pole, organ recital, tennis tournament), business matters (sale of photographs, including images from the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition), family health updates, musical pursuits (Steinway piano), and travel itineraries.

Scope

The collection documents the year 1885, with geographic references to Staten Island, New Brunswick, New York, Albany, and surrounding locales. It offers a window into the social fabric, familial ties, and entrepreneurial endeavors of a prominent New York family during the late Victorian period, making it valuable for scholars of social history, photography, and regional studies.

Raw Cheimarros Data

@alice_austen:person {full_name: "Elizabeth Alice Austen", birth: @date_1866, death: @date_1952, occupation: "photographer", location: @staten_island}

@julia_t_martin:person {full_name: "Julia T. Martin", location: @albany, relation: "close friend"}

@julie_bredt:person {full_name: "Julie Bredt", relation: "friend"}

@violet_m_e_ward:person {full_name: "Violet M.E. Ward", relation: "friend"}

@isabella_king:person {full_name: "Isabella King", relation: "photograph buyer"}

@bessie_strong:person {full_name: "Bessie Strong", relation: "friend"}

@eva_m_hartnell:person {full_name: "Eva M. Hartnell", relation: "friend"}

@grace_hustace_simonson:person {full_name: "Grace Hustace Simonson", relation: "friend"}

@gertrude_eccleston:person {full_name: "Gertrude Eccleston", relation: "friend"}

@annie_hedley:person {full_name: "Annie Hedley", relation: "friend"}

@charlie_deshler:person {full_name: "Charlie Deshler"}

@fred_deshler:person {full_name: "Fred Deshler"}

@harry_beebe:person {full_name: "Harry Beebe"}

@charlie_ludlow:person {full_name: "Charlie Ludlow"}

@tony_neilson:person {full_name: "Tony Neilson"}

@bob_ogilby:person {full_name: "Bob Ogilby"}

@dorie_strong:person {full_name: "Dorie Strong"}

@dr_p_t_austen:person {full_name: "Dr. P.T. Austen", relation: "family"}

@mr_bruce:person {full_name: "Mr. Bruce"}

@ralph_munroe:person {full_name: "Ralph Munroe", occupation: "photographer"}

@calico_ball:event {description: "Calico‑ball social event", location: @new_brunswick, date: @date_1885_11_19}

@progressive_euchre_party:event {description: "Progressive Euchre party", location: @new_brunswick, date: @date_1885_11_07}

@phantom_party:event {description: "Phantom party", location: @new_brunswick, date: @date_1885_11_07}

@may_pole:event {description: "May‑pole performance", location: @new_brunswick, date: @date_1885_06_22}

@organ_recital:event {description: "Organ recital at Second Reformed Church", location: @new_brunswick, date: @date_1885_11_07}

@tennis_tournament:event {description: "Tennis tournament", location: @staten_island, date: @date_1885_10_??}

@skating_party:event {description: "Skating party", location: @staten_island, date: @date_1885_??}

@letter_langford_1885_04_25:document {author: @mr_bruce, recipient: @alice_austen, date: @date_1885_04_25, summary: "Invitation to a Wednesday evening gathering"}

@letter_cornell_austen_1885_06_12:document {author: @alice_austen, recipient: @alice_austen, date: @date_1885_06_12, summary: "Family news, grandmother’s health, travel plans"}

@letter_eccleston_1885_06_22:document {author: @gertrude_eccleston, recipient: @alice_austen, date: @date_1885_06_22, summary: "Discussion of May‑pole rehearsals and local events"}

@letter_strong_1885_07_06:document {author: @elizabeth_b_strong, recipient: @alice_austen, date: @date_1885_07_06, summary: "Invitation to meet in New Brunswick, social plans"}

@letter_strong_1885_07_19:document {author: @elizabeth_b_strong, recipient: @alice_austen, date: @date_1885_07_19, summary: "Music sharing, tennis match results, social observations"}

@letter_hartnell_1885_07_20:document {author: @eva_m_hartnell, recipient: @alice_austen, date: @date_1885_07_20, summary: "Personal feelings, tennis plans, guardian’s affection"}

@letter_hartnell_1885_08_08:document {author: @eva_m_hartnell, recipient: @alice_austen, date: @date_1885_08_08, summary: "Travel update, request for photograph, social news"}

@letter_bredt_1885_08_08:document {author: @julie_bredt, recipient: @alice_austen, date: @date_1885_08_08, summary: "Tennis, school, social events, invitation to meet"}

@letter_strong_1885_08_12:document {author: @elizabeth_b_strong, recipient: @alice_austen, date: @date_1885_08_12, summary: "Travel notes, social gatherings, health updates"}

@letter_strong_1885_10_07:document {author: @elizabeth_b_strong, recipient: @alice_austen, date: @date_1885_10_07, summary: "Ball attendance, tennis results, social commentary"}

@letter_bruce_1885_11_02:document {author: @mr_bruce, recipient: @alice_austen, date: @date_1885_11_02, summary: "Invitation to boat‑house dance"}

@letter_grace_1885_11_03:document {author: @grace_hustace_simonson, recipient: @alice_austen, date: @date_1885_11_03, summary: "Health update, china painting, social invitation"}

@letter_strong_1885_11_07:document {author: @elizabeth_b_strong, recipient: @alice_austen, date: @date_1885_11_07, summary: "Plans for Calico‑ball, progressive euchre party, social logistics"}

@letter_strong_1885_11_19:document {author: @elizabeth_b_strong, recipient: @alice_austen, date: @date_1885_11_19, summary: "Calico‑ball date change, travel itinerary, costume details"}

@letter_hedley_1885_11_09:document {author: @annie_hedley, recipient: @alice_austen, date: @date_1885_11_09, summary: "Lunch invitation"}

@file_pinax:file {title: "Alice Austen Family Correspondence Collection, 1885", creator: [@alice_austen, @julia_t_martin, @julie_bredt, @violet_m_e_ward, @isabella_king, @bessie_strong, @eva_m_hartnell, @grace_hustace_simonson, @gertrude_eccleston, @elizabeth_b_strong, @annie_hedley, @mr_bruce], institution: "Alice Austen House", created: @date_1885, language: "en", subjects: ["Victorian social life","Photography","Tennis","Music","Family relationships","Social events","Correspondence","Staten Island history"], description: "Personal letters, calling cards, and photography‑related materials documenting Alice Austen’s social circle in 1885."}

@file_1885_transcripts:file {type: "transcript", description: "Transcribed letters from 1885", related_collection: @file_pinax}

@alice_austen -> corresponded with -> @julia_t_martin

@alice_austen -> corresponded with -> @julie_bredt

@alice_austen -> corresponded with -> @violet_m_e_ward

@alice_austen -> corresponded with -> @isabella_king

@alice_austen -> corresponded with -> @bessie_strong

@alice_austen -> corresponded with -> @eva_m_hartnell

@alice_austen -> corresponded with -> @grace_hustace_simonson

@alice_austen -> corresponded with -> @gertrude_eccleston

@alice_austen -> corresponded with -> @annie_hedley

@alice_austen -> corresponded with -> @mr_bruce

@alice_austen -> received -> @letter_langford_1885_04_25

@alice_austen -> received -> @letter_cornell_austen_1885_06_12

@alice_austen -> received -> @letter_eccleston_1885_06_22

@alice_austen -> received -> @letter_strong_1885_07_06

@alice_austen -> received -> @letter_strong_1885_07_19

@alice_austen -> received -> @letter_hartnell_1885_07_20

@alice_austen -> received -> @letter_hartnell_1885_08_08

@alice_austen -> received -> @letter_bredt_1885_08_08

@alice_austen -> received -> @letter_strong_1885_08_12

@alice_austen -> received -> @letter_strong_1885_10_07

@alice_austen -> received -> @letter_bruce_1885_11_02

@alice_austen -> received -> @letter_grace_1885_11_03

@alice_austen -> received -> @letter_strong_1885_11_07

@alice_austen -> received -> @letter_strong_1885_11_19

@alice_austen -> received -> @letter_hedley_1885_11_09

@alice_austen -> attended -> @calico_ball

@alice_austen -> attended -> @progressive_euchre_party

@alice_austen -> attended -> @phantom_party

@alice_austen -> attended -> @may_pole

@alice_austen -> attended -> @organ_recital

@alice_austen -> played tennis at -> @tennis_tournament

@alice_austen -> photographed by -> @ralph_munroe

@alice_austen -> sold photographs at -> @worlds_fair:event {description: "World's Columbian Exposition (Chicago, 1893)", date: @date_1893, location: @chicago}

@alice_austen -> lived in -> @staten_island

@julia_t_martin -> lived in -> @albany

@gertrude_eccleston -> mentioned -> @may_pole

@elizabeth_b_strong -> organized -> @calico_ball

@elizabeth_b_strong -> organized -> @progressive_euchre_party

@elizabeth_b_strong -> organized -> @phantom_party

@elizabeth_b_strong -> mentioned -> @tennis_tournament

@elizabeth_b_strong -> mentioned -> @organ_recital

@mr_bruce -> invited -> @alice_austen {event: "boat‑house dance", date: @date_1885_11_02}

@grace_hustace_simonson -> invited -> @alice_austen {event: "social visit", date: @date_1885_11_03}

@annie_hedley -> invited -> @alice_austen {event: "lunch", date: @date_1885_11_09}

@file_pinax -> documents -> @alice_austen

@file_pinax -> contains -> @letter_langford_1885_04_25

@file_pinax -> contains -> @letter_cornell_austen_1885_06_12

@file_pinax -> contains -> @letter_eccleston_1885_06_22

@file_pinax -> contains -> @letter_strong_1885_07_06

@file_pinax -> contains -> @letter_strong_1885_07_19

@file_pinax -> contains -> @letter_hartnell_1885_07_20

@file_pinax -> contains -> @letter_hartnell_1885_08_08

@file_pinax -> contains -> @letter_bredt_1885_08_08

@file_pinax -> contains -> @letter_strong_1885_08_12

@file_pinax -> contains -> @letter_strong_1885_10_07

@file_pinax -> contains -> @letter_bruce_1885_11_02

@file_pinax -> contains -> @letter_grace_1885_11_03

@file_pinax -> contains -> @letter_strong_1885_11_07

@file_pinax -> contains -> @letter_strong_1885_11_19

@file_pinax -> contains -> @letter_hedley_1885_11_09

Metadata

Version History (4 versions)

  • ✓ v4 (current) · 12/9/2025, 9:53:50 PM
    "Added description"
  • v3 · 12/9/2025, 9:12:56 PM · View this version
    "Added knowledge graph extraction"
  • v2 · 12/9/2025, 7:57:47 PM · View this version
    "Added PINAX metadata"
  • v1 · 12/9/2025, 7:18:55 PM · View this version
    "Alphabetical chunk 1/3 (40 files)"

Additional Components (40)

Click to expand and load individual components

1885 transcripts.docx.ref.json
1885 transcripts.txt
1885_1-14-Jan 2001 copy.jpg.ref.json
1885_10-28-Oct 2001 copy.jpg.ref.json
1885_10-28-Oct 2002 copy.jpg.ref.json
1885_10-28-Oct 2003 copy.jpg.ref.json
1885_10-7-Oct 1001 copy.jpg.ref.json
1885_10-7-Oct 1002 copy.jpg.ref.json
1885_10-7-Oct 1003-Strong copy.jpg.ref.json
1885_10-7-Oct 1004-Strong copy.jpg.ref.json
1885_10-7-Oct 1005-Strong copy.jpg.ref.json
1885_10-7-Oct 1006-Strong copy.jpg.ref.json
1885_11-19-Nov 1001 copy.jpg.ref.json
1885_11-19-Nov 1002-Strong copy.jpg.ref.json
1885_11-19-Nov 1003-Strong copy.jpg.ref.json
1885_11-2-Nov 4001 copy.jpg.ref.json
1885_11-2-Nov 4002-Bruce copy.jpg.ref.json
1885_11-3-Nov 3001 copy.jpg.ref.json
1885_11-3-Nov 3002-Grace copy.jpg.ref.json
1885_11-3-Nov 3003-Grace copy.jpg.ref.json
1885_11-7-Nov 5001 copy.jpg.ref.json
1885_11-7-Nov 5002 copy.jpg.ref.json
1885_11-7-Nov 5003-Strong copy.jpg.ref.json
1885_11-7-Nov 5004-Strong copy.jpg.ref.json
1885_11-9-Nov 2001 copy.jpg.ref.json
1885_11-9-Nov 2002-Hedley copy.jpg.ref.json
1885_11-9-Nov 2003-Hedley copy.jpg.ref.json
1885_12-13-Dec 3001-bredt copy.jpg.ref.json
1885_12-13-Dec 3002-Bredt copy.jpg.ref.json
1885_12-13-Dec 3003-Bredt copy.jpg.ref.json
1885_12-2-Dec 2001-Strong copy.jpg.ref.json
1885_12-2-Dec 2002-Strong copy.jpg.ref.json
1885_12-2-Dec 2003-Strong copy.jpg.ref.json
1885_12-8-Dec 1.1-Strong copy.jpg.ref.json
1885_12-8-Dec 1.2-Strong copy.jpg.ref.json
1885_12-8-Dec 1.3-Strong copy.jpg.ref.json
1885_12-8-Dec 1004-strong copy.jpg.ref.json
1885_4-25-April 1001 copy.jpg.ref.json
1885_4-25-April 1002 copy.jpg.ref.json
1885_6-12-Alice Cornell Austen june 12001 copy.jpg.ref.json

Parent

01KC260V5GH1VT7TQRTNEE46PT

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