Elizabeth Strong to Alice Austen Correspondence, 1892-04-13
PI
Version: 4 (current) | Updated: 12/9/2025, 9:42:02 PM | Created: 12/9/2025, 7:29:05 PM
Added description
Description
Elizabeth Strong to Alice Austen Correspondence, 1892‑04‑13 Collection
Overview
This collection comprises scanned images of a single handwritten letter from Elizabeth B. Strong to photographer Alice Austen, dated 13 April 1892. The letter is digitized as six JPEG files (7002–7007), each containing a portion of the original, and includes machine‑readable OCR text extracted from the scans. The material is part of the Austen Family Papers (MS1) housed at the Alice Austen House Museum in Staten Island, New York.Background
Elizabeth Strong was a close friend of Austen’s, residing in New Brunswick, New Jersey. The letter reflects their social and cultural milieu during the late Victorian era. It was created in the context of Austen’s burgeoning photography career and the social networks of Staten Island’s upper‑middle class. The correspondence is preserved in the museum’s archival collection to illustrate Austen’s personal relationships and the everyday life of her contemporaries.Contents
- Scanned images: Six JPEG files (7002–7007) showing the full handwritten letter, reproduced at high resolution for research use.
- OCR text: A machine‑generated transcription of the letter’s content, providing searchable text for scholars.
- Metadata: Title, creator, date, language, subjects, and place information (New Brunswick, New Jersey; Staten Island, New York).
- Contextual references: The letter mentions choir meetings, whist games, a dance on 29 April, a card‑club organization, a lecture on missions, a blizzard, Johns Hopkins nursing training, and a Steinway piano purchase.
Scope
The collection covers a single, dated correspondence item. It documents personal and social activities of the period, including musical pursuits, card games, community lectures, and weather events. The material is limited to the content of this one letter and does not include additional documents or photographs. It is valuable for researchers studying Victorian social life, the network of Alice Austen’s acquaintances, and the cultural history of Staten Island and New Brunswick in the early 1890s.Raw Cheimarros Data
@strong_to_austen_1892_04_13:collection {title: "Elizabeth Strong to Alice Austen Correspondence, 1892-04-13", creator: @elizabeth_strong, created: @date_1892_04_13, subjects: ["Correspondence","Social life","Victorian era","Family relationships","Music","Choir","Whist (card game)","Lectures","Domestic service","Dances","Card clubs"], description: "Scanned images of a letter from Elizabeth Strong to Alice Austen discussing social activities, family matters, and personal relationships in 1892.", place: [@new_brunswick, @staten_island]}
@new_brunswick:place {state: @new_jersey, country: @united_states}
@staten_island:place {state: @new_york, country: @united_states}
@elizabeth_strong:person {full_name: "Elizabeth B. Strong", gender: "female"}
@alice_austen:person {full_name: "Alice Austen", occupation: "photographer", lifespan: "1866-1952"}
@helen:person {first_name: "Helen"}
@drury_cooper:person {full_name: "Drury Cooper"}
@mr_dyke:person {full_name: "Mr. Dyke"}
@george_dwyer:person {full_name: "George Dwyer"}
@charlie_deshler:person {full_name: "Charlie Deshler"}
@jack:person {first_name: "Jack"}
@mr_breeze:person {full_name: "Mr. Breeze"}
@mrs_woodbridge:person {full_name: "Mrs. Woodbridge"}
@mother_woodbridge:person {relationship: "mother of Mrs. Woodbridge"}
@mrs_rendix:person {full_name: "Mrs. Rendix"}
@emily_schneck:person {full_name: "Emily Schneck"}
@etta:person {first_name: "Etta"}
@henry:person {first_name: "Henry"}
@johns_hopkins:place {city: "Baltimore", state: "Maryland", country: @united_states}
@steinway_piano:concept {type: "musical instrument"}
@woodbridge_residence:place {owner: @mrs_woodbridge, location: @staten_island}
@letter_1892_04_13:document {date: @date_1892_04_13, from: @elizabeth_strong, to: @alice_austen, location: @new_brunswick}
@choir_meeting_april_1892:event {type: "choir meeting", when: @date_1892_04, where: @staten_island}
@whist_game_april_1892:event {type: "whist game", when: @date_1892_04, where: @staten_island}
@dance_29_april_1892:event {type: "dance", when: @date_1892_04_29, where: @staten_island}
@card_club_organization_april_1892:event {type: "card club organization", when: @date_1892_04, where: @staten_island}
@lecture_missions_april_1892:event {type: "lecture on missions", when: @date_1892_04, where: @woodbridge_residence}
@blizzard_april_1892:event {type: "blizzard", when: @date_1892_04, where: @staten_island}
@elizabeth_strong -> wrote -> @letter_1892_04_13
@letter_1892_04_13 -> mentions -> @choir_meeting_april_1892
@letter_1892_04_13 -> mentions -> @whist_game_april_1892
@letter_1892_04_13 -> invites -> @alice_austen {event: @dance_29_april_1892}
@letter_1892_04_13 -> mentions -> @card_club_organization_april_1892
@letter_1892_04_13 -> mentions -> @lecture_missions_april_1892
@letter_1892_04_13 -> mentions -> @blizzard_april_1892
@letter_1892_04_13 -> mentions -> @johns_hopkins {context: "trained nurse"}
@letter_1892_04_13 -> mentions -> @steinway_piano {context: "music purchase"}
@helen -> attended -> @choir_meeting_april_1892
@drury_cooper -> participated in -> @whist_game_april_1892
@mr_dyke -> plans to attend -> @delmonicos:place {type: "restaurant", location: @new_york}Metadata
Files (6)
OCR Text
Back upon in case of necessity. The course will take a couple of years, I suppose, and "what will our Charlie do then, poor thing." Have not seen that individual since you left. Wrote him a note nearly two weeks ago about a committee meeting, and delivered your message, but have had no reply. So either the note never reached New Brunswick. April 13th, '92 My dear Alice:— Your letter was immensely enjoyed; I was much amused at the part relating to the "trained nurse." She is to take her course at Johns Hopkins and does not intend to really become a professional nurse, only wants to have something to fall
OCR Text
him or else he is excessively rude. I never have known him to do such a thing before. For the last two Saturday evenings we have had choir-meeting here. Helen came over each time for the night, and after the practice was over we played "ring-a-ring" and last week whist. Had very good fun and in each case Drury Cooper and I came out ahead. Mr. Dyke goes to dinner at Delmonico's next Saturday evening, but I shall go down to the church to practise my solos—"Resurrection" by Shelley) of Sunday afternoon. I went out to see a sick woman down town, and on my return found George Dwyer waiting. He was in very good spirits so I enjoyed his call very much. Charlie Deshler has had
OCR Text
There was no "art lecture" last week, nor will there be any this, as Jack is taking a vacation. He spent Sunday with us as usual and seemed in better shirts than on the previous Sunday. But he is not at all well. He has asked Mr. Breeze to share his house and declares that he has no intention of marrying. We have two domestics once more, and so far very satisfactory both of them. The cook is a mumpo, but is well and out again. You will be glad to hear. Helen and I were very virtuous on Monday. Went out on a calling expedition. In the evening we two went into Mother and Mrs. Woodbridge's to hear a lecture on "missions." Do not be alarmed about me, I shall get over this attack. Stayed at the Woodbridges' that night.
OCR Text
young German from New York, a fascinating little creature, evidently has flood in her veins. Now I am coming to the important part. Won't you come over for the dance on the 29th? They say it is going to be "fine," though as far as I can see there is not much effort being expended. However, I hope you will come, we can have a good time together, and the dance will doubtless be good fun. You can come two or three days before and stay as long after as you can. Your last visit was short and I was so busy most of the time I could not do the polite to any extent. I am organizing a card-club or trying to. Next week I hope to have some people here to meet the bride and groom and play "drive-whist." I have seen Etta frequently, she is looking so well and tho' she does not say if
OCR Text
She is happy, it is very evident she is. Am so glad to have another pleasant day; it has been so cold and windy since Saturday that afternoon Mrs. Rendix and I walked over to call on Emily Schneck but did not find her in, and were caught in a regular blizzard on the bridge. It was bitterly cold and the snow came down thick and fast. We took refuge at dancing-school and
OCR Text
Watched the kids skip about. Some of them danced beautifully, such little tots, too. Dinner is ready and furthermore my hand is so tired I cannot write any more. Be sure to say you will come for the dance. Mother sends love and endorses the invitation. Hoping to hear from you shortly, How is "Henry"? Yours as ever, Elizabeth B. S.
Version History (4 versions)
- ✓ v4 (current) · 12/9/2025, 9:42:02 PM
"Added description" - v3 · 12/9/2025, 8:37:03 PM · View this version
"Added knowledge graph extraction" - v2 · 12/9/2025, 7:49:42 PM · View this version
"Added PINAX metadata" - v1 · 12/9/2025, 7:29:05 PM · View this version
"Reorganization group: Correspondence_Elizabeth_Strong"
Parent
No children (leaf entity)