1893_5-10-May 2001-ACA copy.jpg

Alice Austen Mother Correspondence Collection

PI

Version: 4 (current) | Updated: 12/9/2025, 9:47:48 PM | Created: 12/9/2025, 7:33:27 PM

Added description

Description

Alice Austen Mother Correspondence Collection

Overview

A digitized archive of handwritten letters written by Alice Austen’s mother to her daughter, spanning 1883‑1898. The collection is organized into year‑based folders and includes high‑resolution JPG scans of the originals and typed TXT transcriptions. The sample provided focuses on letters dated May–June 1893, illustrating the mother’s daily concerns and social engagements.

Background

Alice Austen (1866‑1952) was a pioneering American photographer from Staten Island. The correspondence reflects the social milieu of late‑Victorian, upper‑middle‑class families in New York and its environs. The letters were collected by the Alice Austen House Museum and digitized to preserve the mother’s voice and the historical context of her daughter’s life and work.

Contents

  • Personal letters addressed to Alice, discussing family matters (e.g., her grandfather’s death), domestic concerns, and advice.
  • Social commentary on skating parties, church events, and whist gatherings.
  • Photography business notes, including sales of photographs and references to the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago.
  • Correspondence with friends such as Julia T. Martin (Albany), Julie Bredt, Violet M.E. Ward, Isabella King (photograph buyer), and Bessie Strong.
  • Supplementary items (in the full collection) include Victorian calling cards and negative sleeves, though the sample focuses on letters.
  • Scope

  • Dates: 1883‑1898 (sample: May–June 1893).
  • Geography: Staten Island, NY; Cambridge, MA; New York, NY; Brooklyn, NY.
  • Topics: family relationships, social life, photography, World’s Columbian Exposition, Victorian era upper‑middle‑class society.
  • Included: digitized letters, scans, and transcriptions.
  • Excluded: non‑correspondence materials not present in the digitized set.

Raw Cheimarros Data

@alice_austen_mother_correspondence:collection {description: "Digitized correspondence from Alice Austen's mother (1883‑1898)", span: {start: @date_1883, end: @date_1898}, subjects: ["Correspondence","Family relationships","Social life","Photography","World's Columbian Exposition"], location: @staten_island}

@file_pinax:file {title: "Alice Austen Mother Correspondence Collection", creator: @alice_austen_mother, institution: "Alice Austen House", created: @date_1893, language: "en"}

@file_pinax -> describes -> @alice_austen_mother_correspondence

@alice_austen_mother:person {relationship: "mother", child: @alice_austen, residence: @staten_island}

@mrs_f_r_richards:person {role: "caretaker", residence: @cambridge}

@julia_t_martin:person {relationship: "friend", residence: @albany}
@julie_bredt:person {relationship: "friend"}
@violet_m_e_ward:person {relationship: "friend"}
@isabella_king:person {relationship: "photograph buyer"}
@bessie_strong:person {relationship: "friend"}

@grandfather:person {status: "deceased", death: @date_1894_04}

@worlds_columbian_exposition:event {year: @date_1893, location: @chicago}

@letter_may_10_1893_1:document {date: @date_1893_05_10, sender: @alice_austen_mother, recipient: @alice_austen, location: @cambridge}
@file_1893_5_10_may_2001_aca_copy_jpg:file -> contains -> @letter_may_10_1893_1

@letter_may_10_1893_2:document {date: @date_1893_05_10, sender: @alice_austen_mother, recipient: @alice_austen, content: "full of men and girls…", location: @new_york}
@file_1893_5_10_may_2002_aca_copy_jpg:file -> contains -> @letter_may_10_1893_2

@letter_may_10_1893_3:document {date: @date_1893_05_10, sender: @alice_austen_mother, recipient: @alice_austen, content: "From May, I believe you have written…", location: @new_york}
@file_1893_5_10_may_2003_aca_copy_jpg:file -> contains -> @letter_may_10_1893_3

@letter_may_04_1893_1:document {date: @date_1893_05_04, sender: @alice_austen_mother, recipient: @alice_austen, content: "Caught in the wind…", location: @new_york}
@file_1893_5_4_may_3001_aca_copy_jpg:file -> contains -> @letter_may_04_1893_1

@letter_may_04_1893_2:document {date: @date_1893_05_04, sender: @alice_austen_mother, recipient: @alice_austen, content: "Caught in the wind… (variant)", location: @new_york}
@file_1893_5_4_may_3002_aca_copy_jpg:file -> contains -> @letter_may_04_1893_2

@letter_may_04_1893_3:document {date: @date_1893_05_04, sender: @alice_austen_mother, recipient: @alice_austen, content: "The water pipes…", location: @new_york}
@file_1893_5_4_may_3003_aca_copy_jpg:file -> contains -> @letter_may_04_1893_3

@letter_june_20_1893_1:document {date: @date_1893_06_20, sender: @alice_austen_mother, recipient: @alice_austen, content: "You must not worry about grandpa…", location: @new_york}
@file_1893_6_20_june_2001_aunt_min_copy_jpg:file -> contains -> @letter_june_20_1893_1

@letter_june_20_1893_2:document {date: @date_1893_06_20, sender: @alice_austen_mother, recipient: @alice_austen, content: "on Sunday, and said if he went to town…", location: @new_york}
@file_1893_6_20_june_2002_aunt_min_copy_jpg:file -> contains -> @letter_june_20_1893_2

@alice_austen -> received -> @letter_may_10_1893_1
@alice_austen -> received -> @letter_may_10_1893_2
@alice_austen -> received -> @letter_may_10_1893_3
@alice_austen -> received -> @letter_may_04_1893_1
@alice_austen -> received -> @letter_may_04_1893_2
@alice_austen -> received -> @letter_may_04_1893_3
@alice_austen -> received -> @letter_june_20_1893_1
@alice_austen -> received -> @letter_june_20_1893_2

@alice_austen_mother -> mentioned -> @worlds_columbian_exposition {context: "keeping the Herald pictures of the fair"}

@alice_austen_mother -> discussed -> @grandfather {context: "sympathy letters regarding his death"}

@alice_austen_mother -> referenced -> @julia_t_martin {context: "close friend in Albany"}
@alice_austen_mother -> referenced -> @julie_bredt
@alice_austen_mother -> referenced -> @violet_m_e_ward
@alice_austen_mother -> referenced -> @isabella_king
@alice_austen_mother -> referenced -> @bessie_strong

Metadata

Files (8)

1893_5-10-May 2001-ACA copy.jpgJPEG
379.22 KB
OCR Text

Miss Alice Austin Care of Mrs. F. R. Richards No 3, Channing St. Cambridge, Mass.

1893_5-10-May 2002-ACA copy.jpgJPEG
1.45 MB
OCR Text

full of men and girls, sitting in rows trying on their printed throes. The German girls gave a mince to Sir John Hopkins at the Cambridge, everyone seems to be visiting the two ships. Yesterday, N.Y. was full of sailors and Marines, the English bushes look very gay, in Miss Williams' book shop were two German officers in full uniform, she told me they tried to beat down prices unsuccessfully, they spoke perfect English. Your letter was as very nice, I expected the baby would take a fancy to you, didn't babies see much more than those pink headed Ares. I saw Ziggy Evans on the way, she spoke of you as such a remarkably popular girl, quite unlike any pleasant one, your Mama Tuesday May 9th It is a week today since you left, my bestest to this but do just return if you like it, and they with you to stay, I think you were at home for two weeks. I am glad you speak of game on the lists, eat all you can, for you do not often get it. I hope the fine weather lasts, here it is lovely since

1893_5-10-May 2003-ACA copy.jpgJPEG
1.11 MB
OCR Text

From May, I believe you have written to good time for comfortings. He has shown latest me account of the great Charlie Wilderink called last night, they said you had been missing for a week. A friend named Ladd came by first. Answering being that hot March wind. I have sent that note today to my brother the Prime-Kame of March 6, 1891, it was an old friend to me. Pete made an appointment to meet the Captain on Saturday, but did not come. Of course, the Captain says he does not know how to find him, as he has no longer an office. Your Auntie has a line from which Wheeler in which she said Pete had sent Kitty a prospectus of the Brooklyn School &c. Aunt J.B at present has gone and Catharh Alice is coming down to the Castleton, I suppose to look at rooms, and wants your Auntie to lunch with her. I went to town on Monday, and skipped round a little. Olaford is full of boots at Jantsons, like years, he only makes them to sell, says that style is called the 'Princess Mary.' The shop was

1893_5-4-May 3001-ACA copy.jpgJPEG
1.31 MB
OCR Text

Caught in the wind which tore his umbrella completely off and flew it into the water leaving the stick in his hand. Do take a photo of the Angora cat, and G.R. too. I should like to know how they look. I am keeping the Herald pictures of the fair; it seems thousands of people get in by scaling the fences. A line from Pete to your auntie said the servants having all gone, Nellie did the cooking, and the companion the other work. Kitty waits on the table. The rest are all well. Kate waters the plants with ease. Good night my precious one, you Mama. Thursday May 4th My Dearest Lottie, I was very glad to get your note this morning, you are a good child to write me so often. It was lucky you had that fit of good weather to start in, for an Wednesday it rained dreadfully here, pouring all day in torrents, and last night it was something awful,

1893_5-4-May 3002-ACA copy.jpgJPEG
1.29 MB
OCR Text

Caught in the wind which tore his umbrella completely off and flew it into the water leaving the stick in his hand. Do take a photo of the Angora cat, and G.R. too. I think you know how they look. I am keeping the Herald pictures of the fair; it seems thousands of people get in by scaling the fences. A line from Pete to your Auntie said the servants having all gone, Nellie did the cooking, and the companion the other work. Lissette waits on the table. The beasts are all well, Kate waters the plants with ease. Good night my precious one, Yours Mama Thursday May 4th My Dearest Lottie, I was very glad to get your note this morning, you are a good child to write me so often. It was lucky you had that fit of good weather to start in, for an Wednesday it rained dreadfully here, pouring all day in torrents, and last night it was something awful,

1893_5-4-May 3003-ACA copy.jpgJPEG
1.05 MB
OCR Text

The water pipes by not (with him) worked like a talazast, and the nothing on the roof surrounded like Humidor. Had rain explained without till third of the month but there is some a bright red in the South that looks well for Northern. Your granthy went to the front house from yesterday. Found her at home, but she went off down stairs in a few minutes. And, said at least a good time of an hour, she could. He heard nothing the block man violently. Mrs Hutstins was short of breath, a scorched little fire in a corner of the grate; Hutstins tried to make it better, did not succeed, she and your granphy talked, at last went if I come back, then he took his leave having seen her only a few minutes, I think her very rude. He says he got going there very soon again. He says the high wind today left but how long him down twice, he fixed himself with his umbrella. Samuel the keen try when coming down. He became get

1893_6-20-june 2001-AUNT-MIN copy.jpgJPEG
777.65 KB
OCR Text

Tuesday June 20th My dear Pring, You must not worry about grandpa because he ordered his carriage yesterday & flew off as usual. He went to the Central Park, rode in the electric car, got out at Fulton St., had the said a splendid dinner, and got home at five. Coat & vest all open, old Hannah shirt showing to advantage. He saw that horrid gray fellow that that he hears around the place—the Dr. was in

1893_6-20-june 2002-AUNT-MIN copy.jpgJPEG
801.37 KB
OCR Text

on Sunday, and said if he went to town this week he must have someone with him. I told Grampy so, & his rage knew no bounds—Not a soul would he have—and feared me that he have not fallen in the backky. I write this to you, so you will see how little he cares how you & I did our best for him—the hot sun—I know is not good—but—I give it up. Love to both & Still her Mine attached, Bonnie in a hurry to you-by Ynch

Version History (4 versions)

  • ✓ v4 (current) · 12/9/2025, 9:47:48 PM
    "Added description"
  • v3 · 12/9/2025, 8:50:15 PM · View this version
    "Added knowledge graph extraction"
  • v2 · 12/9/2025, 7:52:22 PM · View this version
    "Added PINAX metadata"
  • v1 · 12/9/2025, 7:33:27 PM · View this version
    "Reorganization group: Alice_Austen_Mother_Correspondence"

Parent

01KC29FEAWW0RMK35PZ7NKVYEN

No children (leaf entity)