1894_12-27-Dec 5001-Strong copy.jpg

Alice Austen Correspondence with Elisabeth Strong

PI

Version: 4 (current) | Updated: 12/9/2025, 9:49:02 PM | Created: 12/9/2025, 7:36:07 PM

Added description

Description

Alice Austen Correspondence with Elisabeth Strong (December 27, 1894)

Overview

This collection comprises four digitized JPEG scans of a single handwritten letter written by Elisabeth Strong to photographer Elizabeth Alice Austen on December 27, 1894. The letter, originally penned in New Brunswick, New York, details the author’s Christmas celebrations, gifts received, and social plans for the holiday season. It is part of the Alice Austen Papers (MS1) housed at the Alice Austen House Museum in Staten Island, New York.

Background

Elizabeth Alice Austen (1866‑1952) was a pioneering American photographer whose work and personal papers provide insight into late‑Victorian social life. Elisabeth Strong was a close friend of Austen’s, and their correspondence offers a glimpse into the social networks of upper‑middle‑class families in the northeastern United States during the 1890s. The letter reflects the cultural milieu of the period, including references to music, engagements, and community events.

Contents

The four images capture different sections of the same letter. OCR text reveals the following key themes:
  • Christmas celebrations: descriptions of a family gathering at the author’s brother’s home, a Christmas tree, and the exchange of “pretty things.”
  • Gifts and presents: a list of items such as a Cape, a calendar, a peacock feather pen, and various books of songs.
  • Music and performances: plans to attend a “Messiah” performance the following day.
  • Engagements: mentions of Sallie Ogilby’s engagement to Episcopal minister Harry Schneirer and Mae Kirkpatrick’s engagement to Dr. Van West Baldwin.
  • Travel and social outings: references to a trip to Jersey City Station, lunch with Ella, and a visit to the Bowling Club.

The letter also notes the author’s health, a recent foot injury, and family travel plans.

Scope

The collection covers a single date (December 27, 1894) and a single recipient (Alice Austen). It documents personal, social, and cultural aspects of Victorian life in New Brunswick and surrounding areas. The material is limited to the handwritten letter and its four scanned reproductions; no additional correspondence, photographs, or ancillary documents are included.

Raw Cheimarros Data

@file_pinax:document {title: "Alice Austen Correspondence with Elisabeth Strong", creator: [@elisabeth_strong], institution: "Alice Austen House", created: @date_1894_12_27, language: "en", subjects: ["Christmas celebrations","Victorian social life","Gifts and presents","Music","Family relationships","Engagements","Health"], description: "Correspondence between Alice Austen and her friend Elisabeth Strong discussing Christmas celebrations, gifts, family news, and social events in New Brunswick.", place: @new_brunswick}


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


@elisabeth_strong:person {full_name: "Elisabeth Strong", relationship: "friend of Alice Austen"}


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


@julie_bredt:person {full_name: "Julie Bredt"}


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


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


@bessie_strong:person {full_name: "Bessie Strong"}


@new_brunswick:place {state: @new_york, country: @united_states}


@staten_island:place {state: @new_york, country: @united_states}


@albany:place {state: @new_york, country: @united_states}


@jersey_city_station:place {city: "Jersey City", state: @new_york, country: @united_states}


@cincinnati:place {state: @ohio, country: @united_states}


@tacoma:place {state: @washington, country: @united_states}


@fort_sheridan:place {state: @illinois, country: @united_states}


@calendar:concept {type: "wall calendar"}


@christmas_1894:event {type: "Christmas celebration", when: @date_1894_12_27, location: @new_brunswick}


@sallie_ogilby:person {full_name: "Sallie Ogilby"}


@harry_schneirer:person {full_name: "Harry Schneirer", occupation: "Episcopal minister"}


@engagement_sallie_ogilby_harry_schneirer:event {type: "engagement", participants: [@sallie_ogilby, @harry_schneirer], when: @date_1894_12_27}


@mae_kirkpatrick:person {full_name: "Mae Kirkpatrick"}


@dr_van_west_baldwin:person {full_name: "Dr. Van West Baldwin"}


@engagement_mae_kirkpatrick_van_west_baldwin:event {type: "engagement", participants: [@mae_kirkpatrick, @dr_van_west_baldwin], when: @date_1894_12_27}


@messiah_performance:event {work: "Messiah", type: "musical performance", when: @date_1894_12_27, location: @new_brunswick}


@bowling_club:place {type: "recreation facility", location: @new_brunswick}


@letter_1894_12_27_strong:document {author: @elisabeth_strong, recipient: @alice_austen, when: @date_1894_12_27, location: @new_brunswick, content: "Christmas celebration, gifts list, mention of calendar, plans for Messiah performance, engagements, travel plans"}


@file_1894_12_27_dec_5001_strong_copy_jpg -> depicts -> @letter_1894_12_27_strong:document


@file_1894_12_27_dec_5002_strong_copy_jpg -> depicts -> @letter_1894_12_27_strong:document


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@alice_austen -> sent -> @calendar {when: @date_1894_12_27}


@alice_austen -> received -> @letter_1894_12_27_strong:document


@elisabeth_strong -> wrote -> @letter_1894_12_27_strong:document


@letter_1894_12_27_strong:document -> mentions -> @christmas_1894:event


@letter_1894_12_27_strong:document -> mentions -> @engagement_sallie_ogilby_harry_schneirer:event


@letter_1894_12_27_strong:document -> mentions -> @engagement_mae_kirkpatrick_van_west_baldwin:event


@letter_1894_12_27_strong:document -> mentions -> @messiah_performance:event


@letter_1894_12_27_strong:document -> mentions -> @bowling_club:place

Metadata

Files (4)

1894_12-27-Dec 5001-Strong copy.jpgJPEG
3.92 MB
OCR Text

I had a very nice Christmas, and as usual received lots of pretty things. We were all invited down to my brother's Christmas Eve to a tree. The Hudders and Helen and Freeman were there also, and we had no end of fun—and acted like lunatics. Christmas Day Alan and Dr. Laney and Jack Van Dyke dined with us. My presents were a Cape to go with my new New Brunswick—Dec. 27th, 1894. My dear Alice— Your calendar is hanging on the wall near me so that I can admire it as I write. It is a beauty so much prettier than anything I have seen here. The one I sent you was funny, nothing more, but knowing your fondness for unusual things, I hoped it would please you.

1894_12-27-Dec 5002-Strong copy.jpgJPEG
3.22 MB
OCR Text

dress, money; ebony and silver manicure articles; a ribbon with silver clasp for my muff; books, three books of songs: Chaminade; Jensen's and Grieg's; a posh handkerchief, shell side combs, ink-bottle case for my night dress, a peacock feather pen from India, calendars, a photograph of Eva and her boy, also a picture of the mountain near Tacoma, a souvenir of Fort Sheridan from Grisley, cards, and I believe that is all. To-night we have the Christmas tree for the Sabbath School, poor weather for that sort of thing. I went with Helen and Freeman last evening to prepare for it, and we were nearly snowed under. To-morrow, if something terrible in the way of weather does not prevent, quite a party of us are going to hear the "Messiah." The crowd consists of three Scudders, Richard Mac Donald, Helen

1894_12-27-Dec 5003-Strong copy.jpgJPEG
1.68 MB
OCR Text

Also of Sallie Ogilby's engagement to Harry Schneirer, a young Episcopal minister, the brother of our minister. I do not know very much about Fritzey than you do, but they say he is generally broken up, and goes for his health. My foot is all right again; I am simply trying to get up a little excitement now and Henry failed in my attempt to turn myself up, so had to try something else. Mother goes to Cincinnati for a month, probably next

1894_12-27-Dec 5004-Strong copy.jpgJPEG
1.52 MB
OCR Text

and myself, and we are making it a cheap treat, and taking the seventy-five cent seats. Helen and I are to take lunch with Ella, and we are all thinking of taking our supper in the Jersey City Station, and going directly to the Bowling Club on our return. Suppose you have heard of the latest engagement, Mae Kirkpatrick and Dr. Van West Baldwin.

Version History (4 versions)

  • ✓ v4 (current) · 12/9/2025, 9:49:02 PM
    "Added description"
  • v3 · 12/9/2025, 8:54:54 PM · View this version
    "Added knowledge graph extraction"
  • v2 · 12/9/2025, 7:53:22 PM · View this version
    "Added PINAX metadata"
  • v1 · 12/9/2025, 7:36:07 PM · View this version
    "Reorganization group: Personal_Letters_Elisabeth_Strong"

Parent

01KC29FBWR26R1JZCYPT6GZEFQ

No children (leaf entity)