Research Catalog

Details

Additional authors

1. Layne, Cecil.
2. Prescod, Doc.
3. A. Hansen Studio (New York, N.Y.)
4. De Youngs (New York, N.Y.)
5. Walter Baker's Studio (New York, N.Y.)

Found in

1. p1bc Williamson, Henry Albro, Harry A. Williamson collection, (CstRLIN)NYPW89-A23.

Description

1. 383 items (4.5 lin. ft., 4 boxes).; 29 x 30 cm. and smaller.

Summary

1. The Harry A. Williamson Photograph Collection documents his personal life and various aspects Freemasonry history. Personal photographs include portraits of Williamson throughout his life and images of family and friends. Family photographs document a portion of both his father's and mother's (Lyons family) family history prior to Williamson's birth.
2. Freemasonry images document Freemasonry among African Americans and general Mason history. Images include portraits (individual and group); Masonic Halls, Lodges, and monuments; and various Masonic activities and events. Portraits are of Lodge officers, post Masters, and members of various Masonic Lodges. Although never known to be a Mason, the collection includes a portrait of Abraham Lincoln in Masonic atire. Group portraits are of Lodge officers and Masonic members. Several group portraits are of Women Freemasons. A number of the group portraits document Masonic ceremonial dress of men and women. The collection also contains a photograph of George Walker, Bert Williams, and Ada Wlker (Walker and Williams) on stage. Walker and Williams were known to have been initiated into the Scottish Masonic Order on one of their European tours. Masonic Halls and Lodges represented include the Prince Hall Grand Lodge, Celestial Lodge No. 3, Carthaginian Lodge No. 47, and other Lodge buildings and Masoic Halls in the United States. Also included are Masonic monuments in the United States and abroad.

Subject

1. Freemasons
2. Lyons, Maritcha Redmond, 1848-
3. African Americans > New York (State) > Societies, etc
4. Dayne, William O
5. Portrait photographs > 1860-1969
6. Williamson, Harry A (Harry Albro), 1875-1965
7. African American freemasonry > New York (State) > New York
8. Braithwaite, Daniel O'Connell
9. Photomechanical prints > 1900-1959
10. Cabinet card photographs > 1860-1909
11. Freemasons > Prince Hall Grand Lodge (N.Y.)
12. Schomburg, Arthur Alfonso, 1874-1938
13. African Americans > Societies, etc
14. African American freemasons > New York (State) > New York
15. Silver gelatin prints > 1920-1969
16. Women > Societies and clubs
17. Clothing and dress > Religious aspects
18. Group portraits > 1920-1969
19. Freemasonry
20. Tatsch, J. Hugo (Jacob Hugo), 1888-1939
21. Bruce, John Edward, 1856-1924
22. Snapshots > 1860-1969
23. Facsimiles > 1930-1969
24. Baker, Bertram L (Bertram Llewellyn), 1898-1985
25. Men > Societies and clubs
26. Albumen prints > 1860-1909
27. Benderson, William Henry
28. Women and freemasonry
29. Secret societies

Genre/Form

1. Group portraits – 1920-1969.
2. Portrait photographs – 1860-1969.
3. Snapshots – 1860-1969.
4. Silver gelatin prints – 1920-1969.
5. Albumen prints – 1860-1909.
6. Cabinet card photographs – 1860-1909.
7. Photomechanical prints – 1900-1959.
8. Facsimiles – 1930-1969.

Call number

1. Sc Photo Harry A. Williamson Collection

Note

1. Descriptive information attached to many of the photographs.
2. The three ring binder (box 1), assembled by Schomburg staff, includes pages form a personal photograph album. A number of album pages are dispersed througout the collection.
3. Collection contains photographs by A. Hansen Studio, Walter Baker's Studio, De Youngs, Cecil Layne, and others.

Biography (note)

1. Harry A. Williamson, a member of the brotherhood of Freemasonry, was a prolific writer on the subject of Freemasonry and a diligent record collector of the history of African-American Freemasonry.
2. Williamson's professional work included a brief career in the paper manufacturing business. Williamson also worked in other occupations, and passed examinations for both the New York State Board of Chiropody and the United States Postal Service. He eventually chose a career with the United States Postal Service, where he remained until his retirement in 1940.

Linking entry (note)

1. Forms part of the Harry A. Williamson collection (1875-1965) [microfilm]

Author

1. Williamson, Harry A. (Harry Albro), 1875-1965.

Title

1. Harry A. Williamson photograph collection [graphic].

Imprint

1. 1860-1965.

Linking entry

1. Forms part of the Harry A. Williamson collection (1875-1965) [microfilm]

Biography

1. Harry A. Williamson, a member of the brotherhood of Freemasonry, was a prolific writer on the subject of Freemasonry and a diligent record collector of the history of African-American Freemasonry. In 1904 Williamson joined the brotherhood of Freemasonry, and was initiated, passed and raised in Mount Olive Lodge in Manhattan. In his later years, Williamson became a member of the Grand Lodge of New York (Prince Hall). He held more elected and appointed positions in the Grand Lodge than any other member of its history. Throughout his life, Williamson was an honorary member of numerours lodges and a member of a number of United States and foreign societies.
2. Williamson's professional work included a brief career in the paper manufacturing business. Williamson also worked in other occupations, and passed examinations for both the New York State Board of Chiropody and the United States Postal Service. He eventually chose a career with the United States Postal Service, where he remained until his retirement in 1940.

Local note

1. SCM 85-21

Connect to:

1. Request Appointment
2. NYPL Digital Collections

Added author

1. Layne, Cecil. Photographer
2. Prescod, Doc. Photographer
3. A. Hansen Studio (New York, N.Y.)
4. De Youngs (New York, N.Y.)
5. Walter Baker's Studio (New York, N.Y.)

Found in:

1. p1bc Williamson, Henry Albro, Harry A. Williamson collection, (CstRLIN)NYPW89-A23.

Research call number

1. Sc Photo Harry A. Williamson Collection