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Joe Papp and His Contribution to Public Theater

Authored by Crystal Lopez

Photograph of actors Priscilla Smith and Jamil Zakkai in full costume and masks during the production of Agamemnon, from the William Harris Papers at Marymount Manhattan College

Photograph of Priscilla Smith and Jamil Zakkai during the production of Agamemnon, from the William Harris Papers at Marymount Manhattan College

William Balber (Billy) Harris was a drama and dance critic who wrote articles, criticism and reviews for many publications including Art Forum, The New York Times, and The Village Voice. Throughout the course of his career he amassed an impressive collection of papers that his brother John wanted to keep available to the public after Harris’ death. They were donated to Marymount Manhattan College, who are best known for their performing arts program (Brown, 2001). Within Marymount’s collection is this photograph from the play Agamemnon. The play originally debuted in May 1977 at the Vivian Beaumont Theater and was produced by the New York Shakespeare Festival (Playbill, n.d.).

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Handdrawn Map of Patchogue, 1869 [-1881]

Authored by Colleen Hutchens

Map

Hand drawn map of Patchogue showing its three creeks (Little Patchogue, Patchogue and Swan), the bases of the damed lakes, Great South Bay, extant and proposed roads, the South Side Rail Road line and its proposed continuation, railroad buildings, bridges, breakwaters, public buildings and private houses (many named), religious institutions, cemeteries, hotels, mills, livery stables, shipyards, and shops.

Introduction

The village of Patchogue is located on the South Shore of Long Island, New York. The town got its original name from a Native American tribe in the area, Pochaug. With Long Island surrounded by water, Patchogue has direct access to the Great South Bay, which has contributed to the growth and expansion within the town. In 1750, three families moved and settled Patchogue as the first people to live in the area. Since then the town has grown into a popular area for many to live and work. Continue reading →

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A Catholic Boycott of the 1936 Summer Olympics

Authored By Christopher K. Elford

Telegram written by Christian Leaders asking Father James Martin Gillis to join them in calling for a boycott of the 1936 Summer Olympic Games

Telegram written by Christian Leaders asking Father James Martin Gillis to join them in calling for a boycott of the 1936 Summer Olympic Games

Introduction

The telegram pictured was written by five prominent Christian leaders to Father James Martin Gillis in October, 1935.  In it Gillis is asked to join his name to the statement written by the authors.  The telegram belongs to the Paulist Fathers archives and serves to show the Christian perspective on what is traditionally thought as an exclusively Jewish subject. Continue reading →

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Map of the Town of Babylon

Authored by Lisa Ha

Map of the Town of Babylon

Map of the Town of Babylon from the Maps and Atlas Collection at the Bay Shore Brightwaters Public Library

The Maps and Atlas Collection at the Bay Shore Brightwaters Public Library consists of 28 maps and atlases. They are mainly historical maps and atlases of the Long Island, NY region and a few of the five boroughs of New York City. The collection spans from 1873 to 1961. There are Fire Risk Assessment Maps, Insurance Maps, Atlases of Suffolk County, Real Estate Maps of Suffolk County and Nassau County, Section Plans of Nassau County, and so on.

This map is from the Atlas of the Towns of Babylon, Islip, and South Part of Brookhaven in Suffolk County, N.Y. The original atlas was created by F.W. Beers & Co. and was published in 1888. This particular map is a Map of the Town of Babylon. According to LongIsland.com (2014), the Town of Babylon was once part of the Town of Huntington, called Huntington South. It was separated by an official partition in 1872 (16 years prior to this map being published). Continue reading →

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The Nazi Olympics

Authored by Stephen Young

A telegram written by George G. Battle and Henry S. Leiper to Reverend James M. Gillis

A telegram written by George G. Battle and Henry S. Leiper to
Reverend James M. Gillis

 Introduction

This telegram was written by George G. Battle who formed the
Committee on Fair Play in Sports to boycott participation of American
teams and athletes to compete in the 1936 Olympics hosted in
Berlin, Germany by the Nazi regime. This letter was addressed to
Reverend James M. Gillis on October 1st, 1935.

 

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The Construction of Long Island’s State Parks and Parkways

Authored by Mireille E. Stürmann

An image of a 1929 map of the state parkways and parks on the Western portion of the South Shore of Long Island

State Parkways and Parks of the Western Section of the South Shore of Long Island

Context

In the 1920’s, the concept of leisure was changing. With the assembly line and mass production techniques shaping a new workweek, and the rates of car ownership skyrocketing, the people of New York City had time and mobility previously unknown to the working and middle classes (Caro, 1974, 143-144). Continue reading →

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President Roosevelt Mourns the Loss of a Paulist Father

Authored by Kelly Povero

Telegram from Frank Harper to John J. Burke on behalf of Theodore Roosevelt

Telegram from Frank Harper to John J. Burke on behalf of Theodore Roosevelt

Introduction

This two-part telegram pictured left was written to Father John J. Burke of the Catholic World newspaper from Secretary to the President of the United States Frank Harper, and from President Theodore Roosevelt on August 12th and 13th, 1912.

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Father Walter Elliott: From Soldier to Priest

Authored by Melissa Henderson

Letter written by Father Walter Elliot

Letter written by Father Walter Elliot

 

Father Walter Elliott was a Paulist Father and the author of the “Life of Father Hecker.” Prior to joining the Paulist Fathers, Father Elliott was a soldier in the Union Army during the Civil War. Father Elliott is known as not only being an intense American, but for also being a leader among those who were in favor of New American Catholicism (McNamara, 2011). Continue reading →

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John J. Burke, Raymond B. Fosdick, & The Vincentian Philosophy

By Kelly Povero

Burke, Fosdick

A telegram between John J. Burke and Raymond B. Fosdick

Introduction

The telegram pictured was written to Father John J. Burke of the Paulist Fathers from Raymond B. Fosdick, Chairman within the War Department in September, 1918. This telegram belongs to the Paulist Fathers archives. It is important to understand the context in which is was written. This begins with understanding the organizations mentioned and their missions.

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Father George Deshon’s Recollections of Ulysses S. Grant

Authored by Melissa Henderson

Father Deshon and General Grant page 1

Father Deshon and General Grant page 1

The letter written by Father Deshon in regards to Ulysses S. Grant highlights the character of our 18th President and provides anecdotal information on how he viewed West Point and how he interacted with his fellow cadets. It also gives historical reference to life at the United States Military Academy. Continue reading →