Research Catalog

Title

Harry A. Williamson photograph collection [graphic].

Author

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

Publication

1860-1965.

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Additional Authors

• Layne, Cecil.
• Prescod, Doc.
• A. Hansen Studio (New York, N.Y.)
• De Youngs (New York, N.Y.)
• Walter Baker's Studio (New York, N.Y.)

Found In

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

Description

• 383 items (4.5 lin. ft., 4 boxes).; 29 x 30 cm. and smaller.
• 353 photographic prints : silver gelatin, b&w ;
• 1 photographic print : col. ;
• 17 photographic prints : albumen ;
• 12 photomechanical prints : b&w ;

Summary

• 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.
• 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.

Subjects

• Freemasons
• Lyons, Maritcha Redmond, 1848-
• Portrait photographs > 1860-1969
• Snapshots > 1860-1969
• Secret societies
• Tatsch, J. Hugo (Jacob Hugo), 1888-1939
• Albumen prints > 1860-1909
• Braithwaite, Daniel O'Connell
• Freemasons > Prince Hall Grand Lodge (N.Y.)
• Facsimiles > 1930-1969
• African American freemasons > New York (State) > New York
• Williamson, Harry A (Harry Albro), 1875-1965
• Baker, Bertram L (Bertram Llewellyn), 1898-1985
• Bruce, John Edward, 1856-1924
• Photomechanical prints > 1900-1959
• Women and freemasonry
• Men > Societies and clubs
• Silver gelatin prints > 1920-1969
• Cabinet card photographs > 1860-1909
• Women > Societies and clubs
• Freemasonry
• Clothing and dress > Religious aspects
• Group portraits > 1920-1969
• African Americans > New York (State) > Societies, etc
• Schomburg, Arthur Alfonso, 1874-1938
• Dayne, William O
• African Americans > Societies, etc
• Benderson, William Henry
• African American freemasonry > New York (State) > New York

Genre/Form

• Group portraits – 1920-1969.
• Portrait photographs – 1860-1969.
• Snapshots – 1860-1969.
• Silver gelatin prints – 1920-1969.
• Albumen prints – 1860-1909.
• Cabinet card photographs – 1860-1909.
• Photomechanical prints – 1900-1959.
• Facsimiles – 1930-1969.

Note

• Descriptive information attached to many of the photographs.
• 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.
• Collection contains photographs by A. Hansen Studio, Walter Baker's Studio, De Youngs, Cecil Layne, and others.

Biography (note)

• 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.
• 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)

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

Call Number

Sc Photo Harry A. Williamson Collection

OCLC

NYPG93-F320

Author

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

Title

Harry A. Williamson photograph collection [graphic].

Imprint

1860-1965.

Linking Entry

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

Biography

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.

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

SCM 85-21

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Added Author

Layne, Cecil. Photographer

Prescod, Doc. Photographer

A. Hansen Studio (New York, N.Y.)

De Youngs (New York, N.Y.)

Walter Baker's Studio (New York, N.Y.)

Found In:

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

Research Call Number

Sc Photo Harry A. Williamson Collection