General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen, Industry and Culture Collection

Established in 1785, The General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen (GSMT) is a non-profit organization serving the people of the City of New York for over two centuries, through educational, cultural and philanthropic programs. The 364 objects in the Industry and Culture Collection highlight items of institutional, metropolitan and national history held in the Society’s archival and museum collections.

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: "And There I See a Little Keg"; Lantern slide depicting the story of Yankee Doodle, a well known Anglo-American song whose origins date back to the American Revolution (1763-1783). The lantern slides were a gift of Mr. Frederic W. Thomas given to GSMT on May 25, 1928 and were used in a lecture on the American Revolution called 'One Flag. One Country, One People'.

: "And There They Had a Swamping Gun"; Lantern slide depicting the story of Yankee Doodle, a well known Anglo-American song whose origins date back to the American Revolution (1763-1783). The lantern slides were a gift of Mr. Frederic W. Thomas given to GSMT on May 25, 1928 and were used in a lecture on the American Revolution called 'One Flag. One Country, One People'.

: "And There Was General Washington"; Lantern slide depicting the story of Yankee Doodle, a well known Anglo-American song whose origins date back to the American Revolution (1763-1783). The lantern slides were a gift of Mr. Frederic W. Thomas given to GSMT on May 25, 1928 and were used in a lecture on the American Revolution called 'One Flag. One Country, One People'.

: "Father and I Went Down to Camp"; Lantern slide depicting the story of Yankee Doodle, a well known Anglo-American song whose origins date back to the American Revolution (1763-1783). The lantern slides were a gift of Mr. Frederic W. Thomas given to GSMT on May 25, 1928 and were used in a lecture on the American Revolution called 'One Flag. One Country, One People'.

: "It Scared Me So, I Streaked It Off"; Lantern slide depicting the story of Yankee Doodle, a well known Anglo-American song whose origins date back to the American Revolution (1763-1783). The lantern slides were a gift of Mr. Frederic W. Thomas given to GSMT on May 25, 1928 and were used in a lecture on the American Revolution called 'One Flag. One Country, One People'.

: "The Minute Man" Sons of Liberty; Lantern slide depicting a minute man responding to a call. Minutemen were private colonists who independently organized themselves to fight during the American Revolutionary War and were among the first to fight in the war. The lantern slides were a gift of Mr. Frederic W. Thomas given to GSMT on May 25, 1928 and were used in a lecture on the American Revolution called 'One Flag. One Country, One People'. Slide number 9.

: "The Troopers Too Would Gallop Up"; Lantern slide depicting the story of Yankee Doodle, a well known Anglo-American song whose origins date back to the American Revolution (1763-1783). The lantern slides were a gift of Mr. Frederic W. Thomas given to GSMT on May 25, 1928 and were used in a lecture on the American Revolution called 'One Flag. One Country, One People'.

: "When Freedom from her Mountain Height the Banner in the Sky"; Lantern slide whose title is adapted from Jospeh Rodman Drake's "The American Flag" and is patriotic in nature. This slide was the first slide used in a lecture on the American Revolution called 'One Flag. One Country, One People'. The lantern slides were a gift of Mr. Frederic W. Thomas given to GSMT on May 25, 1928.

: 'News And Opinion', Building Trades Employer's Association, 1961; Volume 29, No. 1 issue of 'News and Opinion', dated February, 1961 which dealt with matters of interest to the building industry. On page 7, there is an article announcing the election of James J. Downey as President of GSMT.

: A. G. Hagstrom Death Notice Clipping, New York Times; Death notice for Anders Gunnar Hagstrom, a former instructor for the Mechanics' Institute, who died September 24, 1977. Hagstrom founded the Hagstrom Map Company, located at 450 West 33rd Street in New York City that specialized in metropolitan street guides. Mr. Hagstrom served as President of the General Society in 1952.

: A. G. Hagstrom Mechanics' Institute Instructor Information Card; Instructor information card for Anders Gunnar Hagstrom. He began as an instructor at the Mechanics' Institute on September 26, 1924, finished on April 5, 1929 and was reinstated from February, 1933 to March, 1937. Hagstrom was a graduate of the Mechanics' Institute.

: A. G. Hagstrom Mechanics' Institute Registration Card; Student registration card for Anders Gunnar Hagstrom, a Mechanical Draftsman who enrolled in 4 classes at the Mechanics' Institute in 1912.

: AAMI 25th Anniversary Banquet "Last Call" Announcement; Last call for the 25th Anniversary Banquet and Dance of the Alumni Association of Mechanics' Institute held on April 23, 1927 at Hotel Pennsylavania.

: AAMI 25th Anniversary Banquet & Dance Program; Souvenir program for 25th Anniversary Banquet and Dance of the Alumni Association of Mechanics' Institute held on April 23, 1927 at Hotel Pennsylvania.

: AAMI Annual Dinner "Blueprint" Announcement, 1914; Blueprints for the announcement of the thirteenth annual dinner organized by the Alumni Association of the Mechanics' Institute held on April 18, 1914 at the Marlborough-Blenheim Hotel. Includes guest list and menu.

: AAMI Annual Dinner "Blueprint" Announcement, 1915; Blueprint announcement of the dinner menu for the 14th Annual Alumni Association of Mechanics' Institute held on April 24, 1915 at Hotel Breslin.

: AAMI Annual Dinner "Blueprint" Announcement, 1916; Blueprint announcement of the dinner menu for the 15th Annual Alumni Association of Mechanics' Institute held on April 29, 1916 at Castle Cave Restaurant (271 Seventh Avenue, near 26th Street).

: AAMI Annual Dinner "Blueprint" Announcement, 1920; Blueprint announcement for the 19th Annual Banquet of the Alumni Association of Mechanics' Institute held on April 17, 1920 at Hotel Marseilles.

: AAMI Annual Dinner Announcement, 1917; A good example of a witty announcement for the 16th Annual Dinner of the Alumni Association of the Mechanics' Institute, held at Castle Cave Restaurant (271 Seventh Avenue, near 26th Street). Prominent guests invited included Institute Director Louis Rouillion and Andrew Carnegie, as well as General Society Officers James Boyd (President), Charles H. Fox (Vice President), Richard T. Davies (Secretary and Treasurer), and Past-Presidents George E. Hoe, John H. McCullough and George D. Hilyard. "Patriotism and Good-Fellowship" were the order of the day.

: AAMI Annual Dinner Menu, 1909; This dinner menu for the 8th Annual Alumni Association of Mechanics' Institute includes the Institute Director Louis Rouillion and many General Society officers. The toastmaster, H. T. Harra, was an 1899 graduate of the Mechanical Class.

: AAMI Annual Dinner Menu, 1910; The dinner menu for the 9th Annual Alumni Association of Mechanics' Institute held on April 23, 1910.

: AAMI Annual Dinner Menu, 1912; The dinner menu for the 11th Annual Alumni Association of Mechanics' Institute held on April 27, 1912 at Reisenweber's (58th St. at Columbus Circle in New York City).

: AAMI Dinner Palette "Broadside" Announcement; Blueprint announcement for the 22nd Annual Banquet of the Alumni Association of Mechanics' Institute.

: AAMI First Annual Dinner Menu, 1904; This is a menu for the first annual dinner of the Alumni Association of Mechanics' Institute (AAMI). The affair took place on April 9, 1904, at the Park Avenue Hotel (1878-1927) between 32nd and 33rd Streets in New York City. The verso is signed by various attendees, including Louis Rouillion, Director of the Mechanics Institute from 1900-1945. Among the various other signees, many of the General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen's School Committee can be found. Although billed as the "First Annual Dinner," this may have been the first "formal" event, since other menus and announcements appear to indicate that an annual dinner was held since the inception of AAMI in 1902. The menu is signed on the verso side by attendees.

: AAMI Logo; A hardboard logo of the Alumni Association of Mechanics' Institute, hand drawn, lettered and painted. The date of 1902 may not be the date of creation since the hardboard substrate material may not have been available at that time.

: AAMI Mechanics' Institute Alumni Club Room; A photograph of the GSMT Alumni Assocation club room. The Alumni Assocation was established in 1902.

: AAMI Pin Palette; This hand-drawn and colored item was created when the Alumni Association of Mechanics Institute (AAMI) was founded in 1902. A lapel pin was created from this design. The Mechanics Institute, a major activity of the General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen, is a tuition-free evening school for men and women in various fields of trade, that has been in operation since 1858.

: AAMI Stag Dinner Brochure, 1932; Brochure for the Annual Stag Dinner of Alumni Association of Mechanics' Institute held at the Fraternity Club on April 30, 1932.

: Abraham Lincoln Correspondence; Letter (with envelope) written by President Abraham Lincoln dated July 16, 1864. Donated to GSMT by John M. Mossman in 1901.

: Action of "Serapis" and "Bon Homme Richard"; Lantern slide depicting the engagement between Bon Homme Richard and Serapis during the American Revolutionary War on September 23, 1779. The engagment, an American victory, took place off the east coast of England. The lantern slides were a gift of Mr. Frederic W. Thomas given to GSMT on May 25, 1928 and were used in a lecture on the American Revolution called 'One Flag. One Country, One People'. Slide number 53.

: Apprentices Library Rules, 1832; List of rules for the Apprentices' Library of GSMT dated 1832.

: Apprentices School Committee, 1826; Framed list of the Mechanics' Society School Committee of 1826. Includes committee member names, committee of supply and list of visiting committee member names.

: Art Exhibition Brochure for Mechanics' Institute Student Edward Gustave Jacobsson; An exhibtion catalog for Edward Gustave Jacobsson, a former pupil in the Art Department at the Mechanics' Institute. The exhibition of paintings was held at Morton Gallery, 130 West 37th St, New York City from February 5 to 17, 1930.

: Assault on Fort Washington; Lantern slide depicting the Battle of Fort Washington fought on November 16, 1776. It was a British victory that gained the surrender of the remnant of the garrison of Fort Washington near the north end of Manhattan Island. The lantern slides were a gift of Mr. Frederic W. Thomas given to GSMT on May 25, 1928 and were used in a lecture on the American Revolution called 'One Flag. One Country, One People'. Slide number 31.

: Battle of Bennington; Lantern slide depicting the Battle of Bennington, part of the Saratoga Campaign of the American Revolutionary War that took place on August 16, 1777. The lantern slides were a gift of Mr. Frederic W. Thomas given to GSMT on May 25, 1928 and were used in a lecture on the American Revolution called 'One Flag. One Country, One People'. Slide number 44.

: Battle of Brandywine; Lantern slide depicting the Battle of Brandywine, also known as the Battle of Brandywine Creek fought on September 11, 1777. The British Army defeated the American Army and forced them to withdraw toward Philadelphia. The lantern slides were a gift of Mr. Frederic W. Thomas given to GSMT on May 25, 1928 and were used in a lecture on the American Revolution called 'One Flag. One Country, One People'. Slide number 38.

: Battle of Bunker Hill; Lantern slide depicting the Battle of Bunker Hill which took place in June, 1775. It was a battle in the Revolutionary War (1775-83) in which the British defeated the Americans. The lantern slides were a gift of Mr. Frederic W. Thomas given to GSMT on May 25, 1928 and were used in a lecture on the American Revolution called 'One Flag. One Country, One People'.

: Battle of Camden; Lantern slide depicting the Battle of Camden, fought during the American Revolutionary War in August 1780. It was a victory for the British in the Southern theater of war. The lantern slides were a gift of Mr. Frederic W. Thomas given to GSMT on May 25, 1928 and were used in a lecture on the American Revolution called 'One Flag. One Country, One People'. Slide number 55.

: Battle of Cowpens; Lantern slide depicting the Battle of Cowpens fought on January 17, 1781 during the American Revolutionary War. The lantern slides were a gift of Mr. Frederic W. Thomas given to GSMT on May 25, 1928 and were used in a lecture on the American Revolution called 'One Flag. One Country, One People'. Slide number 62.

: Battle of Eutaw Springs; Lantern slide depicting the Battle of Eutaw Springs, the last major engagement of the American Revolutionary War in the Carolinas in September 1781. The lantern slides were a gift of Mr. Frederic W. Thomas given to GSMT on May 25, 1928 and were used in a lecture on the American Revolution called 'One Flag. One Country, One People'. Slide number 64.

: Battle of Germantown; Lantern slide depicting the Battle of Germantown, a battle in the Philadelphia campaign of the American Revolutionary War, fought on October 4, 1777. The battle was a British victory. The lantern slides were a gift of Mr. Frederic W. Thomas given to GSMT on May 25, 1928 and were used in a lecture on the American Revolution called 'One Flag. One Country, One People'. Slide number 40.

: Battle of Harlem Heights; Lantern slide depicting the Battle of Harlem Heights fought on September 16, 1776 during the New York and New Jersey campaign of the American Revolutionary War. The lantern slides were a gift of Mr. Frederic W. Thomas given to GSMT on May 25, 1928 and were used in a lecture on the American Revolution called 'One Flag. One Country, One People'. Slide number 29.

: Battle of Kings Mountain; Lantern slide depicting the Battle of Kings Mountain, a battle that took place on October 7, 1780 and that was a decisive victory for the Patriot militia over the Loyalists in the Southern Campaign of the American Revolutionary War. The lantern slides were a gift of Mr. Frederic W. Thomas given to GSMT on May 25, 1928 and were used in a lecture on the American Revolution called 'One Flag. One Country, One People'. Slide number 56.

: Battle of Lexington; Lantern slide depicting the Battle of Lexington, fought on April 9, 1775 during the American Revolutionary War. The lantern slides were a gift of Mr. Frederic W. Thomas given to GSMT on May 25, 1928 and were used in a lecture on the American Revolution called 'One Flag. One Country, One People'. Slide number 10.

: Battle of Long Island; Lantern slide depicting The Battle of Long Island. The battle, also known as The Battle of Brooklyn took place in August 1776 and was a victory for the British Army. It was the first major battle of the American Revolutionary War that took place after the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. The lantern slides were a gift of Mr. Frederic W. Thomas given to GSMT on May 25, 1928 and were used in a lecture on the American Revolution called 'One Flag. One Country, One People'. Slide number 27.

: Battle of Monmouth; Lantern slide depicting the Battle of Monmouth, fought on June 28, 1778 during the American Revolutionary War. The lantern slides were a gift of Mr. Frederic W. Thomas given to GSMT on May 25, 1928 and were used in a lecture on the American Revolution called 'One Flag. One Country, One People'. Slide number 49.

: Battle of Princeton; Lantern slide depicting the Battle of Princeton which took place on January 3, 1777. It was a key battle in the American Revolutionary War in which the American defeated the British forces. The lantern slides were a gift of Mr. Frederic W. Thomas given to GSMT on May 25, 1928 and were used in a lecture on the American Revolution called 'One Flag. One Country, One People'. Slide number 36.

: Battle of Saratoga; Lantern slide depicting the Saratoga Campaign during the American Revolutionary War. There were two battles during the campaign fought eighteen days apart in the fall of 1777, on September 19 and October 7. The battles were a turning point in the war for the Americans. The lantern slides were a gift of Mr. Frederic W. Thomas given to GSMT on May 25, 1928 and were used in a lecture on the American Revolution called 'One Flag. One Country, One People'. Slide number 46.

: Battle of Trenton; Lantern slide depicting the Battle of Trenton which took place on December 26, 1776. It was a short battle but one that boosted the Continental Army's flagging morale and inspired re-enlistments. The lantern slides were a gift of Mr. Frederic W. Thomas given to GSMT on May 25, 1928 and were used in a lecture on the American Revolution called 'One Flag. One Country, One People'. Slide number 34.

: Bayoneting of General Mercer at Battle of Princeton; Lantern slide depicting the bayoneting of General Mercer during the Battle of Princeton which took place on January 3, 1777. He was wounded by the British who were being led by Colonel Charles Mawhood. The lantern slides were a gift of Mr. Frederic W. Thomas given to GSMT on May 25, 1928 and were used in a lecture on the American Revolution called 'One Flag. One Country, One People'. Slide number 35.

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