Louis L. and Nettie S. Horch Papers 6636038Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library

This finding aid is made available for public use following the Universal 1.0 Public Domain Dedication Creative Commons designation.

This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2024-10-16 18:32:08 -0400.Description is written in: English, Latin script.Describing Archives: A Content Standard2010-03-30File created.2019-05-20EAD was imported spring 2019 as part of the ArchivesSpace Phase II migration. Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library Louis L. and Nettie S. Horch Papers Horch, Louis L Corbett, Harvey Wiley, 1873-1954 Roerich, Nicholas, 1874-1947 6636038 English . 3 document boxes 1920s-1960s This collection includes office papers and reference papers related to the professional and civic activities of Louis L. and Nettie S. Horch, the Master Institute of United Arts, the Master Apartments, and the Bloomingdale Neighborhood Conservation Association. General Note

This collection was donated by Oriole Feshback in 1986 (accession number 1986.005)

Restrictions on Access

This collection is available for use by appointment in the Department of Drawings & Archives, Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library, Columbia University. For further information, please email avery-drawings@library.columbia.edu.

Preferred Citation

Louis L. and Nettie S. Horch papers. Dept. of Drawings & Archives, Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library, Columbia University.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Source of acquisition--Gift of Oriole Feshback. Accession number--1986.005.

Biographical / Historical

Mr. and Mrs. Horch financed and directed the Master Institute of United Arts, a New York City-based insitution that taught the fine and dramatic arts that was founded by Nicholas Roerich in 1921. For much of its existence, the Master Institute was housed in the Master Apartments, designed by Harvery Wiley Corbett in 1929 for Roerich and built on the site of the former Horch mansion at 310 Riverside Dr. in New York City. After ligitgation in 1938, the Horches took ownership of the building. They were also closely associated with the Bloomingdale Neighborhood Conservation Association, an cooperative partnership between the City of New York and private citizens to improve the housing and social conditions of residents of the Bloomingdale neighborhood in New York City.

Processing Information

Drawings Processed Zoe Milgram (Archives Intern) 03/2011.

Scope and Content

This collection includes office papers and reference papers related to the professional and civic activities of Louis L. and Nettie S. Horch, the Master Institute of United Arts, the Master Apartments, and the Bloomingdale Neighborhood Conservation Association. Additionally, the collection includes documentation regarding the Master Building, which housed the Master Institute of United Art, the Master Apartment Hotel, and the Riverside Museum (formerly known as the Roerich Museum), as well as many of the Horchs' Harlem redevelopment projects. Seeing as Louis and Nettie Horch were instrumental in many redevelopment and conservation projects in Harlem, their papers shed light on the Morningside Heights of the 1950s and 1960s.

Scope and Content

Series I: Master Institute of United Art documents the institution founded by Nicholas Roerich, and run by Louis and Nettie Horch. Includes charters, correspondence, financial documents, deeds, permits, and the lease.

Scope and Content

Series II: Master Apartment Hotel documents the apartments and hotel located in the Master Building, including correspondence, floor plans, financial documents, inventories, and rent rolls.

Scope and Content

Series III: Master Building is made up of documentation regarding the building, including mortgages, deeds, blueprints, and appraisals. Also includes legal documentation from The Master Operating Corp.

Scope and Content

Series IV: Bloomingdale Neighborhood Conservation Association is made up of records regarding a cooperative partnership between residents of Morningside Heights and the City of New York. Includes, but is not limited to: correspondence, reports, meeting minutes, newsletters, flyers, and publicity materials.

Scope and Content

Series V: Riverside Museum also formerly known as the Roerich Museum, this series contains documentation of the museum located in the Master Building, including catalogs, information regarding the Roerich Museum Apartments, Certificate of name change, deeds, and the litigation that allowed the Horchs to take over the building.

Scope and Content

Series VI: Adele Levy Memorial Park consists of documentation regarding a failed effort to open a playground in Riverside Park. Includes committee meetings, correspondence, and publications.

Scope and Content

Series VII: Westside Urban Renewal Area includes correspondence, meeting minutes, and publicity materials.

Scope and Content

Series VIII: Other Projects contains documentation regarding other Harlem redevelopment projects the Horchs were not instrumental in.

Scope and Content

Series IX: Personal Papers includes receipts and bills, correspondence, including letters from Mayor Robert F. Wagner and the Riverside Democrats.

Scope and Content

Series X: Newspaper Clippings contains numerous articles relating to Harlem neighborhoods and buildings.

Arrangement

This collection contains ten series: Series I: Master Institute of United Art; Series II: Master Apartment Hotel; Series III: Master Building; Series IV: Bloomingdale Neighborhood Conservation Association; Series V: Riverside Museum; Series VI: Adele Levy Memorial Park; Series VII: Westside Urban Renewal Area; Series VIII: Other Projects; Series IX: Personal Papers; Series X: Newspaper Clippings

Restrictions on Use

Columbia University is providing access to the materials in the Library's collections solely for noncommercial educational and research purposes. The unauthorized use, including, but not limited to, publication of the materials without the prior written permission of Columbia University is strictly prohibited. All inquiries regarding permission to publish should be submitted in writing to the Director, Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library, Columbia University. For additional guidance, see Columbia University Libraries' publication policy.

Restrictions on Use

In addition to permission from Columbia University, permission of the copyright owner (if not Columbia University) and/or any holder of other rights (such as publicity and/or privacy rights) may also be required for reproduction, publication, distributions, and other uses. Responsibility for making an independent legal assessment of any item and securing any necessary permissions rests with the persons desiring to publish the item. Columbia University makes no warranties as to the accuracy of the materials or their fitness for a particular purpose.

Architecture -- United States -- Designs and plans Apartment houses -- New York (State) -- New York New York (N.Y.) -- Buildings, structures, etc Horch, Louis L Horch, Nettie S Bloomingdale Neighborhood Conservation Association Master Apartments building (New York, N.Y.) Master Institute of United Arts, Inc Master Operating Co Series I: Master Institute of United ArtScope and Contents

documents the institution founded by Nicholas Roerich, and run by Louis and Nettie Horch. Includes charters, correspondence, financial documents, deeds, permits, and the lease.

Warranty Deeds1923-19250101Scope and Contents

Includes 2 Warranty Deeds, 1 letter.

Chemical Bank1957-19640110Scope and Contents

Includes 38 receipts, 1 statement, 3 certificates of officers, 4 assorted legal documents, 14 letters.

Finances1959-19630111Scope and Contents

Includes 3 reports, 2 letters.

Westinhouse Electric Corporation1961-19620112Scope and Contents

Includes 3 invoices, 5 letters, 1 Assumption of liability contract, proposal.

Correspondence, Tax exemptions1935-19650113Scope and Contents

Includes 36 letters, 2 affidavits, 1 copy of Section 503, 1 questionnaire for religious, charitable, scientific, literary organizations, 2 page analysis of income, salaries.

Documentation, Tax exemptions1931-19370114Scope and Contents

27 assorted programs, flyers, copy of Section 19.101-1.

Legal Documents1962-19630115Scope and Contents

Includes 2 letters, Agreement of Indemnification, and Bargain and Sale Deed.

Correspondence, J. Stanley Halperin1962-19630116Scope and Contents

35 letters.

Correspondence, Greenbaum, Wolff, and Ernst1948-19490117Scope and Contents

33 letters.

Correspondence, Miscellaneous1942-19630118Scope and Contents

12 letters.

Discharge of contract of conditional sale1946-19490102Scope and Contents

2 items.

Mortgage, King's County Savings Bank19620103Lease Agreement19670104Permits19670105Scope and Contents

2 items.

Charter1943 Apr 1694Scope and Contents

Issued by the Regents of the University of the State of New York.

Scope and Contents

2 items: 1 original, 1 copy.

Charters19430106Scope and Contents

Includes 3 copies of Charter issued by the Regents of the University of the State of New York, application for charter, 3 copies of Provisional Charter, 3 copies of Amendment to Charter, 2 copies of Amendment to Provisional Charter and Absolute Charter, 4 letters.

By-lawsundated0107Event Programs1937-19610108Scope and Contents

3 items.

Poster for "The 1966 Late Late Concerts"1966 Apr 1694Scope and Contents

Concert held at Philharmonic Hall/Lincoln Center.

Prudential Insurance Company1935-19490109Scope and Contents

Includes 36 letters, Extension of loan, 3 receipts.

Series II: Master Apartment HotelScope and Contents

documents the apartments and hotel located in the Master Building, including correspondence, floor plans, financial documents, inventories, and rent rolls.

Closing Statement19620119Scope and Contents

Includes Resolution to the Board of Trustees, 9 full agendas, 6 partial agendas, 1 Contract of Sale, 2 copies of Termination of Lease, 1 list of debits, 1 Closing Statement.

Building Report19220120Scope and Contents

6 items.

Payroll and Rent Roll1948-19570121Scope and Contents

22 items.

Inventories1953-19630122Scope and Contents

6 items.

Publicity Materialundated0123Scope and Contents

Includes 4 brochures, 1 postcard, 1 application for apartment, 2 copies of "Additional Information."

Letterheadundated0124Scope and Contents

5 items.

Floor plansundated0125Scope and Contents

5 items.

Correspondence, Tenants1956-19600126Scope and Contents

8 letters.

Correspondence, Shapiro & Gottesman1953-19540127Scope and Contents

19 letters

Correspondence, Robert E. Hill, Inc.19580128Scope and Contents

2 letters.

Correspondence, Finances1948-19520129Scope and Contents

15 various letters and statements.

Finances, General1928-19520130Scope and Contents

Includes 33 various statements, calculator receipts, 3 Statements of Operation, 3 pages of detailed ledger.

Finances, Investors Syndicate1948-19570131Scope and Contents

Includes 10 letters, 8 pages of notes, Corporate Note Secured by Mortgage, 5 pages of various documents sent with letters, and 4 newspaper clippings.

Rent laws19640132Scope and Contents

Includes 2 copies of letter, note regarding original.

Series III: Master BuildingScope and Contents

is made up of documentation regarding the building, including mortgages, deeds, blueprints, and appraisals. Also includes legal documentation from The Master Operating Corp.

Photographs, 310 Riverside Drive, New York, NYundated0133Scope and Contents

3 black and white photographs.

Copy of blueprint (?)undated0134Scope and Contents

3 items.

Deeds1916-19270135Scope and Contents

Includes 4 deeds, 4 warranty deeds.

Bonds1899-19260136Scope and Contents

5 items.

Mortgages1905-19260137Scope and Contents

4 items.

Closing Statement19230138Scope and Contents

2 documents.

Purchase Agreement19340139Scope and Contents

1 item.

Correspondence, Samuel Kronsky, Co.1948-19490140Scope and Contents

Includes 6 letters, and 4 various statements.

Correspondence, Appraisals1948-19660141Scope and Contents

6 letters.

Appraisals, 1932-19481932-19480142Scope and Contents

Includes 1 copy of 1932 appraisal, 3 copies of 1948 appraisal.

Appraisal, 196219620143Scope and Contents

2 bound copies.

The Master Operating Corp., Report of Change in Identity0156The Master Operating Corp., Certificate of incorporation19580157Scope and Contents

1 item.

The Master Operating Corp., Bill of Sale19620158Scope and Contents

Includes Bill of Sale, 1 letter.

he Master Operating Corp., Litigation1960-19610159Scope and Contents

Includes 1 letter, 4 various statements, 1 copy of claim.

Series IV: Bloomingdale Neighborhood Conservation AssociationScope and Contents

is made up of records regarding a cooperative partnership between residents of Morningside Heights and the City of New York. Includes, but is not limited to: correspondence, reports, meeting minutes, newsletters, flyers, and publicity materials.

Proposed neighborhood conservation contract19630160Scope and Contents

Contract not filled out.

Certificate of incorporation19590161Scope and Contents

1 item.

Constitution and By-laws1960-19610162Scope and Contents

Includes 2 letters, 2 copies of By-laws.

Letterheadundated0163Scope and Contents

Includes 3 envelopes, 1 page letterhead, 1 flyer.

Lease19650164Scope and Contents

1 item.

Reports, 1959-19631959-19630165Scope and Contents

8 items.

Reports, 1966-19671966-19670166Scope and Contents

7 items.

Steering Committee Minutes, 1959-19601959-19600201Scope and Contents

49 agendas and minutes.

Correspondence, Fund raising1960-19640210Scope and Contents

Includes 28 letters, 1 pledge form.

Correspondence, tax exemptions19630211Scope and Contents

3 letters.

Memos1959-19660212Scope and Contents

37 items.

Memos, Juliet Brudney1959-19660213Scope and Contents

48 items.

Meeting invitations1959-1960?0214Scope and Contents

22 items.

Press Releases1963-19640215Newsletters1960-19660216Scope and Contents

24 items.

Photographsundated0218Scope and Contents

4 color photographs.

"Parks, Plans, People - A Prologue"19630219Scope and Contents

3 items.

Steering Committee Minutes, 1961-19631961-19630202Scope and Contents

19 agendas and minutes.

Grosvenor House1960-19620220Scope and Contents

Includes 1 brochure, 1 letter.

Steering Committee Minutes, 1964-19671964-19670203Scope and Contents

16 agendas and minutes.

Finances1959-19650204Scope and Contents

26 various statements and reports, 1 copy of Statement of Cash Receipts and Distributions from Aronson & Oresman, CPA.

Correspondence, Miscellaneous1959-19600205Scope and Contents

26 letters.

Correspondence, Miscellaneous1961-19670206Scope and Contents

32 letters.

Correspondence, Juliet Brudney1959-19610207Scope and Contents

53 letters.

Correspondence, Hortense Gabel1959-19650208Scope and Contents

Includes 28 letters, 3 newspaper clippings.

Correspondence, Carol Petegorsky19590209Scope and Contents

Includes 6 letters, 1 copy of resume.

Bloomingdale Neighborhood Recreation Committee, Flyers1950-1962?0217Scope and Contents

41 items.

Series V: Riverside MuseumScope and Contents

also formerly known as the Roerich Museum, this series contains documentation of the museum located in the Master Building, including catalogs, information regarding the Roerich Museum Apartments, Certificate of name change, deeds, and the litigation that allowed the Louis and Nettie Horch to take over the building.

Program, Laying of Cornerstone19290144Scope and Contents

1 item.

Certificate of Name Change19380145Scope and Contents

Includes certificate, 2 receipts.

Certificate of Special Merit1962 Jan 15-1894Scope and Contents

Given by the Printing Industries of Metropolitan New York, Inc. "for an outstanding example of printing displayed in the 20th Exhibition of Printing"

Certificate of Distinguished and Exceptional Service1957 Oct 1894Scope and Contents

Given by Robert I. Wagner, the Mayor of the City of New York, "in recognition of [Riverside Museum's] cooperation with artists' associations, their encouragement of our American artists, and their aid in the cultural education of our citizenry, all without cost to the city.

Deeds1927-19280146Scope and Contents

Includes 4 Warranty Deeds, 2 Deeds.

Floor plan19660147Scope and Contents

1 item.

Construction Work Balance Sheet19290148Scope and Contents

3 pages.

Correspondence, Chatham Phoenix1930-19310149Scope and Contents

19 letters.

Correspondence, Miller & Hubel19310150Scope and Contents

Includes 5 letters, 9 various statements.

Correspondence1949-19640151Scope and Contents

11 letters.

Roerich Litigation1929-19390152Scope and Contents

Includes 12 letters, 3 legal documents.

Catalogs1927-19350153Scope and Contents

7 items: "The Roerich Museum Presents a Collection of Important Paintings for unrestricted public sale at the American Art Association Anderson Galleries, Inc. (1930); Master Institue of the Roerich Museum [Course offerings for] 1929-1930; "The Docks Bridges Waterways of New York by COntemporary Artists of the Metropolitan Area" (1935); "Exhibition of Plans for a Restoration of King Solomon's Temple, Corona Mundi International Art Center, Inc." (1927) [4 copies]

"A Guide to Asian Collections in American Museums"19640154Scope and Contents

1 item.

Roerich Museum Apartments19310155Scope and Contents

Includes 2 brochures, 1 letter.

Series VI: Adele Levy Memorial ParkScope and Contents

consists of documentation regarding a failed effort to open a playground in Riverside Park. Includes committee meetings, correspondence, and publications.

Correspondence1963-19660221Scope and Contents

23 letters.

Committee Meetings1963-19640222Scope and Contents

4 agendas and meeting minutes, 6 various statements.

Publications1964-1966?0223Scope and Contents

Includes 2 brochures, 2 flyers.

Series VII: Westside Urban Renewal AreaScope and Contents

includes correspondence, meeting minutes, and publicity materials.

Correspondence, Demov & Morris1959-19640224Scope and Contents

20 letters.

Meetings19590225Scope and Contents

21 various letters, minutes, and statements.

Preliminary Plan19590226Scope and Contents

1 item.

Series VIII: Other ProjectsScope and Contents

contains documentation regarding other Harlem redevelopment projects that were not spearheaded by Louis and Nettie Horch.

Bloomingdale Neighborhood Recreation Committee1963?0227Scope and Contents

Includes 4 brochures, 3 press releases, 2 meeting minutes.

Neighborhood Council for the Redevelopment of Riverside Park1963-19660228Scope and Contents

Includes 10 copies of newsletter, 9 various flyers, statements.

Riverside Park Program Committee19630229Scope and Contents

Includes flyer, 2 copies of Resolution, 4 press releases, and 7 various meeting invitations and minutes.

Bloomingdale Conservation Project19630230Scope and Contents

Includes 6 various flyers.

Frederick Douglass House19630231Scope and Contents

Includes 3 flyers, 1 postcard, and program for groundbreaking.

Creative Housing1961-19620232Scope and Contents

Includes 1 letter, 1 press release, 1 meeting minutes.

The Morningside Citizen1961-19640233Scope and Contents

2 newsletters.

Miscellaneous1959-19640234Scope and Contents

Includes 2 brochures, 8 various flyers, 1 resume (Mary M. Bower), newsletters, and meeting minutes.

The New York City Housing Authority's Federally-Aided Program19620235Scope and Contents

1 program.

Blank certification of corporate authority to transfer19490236Scope and Contents

3 items.

65 Park Terrace, Photographundated0237Scope and Contents

1 black and white photograph.

Series IX: Personal PapersScope and Contents

includes receipts and bills, correspondence, including letters from Mayor Robert F. Wagner and the Riverside Democrats.

Louis Horch, Photographundated0301Scope and Contents

1 black and white photograph.

Notes1935-1971?0310Scope and Contents

Approximately 78 handwritten notes on scraps of paper.

Correspondence, Miscellaneous1948-19720302Scope and Contents

Includes 31 letters, 2 sheets of stationary from Hotel Metropole Bruxelles.

Letter and certificate issued by Mayor Robert F. Wagner19600303Scope and Contents

Includes 4 copies of letter from Mayor Wagner, 1 copy of draft letter to Mayor Wagner, 2 copies of letter sent to Mayor Wagner, 3 copies of certificate, 1 copy of text on certificate.

Correspondence, Riverside Democrats1948-19720304Scope and Contents

Includes 13 letters, 1 brochure, literature for 3 meetings, 2 membership cards.

Correspondence, William F. Ryan1960-19640305Scope and Contents

Includes 2 letters, 4 copies of Congressional Record.

Bills and receipts1958-19680306Scope and Contents

14 various bills and receipts.

Tourist's permit to buy foreign liquor19600307Scope and Contents

1 item.

Business cards and brochuresundated0308Scope and Contents

12 business cards, 2 brochures.

Program, Associated Hotels, Inc. 27th Annual Dinner19600309Series X: Newspaper ClippingsScope and Contents

contains numerous articles relating to Harlem neighborhoods and buildings.

Various Articles, Undatedundated0311Scope and Contents

Approximately 38 newspaper clippings regarding various subjects.

Various Articles, 1927-19491927-19490312Scope and Contents

5 newspaper clippings regarding various subjects.

Various Articles, 1958-19591958-19590313Scope and Contents

Approximately 26 newspaper clippings regarding various subjects.

Various Articles, 196019600314Scope and Contents

Approximately 39 newspaper clippings regarding various subjects.

Various Articles, 196119610315Scope and Contents

Approximately 24 newspaper clippings regarding various subjects.

"Brightening the Gray Areas", The New York Times19610316Scope and Contents

2 copies of the New York Times Magazine, October 22, 1961.

Various Articles, 196219620317Scope and Contents

Approximately 13 newspaper clippings regarding various subjects.

Various Articles, 196319630318Scope and Contents

Approximately 46 newspaper clippings regarding various subjects.

Various Articles, 196419640319Scope and Contents

Approximately 52 newspaper clippings regarding various subjects.

Various Articles, 196519650320Scope and Contents

14 newspaper clippings regarding various subjects.

Various Articles, 196619660321Scope and Contents

17 newspaper clippings regarding various subjects.