This finding aid is made available for public use following the Universal 1.0 Public Domain Dedication Creative Commons designation.
This collection is arranged in one series.
This collection has no restrictions.
This collection is located onsite.
This collection of memorabilia maintained by Harry Bernard Koopman consists primarily of small format photographs and some postcards of fellow servicemen, scenery of the French countryside, battlefield conditions and local populations. Some of the identified locations in France include Meriel, Nice, Aix, and Vasseny. The collection also contains an intact photo album with fading notations, a scrapbook of newspaper clippings, letters, photographs and other memorabilia, a Red Cross flag, and a 1967 history of ambulance service during World War I.
Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Harry Bernard Koopman Papers; Box and Folder; University Archives, Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.
Reproductions may be made for research purposes. The RBML maintains ownership of the physical material only. Copyright remains with the creator and his/her heirs. The responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.
2010-2011-M070: Source of acquisition--Susan Quigley. Method of acquisition--Gift; Date of acquisition--1/4/2010.
Born in 1900, Harry grew up on Staten Island. Upon leaving high school, he went up to Columbia University in June 1917 to join the college boys who were joining the ambulance corps in France before the United States entered the war. Harry was only 17 years old at the time, lied about his age and joined up. He eventually was part of the service unit SSU 575 which was sponsored by Columbia University. Harry Bernard Koopman later changed his name to Harry Cahill Koopman, taking is mother's maiden name. He died in Lebanon, PA in 1986.
Papers processed Jocelyn Wilk 11/2013.
Finding Aid created Jocelyn Wilk 11/2013.
No additions are expected
This series consists of loose snapshots, one photo album with handwritten, fading, notations, a scrapbook, an old Red Cross flag, and a 1967 history of U.S. Army Ambulance Service with the French and Italian Armies between 1917 and 1919. Some of the small snapshots appear to have been pulled out of a photo album as the black paper is still stuck on the back. This paper often obscures the identification of the image, though in many cases you can still some, if not all, of the handwritten notes about the images. Photos are of people, scenery or battlefield conditions (e.g., abandoned tanks, camp sites, etc.). Harry Bernard Koopman was an avid photographer, but it is unclear as to whether he took all of these photographs or not. Folders are arranged in alphabetical order by folder title.