Edith Altschul Lehman papers, 1856-1976, bulk 1963-1976
Summary Information
Abstract
At a Glance
- Call No.:
- MS#0762
- Bib ID:
- 4078517 View CLIO record
- Creator(s):
- Lehman, Edith A. (Edith Altschul)
- Repository:
- Rare Book and Manuscript Library
- Physical Description:
- 17 linear feet (32 document boxes; 1 record carton; 2 file card boxes; 4 oversize boxes; Mapcase 15K4)
- Language(s):
- English .
- Access:
- You will need to make an appointment in advance to use this collection material in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room. You can schedule an appointment once you've submitted your request through your Special Collections Research Account.
-
This collection is located off-site. You will need to request this material at least three business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room.
This collection has no restrictions.
Description
Scope and Content
This collection documents the life of Edith Altschul Lehman, a philanthropist and the wife of New York Governor and Senator Herbert H. Lehman. It supplements files on Edith Lehman which had been integrated into the Herbert H. Lehman Papers (MS#0763). The majority of materials relate to Edith Lehman's philanthropic activities, such as the construction of the Lehman Children's Zoo, contributions to the Henry Street Settlement, and her involvement in numerous organizations including the Play Schools Association, the American Jewish Committee, and the Federation of Jewish Philanthropies. Other material concerns her marriage to Herbert Lehman and her family life. The collection is comprised of correspondence, diaries, notebooks, speeches, photographs, audiotapes, and memorabilia.
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Series I: Subject Files, 1942-1976
The majority of the subject files document Edith Lehman's social and philanthropic activities. Files relating to the Play Schools Association reflect her role as president and chairman and include correspondence, reports, memos, and conference materials. Sponsorship files contain brief notes recording her responses to event invitations and to the many requests for her sponsorship or endorsement of particular groups. Other files focus on particular projects, organizations, and individuals and contain correspondence and memos. Files are arranged alphabetically.
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This small series holds obituaries, funeral service information, and letters of condolence sent to Edith Lehman's children and family after her death in March 1976.
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Series III: Memorabilia, 1856-1976
This series holds a variety of notebooks, awards, artifacts, and other objects representing many aspects of Edith Lehman's life. It includes elaborately bound scrapbooks and other gifts from her uncle, Richard Altschul, which he made each year for his niece's birthday. Consisting of family traditions and injokes, they were known as "The Richy Classics." The series also houses family documents, the diaries, and several photo albums documenting wedding anniversaries and trips. Other albums cover events such as the dedication of Herbert Lehman College and the construction of Pete's House; most of these were given to the Lehman's as commemorative gifts. The series contains a watercolor painting of the Lehman Children's Zoo and two original sketches of the zoo's animal sculptures, designed by artist Aymar Embury. Also included are social books, Christmas gift lists, diplomas and membership certificates, and awards, medals, pins, statues, and other items given to Edith in recognition of her philanthropic activities.
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Series IV: 2016 Addition: Martha Pearle Lindsay Papers, 1936-1947
A gift from Ann Lucas, the neice of Martha Pearle Lindsay, the personal secretary to Edith Lehman while Herbert H. Lehman was the governor.
Arrangement
This collection has been arranged into four series.
- Series I: Subject Files, 1942-1976
- Series II: Condolences, 1976
- Series III: Memorabilia, 1856-1976
- Series IV: 2016 Addition: Martha Pearle Lindsay Papers, 1936-1947
Using the Collection
Restrictions on Access
You will need to make an appointment in advance to use this collection material in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room. You can schedule an appointment once you've submitted your request through your Special Collections Research Account.
This collection is located off-site. You will need to request this material at least three business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room.
This collection has no restrictions.
Terms Governing Use and Reproduction
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.
Preferred Citation
Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Edith Altschul Lehman papers; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.
Related Archival Materials
Edith Lehman materials from 1910 to 1962 are integrated into the Herbert H. Lehman Papers, Columbia University, New York, N.Y.
Frank Altschul papers, Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Columbia University.
Accruals
Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. Contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.
Ownership and Custodial History
Bequest of Edith Altschul Lehman, 1977.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Correspondence, diaries, notebooks, speeches, photographs, tape recordings, memorabilia: Source of acquisition--Lehman, Edith Altschul. Method of acquisition--bequest.
About the Finding Aid / Processing Information
Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library
Processing Information
Correspondence, diaries, notebooks, speeches, photographs, tape recordings, memorabilia Surveyed Julie Miller 05/--/87.
Papers processed Haruna Otsuka Carolyn Smith 2009.
Finding aid written Carolyn Smith September 2009.
Revision Description
2010-04-20 File created.
2019-05-20 EAD was imported spring 2019 as part of the ArchivesSpace Phase II migration.
Biographical sketch
Edith Louise Altschul was born in San Francisco on August 8, 1889 to Charles and Camilla Altschul. Charles, a successful banker with Lazard Freres, moved the family to New York City in 1901. Edith attended Dr. Sach's Girls School and Miss Jacoby's School (now the Calhoun School) and took a nursing course after graduation. She met Herbert H. Lehman, a partner in the Lehman Brothers investment firm, at a picnic. They were married on April 28, 1910 and would have three children, Peter, John, and Hilda.
Edith considered her marriage her career and the most important aspect of her life, but she was also deeply involved in social welfare and philanthropy. She organized a social service committee to care for the family needs of hospitalized patients. This endeavor led to the creation of Mount Sinai Hospital's first professional social service department, and she remained closely associated with the hospital for many years thereafter.
Lehman was also involved with the Henry Street Settlement, which provided health care and other assistance to new immigrants and the poor living in the Lower East Side of New York City. In 1948 the Lehman's built Pete's House, a youth center at Henry Street Settlement dedicated to the memory of their son Peter, who was killed in World War II. Peter had volunteered as a youth leader at the Settlement.
In 1917, Edith Lehman became a charter member of the Play Schools Association, which promoted play as vital to the mental and physical health of children. The organization partnered with schools, hospitals, and other institutions to provide opportunities for creative play. Lehman would work with the organization for over fifty years, serving as president and as Chairman of the Board from 1966 until her death in 1976.
Edith Lehman was also involved in the Jewish communities of New York and a member of the American Jewish Committee and the Federation of Jewish Philanthropies, among other organizations. She was a supporter of Israel, and first visited the country in 1949 with her husband. The Edith Lehman High School in Dimona, Israel, was dedicated to her.
In 1961, the Lehman's built the Lehman Children's Zoo (now the Tisch Zoo) in New York City's Central Park in honor of their 50th wedding anniversary. Although the zoo was renovated in 1997, the bronze Lehman Gates still stand at the entrance.
After her husband's death in 1963, Edith Lehman established several major endowments and institutions in his honor, including contributions to Mount Sinai Hospital Medical School and the establishment of the Lehman Professorship in Pediatrics at that institution; the Lehman Educational Fund, which offers scholarships for African American college students; and the Lehman School of Ethics at the Jewish Theological Seminary. She also supported Williams College, Herbert Lehman's alma mater, and financed and endowed the Lehman Suite at Columbia University's School of International and Political Affairs.
In recognition for her dedication to social causes, Edith Lehman was awarded honorary doctor of humane letters degrees from Williams College and Mount Sinai School of Medicine, as well as a doctor of laws from Columbia University.
Edith Altschul Lehman died on March 8, 1976, in New York City.
Subject Headings
The subject headings listed below are found in this collection. Links below allow searches for other collections at Columbia University, through CLIO, the catalog for Columbia University Libraries, and through ArchiveGRID, a catalog that allows users to search the holdings of multiple research libraries and archives.
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