Henry Ford Peace Expedition Collection, 1913-1924, bulk 1915-1916

Summary Information

Abstract

This collection contains photographs, pamphlets, newspaper clippings, and writings relating to the Henry Ford Peace Expedition that took place in the winter of 1915-1916.

At a Glance

Arrangement

Arrangement

The material is arranged in two series.

• Series I: Printed Materials, 1913, 1915-1916, 1923, 1924
• Series II: Photographs, undated

Description

Summary

This collection of printed materials and photographs was assembled by Mary Alden Hopkins, a member of the Expedition, in 1952. The content primarily spans the time period just before, during, and after the expedition between the winter of 1915 and 1916. The collection centers on Hopkins' personal accounts of the expedition, biographical pamphlets, and passenger lists. Official statements issued by Louis P. Lochner, General Secretary of The Neutral Conference for Continuous Mediation, at Stockholm, are also included herein. Additionally, a letter from Lochner with the "Appeal to Neutrals" the Neutral Conference's manifesto, is located in this collection. Several issues of Four Lights, a magazine published by the Women's Peace Party of New York City, are included along with various newspaper clippings pertaining both to the expedition and to the war in general. The photographs in this collection are both unidentified and undated, but certainly describe the social and political activities that took place during the expedition.

• Series I: Printed Materials, 1913, 1915-1916, 1923, 1924

  This series has four document types: clippings,Four Lights, pamphlets, and writings, each designated to an individual folder. Folder four contains many typed drafts of Hopkins' writings, most of which were created on board the Peace Ship in the winter of 1915. Titles include: "The Ship of Fools," "The Ford Peace Expedition in Scandinavia," "Statement of Desire to Return from Expedition," and "The Return of the Ford Peace Expedition." Folder 4 also contains a letter from Louis P. Lochner with the "Appeal to Neutrals," as well as travel itineraries, and a letter from Ellen Key. Eleven issues ofFour Lightsare located in folder 2 (map case 14-p-1), with dates January-March 1917, May-July 1917, September-October 1917. Most of the pamphlets in series I are either biographies listing those involved in the expedition, or passenger lists. The majority of the newspaper articles are specifically related to the expedition, though some are articles that pertain to the war in general.

• Series II: Photographs, undated

  The photographs document not only the activities that took place on board the Peace Ship but also professional and leisurely activities that took place in Christiania (now Oslo), Norway and Stockholm, Sweden. These consist mostly of human portraits, although some landscape and street photographs exist. Photographs of the skiers at the ski jump at Lillehammer in Norway are also found in this collection. The photographs are both undated and unidentified.

Using the Collection

Rare Book and Manuscript Library

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 has no restrictions.

The following boxes are located off-site: Box 1. You will need to request this material from the Rare Book and Manuscript Library at least three business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room. Materials in map case 14-P-1 are located on-site.

Terms Governing Use and Reproduction

Single photocopies 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); Henry Ford Peace Expedition collection; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.

Related Materials

Other institutions that house collections relating to the Henry Ford Peace Expedition include: Swarthmore College Peace Collection, Swarthmore College Henry Ford Peace Expedition Literary File, photography collection, University of Texas, Austin Papers Relating to the Ford Peace Plan, 1915-1918, Library of Congress Fredrick and Lilian Holt Peace Expedition Papers, 1915-1917, University of Michigan

Swarthmore College Peace Collection, Swarthmore College.

Henry Ford Peace Expedition Literary File, Photography Collection, University of Texas, Austin.

Papers Relating to the Ford Peace Plan, 1915-1918, Library of Congress.

Frederick and Lilian Holt Peace Expedition Papers, 1915-1917, University of Michigan .

Accrual

No additions expected

Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. Contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Source of acquisition--Mary Alden Hopkins. Method of acquisition--Gift of; Date of acquisition--1952.

About the Finding Aid / Processing Information

Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Processing Information

Papers processed by Robyn Hjermstad.

Finding aid written by Robyn Hjermstad June 2010.

Collection is processed to folder level.

Revision Description

2010-07-31 File created.

2010-08-04 XML document instance created by Catherine N. Carson

2019-05-20 EAD was imported spring 2019 as part of the ArchivesSpace Phase II migration.

Subject Headings

The subject headings listed below are found in this collection. Links below allow searches at Columbia University through the Archival Collections Portal and through CLIO, the catalog for Columbia University Libraries, as well as ArchiveGRID, a catalog that allows users to search the holdings of multiple research libraries and archives.

All links open new windows.

Genre/Form

Subject

History / Biographical Note

Biographical / Historical

The purpose of the Henry Ford Peace Expedition was to call a conference of delegates from non-combatant countries during World War I. In the winter of 1915-1916, the Ford Peace Expedition carried a delegation of Americans to Norway, Sweden, and Holland to meet with fellow European pacifists. Henry Ford hosted the "Peace Ship" which served as both a vehicle for travel and for collaboration amongst its passengers.

During the months prior to the expedition, Hungarian feminist and pacifist Rosika Schwimmer encouraged Ford to commission the expedition. On December 4th, 1915, Henry Ford and members of the peace voyage boarded Oscar II, also known as the Peace Ship, in Hoboken, New Jersey for the expedition. The delegates for the peace expedition traveled first to Christiania (present day Oslo), Norway, and later met with fellow pacifists in Sweden and Holland. In February, 1916, members of the neutral nations from Europe met with the Ford party in Stockholm, Sweden, to form the Neutral Conference for Continuous Mediation. The expedition returned from Europe in February of 1916, but work within the Neutral Conference for Continuous Mediation continued until the end of that year. Among many active figures that influenced the expedition were Rosika Schwimmer, Ellen Key, and Louis P. Lochner.