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Fort Ontario Emergency Refugee Shelter records, 1944-1946

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Summary Information

At a Glance

Call No.: MS#0444
Bib ID 4078778 View CLIO record
Creator(s) Fort Ontario Emergency Refugee Shelter (U.S.)
Title Fort Ontario Emergency Refugee Shelter records, 1944-1946
Physical Description 7.5 linear feet (16 boxes)
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.

Arrangement

Arrangement

Arranged.

Description

Summary

Records consisting of official reports, manuals, correspondence, various processed releases, clippings, photographs, and other printed materials. The files document the origin, development, operation, and closure of the shelter.

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 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

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); Fort Ontario Records; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.

Accruals

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--Marks, Edward B., Jr., Refugee Program Officer. Method of acquisition--Gift; Date of acquisition--1946. Accession number--M-46.

About the Finding Aid / Processing Information

Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Processing Information

Cataloged Christina Hilton Fenn 06/--/1989.

Revision Description

2014-09-10 xml document instance created by Adrien Hilton

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

Heading "CUL Archives:"
"Portal"		 "CUL Collections:"
"CLIO"		 "Nat'l / Int'l Archives:"
"ArchivedGRID"
Photographic prints Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID

Subject

Heading "CUL Archives:"
"Portal"		 "CUL Collections:"
"CLIO"		 "Nat'l / Int'l Archives:"
"ArchivedGRID"
Refugees -- Government policy -- New York (State) -- Oswego Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
United States. War Relocation Authority Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
World War, 1939-1945 -- Refugees Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
World War, 1939-1945 -- United States Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID

History / Biographical Note

Biographical / Historical

The shelter was established in accordance with President Franklin D. Roosevelt's memorandum dated June 8, 1944.

All external visitors, including alumni, must meet the University's primary COVID-19 vaccination series mandate and are required to adhere to the University's COVID-19 policies . After clicking 'Submit Request', users will login with their UNI and password (Columbia affiliates) or their special collections account (external users). Appointments are required and will be arranged according to each individual repository's policy.

Series I: Fort Ontario Emergency Refugee Center Records


Box 1 Publicity Material--Newspaper Clippings and Official Photographs

Box 1 Baron, Lawrence--"Haven from the Holocaust. . ." New York History LXIV/l

Final Report Summarizing All the Activities of the Shelter (9 parts)


Box 2 Project Director's Report

Box 2 Report of the Health Section

Box 2 Report of the Community Activities Section

Box 2 Report of the Welfare Section

Box 2 Internal Security Report

Box 2 Administrative Management Section Report

Box 2 Report of the Operation Division (Construction and Maintenance)

Box 2 Report of the Coordinating Committee

Box 2 Final Accountability Roster (Final Location of Refugees)


Box 3 Correspondence Files

Letters to and from various officials in charge of the shelter or working with shelter officials

Arranged in chronological order


Box 4 Correspondence Files

Letters to and from various officials in charge of the shelter or working with shelter officials

Arranged in chronological order

Rules and Regulations


Box 5 Shelter Releases--Amendments to the Fort Ortario Manual

Box 5 Fort Ortario Manual

Box 5 Shelter Safety Manual


Box 6 Handbook Releases--Amendments to Handbook

Box 6 War Relocation Authority Handbook--Sections 20.1-30.4


Box 7 War Relocation Authority Handbook--Sections 30.6-140

Program Reports

Various weekly and monthly reports on phases of activities


Box 8 Oswego Weekly and Monthly Reports

Box 8 Monthly Engineering Report

Box 8 Fire Reports

Box 8 Labor Reports

Box 8 Mess Operations

Box 8 Population Reports

Box 8 Welfare Reports


Box 9 Memoranda

Memos to shelter residents, announcements and notices

Arranged in chronological order

Box 9 Information Bulletin

Box 9 Memos to Staff


Box 11 Administrative Notices

Shelter Beginnings


Box 12 Releases, Reports, and Letters Relating to the Early Planning and Organization of the Shelter

Box 12 Special Studies


Box 13 Cooperation with other Agencies (mainly welfare agencies)--Releases, Letters, and Reports

Community Relations


Box 14 Relations among residents themselves, and between residents and the community of Oswego

Box 14 Welfare and Medical--Reports on Health and Sanitation


Box 15 Congressional Hearing on the Disbanding of the Shelter and the Future of the Residents

Box 15 Dickstein Committee, Congressional Committee Working towards the Admission of the Residents into the United States

Box 15 Smart's Speeches--Director's Speeches

Box 15 Miscellaneous Reports and Memoranda

Shelter Closure


Box 16 Panelling of Residents for Acceptance into the United States

Box 16 Attitude of State Department

Box 16 Problems Faced by the Shelter Administration