W.R. Grace & Co. records, 1828-1986, bulk 1861-1960

Creator:

Extent:

90 linear feet (167 boxes)

Language:

English .

Scope and content:

The records of W.R. Grace & Co. cover the rise of the Grace shipping business from 1864 until World War II. The early correspondence concerns all aspects of the shipping business in New York and South America, mining interests in Peru and Chile, the railroad in Costa Rica, the inter-ocean canal planned for Nicaragua, and political interests throughout Central and South America. There are letter books, correspondence, and scrapbooks of clippings for all aspects of W.R. Grace's career. There are minute books and other documents for more than 50 subsidiary companies owned by W.R. Grace & Co. or by family members. The papers of Joseph Peter Grace (1872-1950) continue the business, family, and philanthropic activities until 1942. There are also 20 reels of motion picture film about the Grace Co. South American interests in the 1950s.

This wide-ranging collection of correspondence, administrative records, motion pictures, scrapbooks, and other materials details the development of the W.R. Grace & Co. shipping business as well as more than fifty other companies owned by the company or the Grace family. Apart from merchant and trade activities, prominent topics covered in the collection include mining, railroads, the construction of a trans-Isthmian canal, and South American, Central American, and United States politics.

Biographical / historical:

William Russell Grace (1832-1904) and Michael Paul Grace (1842-1920) emigrated from Ireland during the 1850s and set up in business respectively in New York and Callao, Peru as ship's chandlers (boat supplies). They soon developed into shipping brokers and later owned their own fleet, the beginning of the present-day Grace Line. Grace companies were established in San Francisco and London. W.R. Grace was active in New York City politics (Mayor, 1881-1882, and 1885-1886), banking and insurance, real estate interests, and Catholic charities.

Acquisition information:

Source of acquisition--W.R. Grace Co. Method of acquisition--Gift; Date of acquisition--1980. Accession number--M-80.

Historical Report, 1963-1972: Source of acquisition--Harper Collins. Method of acquisition--Gift; Date of acquisition--12/14/1990. Accession number--M-90-12-14.

Gift of W.R. Grace Co., 1980 1985.

Gift of Harper Collins, 1990.

Processing information:

Cataloged Christina Hilton Fenn 06/--/1989.

Historical Report, 1963-1972 Processed HR 08/20/1992.

Arrangement:

Selected materials cataloged, remainder arranged. Cataloged correspondence, A-Z; Boxes 1-8: Unbound correspondence & documents, 1861-1918; Boxes 9-97: Letterbooks, contract books, etc., 1864-1917; Boxes 98-103: Nicaragua Canal, 1897-1900; Boxes 104-122: Scrapbooks, 1884-1920; Boxes 123-146: Subsidiary companies, Minute books, etc., 1869-1939; Boxes 147-153: Joseph Peter Grace, Correspondence & documents, 1919-1942; Boxes 154-155: Printed books & atlases; Boxes 156-157: Photographs; Box 158-162: Misc. & additions; 35 Oversize items.

Accruals:

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

Physical / technical requirements:

Material base and configuration--20 reels motion picture film

Rules or conventions:

Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Alternative form available:

Microfilm available.

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection has no restrictions.

The following boxes are located off-site: 1-164. 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.

Terms of access:

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); W.R. Grace & Co. records; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.

Location of this collection:: Rare Book & Manuscript Library

RBML Home Page
6th Floor East Butler Library
535 West 114th Street
New York, NY 10027, USA
Before you visit:: Researchers interested in viewing materials in the RBML reading room must must book an appointment at least 7 days in advance. To make the most of your visit, be sure to request your desired materials before booking your appointment, as researchers are limited to 5 items per day.

Contact:: rbml@library.columbia.edu

Collection