Steele Family Papers
Biographical / Historical note
John M. Steele, Esquire (1851-1936), was a former Rochester Commissioner of Jurors and 12th Ward Alderman. The Steele family lived in Rochester, New York, and included John M. Steele, Esquire, a former Rochester Commissioner of Jurors and 12th Ward Alderman, his wife Mary L. Steele, (1853-1943), who participated in the local theater community, their son Fletcher Steele (1885-1971), and their daughter Esther Steele (1887-1964). Fletcher Steele grew up to become a pioneer in the field of landscape architecture. Esther served with the Red Cross during World War I.
Scope and Contents
The Steele Family papers are comprised of three series: I. Correspondence, II. Writings, and III. Printed Materials, Photographs and Family Ephemera. The Correspondence series consists mostly of correspondence written from Fletcher to his sister, Esther, during the 1950s, when Fletcher lived in New York City. There is also a large body of correspondence written from Fletcher to his mother during the 1930s. The Writings series includes numerous pieces of writing that Esther wrote as a young woman and an early garden sketch by Fletcher. In the Printed Materials, Photographs and Family Ephemera series, there are programs from the "Tuesday Musical" series that Mary Steele participated in, as well as family photographs, calling cards and newspaper clippings.
Creator
- Steele (Family : Steele, John M., 1851-1936) (Family)
- Steele, John M., 1851-1936 (Person)
- Steele, Mary L., 1853-1943 (Person)
- Steele, Fletcher (Person)
- Steele, Esther, 1883-1964 (Person)
Dates
- Creation: 1909-1956
Language of Materials
English
Extent
6 box(es) (6 boxes and 2 volumes)
Access
The Steele Family Papers is open for research use. Researchers are advised to contact the Rare Books Special Collections & Preservation Department prior to visiting. Upon arrival, researchers will also be asked to fill out a registration form and provide photo identification.
Use
In consultation with a curator, reproductions may be made upon request. Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from a curator. Researchers are responsible for determining any copyright questions.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The Steele Family Papers were given as a gift in 1977.
Preferred Citation
[Item title, item date], Steele Family Papers, D.454, Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester
Arrangement
The collection has been organized into three series:
Series I. Correspondence
Series II. Writings
Series III. Printed materials, photographs and family ephemera
Genre / Form
Subject
- Steele (Family : Steele, John M., 1851-1936) (Family)
- Steele, John M., 1851-1936 (Person)
- Steele, Mary L., 1853-1943 (Person)
- Steele, Fletcher (Person)
- Steele, Esther, 1883-1964 (Person)
- Title
- Steele family papers
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Finding aid prepared by Rare Books and Special Collections staff
- Date
- undated
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Library Details
Part of the Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation Library