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Warner family papers

 Collection
Identifier: D.331

Biographical / Historical note

Noted Rochester architect John Foster Warner (1859-1937) was son of architect Andrew Jackson Warner (1833-1910) and Kate Foster. He began his career as a draughtsman in his father's firm, later becoming a partner in Warner & Brockett, before beginning his own independent firm in 1889. J. Foster Warner succeeded, as well as rivaled, his father as one of Rochester's leading architects from 1890 - 1910. In 1919 he was the first president of the Rochester Chapter, American Institute of Architects and for many years served as a member of the City Planning Commission. J. Foster Warner was also an active and influential personage in Rochester society. Among his numerous associations and offices, Warner was the director of the Rochester Telephone Company from its incorporation and until his death, as well as director of the Union Trust Company, Stromberg-Carlson Telephone Company, and original board member of the Home Telephone Company. He was one of the first automobile owners in New York State and was known for racing.



In 1883 J. Foster Warner married Mary L. Adams. Together they had two sons: Andrew Jackson (Jack) Warner II (1884-1965) and John Adams Warner (1886-1963). The family lived at 109 Troop Street and then at 5 Prince Street.



Jack Warner worked in his father's architectural office for a short time (1909-1910), before becoming a theater critic and local newspaper columnist. His reputation as a critic was apparently well respected, for he was sent to Europe by George Eastman to select a conductor for the Eastman Theater. Jack Warner socialized with several international notables. He was a friend of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor in the 1920s, and in 1932 he interviewed Benito Mussolini and had an audience with Pope Pius XI. [Please see A.J. Warner Collection, Sibley Music Library, University of Rochester].



John Warner was a renowned concert pianist and superintendent of the New York State Police (1923 -1943). During his tenure he was responsible for instituting many innovations within the State Police Department, including a teletypewriter system, Aeronautics Division (1931), Pistol Permit Bureau and radio communications (1932), diving unit (1934), bloodhound unit (1935), laboratory system (1936), and the Traffic Bureau (1937). He married Emily Smith, daughter of New York State Governor Alfred E. Smith.

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of approximately 65 letters, mostly correspondence (1906-1912) between Mary Adams Warner and her sons Jack and John Warner. The collection also includes a few items of personal correspondence to Mrs. Mary Warner.

Creator

Dates

  • Creation: 1906-1912

Language of Materials

English

Extent

1 box(es)

Access

The Warner 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

Purchased with the Allyn Fund, June 2005.

Preferred Citation

[Item title, item date], Warner Family Papers, D.331, Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester

Title
Warner family papers
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

Contact:
Rochester NY 14627-0055 USA