Archives Directory for the History of Collecting in America
Archives related to: Crane, Winthrop Murray, 1853-1920
| title | Winthrop Murray Crane Papers | repository | Massachusetts Historical Society |
| description | The Winthrop Murray Crane papers consist of six record cartons, two narrow document boxes and one oversize document box that spans the years 1877-2000, with the bulk between 1896-1932. The collection is divided into five series: Correspondence, Volumes, Biographical Information, Addresses, and Loose Printed Materials. The bulk of the collection consists of Crane's correspondence written and received during his tenures as lieutenant governor of Massachusetts from 1896-1989, governor of Massachusetts from 1896-1903, (to a lesser extent) as U.S. senator from Massachusetts from 1904-1913 (particularly 1904-1907 and 1912-1913), and from the years following his resignation from the Senate in 1913 until his death in 1920. The incoming correspondence and the retained copies of outgoing correspondence (letterpress books) reflect Crane's conservative political interests; relationships with colleagues, businessmen, and constituents; political appointments accepted and refused; and daily activities. Of special interest are letters received in Sept. 1902 that relate to a carriage accident in Pittsfield, Mass., that nearly killed Crane and President Theodore Roosevelt. Included is a letter from the chief of the Secret Service, dated 6 Sept. 1902, pertaining to the death of the president's personal agent, William Craig, in the accident. The autograph collection contains letters received by Crane during his various political positions from 1896-1913, from prominent political figures including Presidents Theodore Roosevelt, William H. Taft, Woodrow Wilson, and Calvin Coolidge. Of special interest is a 13-page typed letter signed by President Roosevelt, dated 22 October 1902, describing the circumstances surrounding the1902 national coal strike and thanking Crane for his help in bringing it to an end. The autograph collection also contains some autograph letters received by Crane's son, Winthrop Murray Crane II, following Crane's death in 1920. In addition to the correspondence, the collection contains loose clippings and scrapbooks of clippings written from 1880-2000, relating to Crane's various tenures and appointments, and other personal and professional Crane family activities and events. The collection also contains addresses read by Crane while he was governor, correspondence pertaining to the biography written following Crane's death, W. Murray Crane: A Man and a Brother, by Solomon Bulkley Griffin, a commonplace-book kept by an unidentified author, 1877-1885, calling cards, and printed ephemera. |
| extent | 6 record cartons (stored offsite); and 2 narrow document boxes and 1 oversize document box (stored onsite) |
| formats | Correspondence Ephemera Printed Materials |
| access | The bulk of the Winthrop Murray Crane papers (except for the autograph correspondence and oversize items) are stored offsite and must be requested at least one business day in advance. |
| record link | http://www.masshist.org/findingaids/doc.cfm?fa=fa0218 |
| record source | http://www.masshist.org/findingaids/ |
| finding aid | online |
| acquisition information | Gift of The Louise Crane Foundation in April 2003, with subsequent additions in October 2003. |
| updated | 03/16/2023 10:29:51 |
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| title | Winthrop Murray Crane Photographs, ca. 1865-1950 | repository | Massachusetts Historical Society |
| description | The Winthrop Murray Crane photograph collection contains 105 photographs in two volumes (one disbound), one box of loose photographs, and one box of oversize photographs. The majority of the photographs were taken between 1880 and 1920. The first volume (disbound) contains photographs of London street scenes and attractions, ca. 1880-1890. The second volume contains a series of photographs of Winthrop Murray Crane and others participating in an unidentified outdoor ceremony in Framingham, Mass. Most of the loose and oversize photographs are individual and group portraits of Winthrop Murray Crane and his family, friends, and colleagues. Subjects include his children, Winthrop Murray Crane, Jr., Stephen Crane, Bruce Crane, and Louise Crane; his second wife, Josephine Boardman Crane; Theodore Roosevelt and Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt; Roger Wolcott; Henry Cabot Lodge; John Lewis Bates; Curtis Guild; John Wingate Weeks; Allen Towner Treadway; Billy Sunday; and others. A number of the portraits are cabinet cards. The collection also contains a few later photographs of Winthrop Murray Crane's youngest son, Bruce Crane. Photographers represented in the collection include George Washington Wilson of Aberdeen, Scotland; James Valentine of Dundee, Scotland; Alexander Gardner and Harris & Ewing of Washington, D.C.; Henry Havelock Pierce, Thomas E. Marr, Notman Photograph Company, J.E. Purdy & Co., all of Boston, Mass.; and others. |
| extent | 105 photographs in 2 volumes (1 disbound), 1 box, and 2 oversize box. |
| formats | Photographs |
| access | Contact repository for restrictions and policies. |
| record link | http://www.masshist.org/findingaids/doc.cfm?fa=fap045 |
| record source | http://www.masshist.org/findingaids/ |
| finding aid | online guide |
| acquisition information | This collection was removed from the Winthrop Murray Crane papers, which was a gift of The Louise Crane Foundation in April 2003, with subsequent additions in October 2003. |
| updated | 11/12/2014 11:29:51 |
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