Harry A. Williamson papers : additions

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Description: Harry A. Williamson, a member of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of New York, was a prolific writer on the subject of Freemasonry. The Harry A. Williamson papers : additions consist of writings, reports, souvenir journals, newsletters, and court depositions.
Names: Williamson, Harry A. (Harry Albro), 1875-1965 (Creator); Schomburg, Arthur Alfonso, 1874-1938; Williamson, Harry A. (Harry Albro), 1875-1965
Dates / Origin: Date Created: 1881 - 1962
Library locations: Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division; Shelf locator: Sc MG 516
Topics: Voorhis, Harold Van Buren, 1894-1983; Freemasons. Prince Hall Grand Lodge (N.Y.); Order of the Eastern Star; African American freemasonry -- New York (State) -- New York; African American freemasons -- New York (State) -- New York; African American women -- New York (State) -- New York -- Societies and clubs; African Americans -- Societies, etc; Authors, Black
Notes: Biographical/historical: Harry A. Williamson joined the brotherhood of Freemasonry in 1904. He became a student of Masonry and its literature, and embarked on an intensive search for information which would document the "legitimacy" and "subsequent progress" of African Americans in Freemasonry. As a member of the Grand Lodge of New York (Prince Hall), Williamson served as deputy Grandmaster, Grand Lecturer, Grand Historian, and Grand Secretary. He was a prolific writer on the subject of Freemasonry.; Content: The Harry A. Williamson papers : additions consist of writings, reports, souvenir journals, newsletters, and court depositions relating to Prince Hall Masonry, primarily in New York State and New Jersey. A significant portion of the collection is comprised of Williamson's writings about inauthentic lodges, literature about Prince Hall Masonry specifically, and Black masonry generally. There is also a manuscript entitled "Chips from the Quarries" by Williamson comprised of short papers containing information and personal opinions about various topics related to freemasonry. This extensive work consists of nearly 9000 pages. The collection also includes biographical sketches by other freemasons such as Lewis Hayden, Sol C. Johnson, and Arthur A. Schomburg. Legal papers include depositions concerning a controversy surrounding the Carthaginian Lodge No. 47 in Brooklyn. There are programs and a scrapbook of news clippings about the Order of the Eastern Star (the women's association), news clippings and other printed matter pertaining to the 144 Street Temple, and a draft for a revised constitution of the Prince Hall Lodge. A scrapbook about the activities of officer Harold van Buren Voorhis, consisting primarily of printed material, also forms part of the collection. Personal papers include an inventory of items in the "Williamson Masonic Collection" as well as information about Williamson's wife, Blanche Williamson.
Physical Description: Extent: 2.81 linear feet (6 boxes, 5 reels)
Type of Resource: Text
Identifiers: Other local Identifier: Sc MG 516; Other local Identifier: Sc Micro R-1295; NYPL catalog ID (B-number): b16005715; MSS Unit ID: 21197; Universal Unique Identifier (UUID): 903698e0-37be-013d-7ef4-0242ac110003

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Harry A. Williamson papers : additions

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