Eugene C. Colby Family Papers
Scope and Contents
Includes original artwork, diaries, scrapbooks, correspondence, sketchbooks, stained glass window designs, membership card, Rochester Art Club, 1927; speeches, eyeglasses prescription, 1891; lessons for teacher's class, Summer School, and other documents pertaining to the career of Eugene C. Colby. Included are items from the life of Alice Harriet Colby, his daughter, concerning her academic career at the U of R, and her teaching career. Certificates, letters, essays. Includes paper, "Principles and Methods on the Education of the Immigrant," 1918; plans and flyers for Elmendorf Cottage, 1909; baby picture of Alice Colby; "Life of Eugene Colby."
Dates
- Creation: 1885-1930
Conditions Governing Access
There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of the collection.
Conditions Governing Use
Permission to publish, reproduce, distribute, or use in any current or future manifestations must be obtained in writing from the Rochester Public Library Local History and Genealogy Division.
Biographical Note
Eugene C. (Chapman) Colby (1846-1930) was the first principal of the Mechanics Institute and the first director of the art school. In the art school's first semester (1885), he taught mechanical drawing. He also provided instruction in free hand drawing. Colby was the author of an early history of the Mechanics Institute, covering the years 1885 to 1925. While his profession was mechanical drawing, Colby was also an accomplished landscape painter.
His daughter, Alice H.Colby, was also an accomplished artist. Born in 1881, she never married and lived in the family home home on Rutgers Street until her death on May 3, 1950. She is buried next to her father in Glenwood Cemetery, Lockport, New York.
Extent
1.4 Cubic Feet (2 boxes, 1 OS folder)
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
This collection consists of 2 boxes and 1 oversize folder.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The provenance of this collection is unknown.
Bibliography
"Colby." Democrat & Chronicle (newspaper), Rochester, New York. May 5, 1950, page 28.
"Eugene C. Colby." Democrat & Chronicle (newspaper), Rochester, New York. January 21, 1930, page 10.
Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 9 June 2020), memorial page for Alice H. Colby (1881–1950), Find a Grave Memorial no. 187886539, citing Glenwood Cemetery, Lockport, Niagara County, New York, USA ; Maintained by Jen Niethe (contributor 49186528) .
Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 9 June 2020), memorial page for Eugene Chapman Colby (1846–1930), Find a Grave Memorial no. 187886969, citing Glenwood Cemetery, Lockport, Niagara County, New York, USA ; Maintained by Jen Niethe (contributor 49186528) .
"Guide to the Eugene Colby collection." (Finding Aid). Accessed June 8, 2020 from http://library.rit.edu/findingaids/html/RITArt.0019.html
McKelvey, Blake. "The First Century of Art in Rochester - to 1925." Rochester History, vol. XVII, no. 2, April 1955.
Physical Description
Good
Function
Genre / Form
Topical
- Title
- A Guide to the Eugene C. Colby Family Papers
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Cheri Crist
- Date
- 2014
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- English
Revision Statements
- 2020-06-09: Updated for DACS compliance by Brandon Fess.
Repository Details
Part of the Local History & Genealogy Division Repository
115 South Ave.
Rochester 14604 USA
585-428-8370
585-428-8353 (Fax)
lochistref@libraryweb.org