Cornell University-New York Hospital School of Nursing Alumni Association Records

Collection

Identifier: US-NNCORMA-RG06-SG003-001

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Scope and Contents

Although there are items in this collection that predate the establishment of the Alumni Association, the bulk of the papers date from the 1930s through the 1970s.

Much of the material illustrates the Association’s role as a fundraiser for the School of Nursing, including the records of its Annual Giving Campaign (1968-1978), and of the various scholarships, it established.

These papers include much on the Alumni Days, reunions and anniversary celebrations the Association organized mostly those in the 1960s-1970s.

There is also a good deal of general (1936-1977) and president's correspondence (1931-1979); treasurer’s reports (1934-1947; 1962-1981) and other financial information. Of particular interest is correspondence detailing the Alumnae's reaction to the Nursing Students' "Strike" of 1919 (it was actually only a request for additional time off) and a folder of student papers and reports from the 1920s.

Minutes and papers of the Membership Committee and a folder of Alumni Day programs were transferred to already existing records series. Researchers should be sure to consult records related to this collection including the Nurses' Registry assignment records, c. 1898-1944 and other Alumni Association collections such as the Annual Reports, Alumni News, and minutes of the Annual Meetings and Board of Directors.

Dates

1889 - 1981

Creator

Cornell University-New York Hospital School of Nursing (Organization)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Materials from this collection cannot be reproduced outside the guidelines of United States Fair Use (17 U.S.C., Section 107) without the advance permission of the Medical Center Archives of NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medicine or the copyright holder. In the event that anything from the collection become a source for publication, a credit line indicating the Medical Center Archives of NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medicine is required.

Please visit the Medical Center Archives website for the most updated policies and procedures regarding reproduction and use.

Biographical / Historical

The Cornell University-New York Hospital School of Nursing Alumni Association was founded on September 26, 1893 by forty-eight graduates meeting at the New York Hospital on West 15th Street.

The objects of the Association as stated in its 1893 Constitution were: 1) the mutual benefit of its members; 2) their improvement in professional work; 3) the establishment of a Fund for Sick Nurses; 4) a systematic method of registration. The Association seems to have quickly established both the Fund for Sick Nurses and the Nurses' Registry. In February 1898, it established the Nurses' Club House, a residence for unmarried, female nurses, whether New York Hospital alumnae or not. After existing in various locations in Manhattan, the Club House was established in May 1918 at 317 West 45th Street where it remained until its closing in September. 1942 (the building still stands as Longacre House).

Although no longer providing shelter and sick relief to its members, the Association tries to keep alive the bond among graduates of the Nursing School through its Alumni News (founded 1907) and annual Alumni Days. It has always been a strong advocate of the nursing profession and nursing education through lobbying, fundraising, and student recruitment. With the closing of the Cornell University-New York Hospital School of Nursing in 1979, the Alumni Association is the final repository of a grand nursing tradition dating from 1877.

Note: The Alumni Association was founded as the Alumnae Association of the Training School for Nurses of the New York Hospital and was incorporated under that name in 1900. In 1939, its title was changed to the Alumnae Association of the New York Hospital School of Nursing. Reflecting the School's 1942 affiliation with Cornell University, the Association was renamed the Cornell University-New York Hospital School of Nursing Alumnae Association In 1945. It has retained this title to the present day {1987) with the exception that “Alumnae" was changed to "Alumni" in 1974 to recognize the male students who had graduated since 1970.

Sources: Alumni Association Papers, Annual Reports and Minutes.

Extent

2.25 Linear Feet (6 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The bulk of these records was accessioned by the Medical Archives in the spring, 1986 and July 1987 at the request of the Alumni Association. They had previously been stored in the Associations closet in the Medical Center's sub-basement and were in a good state of preservation. Other Alumni Association records, acquired by the Archives at an earlier, unspecified date and still unprocessed, were joined with the 1986-1987 accession to form this collection.

Processing Information

This collection was processed and finding aid was written by Steve Novak in 1987. Minor modifications to the finding aid were made during migration to ArchivesSpace in 2025.