National Anthropological Archives

Guide to the A. Harvey Schreter papers, 1916-2015 (bulk 1960-2008)

Summary

Collection ID:
NAA.2016-37
Creators:
Schreter, A. Harvey
Dates:
1916-2015
bulk 1960-2008
Languages:
English
.
Physical Description:
10.25 Linear feet
3,943 Slides
35mm color
5 Scrapbooks
19 Sound cassettes
9 Videocassettes (VHS)
1 DVD
Repository:
A. Harvey Schreter (1916-2008) was a world traveler and collector of pre-Columbian, African, and Pacific art. The collection contains materials related to trips taken by Harvey and his wife Phyllis between 1960 and 2000, slide lectures based on these trips,and personal and professional papers.

Scope and Contents

Scope and Contents
The A. Harvey Schreter papers consist of correspondence, lecture notes, promotional materials, clippings, photographs (color 35mm slides and prints), scrapbooks, and audio and video recordings documenting his world travels, lecture series, and personal and professional life. The bulk of the collection contains material related to trips taken by Harvey and his wife Phyllis to North and South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Oceania between 1960 and 2000. These trips becasme the basis for lectures delivered by the Schreters monthly from the 1980s through the early 2000s. Also included are personal and biographical papers of Harvey Schreter, his wife Phyllis, their children and extended family; materials related to Harvey's membership in the Explorers Club; materials related to the Schreter Neckwear Company; and materials related to the "Schreter System," an exercise program for the pelvic floor muscles.
Please note that the contents of the collection and the language and terminology used reflect the context and culture of the time of its creation. As an historical document, its contents may be at odds with contemporary views and terminology and considered offensive today. The information within this collection does not reflect the views of the Smithsonian Institution or National Anthropological Archives, but is available in its original form to facilitate research.

Arrangement

Arrangement
The collection is arranged into two series: (1) World travels, lectures, and related documentation and (2) Personal and professional papers.

Biographical Note

Biographical Note
A. Harvey Schreter (1916-2008) was the President of Schreter Neckware, a necktie manufacturer, as well as a world traveler and collector of pre-Columbian, African and Pacific art. Schreter became a member of the Explorers Club in 1982, frequently lecturing to the Washington Chapter about his travels with his wife, Phyllis Schreter.

Administration

Author
Gabrielle Sanchez
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Received from Harvey Schreter in 1985 and Carol Schreter in 2016.
Processing Information
The bulk of the collection was organized prior to donation by Harvey Schreter's daughter, Carol. Lecture slide shows were stored in slide carousels. The archivist removed the slides from the carousels while maintaining the order of the slide shows. The archivist condensed some groupings of materials for clarity and to remove duplicates. Photo Lot 85-13 (A. Harvey Schreter photographs and audio tape of Jivaro peoples and region) was incorporated into the A. Harvey Schreter paper under World travel, lectures, and related documentation--Amazon--Jivaro peoples and region photographs and Jivaro peoples and region audio recording.
Processed and encoded by Gabrielle Sanchez, May 2022.
Separated Materials
Video recordings in this collection have been transferred to the Human Studies Film Archives.

Using the Collection

Conditions Governing Access
Access to the A. Harvey Schreter papers requires an appointment.
Preferred Citation
A. Harvey Schreter papers, National Anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Institution
Conditions Governing Use
Contact the repository for terms of use.

Related Materials
The Baltimore Museum of Industry holds the records of the Schreter Neckwear Company.
The Mid-Atlantic Regional Moving Image Archive Repository holds the A. Harvey Schreter Home Movies collection.

Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Tourism Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Voyages and travels Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Africa, East Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Africa, North Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Africa, West Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Africa, Southern Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Caribbean Area Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
East Asia Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Europe Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Middle East Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
North America Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Oceania Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
South America Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Southeast Asia Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Explorers Club Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

National Anthropological Archives
Museum Support Center
4210 Silver Hill Road
Suitland, Maryland 20746
naa@si.edu