Archives Center, National Museum of American History

Guide to the John D. Crimmins Collection

Summary

Collection ID:
NMAH.AC.0398
Creators:
Crimmins, John Daniel, 1844-1917 (contractor)
Dates:
1880-1919
Languages:
English
.
Physical Description:
1.8 Cubic feet
6 boxes
Repository:

Scope and Contents

Scope and Contents
This collection is comprised primarily of menus. There are also programs, seating plans, invitations, announcements and admission cards from functions attended by John D. Crimmins. Some material bears autographs of other guests and/or rotations made by Mr. Crimmins. There are many items from civic, political, business, Roman Catholic and Irish American organizations.
Numerous programs or menus produced especially for each occasion by firms such as Dempsey and Carroll, Malcolm and Hayes and Tiffany are uniquely designed and decorated with photographs, embossing or water color paintings. There are a few menus printed on ribbons and one, from the Vulcan Detinning Company, printed on metal. Included in the collection are three programs dated after Mr. Crimmins' death and one example of political humor.

Arrangement

Arrangement
The collection is arranged alphabetically by host or sponsoring organization. Where no host is named or there are several hosts, the material is filed by the name of the guest of honor or the event.

Biographical / Historical

Biographical / Historical
John Daniel Crimmins, Senior, contractor and philanthropist, was born May 18, 1844 in New York City, of parents who earlier had immigrated from Ireland. After graduating from college he joined his father's contracting business, becoming a partner in 1864 and head of the firm in 1873. The firm was involved in the construction of public works, churches, hospitals and other projects and buildings. Mr. Crimmins belonged to and held office in many organizations civic, social, and philanthropic. He was an active member of the Democratic party and served as New York City Park Commissioner, Presidential elector, and member of the New York State Constitutional Convention. Presumably, he was an active member of the Tammany Hall group. A Roman Catholic, Mr. Crimmins worked for the church in a variety of roles, from university trustee to waiter at a Christmas dinner for the poor. Through business contacts and affiliation with various organizations, Mr. Crimmins as guest or host attended numerous public and private functions, many of which involved well known figures of the time. John D. Crimmins died November 9, 1917.
SourcesWho Was Who in America. Volume I, 1897 1942 and The New York Times, November 9, 1317, page 13.

Administration

Author
Ramona Williamson
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Immediate source of acquisition unknown.
Custodial History
Donated through Georgetown University to the Division of Cultural History (now Division of Cultural and Community Life), 1970s. Transferred from the Division of Domestic Life (now Division of Cultural and Community Life), 1984.
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Ramona Williamson, volunteer, October 17, 1991.

Using the Collection

Preferred Citation
John D. Crimmins Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Conditions Governing Use
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research.

Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Programs Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Menus Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Admission tickets Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Invitations Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Announcements Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of Domestic Life Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

Archives Center, National Museum of American History
P.O. Box 37012
Suite 1100, MRC 601
Washington, D.C. 20013-7012
archivescenter@si.edu