The NYSPCC Archives As the first child protection agency in the world, The NYSPCC maintains the most comprehensive and oldest set of records on child abuse and neglect cases and laws for maltreated children. The NYSPCC Archive contains a wealth of original and compiled material on the origins, history and development of the child protection movement from 1875 to the present day. The Archival holdings include: • Digital copies of NYSPCC cases from the organization’s incorporation in 1875 to present day, including more than 650,000 files concerning over 2,000,000 children; • Newspaper clippings of note concerning child protection issues, including 15 bound volumes regarding The NYSPCC’s efforts to protect children working in the theatre industry, and the Titanic child rescue and reunification story; • Annual Reports of child protective statistics and case summaries; • Historical Records: approximately 15 linear feet of documents in file folders dating from 1875; and • Photographs (both prints and glass slides) of NYSPCC buildings and persons of historical importance to the agency, such as Elbridge T. Gerry, Henry Bergh, Etta Wheeler, and Mary Ellen (before and after her rescue, and later, with her children). The NYSPCC has preserved Archival holdings such as original case files, historic books, documents, and artifacts. Over the past decade, Archive photos, records, advice and consultation have been used in several feature length documentaries, short films, dissertations and books dealing with children’s rights. In 2019, The NYSPCC Archivist responded to 24 inquires, 14 from private individuals and 10 from professionals. Most notably, author Hans Appel of Denmark sought out The NYSPCC Archivist’s expertise when writing his book, “Barrison Fever,” which tells of the Barrison Sisters whose story lives within the archive’s “Children of the Stage” collection. Photo of children in the NYSPCC’s care taking a class photo with their teacher in 1924. NYSPCC.ORG | 13
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