Cruiser Olympia Research Guide:
Olympia Core Collections
Independence Seaport Museum
J. Welles Henderson Archives & Library
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Table of Contents
Introduction..................................................................................................................................................3
General Description of the Olympia Core Collection............................................................................3-4
Cruiser Olympia Association Collections...............................................................................................4-7
Independence Seaport Museum Collections..........................................................................................7-8
Individuals Represented in the Olympia Core Collection...................................................................8-10
Olympia Collections by Period.............................................................................................................11-12
Olympia Archival Resources................................................................................................................12-13
Olympia Books, Publications and Ship Plans.....................................................................................13-14
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Introduction
This Cruiser Olympia Research Guide is intended to describe the collections regarding
the cruiser Olympia in a general way. The guide is arranged into six groups of information. The
General Description of the Olympia Core Collections, the Cruiser Olympia Association
Collections and the Independence Seaport Museum Collections will provide an survey of the
archival records, books and artifacts contained in the overall collection and is intended as an
informative, descriptive resource. The Olympia Collections by Period aims to illustrate the
collections based on five periods: Pre-Spanish American War [1892-1897], the Spanish
American War [1898], Between the Wars [1899-1917], World War I [1917-1918] and Post World
War I [1919-1922]. The Olympia Archival Resources includes other helpful documents that may
aid in understanding the overall collection. Lastly, the Olympia Books, Publications and Ship
Plans group contains information about the books, journals and various publications collected by
both the Cruiser Olympia Association and the Independence Seaport Museum, along with rolled
ship plans of the cruiser. Artifacts are also included in the collections and consist of Dewey
Medals, lantern slides and the launching hatchet from the launching of the cruiser Olympia
General Description of the Olympia Core Collection
The Olympia Core Collections are divided into two distinct groups for better
understanding of their donation, conservation and preservation. The two groups, based on the
provenance of the collecting repository, are the Cruiser Olympia Association Collections and the
Independence Seaport Museum Collections. The Cruiser Olympia Association (COA) led the
preservation and public awareness of the Olympia from 1958 until 1994. In 1994, the cruiser was
transferred over to the Independence Seaport Museum along with the historically rich archival
records that were collected during the prior thirty-six years. Both groups have primarily collected
materials relating to the construction and operational history of the cruiser Olympia from 1892 to
1922. Unique is the representation of both enlisted and officer crews which provides a
substantially well-rounded collection.
A large amount of the Cruiser Olympia Association archival collections are unprocessed
and dispersed among numerous boxes. Arrangement and description have been added to parts of
the collection and there is an original inventory of the files and where they were located.
Highlights among these records include scores of photographs, Dewey memorabilia, McKinley
memorabilia, scrapbooks, various publications regarding the Spanish American War and
programs and menus from the cruiser. Notable materials include the Olympia steel plate work
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books from the Carnegie Steel Company, commemorative plaques and autobiographies of sailors
aboard the Olympia.
In regards to the format of the following group listings, the collections for both groups
are arranged alphabetically with brief descriptions of the materials in each collection and the
dates to which the records correspond.
Cruiser Olympia Association Archival Collections
The archival records and collections listed below were collected by and donated to the
Cruiser Olympia Association (COA) before transferral to the Independence Seaport Museum.
The archival materials are in a varying array of preservation, housing and description. There are
also records relating to the operation of the Cruiser Olympia Association (COA) as its own entity,
which are incomplete and contain indications of missing items and unresolved loans in the
collection. This includes donor files of those who gave historical records or artifacts, research
files comprised of articles, newspaper clippings and copies of published research, crew files of
the cruiser Olympia and copy photographs of the cruiser, her crew and various activities
surrounding her life. These records are not included in the following listing.
Along with the collections listed below alphabetically, there are also collections based on
subject that were collected by the Cruiser Olympia Association. These include Dewey Day in
New York City, Dewey Mania memorabilia, the U.S.S. Maine and the Unknown Soldier voyage.
The Dewey Day in New York City collection contains reception tickets, banquet invitation,
menus, photographs, program and reception booklet and commemorative publications. Dewey
Mania memorabilia consists of records and documents relating to the commemoration of the
Battle of Manila, the cruiser Olympia, and Admiral George Dewey. Books, magazines,
newspaper clippings, buttons, ephemera, photographs, art prints, knick-knacks, dinner menus,
stereo view photographs and sheet music comprise of the memorabilia. The U.S.S. Maine
collection holds prints, souvenirs, photographs and a commemorative plaque relating to the
storied ship. Newspaper clippings and photographs form the Unknown Soldier collection.
Archival Collections:
·
Howard Black collection [1920s-1956]
o
Carte de visite books of photographs and postcards, handbooks of veterans
organizations, funeral card and envelopes
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·
Harry Carroll collection [1898]
o
·
Josien William Claud collection [1918-1919]
o
·
Correspondence, commissions, photographs, newspapers, newspaper clippings,
and epaulets with box collected by the Gridley family relating to Charles V.
Gridley’s life, naval service, death, funeral and memorialization
Charles W. Gumbes, Jr. collection [1898-1899]
o
·
Scrapbook regarding Spanish American war
Charles V. Gridley collection [1860-1933]
o
·
Diary
John B. Gest collection [1898]
o
·
Honorable discharge papers for service on the Olympia
Freiman collection [1902-1904]
o
·
Notebook, stereo cards, reports, correspondence and newspaper clippings relating
to Capt. Dyer of the USS Baltimore during the Battle of Manila Bay
Arnold Russell Ellsworth collection [1922]
o
·
Portrait, correspondence to and from Dewey, telegraph cable cut by Dewey
commemorative trophy, ink pen, letter awarding claim of capture of Don Juan de
Austria and Dewey house gable-tub-mantle
N.M. Dyer (Dryer, Dwyer) collection [1883-1898]
o
·
Scrapbook (disbound) and letters
George Dewey collection [1898-1904]
o
·
Letter of award for capture of Spanish ships at Battle of Manila Bay, original
photographs, letters and ephemera
Eleven scrapbooks
William Kasterer papers [1899-1902]
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o
·
Albert Konrad papers [1918-1921]
o
·
Three scrapbooks regarding tour of Adriatic Sea and Unknown Soldier
Benjamin P. Lamberton collection [1883-1908]
o
·
Letters written during service, photographs and copy of The Bounding Billow
William Kunz collection [1920s]
o
·
Letters written while serving onboard the Olympia and ephemera
Frank Kramer papers [1897]
o
·
Log records and rank records
Sword, Dewey Medal, photographs, ephemera, letters, report of capture of Manila
and newspaper clippings, including La Garde memorabilia consisting of
photographs, exhibition catalog, booklets, menus, poems, stereo cards and
program
Frederick Marchand collection [1897-1930]
o
·
M.Mc collection [c.1920]
o
·
Boyhood scrapbook documenting the Spanish American War
William Rakes papers [1921]
o
·
Continuous discharge book and miscellaneous papers
Frank Payne collection [1898]
o
·
Original, inscribed photographs
William Murphy collection [1897-1957]
o
·
Envelopes, programs, newspaper clippings, invitations, menus, roster,
pension ratings and honorable discharge
Naval service records
Arthur Stott papers [1904]
o
Cadet rank record, photographs, letters and ephemera
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·
Al Wagner collection [1920s]
o
·
Photographs and letter
Edward J. Webb papers [1919-1921]
o
Service records
Independence Seaport Museum Archival Collections
The records and collections listed below were either collected by or donated to the
Independence Seaport Museum J. Welles Henderson Archives and Library from 1994 until
present. All archival collections and materials have been processed, described and preserved.
These records have been used heavily by researchers studying the cruiser Olympia, her history
and crews.
Archival Collections:
·
George Colvocoresses collection [1898-1899]
o
·
Louis H. Curtoni (Curtone, Curtain, Curtin) papers [1887-1903]
o
·
Letters from family and friends, notebook, receipts and newspaper clippings
Harry Byron Glover papers [1895-1898]
o
·
Original photographs, three wicker chairs and table from the officer’s quarters
aboard Olympia, enamel ware dishes used aboard Olympia and Philippine
army canteen
Descriptions of ports of call and duties as printer onboard, programs,
announcements, comments on ports of call, the assembly of the fleet in
preparation for sailing to Manila, and his health and family matters, photographs,
letters, autograph of Dewey and newspaper clippings
Benjamin Franklin Littlejohn papers [1897-1903]
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o
·
Mount Cloud Lord papers [1892-1944]
o
·
Service records, postcards, photographs, leather wallet, copies of The Bounding
Billow, pamphlets and booklets
Oliver Wendell Holmes Pavey collection [1905]
o
·
Diaries, engraved trombone of ports of call, cartoon sketches, drawings,
correspondence, photographs, scrapbooks and unpublished writings
Adolf Nilsson papers [1898]
o
·
Correspondence, photographs, certificates, Dewey Medal and publications
relating to service in U.S. Navy
Marvin Rosefield Keck collection [1916-1972]
o
·
Album (disbound) of photographs taken by Frances Benjamin Johnston aboard
the Olympia in Naples, Italy, newspaper clippings, ephemera, Dewey Medal and
life narrative
Diary, blanket, sailor art, photographs and negatives and travel brochure
Stickney Family collection [1825-1992]
o
News coverage of Battle of Manila Bay and 2nd Boer War from Joseph A.
Stickney, news correspondent, material related to biography of Dewey, typewritten notes, letters, telegraphs, newspaper clippings, books, lantern slides of
Battle of Manila Bay, Dewey Medal, love letters, photographs, postcards and
diaries
Individuals Represented in Archival Collections
The following list includes all mentioned individuals in the archival collections divided
by time served onboard the cruiser Olympia. There is also a list of individuals identified in the
archival collections with unknown connections to the cruiser Olympia.
Pre-Spanish American War [1892-1897]
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·
Louis H. Curtoni, crew
·
Harry Byron Glover, crew
·
Frank Kramer, crew
·
Mount Cloud Lord, crew
Spanish American War [1898]
·
George Baker, Fireman, First Class
·
Harry Carroll, Ordinary Seaman
·
George Colvocoresses, Lieutenant Commander
·
George Dewey, Commodore, Commander-in-Chief
·
N.M. Dyer, Captain of USS Baltimore
·
Harry Byron Glover, Printer
·
Charles V. Gridley, Captain
·
Murray Holloway, Chief Machinist
·
Benjamin Lamberton, Commander, Chief of Staff
·
Benjamin Franklin Littlejohn, Private, USMC
·
Frederick Marchand, Coal Passer
·
Thomas L. McKenna, Quartermaster, Third Class
·
William Murphy, crew
·
Valentine S. Nelson, Lieutenant
·
Adolf Nilsson, Gunner’s Mate, Second Class
·
W.H.I. Reaney, Chaplain
·
Prospero Siderio, Musician, First Class
·
William Smith, Ordinary Seaman
·
J.L. Stickney, Acting Aide, Special Correspondent, New York Herald
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Between Wars [1899-1917]
·
Freiman, crew
·
William Kasterer, crew
·
Oliver Wendell Holmes Pavey, crew
·
Arthur Stott, crew
World War I [1917-1918]
·
Marvin Rosefield Keck, Musician
Post World War I [1919-1922]
·
Arnold Russell Ellsworth, crew
·
Albert Konrad, crew
·
William Kunz, crew
·
William Rakes, crew
·
Edward J. Webb, crew
Individuals with unknown connection to Olympia, yet identified in archival collections
·
Howard Black
·
James Buckley
·
John H. Burris
·
Josien William Claud
·
James Craig
·
John S. Doddridge
·
Erksine
·
John B. Gest
·
Patrick Higgins
·
Lt. Richard Hobson
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·
Charles E. Longden
·
John R. Lynch
·
George Mink
·
Gene Myers
·
L.C. Sartori
·
Frank Seideman
·
George M. Trotter
·
Al Wagner
·
Joseph G. Walker
·
Chas. E. White
Olympia Collections by Period
Pre-Spanish American War [1892-1897]
·
Louis H. Curtoni papers
·
N.M. Dyer collection
·
Harry Byron Glover papers
·
Frank Kramer papers
·
Mount Cloud Lord papers
Spanish American War - Manila Period [1898]
·
Harry Carroll collection
·
George Colvocoresses collection
·
George Dewey collection
·
N.M. Dyer collection
·
John B. Gest collection
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·
Harry Byron Glover papers
·
Charles Gridley collection
·
Benjamin P. Lamberton collection
·
Benjamin Franklin Littlejohn papers
·
Frederick Marchand collection
·
McDonnell papers
·
William Murphy collection
·
Adolf Nilsson papers
·
Frank Payne collection
·
Stickney Family collection
Between Wars [1899-1917]
·
George Dewey collection
·
Freiman collection
·
William Kasterer papers
·
Benjamin P. Lamberton collection
·
Oliver Wendell Holmes Pavey collection
·
Arthur Stott papers
World War I [1917-1918]
·
Josien William Claud collection
·
Marvin Rosefield Keck papers
·
Albert Konrad papers
·
M.Mc collection
Post World War I [1919-1922]
·
Howard Black collection
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·
Josien William Claud collection
·
Arnold Russell Ellsworth collection
·
M.Mc collection
·
William Rakes papers
·
William Kunz collection
·
Al Wagner collection
·
Edward J. Webb papers
Olympia Archival Resources
There are a few published finding aids for Olympia archival collections on the
Independence Seaport Museum’s website, http://www.phillyseaport.org/Museum_Library.shtml.
Finding aids include:
·
Charles V. Gridley collection
·
Marvin Rosefield Keck collection
·
Mount Cloud Lord papers
·
Stickney Family collection
Olympia Books, Publications and Ship Plans
Included with the archival collections, there are books, publications and rare books within
the general Olympia collection. Overall, there are about 800 books in the collection, including 2
rare books. Below are lists of surveyed publications and subjects. They range in date from 1838
to 2000.
Along with the other archival materials, there is a collection of original, and copied,
cruiser Olympia ship plans, most of which are rolled. There are over 40 plans showing the
various ship systems and profiles.
Publications:
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·
Cassier’s Weekly
·
Coastland Times
·
Harper’s Weekly
·
Leslie’s Weekly
·
Munsey’s Magazine
·
National Geographic
·
Naval Digest
·
Saturday Evening Post
·
U.S. Naval Institute Proceedings
Subjects:
·
American history
·
Armaments
·
Bibles and prayer books
·
George Dewey
·
Historical figures and heroes
·
Laws of the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps
·
William McKinley
·
Mechanical, technical and navigation
·
Military history
·
Naval ships
·
Spanish American War
·
U.S. Army registers
·
U.S. Civil War
·
U.S. Marine Corps history
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·
U.S. Navy history
·
U.S. Navy registers
·
U.S. territories