New York (State) -- Politics and government

An important figure in the social welfare movement, Menken devoted much of her life to working with women in the penal system. The collection contains publications regarding her social reform work; scrapbooks and travel notebooks; journals; diaries; correspondence and reports relating to her activities with the Society of New York State Women, Jewish Welfare Board, Jewish Protectory and Aid Society (later called Jewish Board of Guardians), New York City Woman's Night Court, Hudson State Training School, New York State Reformatory for Women, Society for Political Study, Daughters of American Revolution, Progressive Party, Mayor's Committee of Women on National Defense, New York, Congregation Shearith Israel, Florence Crittendon League, Committee of Fourteen and the Inwood House.

The Loeb Family Papers, 1893-1998 documents one of America’s most famous financial and political power couples of the 20th century—John Langeloth Loeb and Frances "Peter" Lehman Loeb, as well as their children, including Ambassador John Langeloth Loeb, Jr. The family history begins in 19th century America with the Loebs and Moses families (including Carl Loeb and Adeline Moses Loeb), and the Lehmans and Lewisohns (Arthur Lehman, financier and brother of New York State Governor Herbert Lehman, and Adele, daughter of businessman Adolph). The collection focuses on the lives of John and Frances, including the brokerage firm Loeb, Rhoades, and Co., as well as business, personal, family, and political correspondence, art collection documentation, philanthropic and financial records, and a host of family photographs and ephemera.

Contains letters to individuals on a variety of topics. Of special interest are two letters to Everett P. Wheeler describing the status of Americans in Turkey and his impression of the Sultan (1896); a letter to William B. Howland regarding Robert Watchorn, Immigration Commissioner at Ellis Island (1908); a letter to George Sylvester Viereck after Straus's unsuccessful attempt to run for governor of New York as a Progressive candidate (1912); and a letter to Charles S. Bird accompanying an address (not in collection) in support of the Progressive Party (1913).

This Collection contains personal papers, correspondence, and other material relating to the Phillips family, 1733-1954. The majority of the materials are in regard to the following family members: Jonas Phillips (1733-1802), Naphtali Phillips (1815-1868), Joseph Phillips (1811), Rebecca Hart Phillips (1812), Joshua Phillips (1852-1858), Isaac Phillips (1830-1884), Roslie Solomons Phillips (1872-1945), Naphtali Taylor Phillips (1895-1954).

Notable objects in this collection include Jonas Phillips' copy of a book on the laws and practice of shehita, printed in Wandsbeck, Germany, in 1733; Naphtali Phillips' letters regarding Congregation Shearith Israel; Isaac Phillips' correspondence relating to his position as Appraiser of Merchandise for the Port of New York; Roslie Solomons Phillips' letters from Eleanor Roosevelt; and Naphtali Taylor Phillips' correspondence relating to Congregation Shearith Israel, the Touro Synagogue, the Federation of American Zionists, the National Conference of Jewish Charities (Committee on Palestinian Charities), and Adolphus S. Solomons. Collection also contains published Masonic materials, political memorabilia, and a letter from George Mifflin Dallas to an unidentified member of the Phillips family, 1856.

Nita Sue Melnikoff Lowey (1937- ) worked in New York State government prior to winning the first election of her thirty-two year career as a Congressional representative from Westchester County's 17th, 18th, and 20th Districts from 1989-2021. Lowey served on several United States House committees including Education and Labor, Homeland Security, Merchant Marine and Fisheries, the Select Committees on Narcotics Abuse and Control, Budget Reform and Appropriations, and was the first woman to Chair the House Budget and Appropriations Committee. The collection documents world and local events and contains paper and electronic records, correspondence, memoranda, reports, press releases, and campaign materials.

The Simon H. Rifkind Papers document seventy-four years of Rifkind’s career as a lawyer, judge, and humanitarian. The collection spans the years 1921 to 1995 and is composed primarily of paper-based materials, including correspondence, reports, court documents, newspaper clippings, notes, personal and professional writings, publications, and ephemera. A few instances of audiovisual material and realia are recorded throughout the six individual series.