George A. Brennan Papers
Scope and Contents
The papers included in this small collection reflect Brennan’s personal interest in the local history of the Calumet community and the Dutch immigrants who settled in this region of Chicago. Appearing are news clippings, notations, and photographs of Native American artifacts that Brennan collected and exhibited at the Chicago Historical Society. Also included are typescripts, notes, illustrations and handwritten manuscripts of several of Brennan’s historical accounts of the Dutch and their settlement in the Calumet region.
Dates
- Creation: 1915 - 1958
Creator
- Brennan, George A., 1856- (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
Materials are open without restrictions.
Conditions Governing Use
Please consult staff to determine ability to reuse materials from collection.
Biographical / Historical
George A. Brennan was born in 1856 outside New York City. His family settled in the Chicago area around 1868. Upon graduation from college, Mr. Brennan became one of the first school teachers in the “South End” of Chicago’s prairie settlements. His first assignment was in 1876 at Fernwood School. When Van Vlissingen School was erected, Mr. Brennan became its first head. He later went on to become principal emeritus of this school. He also taught at Roseland School, and ultimately retired from the teaching profession in 1926.
Mr. Brennan was also active in local civic and historical groups, and held major offices in them. He was an officer and director of the Roseland’s Lion’s Club, Education Committee member of the South End Chamber of Commerce, and active in other groups such as the Chicago Historical Society and the Prairie Club.
Extent
0.5 Linear Feet (in 1 box, plus 1 oversize folder)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
The collection reflects George Brennan’s personal interest in the local history of the Calumet region and the early Dutch community in Chicago.
Arrangement
The files are arranged alphabetically by title.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The collection was transferred from Chicago Public Library's Pullman Branch in 1982, funded by a Dr. Scholl Foundation Grant.
Separated Materials
- 2 photographs of Brennan were moved to the Calumet Region Community Collection.
- The Wonders of the Dunes, by George A. Brennan, was cataloged with call number F547.M56B83.
Source
- Chicago Public Library. Pullman Branch (Organization)
- Title
- Guide to the George A. Brennan Papers
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Original author unknown. Processed, 1982. Updated and ingested into ArchivesSpace by Johanna Russ, 2021.
- Date
- 1982
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections Unit at Harold Washington Library Center Repository
Harold Washington Library Center, 9th Floor
Chicago Public Library
400 S. State Street
Chicago IL 60605 United States
(312) 747-4875
specoll@chipublib.org