Raymond and Sara Harris Papers, 1942-2009

Summary

Abstract:
This collection documents the personal and professional lives of Dr. Raymond and Sara Harris and their involvment in the Albany, N.Y. community.
Extent:
15.7 cubic ft.
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

Preferred citation for this material is as follows:

Identification of specific item, series, box, folder, Raymond and Sara Harris Papers, 1942-2009. M.E. Grenander Department of Special Collections and Archives, University Libraries, University at Albany, State University of New York (hereafter referred to as the Harris Papers).

Background

Scope and content:

This collection documents the professional and personal lives of Dr. Raymond and Sara Harris and their work in the Albany community through St. Peters Hospital, Albany Medical Hospital, the Center for the Study of Aging of Albany N.Y., the Albany Inter-Racial Council, and the Albany Jewish Community Center. Materials consist of published articles, books, correspondence, hospital records, lecture notes, various council meeting minutes, studies on gerontology, newsletters, and family history. The collection also contains audio and visual material related to the field of gerontology.

Biographical / historical:

Dr. Raymond and Sara Harris were active members of the Albany, N.Y. community. In 1957, the couple co-founded the Center for the Study of Aging of Albany, N.Y.

Dr. Raymond Harris was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. on June 26, 1919. A graduate of Cornell University and Albany Medical College, Harris also served in the Army Medical Corps at the Walter Reed Hospital during the Second World War. Dr. Harris, a published author and seasoned lecturer, was the chief of the sub-department of Cardiovascular Medicine at St. Peters Hospital in Albany and sat on various medical boards throughout his medical career including Albany Med and the Ann Lee Home. Dr. Harris was also involved in the general field of gerontology and hosted many programs and events. Elected president of the Albany Jewish Community Center, Dr. Harris was an active member of the Albany community until his death on August 25, 1989.

Sara Harris was born Sara Hilda Richman in Cleveland, Ohio in 1921. After attending Girls Latin School in Boston, Harris graduated from the University of Chicago and went on to study at the Arts Students League in New York City. Also an active member in the Albany community, Harris was the executive director of the Center for the Study of Aging of Albany, a member of the board of directors for the Albany Inter-Racial Council, and founder of the local Red Cross Friendly Visiting Service. Sara Harris was also a prominent artist in the area and nominated for awards for her skills in painting and drawing. Sara Harris enjoyed writing poetry and published a book on exercise for people over 50. She died on May 15, 2016.

Raymond and Sara Harris were survived by their four children, two sons and two daughters, and grandchildren.

Acquisition information:
The children of Raymond and Sara Harris donated all materials in the collection to the M.E. Grenander Department of Special Collections and Archives in 2018 and 2024.
Processing information:

The 2018 donation of material was processed by Sheri Sarnoff in 2019. The 2024 accessions have not yet been arranged or described.

Physical location:
The materials are located onsite in the department.

Access and use

Restrictions:

Access to this collection is unrestricted except for some folders (noted on the finding aid) that contain personally identifiable information. Please contact an archivist for more information.

Terms of access:

This page may contain links to digital objects. Access to these images and the technical capacity to download them does not imply permission for re-use. Digital objects may be used freely for personal reference use, referred to, or linked to from other web sites.

Researchers do not have permission to publish or disseminate material from these collections without permission from an archivist and/or the copyright holder.

The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming to the laws of copyright. Some materials in these collections may be protected by the U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) and/or by the copyright or neighboring-rights laws of other nations. More information about U.S. Copyright is provided by the Copyright Office. Additionally, re-use may be restricted by terms of University Libraries gift or purchase agreements, donor restrictions, privacy and publicity rights, licensing and trademarks.

The Department of Special Collections and Archives is eager to hear from any copyright owners who are not properly identified so that appropriate information may be provided in the future.

Preferred citation:

Preferred citation for this material is as follows:

Identification of specific item, series, box, folder, Raymond and Sara Harris Papers, 1942-2009. M.E. Grenander Department of Special Collections and Archives, University Libraries, University at Albany, State University of New York (hereafter referred to as the Harris Papers).

Location of this collection:
M. E. Grenander Department of Special Collections & Archives
Science Library 350
1400 Washington Ave
Albany, NY 12222, United States
Link to repository site
Contact:
518-437-3933