| Physical Description |
7.75 linear ft. + 2 flat boxes + 1 folder |
| Organization |
Arranged in five series; further organized chronologically. Series 1: Family; Series 2: School; Series 3: Arthur M. Waterman; Series 4: Community; Series 5: Media and Objects. |
| Summary |
The collection consists of family photographs and letters of the Joseph Wolf and Ellis Waterman families; basic family genealogy, (by Jane Cullen, volunteer processing the collection); Portland High School materials including a Totem Yearbook, 1923; many photos, both school and family circa early 1915 – 1933, individual senior class photos from 1923, and school theater productions; horse show pamphlets; theater production programs dating from 1907; US Army books, pamphlets, and materials including photographs related to Arthur Waterman’s tour of duty, work, and social life from 1941-1945; photographs and business materials from State Motors and Maine Motors, including the Marine Division of Maine Motors; three movie reels, one of Portland street scenes,one of the wedding of Marsh Joel and Louise Tellan, and one of the dedication of Shaarey Tphiloh Synagogue on Newbury St., Portland, Me. (use DVD 13 to view); Jewish Community Center and Passover bulletins; and a ledger from Portland Lodge Number 218, Independent Order of B'nai B'rith (1871-1880), that dates from 1871-1880 when Joseph Wolf was a member. |
| Note |
The collection primarily revolves around the life of Arthur Martin Waterman (1907-1974) and his younger sister, Harriet Wolf Waterman (1917-2005), both of whom were born and lived in Portland Maine. Family information about Bella and Ellis E. Waterman, the sibling’s parents, and Joseph H. and Annie Wolf, their maternal grandparents, is also included. The Waterman and Wolf families were prominent in the Portland Jewish Community from the mid-1870s and the collection contains a number of Jewish historical elements. Arthur “Marty” Waterman graduated from Portland High School in 1923, Harvard in 1927 and Harvard Law in 1930. He was part owner of State Motor Company and Maine Motors, including Maine Motors Marine Division. Married in 1931 to Frances Helfont, also a graduate of Portland High School, the couple sailed from New York to France on their honeymoon. The collection includes Frances’ diary of her honeymoon. The couple divorced in 1934. Marty joined the US Army in 1942 and after graduating from Officer’s Training School, rose to the rank of 2nd Lieutenant and worked in the Office of Dependent Benefits. The collection includes many US Army books, pamphlets and documents specific to his work and many photographs of Arthur’s Army buddies in and out of uniform. Harriet, ten years younger than her brother “Marty,” also graduated from Portland High School in 1933. Harriet corresponded with her brother while he was away at college and both visited and wrote to him during his years in the service. Harriet cared for her aging parents and never married. She was devoted to her older brother, sister Sadye and her family, and her parents. Harriet was a lifelong resident of Portland. Ellis E. Waterman (1881-1955) was born in Russia and immigrated to the USA as a young child in 1885. Ellis married Bella Wolf (1882-1977), the fourth child and first daughter of Joseph and Annie Wolf, in 1905. The couple had three children, Arthur in 1907, Sadye in 1912 and Harriet in 1917. The Waterman’s owned a jewelry store at 408 Congress Street in Portland and the family played an important role in the Jewish community. Joseph H. Wolf (1852-1921) was born in Poland and immigrated to Boston in 1869. He settled in Portland Maine a few years later and married Hannah “Annie” Aaronson, the daughter of Reverend Aaron Aaronson, also of Portland. Joseph was a successful merchant in Portland and was also prominent in the early Portland Jewish community. He built, at his own expense, the first Jewish Synagogue in Portland. Joseph and Annie went on to have seven children, five boys and two girls. Marsh Joel was the son of Sayde Waterman Tellan. |
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Inventory available in library; folder level control. |
| Subject |
Waterman, Harriet Wolf, 1917-2005.
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Waterman, Arthur Martin, 1907-1974.
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Waterman, Bella Wolf, 1882-1977.
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Waterman, Ellis E., 1881-1955 -- Family.
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Waterman, Sadye, b. 1912.
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Wolf, Joseph H., 1852-1921 -- Family.
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Wolf, Annie.
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Joel, Marsh -- Marriage.
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Joel, Louise Tellan -- Marriage.
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Waterman family.
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Wolfe family.
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Tellan family.
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State Motor Company.
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Maine Motor Company.
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Portland High School (Portland, Me.) -- Students.
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Portland Savings Bank.
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Congregation Shaarey Tphiloh (Portland, Me.).
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United States. Army.
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B'nai B'rith. Portland Lodge No. 218 (Portland, Me.).
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Knights of Pythias. Munjoy Lodge No. 6 (Portland, Me.).
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Jews -- Maine -- Portland.
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Jewish businesspeople -- Maine -- Portland.
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Jewish families -- Maine.
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Jews -- Social life and customs.
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Jewelers -- Maine -- Portland.
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Portland (Me.) -- Businesses.
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Portland (Me.) -- Business enterprises.
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Horse shows -- Maine.
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Synagogues -- Maine -- Portland.
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Theater -- Production and direction -- Maine.
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World War, 1939-1945.
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Military records.
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Yearbooks.
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Motion picture film.
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Programs.
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Theater -- Maine -- Portland.
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Photograph collections.
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Scrapbooks.
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Theater programs.
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Bankbooks.
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Family papers.
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| Alt Author |
Waterman, Arthur M. (Arthur Martin), 1907-1974.
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Cullen, Jane.
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Waterman family.
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Wolf family.
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Portland Savings Bank.
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| Alternate Title |
Waterman family.
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