Beck Archives Photograph Collection

Collection

Identifier: B063

Staff Only

Overview

The Beck Archives Photograph Collection contains photographs, negatives, and other materials which reflect the rich, varied, and vibrant Jewish experience in the Rocky Mountain region, with a special emphasis on Colorado. It also contains some photographs from other states and countries.

Dates

1790-2006
1790 - 2006

Creator

University of Denver. Center for Judaic Studies. Ira M. Beck Memorial Collection of Rocky Mountain Jewish History (Organization)

Biographical / Historical

The photographs in this collection tell the story of Jewish people in Colorado and other Rocky Mountain states. Jewish settlers arrived in Colorado in 1859 and were primarily young Jewish men from Central European or German origin. By the early 1870s, Jewish communities spread across Colorado and the Rocky Mountain west. Businesses, synagogues, burial societies, benevolent and charitable societies were formed. Many Jewish women were involved in social welfare both within and without the Jewish community. East European Jews began arriving in Colorado after the pograms of Russia in 1881. Both Jewish groups established non-sectarian tuberculosis sanitoriums in the Denver area, National Jewish Hospital (1899) and the Jewish Consumptives' Relief Society (1904). Many of the photographs show Jewish families and individuals, both in America and some in the old country.

Extent

40.5 Linear Feet (69 containers)

Additional Description

Scope and Contents

The collection contains materials intentionally assembled by the Ira M. and Peryle Hayutin Beck Memorial Archives of Jews in the Rocky Mountain region. The bulk of the photographs are from or related to various towns in Colorado, but the collection also contains photographs from other states in the western United States and other countries. There are some 19th century photograph types represented in the collection, including albumen prints, daguerrotypes, tintypes, post cards, colorized prints, cabinet cards, and cartes-de-visite.

Arrangement

The collection is organized into nine series: 1. Businesses, 1855-2005. 2. Community, 1875-2000. 3. Health Care and Philanthropy, 1895-1987. 4. Organizations, 1872-1987. 5. Family and Groups, 1860-2006. 6. Religious Life, 1880-1990. 7. RMJHS, 1976-2006. 8. Individuals, 1790-1990. 9. Administrative Records.