Jannis Izaak Risseeuw Parental School Album and Ephemera

Collection — Box: 1

Identifier: SCA-0087

Staff Only

Content Description

One album with more than 100 black and white photographs of the Parental School, the predecessor institution to Queens College, which operated from 1909-1934. The album contains photos of the dormitory, bakery, grounds, printshop, tailor, and various educational and social activities. Some items document family photographs and trips outside of the school. The album was owned by Jannis Izaak Risseeuw, who served as music master and conductor of the Parental School Band. As depicted in the photographs, he marched through the streets of New York City with the band for July 4th. In addition to the album, there are a few loose photographs, several printed items, a music conductor baton, and three spoons.

Dates

1910 - 1920

Creator

Risseeuw, Jannis Izaak (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Appointments to examine materials must be made in advance. Please email QC.archives@qc.cuny.edu for more information or to schedule an appointment.

Conditions Governing Use

Reproductions may be provided to users to support research and scholarship. However, collection use is subject to all copyright laws. The responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.

Biographical / Historical

Jannis Izaak Risseeuw served as Music Master and Conductor at the Parental School from 1910-1920. He and his wife immigrated to the United States from Holland in 1903 and became American citizens. They returned to Holland in 1923 with their son for family reasons.

The Parental School was established as a boarding school for troubled and truant boys in 1909. In 1934, after allegations of mistreatment, a Queens County Grand Jury determined that the children were improperly fed, poorly treated, and received an inadequate education (Brooklyn Daily Eagle, 28 August 1934). The school closed that year. In 1937, Queens College opened on the grounds, and continues to use several of the Mission Revival style buildings originally built for the Parental School.