Scope and Content Note
The papers of August Heckscher (1913-1997) span the years 1931-1999, with the bulk of the material dating from 1948 to 1976. The papers consist primarily of correspondence, speeches, writings, and miscellaneous papers relating to Heckscher's work as arts consultant to President John F. Kennedy, editorial writer at the New York Herald Tribune, director of the Twentieth Century Fund, parks commissioner and Administrator of Recreation and Cultural Affairs for the city of New York, and his work with various educational and cultural institutions. The papers are organized in two series: Speeches and Writings and a Subject File .
The Speeches and Writings File is organized alphabetically by type of writing. The books file is organized alphabetically by title of the book. Heckscher's lifelong attachment to New York City is evident in his books Alive in the City andWhen LaGuardia Was Mayor. Open Spaces addresses his interest in urban life, city planning, public architecture, and parks. Heckscher edited a book of Woodrow Wilson's writings and late in life wrote a biography of Wilson. The books file consists primarily of correspondence, publicity, and reviews. There is very little draft material. The topics of Heckscher's books are found in the speeches and articles files as well. Articles, book reviews, and speeches are organized chronologically by the date of publication or the date that the speech was delivered. Related correspondence, news clippings, programs, and miscellaneous materials have been kept together with the relevant speech, article, or book review. The speech file is by far the largest grouping in the series.
The Subject File reflects Heckscher's career and involvement with many cultural and educational institutions as well as his personal research interests. Heckscher studied and wrote about urban life and its cultural institutions, New York City, Woodrow Wilson, and the uses of leisure in modern life. The Subject File also includes material concerning the organizations for which Heckscher worked: the New York City Parks and Recreation Department, the New York Herald Tribune, the Twentieth Century Fund, and the White House during the Kennedy administration. Other organizations with notable material in the Subject File include the American Council for Nationalities Service, Council on Foreign Relations, Fred L. Lavanburg Foundation, International House (New York, N.Y.), John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., the international council of the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, the Woodrow Wilson Foundation, and Yale University.