Exploring the Tamiment Collections: The American Socialist Society and Washington Square Park Workers Union

Visiting the Tamiment Special Collections Library was of particular interest to me because my grandmother was a member of the Ladies Garment Workers Union in New York City. My grandmother Rosa and grandfather Rene settled on 137th Street in Harlem, New York City in 1957. Rosa was an International Ladies Garment Workers Union seamstress and Rene was a short order cook. My grandmother’s beautiful and specialized seamstress work focused on delicate laces, fine silk and satin crochets. Her material culture objects stand as rich historical visuals that document her creative cultural production during the arduous assimilation process in New York. Moreover, the library visit reminded me of my grandmother’s history while allowing the opportunity to research the Union she was member of and the economic networks of support that would have been influential in her professional development and in her struggle to survive and work in New York City. Furthermore, an exploration of the history of the Tamiment Library proved to be a fascinating exercise. The Tamiment Library was originally founded in 1906 as part of the Rand School for Social Science which was a pioneering workers education school sponsored by the American Socialist Society. In 1917 the school moved to 7 East 15th Street near Union Square where it remained for almost fifty-five years. The Rand School was modeled after the Socialist People's Houses in Europe and it soon became a cultural and educational center for the Left in New York. Tamiment’s resources were of particular interest for their in depth social and economic perspectives. Additionally, much of the library’s material culture points to social, economic and class related mores and attitudes in and around Washington Square Park beginning from the late 18th century. For example, the telephone, address and profession based directories can evoke a feeling for the rich and somewhat tangible mid 19th century Washington Square Park experience. Finally, the Tamiment collection offers useful information regarding the Ladies Garment Workers Union, which I was most interested in, as well as garment production ethics and modes of production in New York City.