View between two shelves of archival storage boxes. Text overlay: From the Collections

Manuscripts and Special Collections (MSC) staff recently stumbled upon an eye-catching, unique item in our collections that we wanted to share with our dear readers. Tucked away in our collection of Bound materials (typically bound volumes of diaries, journals, and the like), is a scrapbook of drawings by schoolchildren, created in 1848. 

Acquired by the NYS Library in July 1948, the cover of the scrapbook is labeled as “District No. 4 Guilderland ‘TRY’” and assigned the call number BD12037. The inside cover of the scrapbook includes a color map of Albany County, drawn by student H. Degraff, age 10. The rest of the scrapbook contains dozens of dazzling drawings from the many talented students whose work is archived and highlighted in this bound item. 

The topics and scenes covered in the drawings range from a sailboat sailing down (one would assume) the Hudson River, to highly detailed portraits of unknown individuals, animals snuggling one another in front of a picturesque nature backdrop, and a child posing with a pet pooch; the list goes on! 

Words cannot do justice to the skill and technique these schoolchildren demonstrate in their drawings. Faces are detailed and anatomically accurate, animals have intricate hair/fur draped over their bodies, and the nature landscapes include accurate shadows and shading. Please enjoy a few select images from this wonderful scrapbook of illustrations. 

Two pencil drawings on off-white paper are mounted in a large bound book with brown paper. The top drawing depicts a small house with a chimney, a picket fence, and a neat yard with small trees. The bottom drawing depicts a small sailboat in water alongside a rocky, detailed coastline. Both drawings are signed by James Sherman.
Two pencil drawings on off-white paper are mounted in a large bound book with brown paper. The top drawing shows a house at an angle. The house has a fence, a lean-to type shed, and a leafy tree surrounding it. The bottom drawing depicts a young child and a large, shaggy dog (both very neat in appearance) posing beneath a tree. The drawings are signed by Mary Case.
Two pencil drawings on off-white paper are mounted in a large bound book with brown paper. The top drawing depicts a view of a small house and its fence down a road that winds between large trees. The middle drawing depicts a well-dressed person riding a horse through a wooded area. The bottom drawing is a detailed portrait of a well-dressed young person. All three drawings are signed by H. Sherman.
Two pencil drawings on off-white paper are mounted in a large bound book with brown paper. The top drawing shows a pair of sheep, one standing and one laying on the grass, in the middle of a field. The bottom picture shows a young person and their large shaggy dog posing under a detailed tree trunk. Both drawings are signed by A Cromme.

Anyone interested in viewing this item for themselves can schedule a research appointment with the NYS Library’s Manuscripts and Special Collections and request to view this gem of New York State’s history for themselves!

NYS Personal History Initiative

New York State is still home to a vibrant arts scene and remains a leader in arts education. As part of the NYS Personal History Initiative, teachers from all New York communities are invited to contribute media and stories to exhibit how students are shaping our cultural landscape. Check out the New York Spotlight: Arts Education collection and consider submitting student artwork. 

While you're there, explore firsthand accounts of life in New York State and share your own story!