VII. Historical Documents

The Drasin Family Papers consist of approximately 1.75 cubic feet of material, including 1 manuscript box, 1 phase box, 2 newspaper boxes, and 3 photograph boxes, spanning the period 1900–1999. They comprise the personal records of the Drasin family, documenting the family's history from the early twentieth century until the late twentieth century. They also include records of Jersey Homesteads, Roosevelt, and Jersey Homesteads and Roosevelt residents.

The Drasin Family Papers are composed primarily of textual records such as correspondence, historical documents, and newspaper clippings. Within each series, items are arranged chronologically. CORRESPONDENCE, 1928–1992 (7 folders) describes life in Jersey Homesteads and Tamara's travels around the United States. This series includes official letters from the United States Department of the Interior and the Resettlement Administration pertaining to the creation of Jersey Homesteads as well as the personal letters and papers of the Drasin family. Also included in this series is a children's book from Russia. This series ties into the other series nicely in that it gives the background of Jersey Homesteads and a nice glimpse into the closeness of the Drasin family.

HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS, 1935–1992 (8 folders; 1 photograph box) deals with both the Drasin family materials and the official documents of Jersey Homesteads and Roosevelt. This series includes official letters from the State of New York Department of Labor and Workmen's Compensation Board as well as the Federal Security Agency Social Security Board. Also included are personal papers, a transcription of a radio broadcast, pictures of the Tripod coat factory, and legal documents of Jersey Homesteads. This series offers a more personal look into the Drasin family through their personal papers and other artifacts. Jersey Homesteads too is examined in more depth as the official documents of the community describe exactly the type of settlement that its founders wanted to create and tried to sustain.

. NEWSPAPER CLIPPINGS, 1936–1999 (7 folders) primarily chronicles Tamara's career, Boris' involvement with the Jersey Homesteads cooperatives, and the Jersey Homesteads community, as documented by various newspaper and magazine articles. This series ties in nicely with the rest because it offers viewpoints from outside of the Jersey Homesteads community. Furthermore, these articles provide an excellent picture and descriptions of the Drasin family and the Jersey Homesteads community.

Other document types included in this collection are photographs and sheet music. PHOTOGRAPHS, 1900s – 1960s? (one newspaper box) when possible, are arranged in groups depending upon the subject matter. Within each group, photographs are arranged chronologically, when possible. This series contains photographs mainly of the Drasin family and their friends. The photographs in this series provide a better understanding of the Drasin family, their relatives, and their friends. SHEET MUSIC, 1927–1943 (one newspaper and two photograph boxes) has been arranged by language and alphabetically as well, with the exception of the Russian and Yiddish sheet music. The sheet music collection was Tamara's personal collection of sheet music from her Broadway and radio performances. This series offers a look into the life and passion of Tamara Drasin.

Special Collections and University Archives, Rutgers University Libraries was given the Drasin Family Papers by the Roosevelt, N.J. historian after the death of Eliezar "Lee" or "Las" Drasin.