Description
Ackerman family papers include personal correspondence of Carrie Meyer Ackerman, her sister Henriette Meyer Davis, her husband
Charles L. Ackerman, and brother-in-law Sigmund L. Ackerman. The bulk of the letters are addressed to Carrie's son, Irving
C. Ackerman. Carrie's letters detail family life in San Francisco and, temporarily, in San Rafael following the 1906 earthquake
and fire. Henriette's letters to a man named Marcus from 1929-1931 concern her divorce from Mortimer B. Davis, as well as
a rift between Henriette and Carrie, and Marcus's replies are included. Charles's letters include matters relating to management
of theatre enterprises, San Francisco labor strikes, politics and the graft trials, Irving's dog shows, and to Charles's recuperation
from illness in autumn 1906. One folder includes a library inventory, a vacation itinerary, and a letter of credit.
Background
Charles Louis Ackerman was a prominent Jewish San Francisco trial lawyer and theater manager who married Caroline "Carrie"
Meyer in 1878. Their son Irving C. Ackerman was also an attorney, as well as San Francisco theater owner and operator of
the Chutes, Stage Door and Encore theaters. The firm of Ackerman & Harris managed a western theater chain later sold to Marcus
Loew. Charles' brother Sigmund was at one time manager of San Francisco's Grand Opera House. Caroline Meyer's sister, Henriette,
married Sir Mortimer B. Davis, Canada's "tobacco king" in 1898, divorcing him in 1924.
Extent
(One pamphlet box)
16 folders
Restrictions
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the City Archivist. Permission
for publication is given on behalf of the San Francisco Public Library as the owner of the physical items.
Availability
The collection is available for use during San Francisco History Center hours, with photographs available during Photo Desk
hours. Collections that are stored offsite should be requested 48 hours in advance.