Finding aid to the Charles L. Ackerman family papers
1888-1938
SFH 94
Finding aid compiled by Tom Carey.
San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library
2019
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
sfhistory@sfpl.org
Language of Materials: Collection materials are in
English.
Contributing Institution:
San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 557-4567
info@sfpl.org
Title: Charles L. Ackerman family papers
Creator:
Ackerman, Charles Louis
Creator:
Ackerman, Sigmund Louis
Creator:
Ackerman, Carrie (Caroline M.)
Creator:
Davis, Mortimer Barnett, Sir
Creator:
Davis, Henriette M., Lady (Henriette Marie Meyer)
Identifier/Call Number: SFH 94
Physical Description:
(One pamphlet box)
16 folders
Date (inclusive): 1888-1938
Date (bulk): 1906-1909
Physical Location: The collection is stored onsite.
Access
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.
Publication Rights
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.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Charles L. Ackerman family papers, 1888-1938 (SFH 94), San Francisco History Center, San Francisco
Public Library.
Related Materials
See also Ackerman Family Papers, 1895-1971 at the Museum of Performance + Design, San Francisco, California, as well as the
Irving Ackerman interview (1959) in
Turning Point
by Arthur Friedman, Department of Theatre and Arts, UCLA.
Biography
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.
Scope and Contents
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.
Accruals
Circular letter of credit, Chas. L. Ackerman and Mrs. Carrie Ackerman transferred from San Francisco History Center ephemera
file, 2013.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Amusement parks -- California -- San Francisco.
Jews -- California -- San Francisco.
Dog shows -- United States.
San Francisco (Calif.) -- Politics and government -- 20th century.
Strikes and lockouts -- Street-railroads -- California -- San Francisco.
Chutes (San Francisco, Calif.)
Ackerman family
Ackerman, Irving C.
Series 1
Carrie M. Ackerman letters
1906-1907
box 1, folder 1
to Irving
1906-1907
Physical Description:
25 items
box 1, folder 2
to Irving (transcripts)
1906-1907
box 1, folder 16
to Jerome
August 21, 1906
Physical Description:
1 items
Series 2
Charles L. Ackerman letters
1906-1907
Physical Description:
3 folders
box 1, folder 7
Subseries 2.1
to Irving
1906-1907
Physical Description:
21 items
box 1, folder 8
to Irving (transcripts)
1906-1907
box 1, folder 9
Subseries 2.2
to Gertrude
April 16, 1907
Physical Description:
1 items
box 1, folder 3
Series 3
Henriette M. Davis letters
1906-1931
box 1, folder 4
Henriette M. Davis letters (transcripts)
1906-1931
box 1, folder 13
Marcus to Henriette M. Davis, letters
1929
Physical Description:
1 folder
box 1, folder 5
Sigmund L. Ackerman letters
1906
box 1, folder 11
Series 4
Kyle to Irving, letter
1938
Physical Description:
1 folder
box 1, folder 12
Series 5
Sarah [Greenbaum] to Irving, letter
November 28, 1906
Physical Description:
1 folder
box 1, folder 10
Series 6
Irving to Papa and Mama, letter
circa 1890
Physical Description:
1 folder
box 1, folder 14
Series 7
Mortimer B. Davis, to Irving, letter
February 9, 1912
box 1, folder 15
Series 8
Ackerman family documents
1888-1905
Physical Description:
1 folder
