Dowling College Author Collections

The works of individuals related to Dowling College - faculty, administrators, staff, students and alumni.

Gilded Age Collection

Materials pertaining to the study of the Gilded Age, espectially as it relates to Long Island, Oakdale NY, and the Vanderbilt Family.

Historic Post Card Collection

The collection contains historic postcards of Long Island, New York City, New York State, and assorted other States. Most of the subject matter in the collection documents the Gilded Age, the American country house movement, and life on the South Shore of Long Island.
Special Collections Location 47D: Requires appointment to use.

Idle Hour Estate Collection

The Idle Hour Estate Collection focuses on the history of the Idle Hour Mansion, its various incarnations, and its tenants (excluding the William K Vanderbilt Family and Dowling College). The Collection also houses resources and memorabilia from and about the land and various outbuildings of the Idle Hour Estate. Collection areas include:

Books about Idle Hour in the Catalog

The First Idle Hour Mansion

The Second Idle Hour Mansion

Idle Hour Estate Workers

Idle Hour Estate Outbuildings

Royal Fraternity of Master Metaphysicians: James Schafer m.m., Peace Haven, and “Baby Jean”

Oakdale Club

Dutch Schultz (Arthur Flegenheimer)

National Dairy Research Laboratory

The Idle Hour Artist Colony

Local History Collection

The Local History Collection focuses on the history of Oakdale and its immediate environ. The Collection also houses resources that support local history research that focuses on Suffolk County, Long Island and New York State.

Oakdale History:

Bronco Charlie

Books about Oakdale, NY

Oakdale Places and Estates

Lavern Wittlock Collection

Southside Sportsmen’s Club

Long Island South Shore History Collection:

Industries supported by the Great South Bay (Fishing, Oystering, Boat Building, Tourism)
Special Collections Location 46C: Requires appointment to use.

Long Island South Shore Local Families

This collection contains historic Long Island environmental reports issued by academic institutions and Federal, State and Local Governments.
Special Collections Location 48: Requires appointment to use.

Long Island History:

Fire Island Memorabilia: Special Collections Location: 12B: Requires appointment to use.

Islip Town: Special Collections Location: 12B: Requires appointment to use.

Historic Long Island Transportation

Proceedings of the Board of Supervisors of Suffolk County Also known as the Proceedings of the County Legislature of Suffolk County, NY
Location: Second Floor Reference

New York History

Paul Townsend Collection

The Paul Townsend Collection preserves and organizes the personal papers/files of Long Island Business News owner/publisher Paul Townsend. Paul Townsend and his wife are the benefactors of The Paul and Terry Townsend School of Business at Dowling College.

Miscellaneous Book Collections

Nelson R Gidding Script Collection

The Dowling College Library Nelson R. Gidding Script Collection contains manuscripts written by Academy Award Nominee, Nelson R Gidding. In addition, the collection includes scripts written by other authors that were in the private collection of Nelson R. Gidding at the time of his death.

Periodicals in Special Collections

Rare and Valuable Book Collection

The Rare and Valuable Book Collection preserves, organizes, and services the most valuable, scarce, or most important materials from the Library’s collections. General guidelines for books to be considered “rare” have publication dates: pre-1840 for United States materials; pre-1800 for Great Britain materials; pre-1700 for other locations. Newer rare publications, signed copies and valuable first editions are also part of this Collection.

Vanderbilt Family Historical Collection

The Vanderbilt Family Historical Collection is an extensive collection that comprises all forms of publications, media, and artifacts from the W.K. Vanderbilt Family especially those related to their life at Idle Hour. The Collection also houses resources that support research into the Vanderbilts, their homes, their yachts and social activities during the Gilded Age. The Vanderbilt Collection has an exhaustive collection of photographs and clippings documenting the lives of the extended Vanderbilt family. Collection areas include:

Muriel Vanderbilt Collection: Special Collections Locations: 14A, 14B, 14C: Requires appointment to use.