Nirenstein National Realty Map Company Records

Collection

Identifier: 1988-0039

Staff Only

Scope and Content

The collection contains administrative and financial records for the map and realty companies dating from 1909 through 1983.

Dates

Creation: undated, 1909-1983

Access

The collection is open and available for research.

Restrictions on Use

Permission to publish from these Records must be obtained in writing from the owner(s) of the copyright.

History

The Nirenstein National Realty Map Company of Springfield, Massachusetts, produced high quality atlases of urban and suburban businesses and shopping centers. Nathan Nirenstein, who founded the company in 1925, was born in Russia in 1890 and immigrated to the United States in early 1900s. Before creating the atlas company, he was involved in the real estate business in the Springfield, Massachusetts, area. The company published atlases for New England, the Middle Atlantic States, New York City, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and the Southern states.

Nathan Nirenstein was also a prominent realtor and developer in the city of Springfield, where he owned and operated the Kellogg Building Realty Trust Company. The company had two subordinate operations, the Harrison Realty Company and Bowles Lunch, Inc. He personally operated both the atlas company and the real estate company until shortly before his death in 1973 at the age of 83. His businesses were taken over by his son, David Joel Nirenstein.

Although Nirenstein's National Realty Map Company discontinued its production of updated maps in 1958, an inventory of historically important maps remained. These maps were sold to libraries and historical societies throughout the United States and Canada, until the company was finally disbanded in the 1980s.

Extent

28 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Arrangement

Series I: Administrative Records (undated, 1918-1983) contains personal papers and business records of Nathan Nirenstein and David Joel Nirenstein. Subseries A holds the personal and professional papers of Nathan Nirenstein, including correspondence and speeches, arranged chronologically. Subseries B holds Nathan Nirenstein's diaries and telephone and address books. Subseries C holds the personal and professional correspondence of David Joel Nirenstein, organized alphabetically.

Series II: Map Company Records (undated, 1924-1974) contains sales records and correspondence of the atlas company. These records are divided into the following categories: General, National Atlas, New England Atlas, New York City Atlas, Mid-Atlantic States Atlas, Pennsylvania and Virginia Atlas, Deep South Atlas, and Central States Atlas. Also included are tenant brochures, which held correspondence and other materials about commercial properties to be included in the atlases.

Series III: Realty Records (undated, 1914-1980) contains the general records of the Kellogg Building Realty Trust Company. The realty company was organized before and was managed separately from the atlas company, but it was run out of the same office in Springfield, Massachusetts. The realty company also had two subordinate operations, the Harrison Realty Company and Bowles Lunch, Inc. The series contains two categories of records: Realty Correspondence and Realty Legal Documents.

Series IV: Financial Records (1909-1983) contains the general accounting records of both the atlas company and the realty company, including the subordinate operations of the Harrison Realty Company and Bowles Lunch, Inc.> Types of records include financial statements, ledgers, journals, a payroll book, and rental records.

Acquisition Information

The Nirenstein National Realty Map Company donated its records and a selection of its atlases and maps to the University of Connecticut Map Library in October 1988. The business records were transferred to Historical Manuscripts and Archives (now Archives & Special Collections) shortly afterwards.