Polar bear, New York Zoological Gardens [the Bronx Zoo], Bronx, N.Y., undated [c. 1899].

• Main Author: Stonebridge, George Ehler
• Format: Still Image
• Language: English
• Published: New-York Historical Society 1899
• Subjects: Zoo animals > New York (State) > New York > Photographs; Zoos > New York (State) > New York > Photographs; Bronx (New York; N.Y.) > Photographs; New York (N.Y.) > Photographs; New York Zoological Park > Photographs; polar bear
• Online Access: http://cdm16694.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p16124coll2/id/39401

This collection consists of glass plate negatives and a handful of prints shot mostly in the Bronx, with occasional excursions to Brooklyn, Manhattan, Westchester County, Garrison, and Niagara Falls, N.Y. In addition to extensively photographing his children and extended family, Stonebridge documented the Bronx's parks (Bronx Park, Claremont Park, Van Cortlandt Park, Jerome Park, Crotona Park) and landmarks (such as the Bronx Municipal Building, the Van Cortlandt House, the New York Catholic Protectory, the American Female Guardian Society and Home for the Friendless Woody Crest Home, the Hall of Fame for Great Americans, and Webb's Academy and Home for Shipbuilders); he also chronicled the daily life of the borough, its clubs, houses, churches, schools, sports, parades, and accidents. Other Bronx locales such as Lohbauer Park, Orchard Beach, City Island, and the Mott Haven Canal are also represented. Further afield he extensively photographed the many bridges over the Harlem River as well as the Brooklyn Bridge, the construction of the Queensboro Bridge, the Hart Island Reformatory for Boys, Speedway, and Coney Island. Historical events captured by Stonebridge's camera include the dedication of Grant's Tomb (1897); the American fleet gathered at the Brooklyn Navy Yard (c. 1897-1899); the Dewey Land and Naval parades (1899); the construction of the Bronx Zoo (1899) and the New York Botanical Garden (c. 1900); National Guard intervention in the Croton Dam strike (1900); the opening of the Willis Avenue Bridge (1901); the funeral of General Franz Sigel (1902); the National Sportsmen's Show at Madison Square Garden (1902); the 71st Regiment Armory fire (1902); the Liberty Bell on tour (1903); the Rivers and Harbors Committee of the U.S. Congress' visit to New York (1903); and the grim aftermath of the sinking of the 'General Slocum' (1904). Unusual vehicles like the Stevens airship; Foolkiller, one of a number of craft built to travel over Niagara Falls; and Kaiser Wilhelm II's yacht Hohenzollern are also included. ...