Rochester Athenaeum & Mechanics Institute ashtray

Collection — Box: 1

Identifier: RITArc-0337

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Rochester Athenaeum and Mechanics Institute (RAMI) ashtray was donated by 1943 graduate Ann Gustin Zetterlind. It is made of a copper colored metal, is circular in shape with a crimped edge similar to a pie crust to hold a cigarette, and has the Mechanics Institute (MI) insignia stamped in the bottom. Ann and her husband were both graduates of RAMI in the 1940's. A letter from the donor dated September 2009 is with the ashtray.

Dates

Creation: circa 1940's

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open to researchers.

Historical Information

According to the letter accompanying the ashtray, these ashtrays were on every table in the Student Union on the downtown campus of the Rochester Athenaeum & Mechanics Institute. The Institute was often referred to as simply Mechanics Institute, thus the MI insignia stamped in the ashtray.

Extent

1 Item(s) (1 File box)

Language

English

Additional Description

Overview

The Rochester Athenaeum and Mechanics Institute ashtray was donated by 1943 graduate Ann Gustin Zetterlind. It is made of a copper colored metal, is circular in shape and has the Mechanics Institute (MI) insignia stamped in the bottom.

Arrangement

This collection is one item.

Physical Location

C.S. South, East wall, Shelf 82

Custodial History

A letter from the donor accompanying the ashtray reads as follows: Dear sirs, An ashtray like this was on all tables in the Union house [Clark Union] on the downtown campus of Mechanics Institute. I believe they were made in the Department of Mechanics. Upon graduation in 1943, as a hospital dietician, I was hired by Tompkins County Memorial Hospital, Ithaca, NY. 1945 came home to Warren, Pa. and worked at Warren State hospital, until married in 1947 to Virgil Zetterlind, class of 1942 Photo Tech. We had 2 children. He owned and operated his own studio. I retired in 1988 from W. G. H. Virg passed away in 2001. This ashtry was used as a dish. signed Ann Gustin Zetterlind.[Ann is pictured on pg.30 of the 1943 Ramikin] Letter dated September 2009

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The ashtray was donated to the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) Archives in September 2009 by Ann Gustin Zetterlind. Accession number(s): 09:64