Robert F. Pollock Collection of Norumbega Park 1860-2004 (bulk 1960-1990) MS.2007.004 https://hdl.handle.net/2345.2/MS2007-004 Archives and Manuscripts Department John J. Burns Library Boston College 140 Commonwealth Avenue Chestnut Hill 02467 library.bc.edu/burns/contact URL: http://www.bc.edu/burns Table of Contents Summary Information .................................................................................................................................... 3 Administrative Information ............................................................................................................................ 4 Historical Note: Norumbega Park ................................................................................................................. 5 Biographical Note: Robert F. Pollock ........................................................................................................... 5 Scope and Contents ........................................................................................................................................ 6 Arrangement ................................................................................................................................................... 6 Collection Inventory ....................................................................................................................................... 7 I: Robert Pollock papers ............................................................................................................................. 7 II: Norumbega Park collection .................................................................................................................... 7 III: Commonwealth Avenue Street Railway collection ............................................................................ 10 Robert F. Pollock Collection of Norumbega Park MS.2007.004 - Page 2 - Summary Information Creator: Norumbega Park (Auburndale, Mass.) Title: Robert F. Pollock collection of Norumbega Park Collection Identifier: MS.2007.004 Date [inclusive]: 1860-2004 Date [bulk]: 1960-1990 Physical Description 21.5 Linear Feet (11 boxes and 3 map folders) Physical Description 2.75 Gigabytes (2 files with approximately 1.25 hours of audio and video) Language of the English Material: Abstract: Assembled by by Auburndale native Robert Pollock, this collection includes advertisements, artifacts, ephemera, maps, photographs, and video recordings of the Norumbega Park amusement grounds; its ballroom, The Totem Pole; and the Commonwealth Avenue Street Railway, the train line Norumbega Park was built to support. This material spans the opening of the Park grounds to its centennial anniversary. It also incorporates some of Pollock's personal writings and research regarding the Park. Preferred Citation Identification of item, Box number, Folder number, Robert F. Pollock Collection of Norumbega Park, MS.2007.004, John J. Burns Library, Boston College. Robert F. Pollock Collection of Norumbega Park MS.2007.004 - Page 3 - Administrative Information Publication Information Processed by Catherine Macek, March 2012; Rachael Young in 2019. This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace. Restrictions on access Collection is open for research. Video recordings have been digitally copied; all original media was retained, but may not be played due to format. Digital use copies can only be accessed in the Burns Library Reading Room. Film has not been reformatted and is not available for playback due to format impermanence. Please let Reading Room staff know of your specific interest, and if possible reformatting will be scheduled. Provenance Gift of Brian Pollock, the brother of Robert F. Pollock, in 2007. Restrictions on use These materials are made available for use in research, teaching and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source. The original authors may retain copyright to the materials. Robert F. Pollock Collection of Norumbega Park MS.2007.004 - Page 4 - Historical Note: Norumbega Park Norumbega Park opened in 1897 in the Auburndale neighborhood of Newton, Massachusetts as a means to increase patronage for the Commonwealth Avenue Street Railway. The Park was located on the Charles River and featured an arcade, canoeing, dining, outdoor theatre, zoo, and other amusements. In the 1930s the Great Steel Theatre of Norumbega was converted into a ballroom, named The Totem Pole, that showcased renowned performers including Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, Ozzie Nelson, Frank Sinatra, and the Von Trapp family. The Totem Pole was the favored destination for young couples through the 1940s. The shift towards the use of automobiles from public transportation caused the decline of the recreational area in the 1950s. The Park closed in 1963, and the Totem Pole ballroom closed five months later. Sources: Historic Newton: The Jackson Homestead and Museum, "Down by the Riverside: Remembering Norumbega," Accessed March 19, 2012. Nourmbegapark.com, "History." Accessed March 19, 2010. http://www.norumbegapark.com/html/ history.html Biographical Note: Robert F. Pollock Robert F. Polluck grew up in Auburndale, Massachusetts and worked at the Norumbega Park amusement grounds as a teenager. Years later, he began researching the history of the Park and collecting artifacts, printed material, and photographs associated with it. He authored several articles and created two films, Down by the Riverside (1992) and "Return to Norumbega" (unpublished at the time of his death) about the park's history. Robert Pollock died on September 1, 2004. Sources: "Robert F. Pollock, Jr." The Boston Globe obituaries. "History." Norumbega Park.com, accessed at http://www.norumbegapark.com/html/history.html, July 18, 2019. Pollock, Robert F., "Down by the Riverside" in Historic Auburndale, a booklet published by the Auburndale Community Association, revised edition 1996. Robert F. Pollock Collection of Norumbega Park MS.2007.004 - Page 5 - Scope and Contents Assembled by Robert F. Pollock, the collection documents the history of Norumbega Park in the Auburndale neighborhood of Newton, Massachusetts through administrative documents, artifacts, ephemera, maps, photographs, and video recordings. Norumbega Park administrative documents cover insurance, licensure, stocks, public relations, grounds renovations, and ultimate closure. Park ephemera includes advertisements, fliers, posters, post cards, and programs promoting park activities: arcade and rides; boating; outdoor theater; restaurant and ballroom, including live music; and zoo. The extensive assembly of artifacts comprises ashtrays, awards from park competitions, drinkware, paper weights, porcelain miniatures, souvenir spoons, and toys. The park's closure is illustrated by photographs and printed material of Norumbega shuttered, equipment liquidation, the 1965 fire, and preservation efforts for river-frontage. The Norumbega Park collection also includes Pollock's personal correspondence, photographs, and writings documenting his research on the park as well as his family, education, and career. Personal photographs include portraits of family members and many snapshots of them enjoying events at the site of Norumbega Park. His family records contain his high school transcripts, military records, certificates of continuing education, and documents regarding his burial. Pollock's writings comprise drafts and published articles, as well as letters, certificates of authenticity, and a question published in "Ask Marilyn." Noteworthy materials include letters from Bob Elliot and Ed McMahon about their experiences at Norumbega Park, a copy of a telegram written by Senator John F. Kennedy, an original program signed by Ozzie Nelson advertising his performance at the Totem Pole, Pollock's video "Return to Norumbega", and ephemera from the Commonwealth Avenue Street Railway. Arrangement The collection is organized into three series: I. Robert Pollock papers, II. Norumbega Park collection, and III. Commonwealth Avenue Street Railway collection. Series II is divided into five subseries: A. Administrative documents, B. Artifacts, C. Graphic material, D. Performances, and E. Post-closure. Robert F. Pollock Collection of Norumbega Park MS.2007.004 - Page 6 - Collection Inventory Series I: Robert Pollock papers, 1958-1998 Personal photographs, 1958-1998 box 5 folder 1-6 Records, 1958-2001 box 1 folder 1 Writing and correspondence, 1963-1997, undated box 1 folder 2-4 Series II: Norumbega Park collection, 1860-2004 Subseries A: Administrative documents, 1860-1970 Arrangement Alphabetical. Scope and Contents Contains both original and photocopied material. Administration, general, 1860-1964 box 1 folder 5 Announcements: proposed Park (copy); availability of box 1 folder 6 Normandie Room and Totem Pole Ballroom for high school graduations; and Totem Pole closure, 1896-1964 Closing of the Park, 1963-1970 box 2 folder 12 Insurance certificates, stock options, and licenses to operate (all box 1 folder 7 copies), 1865-1956 Site maps, surveys, and architectural plans for Norumbega, Shared box folder 3 1901-1963 1142 box 9 folder 1 and 5 folder OS 1 Subseries B: Artifacts, 1890s-1963 Arrangement Alphabetical. Ashtray, "Norumbega Park" with illustration of a ship in full box 3 sail, between 1897-1963