Schlesinger Hostel: papers
Extent and Medium
1 Box
Biographical History
The founders of the hostel were Bernard Schlesinger, a prominent pediatrician and his wife, Winifred. They were concerned about the increasingly desperate situation for Jews in Germany and wanted to establish a safe haven for 12 Jewish children from Berlin.
Archival History
The archive was discovered by one of the Schlesinger's own children who then handed it to one of the hostel children.
Acquisition
Original material from Schlesingers Hostel, 1 box
Donated January 2004
Donor: Roger Schlesinger
Scope and Content
This collection comprises original papers and correspondence which documents the establishment and maintenance of a refugee children's hostel in Highgate, London, 1938-1939. The papers offer a valuable insight into the processes and issues relating to such an enterprise.
Two of the former children produced a documentary reader comprising copies and translations of much of the material in the archive (1625/1). It also includes copies of documents from Ilse Jacobsohn's (later Ilse Henry) own file. The personal files of the other children are not open to the public.
Conditions Governing Access
Partially closed
Conditions Governing Reproduction
Open except 1625/2, 1625/16, 1625/17 and 1 other folder