History and Culture

Fun with Our Furry Friends

May 14, 2025

by Megan Scauri

Some of the images in the AJHS archives that bring us the most joy are ones featuring the pets of yesteryear – particularly when the title gives no indication we will see a cuddly creature when we open the folder! It’s these fun little surprises that fill our days with delight – so in honor of National Pet Month, we wanted to share some of our favorites with you.

Stephen Schlossberg and his dog, 1931. From the Jacobi-Schlossberg Family Papers (P-705)

Fun in the sprinkler with the Schlossbergs’ dog! The home of Morris J. and Jenny Weinstein Schlossberg, Roanoke, Virginia, around 1931. From the Jacobi-Schlossberg Family Papers (P-705)

Harold Jacobi, Jr. and his dog Peter, March 7, 1931. From the Jacobi-Schlossberg Family Papers (P-705)

Women cuddling their dogs in the snow, March 1935. From the Jacobi-Schlossberg Family Papers (P-705)

Nancy Schlossberg on horseback, Woodmere, Long Island, June 1941. From the Jacobi-Schlossberg Family Papers (P-705)

Molly Picon sitting on grass with cat, 1956-1957. From the Molly Picon Papers (P-38)

Teenage boy holding a racoon. From the United Jewish Appeal-Federation of New York collection (I-433)

Man and boy with horse, circa 1900. From the Baron de Hirsch Fund Records (I-80)

Mr. and Mrs. Perlman with prize cow, Bradley, NY. From the Baron de Hirsch Fund Records (I-80)

Group of people standing in front of Charles Sender, horses, trucks and wagons for hire at 171 Ludlow Street, New York. From the Graduate School for Jewish Social Work (New York, N.Y.) Records (I-7)

Young man with cow. From the Baron de Hirsch Fund Records (I-80)

Kitten with shoe, unidentified (“Lucky?”), undated. From the Jack D. Weiler and Family Papers (P-1045)

Men on farm with chickens. From the Baron de Hirsch Fund Records (I-80)

Prize winner, Playground Pet Show, August 1932.” From the Records of the National Council of Jewish Women, New York Section (I-469)

Some more pets at the Pet Show, August 1932.” From the Records of the National Council of Jewish Women, New York Section (I-469)

“Street bathers, August 1932.” From the Records of the National Council of Jewish Women, New York Section (I-469)

Three teen boys each holding two puppies, “Academy Farms,” 1937. From the Records of Hebrew Orphan Asylum of the City of New York (I-42)

“United Service Organization. PFC Robert C. Martin of Brooklyn, NY admires a cat as Jr. Hostess Shoal Kaufmann adds own admiration.” From the National Jewish Welfare Board records (I-337)

Young couple holds a dog on a New York city street. From the Records of Hebrew Orphan Asylum of the City of New York (I-42)

Track stars of the 92nd St. Y.M.H.A., 1899. Sign in photograph reads: “One Mile Relay Race won by Y.M.H.A.A.C. at games A.L.S.[?] July 23rd, 1899.” From the National Jewish Welfare Board records (I-337)

Tillie Marion Metz standing with horse, 1915. From the Metz-Green-Stone Papers (P-587)

Child actor Shelley Bruce, who played the character of Little Orphan Annie in the Broadway musical “Annie,” laces up her shoes in preparation to participate in Joint Campaign’s Walk-A-Thon. Sandy the dog sits at her side. From the United Jewish Appeal-Federation of New York collection (I-433)

Full-length silhouette group portrait of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Tobias with a dog, 1844

Megan Scauri

Megan has extensive experience working with rare books and special collections in academic libraries, as well as in the rare book trade and auction houses. Her professional focus has been primarily in rare Americana, while her academic background includes research on Italian linguistics and dialectology. In August 2021, Megan joined AJHS, where she oversees our library’s rare and general collections, as well as assisting patrons with reference and photoduplication requests.