Guide to the Glaser Family Papers and Photographs 1908-1947

Repository
Heinz History Center
Title
Glaser Family Papers and Photographs
Creator
Glaser Family.
Collection Number
MSS 1047
Extent
.025 linear feet (1 box)
Date
1908-1947
Abstract
In 1903, Jacob Glaser founded Glaser's Bakers and Ice Cream Makers, located at 6 Crafton Boulevard in Crafton, Pennsylvania. It was a family-owned and operated business that remained in the family for three generations before closing in 1981. The Glasers made their own bread and ice cream and also specialized in elaborate cake decorations for weddings and other occasions. These papers feature artifacts related to the bakery's history and mementos related to Jacob Glaser's grandson Charles Glaser, who managed and played in a local orchestra in addition to being a baker.
Language
The material in this collection is in English.
Author
The guide to this collection was written by Rosemary J. Kovacs.
Publisher
Heinz History Center
Address
1212 Smallman St.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
library@heinzhistorycenter.org
URL: https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org

History

In 1903, Jacob Glaser, who had previously worked in his uncle's bakery on the North Side, founded Glaser's Bakers and Ice Cream Makers, located at 6 Crafton Boulevard in Crafton, Pennsylvania. It was a family-owned and operated business that remained in the family for three generations, finally closing in 1981. Jacob Glaser lived above the store; later, his son George Glaser with his wife, Annie, lived in a house the family built beside the store. Their children-- Art, Charles, Josie, and Elizabeth Glaser-- also worked at the store, though Elizabeth Glaser was only involved for a short time before marrying and moving away.

The Glasers made their own bread and ice cream and also specialized in elaborate cake decorations for weddings and other occasions. When George Glaser's children took over the store, Charles Glaser did the baking and lived above the store, Art Glaser made the ice cream on the premises, and Josie decorated the cakes. Deliveries were made by both Charles and Art Glaser.In addition to being a baker, Charles Glaser played in and managed a local dance orchestra, the Olympian's [sic].Both Art and Charles Glaser were skilled tennis players and coaches, and their children went to college on tennis scholarships. The family had a tennis court behind the bakery. When Art Glaser became ill in 1981, the bakery closed.

In addition to being a baker, Charles Glaser played in and managed a local dance orchestra, the Olympian's [sic]. He may also have had some affiliation with the Tampa Beach Orchestra that appears in a photograph within this collection. .

Both Art and Charles Glaser were skilled tennis players and coaches, and their children went to college on tennis scholarships. The family had a tennis court behind the bakery. When Art Glaser became ill in 1981, the bakery closed. When Art Glaser became ill in 1981, the bakery closed.

Scope and Content Notes

This collection consists of two folders and one photograph album. Folder one holds a business card for "The Olympian's"; a dance booklet (with tiny pencil attached) for the Newman Club of Pittsburgh's Annual Formal Dance held on May 29, 1929; a small notebook listing songs; and an undated photograph of the Tampa Beach Orchestra.

Folder two contains sanitary bakeshop certificates dated 1908 and 1921 and bakery, ice cream and soft drink licenses for 1945 through 1947. All are issued to Jacob Glaser and Son. Also included are two signs advertising the bake shop and a red window card for Glaser's reading, "Stop Today". These red cards were given to regular customers who placed them in their windows when they wanted the Glaser truck to make a stop at their homes.

The Photograph Album presents photos of cakes decorated for weddings and other occasions.

The oversize component of the collection includes an illustrated poster for the Syria Shrine Circus held at the Civic Arena and three illustrated signs advertising ice cream rolls.

Arrangement

Two folders and one photograph album.

Conditions Governing Access

None.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

from Alan A. Glaser in 2013.

Archives accession # 2013.0154

Preferred Citation

Glaser Family Papers and Photographs, 1908-1947, MSS 1047 , Library and Archives Division, Senator John Heinz History Center

Processing Information

Preliminary processing by Rosemary J. Kovacs on 12/19/2014.

Conditions Governing Use

Property rights reside with the Senator John Heinz History Center. Literary rights are retained by the creators of the records and their heirs. For permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the Library and Archives of the Senator John Heinz History Center.

Separated Materials

To the museum division: megaphones and band trunk.

Subjects

    Corporate Names

    • Glasers Bakers and Ice Cream Makers.

    Personal Names

    • Glaser Family.
    • Glaser, Charles.

    Geographic Names

    • Crafton (Pa.).

    Other Subjects

    • Bakeries--Pennsylvania--Pittsburgh..
    • Ice cream parlors--Pennsylvania--Pittsburgh..

Container List