Scope and arrangement
The Austin Hansen Papers reflect Hansen's career as a photographer in Harlem, New York, and includes correspondence, news clippings featuring his photographs, photo captions, and programs for special events held at many historic Harlem churches and other social events in Harlem and elsewhere, presumably photographed by Hansen. The correspondence discusses Hansen's services at functions for fraternal organizations, businesses, churches, and publications, among others. A significant portion of the collection consists of news clippings featuring Hansen's photographs in such papers as The New York Amsterdam News, The People's Voice, The New York Age, The Pittsburgh Courier, The Chicago Defender, and The Staten Island Advance. There are also photo captions as well as programs, announcements, and brochures for commencements and other events. Hansen's role as photographer of numerous events at New York's Cathedral of St. John the Divine is reflected in photo captions, programs, press releases, and news clippings. Financial records include invoices and client files.