Atkins, Ruth Samuels_1976/3/28, Oral History

Subjects covered in interview include: Family History, Siblings, Education, Religious Education Vacations, Hartford life, businesses, Children

GREATER HARTFORD JEWISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY ORAL HISTORY COLLECTION

Tape No.: 123 No. of Tapes: 1 Name of Interviewee: Ruth Samuels Atkins Date of Interview: March 28, 1976 Occupation: Date of Birth: circa 1893 Place of Birth: Hartford, CT Transcript (yes/no): yes No. of Pages: 23

Abstract:

Ruth lived at 66 Capitol Avenue as a child and then on Collins Street. Her mother Minnie Kroneshein was born in the town of Kronesheiner between East Germany and Poland. Ruth’s grandmother opened a china shop on Main Street near Charter Oak Avenue. It was the Kronesheiner Crockery and was a very successful business.

Louie Samuels, Ruth’s father was born in Baltimore. He was in the shoe business with his brother Joel. When he died at the age of 41 Ruth was four and her brother Arthur was nine years old. Her family moved in with her uncle Joel. Ruth attended the West Middle Elementary School and Hartford High School, class of 1911. After graduation, she attended Wellesley for one year and then attended Walnut Hill.

Ruth grew up in a religious family. Her uncle Joe conducted Friday night services. Her mother taught Sunday school for many years. Ruth was confirmed at Beth Israel which was located on Charter Oak Avenue. Her teacher was Henry Mayer. Her brother Arthur attended Princeton University and became a newspaper writer and a musician. He lived in New York City and covered various political events. He traveled with Teddy Roosevelt during his campaign for the Presidency.

Ruth’s mother was active in the Jewish community. She also served on the Visiting Nurse Board until she became ill. At that point, Ruth took her place and continued to serve for 25 years. Her mother had also been involved in the Needlework Guild and was one of the original incorporators of the Girl Scouts.

Ruth’s social life in Hartford was quite active. There were movies and theaters. The Parsons Theater was a favorite. She joined a literary club with her mother, attending lectures and reading voraciously. There were also many activities at the temple. Summers were spent at Crescent Beach in Niantic. There were very few Jewish families there, if any. However, there were numerous Jewish families in Hartford at that time. People enjoyed the facilities at Elizabeth Park. One was able to walk to most places but there was also a trolley car service.

Ruth married Harry Atkins in 1925. Harry came from a large old Jewish family. His family owned the Wholesale Dry Goods store on Ann Street. Ruth and Harry had a large wedding at the Bond Hotel. They resided in West Hartford and raised two children, Jo Ellen and Harry. Jo attended the Hartford Art School. Harry attended Choate and Harvard. In her later years, Ruth continued to attend lectures and remained active intellectually.

Subject Index: Community Activities ( in the Jewish community) Education- Jewish Education- secular Oral History Scouting Synagogues- Beth Israel West Hartford, CT Women