Collection Guides
The New York City Municipal Archives

The Eugene Bockman records contain documents and materials dated between 1940 and 1989, with the majority of files beginning in 1977, when the Department of Records and Information Services (DORIS) was established as an independent agency, and ending with Commissioner Bockman’s retirement in 1989.

The records document the administration of DORIS, as well as its sub-agencies: the Municipal Archives; Municipal Records Management Center (MRMC), and Municipal Reference and Research Center (MRRC). While each of these sub-agencies falls under the aegis of DORIS, their responsibilities are quite different.

The Municipal Archives is responsible for the long-term storage and preservation of agency records and historical material deemed to hold research and/or symbolic value. The MRMC, commonly referred to as the Records Management Unit, is tasked with the safeguard of the records belonging to other New York City agencies, including personnel and administrative files. The MRRC, which goes by the name Municipal Reference Library, exists as a reference resource for the citizens of New York City regarding the activities of its various agencies, their policies, and events that surround the day-to-day operations of the city.

In addition to the activities and operation of the agency, this collection also contains personal information from Bockman that resides outside of, though tangential to, his appointment as commissioner. These include letters, articles, essays, and notes, as well as material related to activities in various political organizations. Any personnel files related to the Commissioner Bockman records were removed and remanded into the custody of the MRMC.