69th Street Branch Records
Scope and Contents
With records spanning from 1928-1933, this small but intriguing collection documents the short-lived 69th Street Branch of the Pennsylvania Museum from its inception to its closure. Administrative records include correspondence, memoranda, minutes, planning records, press and publicity, photographs, and affiliations. Eighteen exhibitions held between 1931 and 1932 are individually documented, and other exhibition-related records such as budgets, schedules, insurance, and loans span from 1931 to 1933.
Dates
- 1928-1933
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
The 69th Street Branch Records are the physical property of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Archives. The Museum holds literary rights only for material created by Museum personnel or given to the Museum with such rights specifically assigned. For all other material, literary rights, including copyright, belong to the authors or their legal heirs and assigns. Researchers are responsible for obtaining permission from rights holders for publication and for other purposes where stated.
Biographical / Historical
In 1931, the Pennsylvania Museum embarked upon an innovative, if short-lived, experiment in reaching new audiences by opening a branch site at the 69th Street Community Center. Located just outside the city limits in Delaware County with Philip N. Youtz as Curator, the Branch Museum mounted twenty-three exhibitions during its operation--ranging from Chinese art to 19th-century American painting. The Museum attracted over 215,000 visitors in its first year, but despite its popularity and generous funding from the Carnegie Foundation and private donor John H. McClatchy, financial difficulties forced it to close permanently on October 17, 1932.
Extent
1.25 linear feet
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
69th Street Branch Records documents the short-lived 69th Street Branch of the Pennsylvania Museum from its inception to its closure.
Arrangement
Administrative records are arranged alphabetically by subject. Records pertaining to specific exhibitions are arranged chronologically, and general exhibition information is arranged alphabetically at the front of the series.
Processing Information
These materials were arranged and described by Merle Chamberlain, Louise F. Rossmassler and Megan Finn. Funded by a grant from The National Historical Publications and Records Commission.
Source
- Philadelphia Museum of Art (Organization)
- Title
- Guide to the 69th Street Branch Records
- Author
- Finding aid prepared by Merle Chamberlain, Louise F. Rossmassler and Megan Finn
- Date
- 2013
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Sponsor
- Funded by a grant from The National Historical Publications and Records Commission
Repository Details
Part of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Library and Archives Repository
Philadelphia Museum of Art
PO Box 7646
Philadelphia PA 19101-7646 United States
archives@philamuseum.org