Venturi Scott Brown and Associates

Scope and Contents From the Sub-Series: As evidenced in the records of the previous subseries, the Landmark Renewal campaign afforded the museum the opportunity to enhance nearly every aspect of its art collection, from display to scholarship. This subseries documents another ambitious program to improve the 24-acre grounds surrounding the "temple on the hill." The Landscape Rehabilitation Project was initiated by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS), another venerable Philadelphia institution, as part of its Philadelphia...

Scope and Contents From the Sub-Series: The first major fundraising campaign d'Harnoncourt oversaw as director was the Landmark Renewal Fund, originally planned to run from 1986 to 1991. The goal of the campaign was to raise $50 million for endowment increases, building improvements and a bridge fund to support operations until the new endowments began generating income. Later in the campaign, the goal was increased another $10 million to fund a major overhaul of the Museum's European art collection. According to later press...

Scope and Contents From the Sub-Series: Fireworks and other festivities begin this subseries with documentation of the museum's plans to celebrate its 125th anniversary on May 10, 2001. On that day in 1876, the Centennial exhibition opened to the world. Among its many attractions was the Art Gallery building, which was later named Memorial Hall. At the close of the exhibition, Memorial Hall became the first home of the newly chartered Philadelphia Museum of Art (then known as the Pennsylvania Museum and School of Industrial Art)....

Scope and Contents From the Sub-Series: This subseries currently is closed to researchers. File titles are subject to change when processing is finalized at a later date. Under d'Harnoncourt's direction, the museum continued to envision grander goals that would enhance the visitor's experience and allow the institution to better serve its diverse community. It seems only fitting that this last subseries should document the initiation of the most transforming project for the museum's iconic neo-classical "triumph on...

Scope and Contents From the Sub-Series: This subseries currently is closed to researchers. File titles are subject to change when processing is finalized at a later date. Under d'Harnoncourt's direction, the museum continued to envision grander goals that would enhance the visitor's experience and allow the institution to better serve its diverse community. It seems only fitting that this last subseries should document the initiation of the most transforming project for the museum's iconic neo-classical "triumph on...

Scope and Contents From the Sub-Series: Following Robert Scott's retirement as museum President in 1996, d'Harnoncourt was appointed the following year as the museum's Chief Executive Officer in addition to her continued role as its George D. Widener Director. This subseries coincides with d'Harnoncourt's earliest years leading the museum in her dual roles. During this period, with the approach of the new millennium as well as its 125th anniversary, the museum began to plan for its future while building upon its past. There are...