Fairmount Park Art Association

Scope and Contents From the Sub-Series: This subseries consists of the records compiled during the first four years of d'Harnoncourt's tenure as museum director. Of the accomplishments achieved during this time period, one of the most significant and best documented here is the museum's acquisition of thousands of drawings and prints by European old masters and artists of the 19th century. The seller was PAFA, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, which had long ago changed its emphasis to the collection and study of American...

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: 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...

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: 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: 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)....