Phases I-III, 1990-1998, undated

With plans in place, the Museum staff and contractors got to work, all of which is documented in the second sub-subseries "Phases I-III." As suggested by the number of folders, the need for funds to support the staff and materials for the deinstallation, conservation, reinstallation and re-interpretation of objects and period rooms continued. For these phases, government, private institutions and individuals were solicited. Most significant here are the studies conducted by the Department of Education to formulate ways that would best communicate to visitors the purpose and meaning of the works of art surrounding them.

The "Phase I" to "Phase III" folders ending the sub-subseries document the celebrations for each of the three openings, primarily with invitation and donor lists, as well as press clippings and ephemera. Included in the "Phase I" opening folder is d'Harnoncourt's handwritten remarks in which she succinctly puts forth the purpose of the project: "[The] mission of the Museum [is] to make all the works of art in its care come to life, speak with their own voices--communicate to each other and to each visitor--citizens of greater Phila[delphia] or travelers across [the] country [and] around the world..." The museum received recognition from its peers and other colleagues, as documented in the letters of congratulation in the general "Other correspondence" folder, and in the certificate and ephemera filed in the "Jackson & Ryan" folder that follows. In 1998 the Houston chapter of the American Institute of Architects awarded the firm its Renovations and Restoration Honor.