Correspondence, 1936-1955

This subseries consists of correspondence with museum personnel, memos, invoices and receipts, meeting minutes, and committee lists related to certain aspects of Henry McIlhenny's long-standing affiliation with the Philadelphia Museum of Art. As donor, curator, vice president, chairman of the Board, and member of multiple committees and boards, McIlhenny wore many hats at the museum. Records generated from his 30-year tenure as a curator of decorative arts can be found in the Decorative Arts Department Records, and material related to his gifts to the PMA can be found in this collection throughout the "Art collection" series and in the "Estate administration" and "Tax files" subseries of the "Financial' series. Spanning five decades, this subseries documents McIlhenny's continuous efforts on behalf of the museum in all other capacities. McIlhenny had a penchant and knack for fundraising, applying his skills to raise money for the Henry Clifford Fund and Capital Development Program. Evidence of soliciting can also be found in the "Cultivation and solicitation" and "Centennial Gifts Committee" files.

This subseries also contains material generated by McIlhenny's mother and by his sister. Of note is the material related to Frances P. McIlhenny's funding of early painting exhibitions organized by her son.