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Personnel, 1924-1954, undated

 Sub-Series

Scope and Contents

The files of J. Stogdell Stokes and Julius Zieget make up the bulk of correspondence in this sub-subseries. Often addressed by Kimball as "Stog," Stokes had multiple affiliations with the museum, including a seat on the board and on several committees. He also chaired the Museum Fund Committee. Stokes became Vice President in 1929 and served as President from 1933 until his death in the fall of 1947. A few earlier papers (circa 1924-1928) have also been included here since they document work for the museum, but do not reveal on behalf of what, if any, committee Stokes was acting. As secretary under Stokes, Charles Winslow apparently was responsible for soliciting membership, via complimentary mailings of the museum's Bulletins and exhibit invitations. Stokes' predecessor as President was John D. McIlhenney. It was he who offered Kimball the director's position in 1924 and 1925. His correspondence on behalf of the museum is in the Fiske Kimball Papers and referenced below.

R. Sturgis Ingersoll succeeded Stokes as president in 1947 and continued to serve in that capacity throughout the remainder of Kimball's tenure. Like his predecessor, Ingersoll's association with the museum began years before his presidential appointment and was carried out in a number of concurrent roles. Ingersoll's earlier work on several committees is documented in the "Ingersoll, R. Sturgis" sub-subseries in the "Committees, chairs and others" subseries of this series.

Although listed in the 1934 Annual Report as Secretary and Treasurer, Julius Zieget signed his letters under the title of Secretary. Indeed, much of his correspondence attests to his duties as a corporate secretary; whereas the papers of Thomas Wilson and later Willard Graham, who both served as Assistant Secretary and Assistant Treasurer, offer more financial analysis.

Additional corporate officers are represented in other subseries to this series. The correspondence of Eli Kirk Price is in the "Fairmount Park Commission" subseries and that of John Story Jenks is in the "Committee on Museum/Board of Governors" sub-subseries of the "Committees, chairs and others" subseries.

Dates

  • 1924-1954, undated

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research. Because of its fragile condition, the following item may only be consulted with permission of the Archivist: floor plan with annotations of PMA Gothic installations (in "Objects and related topics" series, "European decorative arts and arms and armor" subseries, "Rooms and architectural elements" sub-subseries, "England. Gothic installations at PMA, incl. Abergavenny, Wales" file).

Extent

From the Series: 11 linear feet

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

Arrangement

Grouped by individual officers and filed in order of office rank and years of service. When Kimball became director, Stokes served as President and Winslow was the Secretary. Both were succeeded, respectively, by Ingersoll and Zieget. Wilson and Graham held assistant officer positions.

Creator

Repository Details

Part of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Library and Archives Repository

Contact:
Philadelphia Museum of Art
PO Box 7646
Philadelphia PA 19101-7646 United States