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General correspondence. B-L, 1929-1930

 File — Box: 152, Folder: 3

Scope and Contents

From the Sub-Series:

Originally processed as part of the former "Subject File" series, most of the material in this subseries was identified as a sampling of registrar correspondence that documented a specific function of that office--answering identification queries sent in from private collectors, other museums, and related businesses. These papers are processed here as General Correspondence. Correspondence between staff personnel and Kimball has been added and identified as Staff Correspondence. The "Administrative issues" series, "Personnel" subseries contains directives Kimball sent to multiple staff or all, including registrar personnel.

Throughout the approximately 20 years documented in this subseries, Jane Wolfe served as the museum's registrar until her death in 1944. Other staff correspondents include the custodian Francis Richardson, assistant Elizabeth Abel, and two cataloguers, Elizabeth T. Woodring and Helen J. McClenahan. Gertrude Toomey, who appears on a few staff memos, began her long-term association with the museum as assistant registrar. The registrar also participated in WPA projects. In fact, Jane Wolfe's sister Beatrice came to PMA through programs provided by the WPA and in 1945 became the museum's custodian. The "WPA and other relief programs" series contains that documentation.

Dates

  • 1929-1930

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: 3 linear feet

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

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