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Geographic file, 1887-1911, 1919-1951

 Sub-Series

Scope and Contents

Like his postcard collection but far more extensive in scope and size, Kimball's "Geographic" files document architectural styles around the world. Unlike the postcard subseries, most of this material focuses on architecture of the United States. Documentation consists primarily of photographs and clippings, but also includes lantern slides, glass plate negatives, notes, drawings and a map. Both public and private structures are documented--from palaces and cathedrals to country manors and colleges. Images consist of exterior and interior views and details of architectural elements. Many of the Pennsylvania images are of structures Kimball became well acquainted with while director of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. In addition to the museum, there are files pertaining to several of the colonial homes in Fairmount Park as well as the Philadelphia home of Samuel Powel. The photographic prints and negatives housed in Box 238 may have been taken by Kimball during his student days as they appear to be relatively early in date and of a somewhat personal nature. They document places in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Virginia, and Christmas Cove, Maine.

While the architecture of Europe and America dominate these files, a few pertain to other locales such as Barbados, Egypt and East Asia. There are also some non-architectural images, such as the historic portraits and witch trial documents pertaining to Salem, Massachusetts.

Dates

  • 1887-1911, 1919-1951

Language of Materials

From the Collection:

Materials predominantly in English with some material in French and German.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Extent

From the Series: 22 linear feet

Arrangement

Alphabetical by country and within each country subgroup, alphabetical by city or file subtitle. Files pertaining to the United States follow the "Scotland" file and are identified by state, along with any city or topical subtitles. Files pertaining to general locations rather than a specific country, as well as miscellaneous files, end the subseries.

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