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Smithsonian Institution Archives
Joseph H. Hirshhorn Papers, 1921-1981, 1996
Summary
- Collection ID:
- SIA.FA17-126
- Creators:
-
Hirshhorn, Joseph H.
- Dates:
-
1921-1981, 1996
- Languages:
-
English
- Physical Description:
-
1.88 cu. ft. (1 record storage box) (1 16x20 box) (0.19 non- standard size boxes)
- Repository:
-
Smithsonian Institution Archives
Descriptive Entry
Descriptive Entry
This accession consists of papers of Joseph H. Hirshhorn. Joseph Hirshhorn was born in Latvia in 1899 and immigrated to the United States in 1905 with his mother and siblings. At twelve, Mr. Hirshhorn left school to sell newspapers and by fourteen he was working in the firm that would later become the American Stock Exchange. At seventeen, Mr. Hirshhorn established himself as a broker, and later invested in Canadian mining in the 1930s. This led to his eventual ownership of multiple uranium mines. Along with working as a businessman, Mr. Hirshhorn was an avid art collector and donated large sums of money to support the arts. In 1966 it was announced that he would donate his art collection to the United States, which would be housed in what would become the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden (HMSG).
This collection is comprised of Hirshhorn family photographs, correspondence, Mr. Hirshhorn's immigration documents, some news articles pertaining to Mr. Hirshhorn's uranium business, photographs of Mr. Hirshhorn with various artists, documents regarding the HMSG, photographs from Mr. Hirshhorn's funeral, awards from the mining industry, and related materials. The items in this collection were donated by Mrs. Olga Hirshhorn, Mr. Hirshhorn's fourth and final wife, as well as his children Gene LePere, Naomi Hirshhorn Caryl (also known as Naomi Caryl Hirshhorn), and Gordon Hirshhorn.
Administration
Author
Finding aid prepared by Smithsonian Institution Archives
Using the Collection
Prefered Citation
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Accession 17-126, Joseph H. Hirshhorn Papers
Access Restriction
Box 1 contains restricted materials; see finding aid.
More Information
Notes
Personal Papers
Keywords
Smithsonian Institution Archives
Washington, D.C.
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