Joseph Cornell papers
bulk 1939-1972
The papers of Joseph Cornell (1903-1972) measure approximately 24.9 linear feet and date from 1804 to 1986 with the bulk of the material dating from 1939-1972. The collection documents the life, work, interests, and creative activities of the self-taught artist, who was best known for his shadow box constructions, assemblages, and collages. Papers include correspondence, diaries, source material, notes, writings, photographs, printed material, two- and three-dimensional ephemera, art works, and books, as well as a limited amount of legal and financial records, and some miscellaneous personal and family papers. The collection also includes the papers of his sister, Betty Cornell Benton, relating to the handling of Cornell's estate and the personal papers of his brother, Robert Cornell.
Charles M. Kurtz papers
bulk 1884-1909
The papers of arts administrator, museum director, collector, dealer, and editor Charles M. Kurtz (1855-1909), measure 27.74 linear feet and date from 1843-1990 (bulk dates 1884-1909). The bulk of the collection consists of detailed chronological correspondence between Kurtz and his wife and family, friends, colleagues, and business associates that documents many notable exhibitions, galleries, museums, private collections, as well as cities, people, and events of the period. Also found in the collection are Kurtz's diaries, scrapbooks, printed materials, and photographs.
Exhibition Records
This accession consists of records which document the research, development, fundraising, publicity, production, and execution of exhibitions at the Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM) and the Renwick Gallery. Staff represented include Harry Rand, Curator, Department of 20th Century Painting and Sculpture, SAAM; Louise Reeves, Exhibitions Coordinator, SAAM; Jacquelyn Days Serwer, Chief …
Records
These records were created mostly by administrators Rohlfing, Dobkin, and Dunne. They document the activities of the Museum Advisory Board and the acquisitions committee and contain files on fundraising, membership, product development, sales, education, collections management, and exhibitions. The records also include audit reports and annual reports; grant proposals; architectural …
Exhibition Records
These records document the conceptualization, development, design, and execution of several exhibitions held by the Cooper-Hewitt Museum from 1973 through 1992, and of exhibitions rejected or cancelled by the museum. Exhibition files include proposals; research files; correspondence with object lenders, scholars, and exhibition designers; photographs, slides, and checklists of objects; installation floor …
Records
The records contain proposals and drafts of contracts and grants, correspondence concerning their acceptance and implementation, budget information, reports about grant-sponsored activities, and information concerning the administration of the Office and the authority of the Contracting Officer. Entries include the following information if available: fund number ("N/A" if not …
René d'Harnoncourt papers
The papers of Austrian born curator, lecturer, and museum director, René d'Harnoncourt (1901-1968), document d'Harnoncourt's activities, primarily in the 1930s and 1940s, particularly as they relate to Mexican and Native American art. D'Harnoncourt's career, including his arrival in Mexico in 1925, his curation of the exhibitions, Mexican Art (1930-1932), and Indian Art of the United States (1941), and his work for the Department of the Interior's Indian Arts and Crafts Board from 1937-1944, are documented in small amounts of biographical material and correspondence, published writings, printed material, scrapbooks, photographs of d'Harnoncourt and colleagues, and photographs of works of art. The collection also contains a drawing of d'Harnoncourt, and photocopies of caricatures of d'Harnoncourt and others.
Records
These records consist of Smithsonian Announcements, Office Memoranda, Special Memoranda, Staff Handbooks, and various forms used in Smithsonian offices. The records include correspondence, drafts and other background materials surrounding the creation of these documents. The Announcements concern office name changes, reorganizations, personnel title and duty changes, and the appointment of …
American Revolution Bicentennial Records
These records document the work of Susan A. Hamilton as Bicentennial Coordinator, acting under the direction of the Assistant Secretary for History and Art. They also cover preliminary planning for Bicentennial programs carried out between 1968 and the creation of the Office in 1971. For a fuller record of such activities, researchers …
William Jones Rhees Collection
The William J. Rhees Collection consists of the remains of his Manuscript and Newspaper Scrap portfolio files. The dates of the material indicate that Rhees was collecting these papers from the beginning of his tenure at the Smithsonian, but the files were not organized until 1891 when he was appointed keeper …
