Archives Directory for the History of Collecting in America
Archives related to: De Forest, Emily Johnston, 1851-1942
| title | American Wing clippings : scrapbook, 1924-1925 (bulk 1924) | repository | The Metropolitan Museum of Art |
| description | Comprises articles from American newspapers, published between Sept. 22, 1924 and Jan. 14, 1925, announcing the opening of the Museum's American Wing of period room installations and objects from the 17th and 18th centuries. Many of the articles include photographic illustrations of the façade of the old U.S. Assay Office, as reconstructed from its original Wall Street site, and a portrait of Robert W. de Forest. Other illustrations feature views of the various rooms, as well as a few of the objects displayed, including an oil lamp owned by General Lafayette, a chair believed to have been carved aboard a ship enroute to America, and a desk used by George Washington during the siege of Boston Biography or History The American Wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art was a gift of Robert W. de Forest, president of the Museum, and his wife, Emily Johnston de Forest. It was opened at a special ceremony, Nov. 10, 1924, and to the public on the following day LOCATION Watson Library Bookcage CALL NUMBER N611.A6 A8 1924 F |
| extent | 1 portfolio (458 clippings mounted on 103 mat folder stock sheets) : ill. ; 47 cm |
| formats | Scrapbooks Clippings |
| access | Contact repository for restrictions and policies. |
| record link | http://library.metmuseum.org/record=b1641300~S1 |
| record source | http://library.metmuseum.org |
| updated | 03/16/2023 10:29:58 |
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| title | Office of the Secretary records, 1870-[ongoing]. | repository | The Metropolitan Museum of Art |
| description | Records comprise correspondence and subject files created by the Secretary and General Counsel, Trustees and several past Directors of The Metropolitan Museum of Art. This material relates to all aspects of Museum operations and administration including: acquisition of artworks through purchase, gift and bequest, exhibitions, building maintenance and construction, relations with City and State agencies, drafting and negotiating contracts, managing litigation, cultural property issues, legal and business affairs, grants and corporate donations. Files documenting the tenures of each Secretary of the Museum are included. In addition, there is substantial original documentation created by: former Directors of the Museum, including Luigi Palma di Cesnola, Caspar Purdon Clarke, Edward Robinson, Herbert E. Winlock; past Trustees, including: John Taylor Johnston, Henry Gurdon Marquand, Robert W. De Forest, and J. Pierpont Morgan; and key curatorial and administrative staff. Biography or History The Metropolitan Museum of Art was founded in 1870 in New York City by a group of businessmen, financiers, artists and collectors. On April 13 of that year the New York State Legislature granted an Act of Incorporation "for the purpose of establishing and maintaining in said City a Museum and Library of Art, of encouraging and developing the Study of the Fine Arts, and the application of Art to manufacture and natural life, of advancing the general knowledge of kindred subjects, and to that end of furnishing popular instruction and recreations." Railroad executive John Taylor Johnston served as the institution’s first President. Luigi Palma di Cesnola was appointed the first Director in 1879. The Office of the Secretary was established concurrently with the founding of the Museum, and is the central repository for official Trustee records, administrative correspondence and legal files of the Museum’s General Counsel. The Secretary is a member of the Museum staff who performs administrative duties under the general direction of the President or as may be assigned by the Chairman or Board of Trustees. The Secretary is responsible for coordinating and recording the proceedings of meetings the Board of Trustees and Trustee committees. The Secretary attends to official correspondence, has custody of and preserves the corporate seal and the archives, and oversees the legal affairs of the Museum. The following have served as Secretary of the Museum: William J. Hoppin (1874-1877), Luigi Palma di Cesnola (1877-1904), Robert W. DeForest (1904-1913), Henry W. Kent (1913-1940), George Lauder Greenway (1941-1942), Dudley T. Easby, Jr. (1945-1969), Ashton Hawkins (1969-1987), Linden Havemeyer Wise (1987-1992), Sharon H. Cott (1992-present). Citation [Title of item], [date], [folder title], Office of the Secretary Records, The Metropolitan Museum of Art Archives. Note Most materials in English; French, Italian, German and other languages are represented as well. |
| extent | 2500 linear feet. |
| formats | Correspondence Subject Files Administrative Records Financial Records Legal Papers |
| access | Consult Archives staff regarding permission to quote or reproduce. |
| record link | http://library.metmuseum.org/record=b1705272~S1 |
| record source | http://library.metmuseum.org/record=b1705272~S1 |
| finding aid | npublished index and folder level database; access restricted to Archives staff only. |
| acquisition information | Transferred from Office of the Secretary. |
| updated | 11/12/2014 11:30:08 |
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