Archives Directory for the History of Collecting in America
Archives related to: Olney, Charles Fayette, 1831-1903
| title | Frederic Edwin Church letters to Charles F. Olney, 1891-1896. | repository | Archives of American Art |
| description | A copy of a typescript of two letters from Church to Olney, dated March 27, 1891 and November 30, 1896. Bio / His Notes: Art patron; Cleveland, Ohio. Olney was one of the first benefactors of Oberlin College's Allen Memorial Art Museum. |
| extent | 1 item (on partial microfilm reel) roll 3161 |
| formats | Microfilm |
| access | Patrons must use microfilm copy. |
| record source | http://www.siris.si.edu/ |
| acquisition information | Donated by Allen Memorial Art Museum, Oberlin College. Reproduction: Letters and original typescript in possession of: Allen Memorial Art Museum. |
| updated | 03/16/2023 10:29:59 |
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| title | Allen Memorial Art Museum records, 1916-1967. | repository | Archives of American Art |
| description | General correspondence, 1931-1958; correspondence of the director, 1916-1958, of the curator, ca. 1929-1967, files of Clarence Ward, Director from 1917 until 1950 (much of it relating to lectures), and with dealers, 1941-1953; exhibition data, 1929-1963, including correspondence, lists, and miscellany; Charles F. Olney file, including a list of the Olney art collection; a photograph file; files on Joseph Cornell, Richard Diebenkorn, Robert Morris, Claes Oldenburg, and William T. Wiley; financial ledgers, 1938-1955; Prentiss bequest material; and miscellany. Bio / His Notes: Campus art gallery of Oberlin College. |
| extent | 51 reels. reels 726-776 |
| formats | Microfilm Correspondence Exhibition Files Inventories Photographs |
| access | Patrons must use microfilm copy. |
| record source | http://www.siris.si.edu/ |
| acquisition information | Lent 1973 by the Allen Memorial Art Museum. Reproduction: Microfilmed by Oberlin College Archives, Oberlin, Ohio, July 1973 (51 reels). Location of Original: Originals in Allen Memorial Art Museum, Oberlin, Ohio |
| updated | 11/12/2014 11:30:00 |
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| title | Charles Fayette Olney Papers 1894-1904 | repository | Oberlin College Archives |
| description | The papers of Charles Fayette Olney primarily document his life as an art collector, gallery operator, and lecturer. The bulk of this collection is made up of Olney's speech files which shed light on his knowledge of religious art, and his ministry as a Deacon in the Congregational Church. Included is an oversized Gallery Register, 1894- 1904, which documents visitors to Olney's art gallery. This collection provides little detail regarding other aspects of Olney's personal and professional life. Historical and Biographical Note Charles Fayette Olney, born August 27, 1831 in Hartford, Connecticut, was the son of Jesse Olney, editor and publisher of Olney's Geography and Atlas, The National Preceptor, and school textbooks. While preparing to attend Yale in 1848, he was offered and accepted the principalship of a grade school in Hartford. Although Olney had no other formal training, he established himself as a prominent figure in American education. Olney established a high school in Hartford, and later one in New York City. Olney was also active in the cause of "Popular Education" for nearly 30 years in New York and Connecticut. During this time, Olney aided in the founding of The New York Teacher's Association. He served as its president for 15 years. In 1861, Olney married Louisa Brown. This union produced no children. She died in 1878. His second marriage to Abbie Bradley Lamson of Cleveland, Ohio, occurred in 1887. She died in January of 1904. Olney was a person who gave to his community. He was actively involved in a number of clubs, institutions, and societies in Cleveland. In many of his civic- minded pursuits he held a leadership role. Chief among them: Vice President and Trustee of The Cleveland School of Art, President of Cleveland Brush and Palette Club, charter member and early president of the Cleveland Council of Sociology. Although he lived his early life in the Episcopalian faith, he converted to the Congregational denomination and became Deacon of Pilgrim Church on the west side of Cleveland. In this capacity, he delivered sermons and lectured as President of the Pilgrim Church Institute from its inception in 1894 to his death. In Cleveland, Olney and his wife lived on Jennings Avenue (now West 25th St.). It was here that Olney initially displayed his art collection which he gathered from his trips abroad. As the collection grew, so too did his house. To the existing house, the Olneys added a structure resembling a Greek temple. This became the Olney Art Gallery which opened to the public in 1893. The gallery was open until 1907. Olney's love of music, education and Christian ideals apparently drew him to Oberlin. An accomplished musician in his own right--he played the organ at Pilgrim Church, the Olneys would often travel to Oberlin to enjoy a concert. Upon his death on July 18, 1903, in Hartford, Connecticut, he left the bulk of his art collection to Oberlin College. At that time, his collection was valued at approximately $250,000. In addition, Olney bequeathed $10,000 to Oberlin College with the stipulation that it would be "invested in good securities...[to be applied] to the care, maintenance, repair, and improvement of the Olney Collection in its new home." |
| extent | 1.50 linear ft |
| formats | Business Papers Personal Papers Ephemera Writings |
| access | Unrestricted |
| record source | http://obis.oberlin.edu/ |
| finding aid | Unpublished finding guide available in the repository |
| acquisition information | Collection was received by the Oberlin College Archives in accessions 1980/004, and 1989/003 |
| updated | 11/12/2014 11:30:00 |
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