Archives Directory for the History of Collecting in America

Archives related to: Wurtzburger, Janet, 1908-1973

titleJohn B. Hightower papers, 1968-1972.
repositoryThe Museum of Modern Art
descriptionThe Papers include correspondence, memos, reports, drafts, outlines, pamphlets, and clippings assembled by Hightower's office during his tenure as Director.

As Director, Hightower's activities touched upon every facet of the Museum and his Papers document Museum events and policies of the period. The Papers include files on fundraising, advertising, benefits, and various departmental activities.

They also include reports and notes from different committees, such as a report from the Byers committee which studied afro-american, hispanic and other ethnic art (1971) and files on protests against the Museum by various groups, such as the Art Workers Coalition. Correspondence on Museum exhibitions, such as "Barnett Newman" (1971), "Information" (1970), and "Tent" by Otto Frei, as well as the newly established Projects series (1970-71) are included.

There is also a significant amount of correspondence from organizations as well as individuals, notably Roland Penrose, Ellsworth Kelly, Richard E. Oldenburg, Russell Lynes, David Rockefeller, Mr. and Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt, Jr., Howardena Pindell, and Faith Ringgold.

Biographical/historical note
On May 1, 1970, John Brantley Hightower (1933-) succeeded Bates Lowry as Director of The Museum of Modern Art. He resigned on January 5, 1972, at which time Richard E. Oldenburg was named Acting Director.

During Hightower's tenure, new programs, such as the Projects series, were begun, the Museum's first strike occurred, and the union, called the Professional and Administrative Staff Association (PASTA), was formed.

Found In: Museum of Modern Art (New York, N.Y.). Museum Archives. Records.

Cite as John B. Hightower Papers, [series.folder]. The Museum of Modern Art Archives, New York.

Related collections
See also 'Strikes by MoMA Union [PASTA] and Protests by Outside Groups' which can be found in the Archives' Department of Public Information Papers; "Protest and Rebellion: The Function of the AWC; An Interview with John Hightower." "Arts Magazine." 44(7):18-24; 1970 May; The Museum of Modern Art Annual Report 1970-1971; John B. Hightower Archive Pamphlet File.
extent4.25 linear ft. (9 boxes)
formatsAdministrative Records Correspondence Writings Ephemera Clippings
accessThe records are open for research and contain few restricted materials.
record linkhttp://www.moma.org/learn/resources/archives/EAD/Hightowerf
record sourcehttps://library.nyarc.org/permalink/01NYA_INST/ai54l4/alma991009762219707141
finding aidAvailable online and in repository.
acquisition informationThese records were transferred from Richard E. Oldenburg's office to the Library in January 1975 where they were stored in the Special Collections area until the establishment of the Archives in 1989. Upon transfer to the Archives in 1990, they were processed and made available to qualified researchers.
updated03/16/2023 10:30:05
....................................................................


titleAlan and Janet Wurtzburger Papers 1955-1969
repositoryBaltimore Museum of Art
descriptionThe Alan and Janet Wurtzburger Papers contain the correspondence and art collection related papers of Baltimore collectors Alan and Janet Wurtzburger. Contains almost exclusively material related to the Wurtzburgers acquisition and loan of works from their collection of modern sculpture.

After collecting and donating their collections of African, Pre-Columbian and Oceanic art to the Baltimore Museum of Art, the Wurtzburgers began working with Director Adelyn Breeskin and Curator Gertrude Rosenthal to build a collection of contemporary sculpture suitable for a garden that would also eventually go to the museum.

The material in the Wurtzburger Papers relates mostly to the details of purchase of sculptures, their shipping to the U.S., and exhibition in various museums.

The Alan and Janet Wurtzburger Papers are the physical property of the Archives and Manuscripts Collections, Baltimore Museum of Art. Copyright, except in cases where material has passed into the public domain, belongs to the authors or their legal heirs and assigns. For further information, consult a Library staff member.

Biographical Note:
Janet E. C. Wurtzburger, Jan. 29th, 1908 - Dec. 1973. Born Janet E. Cohn in Cleveland, Ohio. She was on the Board of Trustees at the Baltimore Museum of Art, Walters Art Gallery, Maryland Institute College of Art, and American Academy in Rome. Also interested in cooking, she edited the cookbook, Private Collections: A Culinary Treasure, and worked with James Beard. She was killed in car accident in Jamaica shortly after the book was published.

Alan Wurtzburger, April 22nd, 1900 - Feb. 20, 1963. Served on Board of Trustees at the BMA from 1955 to 1962. Worked in commercial real estate. The Wurtzburgers lived in Stevenson Maryland on a large estate called Timberlane. The gardens of Timberlane were designed by landscape architects James Rose and Thomas Church and were home to a large collection of contemporary sculpture prior its turnover to the BMA for the Wurtzburger Sculpture Garden.

Notes:
Most of the material is in English. A few items are in French, German and Italian. In some cases, translations are included.
extent0.6 Linear feet ; 2 boxes
formatsCorrespondence Photographs
accessThe collection is open for research.
record linkhttp://cdm16075.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/landingpage/collection/p15264coll9
record sourcehttp://www.artbma.org/library/finding_aids/WurtzburgerPapers.html
acquisition informationGift of Janet Wurtzburger, date unknown.
updated11/12/2014 11:30:16
....................................................................