Harry Siddons Mowbray and Mowbray family papers, 1872-1976

Most of the biographical material concerns Harry Siddons Mowbray's career as an artist. Found are admissions tickets, menus, programs, and invitations to dedication ceremonies in Washington D.C.; Atelier Bonnant acceptance material; awards; and World War I support material given to Mowbray in thanks for his participation in advocating for the United States' involvement in the war. Other materials include biographical sketches; Mowbray's marriage certificate with his second wife, Florence; obituaries and estate papers; travel papers; and West Point acceptance material and discharge papers. George Mowbray's pocket chemist book is also found.

This series contains scattered correspondence from artists, colleagues, and art organizations to Harry Siddons Mowbray. Personal correspondence consists of letters from Mowbray's adoptive father and uncle, George Mowbray and some scattered family members. Correspondents include George Mowbray, James Carroll Beckwith, Edwin Blashfield, Bryson Burroughs, Charkes McKim and William R. Mead. Also found are extensive condolence letters and thank you notes written to Florence Mowbray upon her husband's death and for copies of a biography of her husband, respectively. Other letters are to Mowbray's grandson, Harry Siddons Mowbray, Jr.. There is also a letter to Mowbray's son George.

This series consists of nineteen total diaries, seventeen of which are written by Harry Siddons Mowbray (1876-1927). The additional two diaries are by Elsie Mowbray in (1901) and Florence Mowbray (1929).

Harry Siddons Mowbray diaries discuss Mowbray's day-to-day life including his relationship with family and friends; his career spanning his service on numerous public art committees and of his works of art; and current events. The first diary (1876) focuses on Mowbray's journey to the Archipelago of the Azores in the Atlantic Ocean. The diaries jump to 1912 and are complete until 1927. From 1912 until 1920, Mowbray gives descriptions of the weather and quick comments on his days. He includes tips for plaster casts (1915). Mowbray's discussion of world affairs includes the sinking of the Titanic the United States' declaration of war in 1917. He relates these larger events by describing their relation to his personal life and family by discussing his colleague Francis Millet's death upon the Titanic and his son's return from World War I.

Starting in the 1920s, Mowbray focuses his diaries on his service on the Commission of Fine Arts based in Washington, D.C.. These later diaries discuss the construction of Memorial Bridge and Key Bridge and Mowbray's opinions of their location and design; a proposed memorial to be dedicated to President Harding; the process of standardizing the flag of the United States; diplomatic receptions and visits to the White House; the dedication and design of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington Cemetery; the Navy Memorial; public pool placement in the District of Columbia and related racial tension; federal buildings along Pennsylvania Avenue; and the proposed memorial to George Washington at Wakefield House.

Writings include an autobiographical manuscript, school writings, and lists written by Mowbray. Other materials include a handwritten copy of a poem by Kenyon Cox and a biography of Mowbray by Herbert Sherwood.

This series consists of documents relating to a French military sponsorship, gift acknowledgements, and receipts.

Commission files include the Larz Anderson House, Appellate Court in New York City; Federal Building in Cleveland, Ohio; Gunn Memorial Library in Washington, CT; the Life of Christ Series; Madison Square Church in New York City; Morgan Library in New York City; St. John's Church in Washington, CT; University Club in New York City; and F. W. Vanderbilt House in Hyde Park, New York. Files contain correspondence, brochures published by the sponsor, clippings, plans and writings. Photographs of these works of art are arranged in Series 9, Photographs.

This series contains records relating to Harry Siddons Mowbray's involvement with the American Academy in Rome, Commission of Fine Arts, and the Sculpture Commission of Connecticut. American Academy in Rome materials consist of organizational history notes, correspondence, printed materials, and photographs. The Commission of Fine Arts records contain correspondence, meeting minutes, reports and conclusions made by the commission, printed material, and sketches. Materials of note include those relating to the standardization of flag of the United States which consist of drawings and sketches, reports, and color samples of blue and red. There is also a report concerning the authenticity of a Titan painting, The Scultpure Commission of Connecticut material consists of appointment certificates, correspondence, lists, a resolution, and clippings.

This series contains blank stationery and postcards, clippings, an issue of Collector's News, and exhibition announcements and catalogs

This series contains two photo albums compiled by the Mowbray family, portraits and snapshots of Harry Siddons Mowbray, photos of homes and a studio. There are substantial photographs of works of art including glass plate negatives and lantern slides. Glass plate negatives are housed separately and closed to researchers.

Glass plate negatives have been scanned.

This series consists of three scrapbooks, two of which were compiled by Harry Siddons Mowbray and the other likely compiled by George Mowbray. One scrapbook by Harry Siddons Mowbray contains clippings and some printed material, photographs, and invitations relating to his time spent in Rome with the American Academy in Rome. The other scrapbook by Mowbray contains clippings relating to his career and artworks. The George Mowbray scrapbook contains clippings concerning his chemical inventions.

This series contains scattered prints, etchings, and sketches by Harry Siddons Mowbray and others. There is also a photocopy of a booklet illustrated by Mowbray relating to the history of England.