Oral history interview with Elizabeth Bliss Parkinson, 1970 Nov. 30-Dec. 17

Collection Information

Size: 99 Pages, Transcript

Format: Originally recorded on 2 sound tape reels. Reformatted in 2010 as 3 digital wav files. Duration is 3 hrs., 23 min.

Summary: Interview of Elizabeth Bliss Parkinson conducted 1970 Nov. 30-Dec. 17, by Paul Cummings, for the Archives of American Art. Parkinson discusses her long association with the Museum of Modern Art; early years on the Junior Advisory Committee of the Museum of Modern Art; her aunt, Lillie Bliss; associations with the Rockefellers, including Nelson Rockefeller, Blanchette Rockefeller, and David Rockefeller; exhibitions at the museum, associations with staff, board, supporters, and members. She discusses her involvement with the International Council at the museum. She recalls Alfred Barr, Rene d'Harnoncourt, and Philip Johnson, Conger Goodyear, among others.

Biographical/Historical Note

Elizabeth Bliss Parkinson (1907-2001) was an art collector and patron from New York City. She was a trustee of the Museum of Modern Art for the majority of her life.

Provenance

These interviews are part of the Archives of American Art Oral History Program, started in 1958 to document the history of the visual arts in the United States, primarily through interviews with artists, historians, dealers, critics and others.

Language Note

English .

Funding

This interview received support from the Smithsonian American Women's History Initiative Pool.