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National Academy of Design records, 1817-2012

Contents and Arrangement

The collection is arranged as nineteen series.

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Occupation

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Series 1: Minutes and Committee Files , 1825-2006
11.5 Linear feet
Boxes 1-11, BV 100-106

The National Academy of Design minutes and committee files consist of official, original, and transcribed proceedings for the council, annual, business, and some committee meetings, as well as related correspondence, reports, financial documents, notes, drafts, and ballots pertaining to the Academy's administration and activities from its 1825 founding until 2006.
As an organization actively engaged in the development of art and art education in the United States, the Academy minutes and committee files are a valuable resource on subjects and topics including the Academy's history; the formation, development, contents, and loans of its art collection; art and design education; Academy exhibits and public programs; relationships with other art and educational organizations in the United States and Europe, including Columbia University, New York University, National Arts Club, and many others; interactions with officials of the City of New York; the Academy's role in shaping the architectural and sculptural environment of New York City and Washington, DC; contemporary art movements and schools; the development of American art, and the integral role that Academy members, faculty, and students played in that development; the role of women artists at the Academy; and the Academy's involvement in the standardization of materials for painters and sculptors, such as analysis of colors in oil and pigments.
Official council minutes (subseries 1.1) have been approved by the appropriate governing body and consist of seven bound volumes of handwritten minutes and, after May 1894, unbound typewritten pages housed in folders and boxes. The official minutes were copied from the handwritten notes in bound books, identified as the original council minutes (subseries 1.2). Official minutes contain the proceedings of the council, officers, trustees, and committees, as well as related records inlaid or pasted among the pages. These items include council officers' reports, resolutions, correspondence, occasional drafts and notes, constitutions and by-laws for some of the early years, obituaries of Academy members, and other assorted materials. Gaps in the official minutes may be filled in or appear to be more complete in the original minutes.
Original council minutes (subseries 1.2) are the most original of the minutes and consist of handwritten notes in bound books, supposedly from draft notes taken during meetings. Minutes are comprised of the proceedings of the council, officers, trustees, and committees, and related material including drafts, notes, leaflets, brochures, and correspondence. The distinction between official and original minutes essentially disappeared after 1916. Minutes after 1916 are arranged in subseries 1.4.
The council minutes excerpts (subseries 1.3) are handwritten summaries of the Academy minutes, thought to have been prepared from 1915-1919 by the Academy librarian George W. Maynard. Occasionally, reports, loose notes (some of which might be initial draft notes from meetings), and bookmarks with short annotations presumably created in the late 1970s are included. Box 4, folder 10 contains handwritten committee reports, agreements, and other documents referred to in the council minutes, requested to be transcribed, but ultimately not transcribed. The excerpts for 1863-1878 were typed at some point and are included in this subseries. All excerpts are indexed: indices for the years 1825-1863 are included in their respective folders; an index for the years 1863-1909 is in box 3, folder 13; an index for the years 1909-1916 is in box 4, folder 11; and an index for the years 1916-1919 is in box 4, folder 16. The last folder contains correspondence related to the transcription project.
Minutes and reports (subseries 1.4) include proceedings for the council, annual, business, election, and committee meetings, as well as annual, financial, librarian, and committee reports. Committees include or have included the Abbey Fund, building, exhibition, executive, finance, membership, nominating, school, Ranger Fund, women's, and various ad-hoc committees. Over the years the structure, powers and duties of committees were modified. Occasional correspondence, notes, exhibition catalogues, and handwritten texts (mostly original drafts of minutes) are included. This is especially true for the period 1897-1913, when handwritten drafts and notes of minutes were more or less consistently incorporated with typewritten minutes in chronological order.
Committee files (subseries 1.5) contain the same types of materials found in subseries 1.4, including committee minutes, reports, and related material.
The series is arranged as five subseries. The original order of the minutes and committee files have undergone several alterations over the years. Subseries 1.4 and 1.5 both contain extensive committee records. Minutes and reports (1.4) are arranged chronologically while committee files (1.5) have been arranged alphabetically.
  • 1.1: Official Council Minutes, 1825-1916
  • 1.2: Original Council Minutes, 1825-1898
  • 1.3: Council Minutes Excerpts, 1902-circa 1919
  • 1.4: Minutes and Reports, 1826-2001
  • 1.5: Committees, 1826-2006

1.1: Official Council Minutes, 1825-1916

Description Container
Official Council Minutes, 1825-1848
100
Official Council Minutes, 1848-1862
101
Official Council Minutes, 1862-1869
102
Official Council Minutes, 1870-1875
103
Official Council Minutes, 1876-1884
104
Official Council Minutes, 1884-1890
105
Official Council Minutes, 1890-1894
106
Official Council Minutes, 1894-1899
1
1-5
Official Council Minutes, 1900-1905
1
6-10
Official Council Minutes, 1905-1910
1
11-13
Official Council Minutes, 1910-1916
1
14-19

1.2: Original Council Minutes, 1825-1898

Description Container
Original Council Minutes, Drafts and Notes, 1826-1829
2
1
Original Council Minutes, 1825-1840
2
2-4
Original Council Minutes, 1840-1850
2
5-7
Original Council Minutes, 1849-1870
2
8-11
Original Council Minutes, 1870-1880
2
12-13
Original Council Minutes, 1880-1890
3
1-2
Original Council Minutes, Drafts and Notes, 1890-1896
3
3
Original Council Minutes, 1890-1898
3
4-6

1.3: Council Minutes Excerpts, 1902-circa 1919

Description Container
Council Minutes Excerpts, 1825-1848, circa 1915-circa 1919
3
7-9
Council Minutes Excerpts, 1848-1863, circa 1915-circa 1919
3
10-12
Council Minutes Excerpts, Index, 1863-1909, circa 1915-circa 1919
3
13
Council Minutes Excerpts, 1863-1882, circa 1915-circa 1919
3
14-16
Council Minutes Excerpts, 1863-1872, Typed, circa 1915-circa 1919
3
17
Council Minutes Excerpts, 1872-1878, Typed, circa 1915-circa 1919
4
1
Council Minutes Excerpts, 1882-1897, circa 1915-circa 1919
4
2-5
Council Minutes Excerpts, 1897-1909, circa 1915-circa 1919
4
6-9
Committee Reports, 1895-1906, circa 1915-circa 1919
4
10
Council Minutes Excerpts, Index, 1909-1916, circa 1915-circa 1919
4
11
Council Minutes Excerpts, 1912-1919, circa 1915-circa 1919
4
12-15
Council Minutes Excerpts, Index, 1916-1919, circa 1915-circa 1919
4
16
Related Correspondence, 1902-1916
4
17

1.4: Minutes and Reports, 1826-2001

Description Container
Minutes and Reports, 1826-1874
4
18
Minutes and Reports, 1897-1900
4
19-21
Minutes and Reports, 1900-1903
4
22-26
Minutes and Reports, 1903-1905
5
1-2
Minutes and Reports, 1905-1910
5
3-7
Minutes and Reports, 1910-1915
5
8-12
Minutes and Reports, 1915-1917
5
13-15
Minutes and Reports, 1918-1919
5
16-18
Minutes and Reports, 1920-1921
5
19-21
Minutes and Reports, 1921-1922
6
1-3
Minutes and Reports, 1922-1924
6
4-7
Minutes and Reports, 1924-1925
6
8-11
Minutes and Reports, 1926-1927
6
12-15
Minutes and Reports, 1928-1929
6
16-18
Minutes and Reports, 1929-1930
6
19-21
Minutes and Reports, 1930-1933
7
1-3
Minutes and Reports, 1933-1935
7
4-7
Minutes and Reports, 1935-1937
7
8-10
Minutes and Reports, 1937-1940
7
11-13
Minutes and Reports, 1940-1943
7
14-16
Minutes and Reports, 1943-1947
7
17-20
Minutes and Reports, 1947-1950
7
21-24
Minutes and Reports, 1950-1953
8
1-3
Minutes and Reports, 1953-1956
8
4-6
Minutes and Reports, 1956-1960
8
7-10
Minutes and Reports, 1960-1965
8
11-15
Minutes and Reports, 1965-1970
8
16-20
Minutes and Reports, 1970-1973
8
21-23
Minutes and Reports, 1973-1977
9
1-5
Minutes and Reports, 1977-1980
9
6-9
Minutes and Reports, 1980-1985
9
10-14
Minutes and Reports, 1999-2001
9
15

1.5: Committees, 1826-2006

Description Container
Building Committee, 1897-1951
9
16
Dinners Committee, 1915-1960
9
17-18
Executive Committee, 1951-1974
9
19
Exhibition Committee, Schedules, 1963-1973
9
20
Exhibition Committee, 1997-2006
9
21-23
Extension Committee, 1936
10
1
Finance Committee, 1939-1972
10
2-3
Finance Committee, E.H. Bland Corporation, 1936-1949
10
4
Government and the Arts Committee, 1948-1953
10
5
Membership Committee, 1934-2006
10
6-8
Nominating Committee, 1942-2006
10
9-13
Programs Committee, 1943
10
14
Publicity Committee, 1949
10
15
School Committee, 1826-1898
10
16
School Committee, 1900-1952
10
17
School Committee, 1940-1958
10
18
School Committee, 1959-1975
10
19
Ways and Means Committee, 1898-1900
10
20
Ways and Means Committee, 1898-1940
11
1-2
Women's Committee, 1939
11
3
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Series 2: Director Files , 1942-1990
0.5 Linear feet
Box 11

Director files include correspondence, memoranda, minutes, and printed material relating to National Academy of Design chief administrators Vernon Porter (1950-1966), Earl Tyler (1966-1967), Alice Melrose (1967-1977), and John H. Dobkin (1978-1990). Correspondence is with council officers and others addressing routine administration, school affairs, exhibitions, election of honorary members, bills and accounting, and other daily business. Files for Porter comprise the bulk of the series and a few are arranged by subject, including one concerning the publication of a book by then president, Eliot Clark, on the history of the Academy.
Description Container Select
Vernon Porter
Correspondence, 1950-1963
11
4-6
History of the National Academy of Design, 1952-1967
11
7
Guggenheim Museum Lease, 1961-1970
11
8
National Sculpture Society, 1959-1963
11
9
School Dedication, 1959
11
10
Earl Tyler, 1966-1968
11
11
Alice Melrose, 1942-1977
11
12
John Dobkin, Staff Meeting Minutes, 1986-1989
11
13
John Dobkin, Resignation, 1989-1990
11
14
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Series 3: Annual Reports , 1828-2003, circa 2010
2.1 Linear feet
Boxes 11-13, OV 139-142

Annual reports summarize the activities of the National Academy of Design over the course of a year, and may include presidents' reports, treasurers' reports, audits of financial operations by public accountants, and printed annual reports containing summaries from multiple council officers. Presented at the annual meeting, the president's report summarized the year's activities including exhibitions, membership, the school, committee activities, awards, and other business. Early presidents' reports were handwritten and prepared to be delivered at annual meetings, while later reports were included in printed booklets distributed to members. Some files contain drafts and correspondence related to the presidents' reports. Treasurers' reports are quite detailed, providing income, expenses, balances, and debts, as a result of the Academy's activities. These financial reports are usually supplemented by a summary of transactions and general assessment of the financial health and sustainability of the organization. For the years 1983-1985, the annual report was included in the second half of that year's annual exhibition catalog. Not all files contain all types of reports or information. See folder titles for more detail about a particular year.
Files are arranged chronologically.
Description Container Select
Index to President's Annual Reports, 1836-1909, circa 2010
11
15
Treasurer's Reports, 1828-1839
139
President's Reports, Samuel Morse, 1836-1845
11
16
Treasurer's Reports, 1841-1850
140
President's Reports, Asher B. Durand, 1841-1859
11
17
Treasurer's Reports, 1851-1872
141
Vice President's Report, 1861
11
18
President's Reports, Daniel Huntington, 1863-1869
11
19
President's Reports, William Page, 1872-1873
11
20
Treasurer's Reports, 1873-1880
142
President's Reports, Worthington Whittredge, 1875-1876
11
21
President's Reports, Daniel Huntington, 1877-1888
11
22
Treasurer's Reports, 1880-1892
11
23-24
Annual Report, 1892
11
25
President's Reports, Thomas Wood, 1892-1898
11
26
Treasurer's Reports, 1893-1895
11
27
Treasurer's Reports, 1895-1900
12
1-2
President's Reports, Frederick Dielman, 1900-1909
12
3
Financial Report and Bonds, 1916
12
4
Financial Reports, 1917-1919
12
5
Financial Reports, 1924-1925
12
6
Financial Reports, 1927-1928
12
7
Financial Reports, 1932
12
8
Financial Reports, 1936-1939
12
9
President's Reports, Hobart Nichols, 1940-1948
12
10
Financial Reports, 1940-1950
12
11-13
Annual and Financial Reports, 1951-1957
12
14-19
Annual Report, 1957-1958
12
20
Annual and Financial Reports, 1958-1960
12
21-22
President's Report, John Harbeson, 1960-1961
12
23
Annual and Financial Reports, 1960-1962
12
24-25
President's Reports, Edgar I. Williams, 1962-1965
12
26
Treasurer's Reports, 1962-1969
12
27
Annual and Financial Reports, 1962-1966
12
28-31
Annual Report, 1966-1967
12
32
Annual and Financial Reports, 1967-1968
12
33
Annual Reports, 1968-1973
12
34-35
Annual and Financial Reports, 1973-1975
12
36-37
Annual Reports, 1975-1978
12
38
Financial Reports, 1978-1979
12
39
Annual Reports, 1980-1982
12
40
Financial Report, 1982
12
41
Annual and Financial Reports, 1983-1988
13
1-4
Financial Reports, 1988-1990
13
5
Income Tax Return, 1991
13
6
Treasurer's Report, 2003
13
7
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Series 4: Constitutions , 1826-2012
1.1 Linear feet
Boxes 13-14

This series includes printed constitutions and by-laws as well as constitutional proposals. The earliest constitution was adopted in 1826 and names the current council officials, professors, academicians, associates, and honorary members, and states the mission and guidelines for operation in regards to membership, officers, annual meetings, elections, school, exhibitions, and how the constitution could be amended or altered. The by-laws outline the rules by which council officials, members, professors, and visitors will abide. The second constitution, adopted in 1829, also includes the act of incorporation, passed in 1828. The constitution and by-laws were reprinted every three to fifteen years to reflect amendments, alterations, and new leadership and members. Some constitutions include inventories of the Academy's property. The constitution from 1943 includes a list of artworks in the Academy's collection, and the constitution from 1952 lists all property owned by the Academy, including furniture, books, and artwork. Many copies of the constitutions and by-laws are annotated.
Constitutional proposals include amendment drafts, alterations, and related correspondence.
The series is arranged as two subseries, each arranged chronologically.
  • 4.1: Constitutions and By-laws, 1826-2012
  • 4.2: Constitutional Proposals, 1915-1991

4.1: Constitutions and By-laws, 1826-2012

Description Container
Constitutions and By-laws, 1826-1846
13
8-12
Constitutions and By-laws, 1852-1888
13
13-17
Constitutions and By-laws, 1889-1899
13
18-22
Constitutions and By-laws, 1903-1929
13
23-27
Constitutions and By-laws, 1936-1951
13
28-33
Constitutions and By-laws, 1954-2012
13
34-39

4.2: Constitutional Proposals, 1915-1991

Description Container
Amendments, 1915-1937
14
1-3
Abolition of Membership Committee, 1939-1949
14
4
Amendments, 1942-1949
14
5-6
Amendments, 1950-1960
14
7-10
Committee on the Constitution, 1960-1961
14
11
Amendments, 1962-1965
14
12-13
Class Merger, 1983
14
14
Review, 1951-1984, 1984
14
15
Election, 1991
14
16
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Series 5: Council Officers , 1848-1980
4 Linear feet
Boxes 14-18

This series predominantly contains the correspondence and subjects files of National Academy of Design council officers, including presidents, vice presidents, corresponding secretaries, and treasurers. Presidents' correspondence comprises the bulk of this series and relates to all matters of Academy business and operations including membership, gifts and funds, the federal charter, exhibitions, juries, the school, scholarships, committee affairs, anniversaries, publicity, administrative matters, resignations, and relationships with other organizations. Other records include speeches, addresses, and printed material. The remaining subseries (5.2-5.4) contain correspondence of vice presidents, corresponding secretaries, and treasurers. Annual reports by council officers are arranged in series 3.
The series is arranged as four subseries.
  • 5.1: Presidents, 1905-1977
  • 5.2: Vice Presidents, 1942-1947
  • 5.3: Corresponding Secretaries, 1848-1980
  • 5.4: Treasurers, 1897-1968

5.1: Presidents, 1905-1977

Description Container
Frederick Dielman (1899-1909)
Correspondence, 1905
14
17
Documents Relative to Plan for Cooperation between Columbia University and the Academy, 1905
14
18
Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1906-1909
14
19
John White Alexander (1909-1915), Correspondence, 1911
14
20
Edwin Blashfield (1920-1926)
Correspondence, 1920-1922
14
21
Centennial, 1925-1926
14
22
Charter, 1920-1922
14
23
Royal Academy Exhibition, 1923
14
24
Cass Gilbert (1926-1933)
Correspondence, 1927-1932
14
25
Arts Council of New York City, 1926-1929
14
26
Gifts, 1922-1932
14
27
Inter-Society Color Council, 1919-1933
14
28
Speeches and Addresses, 1929-1931
14
29
Jonas Lie (1934-1939)
Correspondence, 1936-1939
14
30
Fundraising, 1935-1937
14
31
Membership Summary, 1936
14
32
Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1935-1939
14
33
National Academy Buttons and Ribbons, 1921-1929
14
34
National Academy Change of Name, 1934
14
35
Press and Publicity, 1927-1937
14
36
Seal of the Academy, 1907-1938
14
37
Speeches and Addresses, 1934
14
38
Tax Exemptions, 1929-1938
14
39
Hobart Nichols (1939-1949)
Correspondence, Annual Subscribing Members, 1941-1947
14
40
Correspondence, Arms, John T., 1941-1949
14
41
Correspondence, Art Week, 1941
14
42
Correspondence, A, General, 1941-1949
15
1
Correspondence, B, General, 1941-1949
15
2
Correspondence, Cornell, Joseph, 1942
15
3
Correspondence, C-G, General, 1940
15
4-5
Correspondence, Hendry, Ed, 1941-1942
15
6
Correspondence, Huntington, Archer, 1941-1946
15
7
Correspondence, H-M, General, 1939-1949
15
8-11
Correspondence, National Council on Soviet-American Friendship, 1943
15
12
Correspondence, National Institute of Arts and Letters, 1942-1943
15
13
Correspondence, National Wartime Conference, 1943-1944
15
14
Correspondence, N-R, General, 1941-1949
15
15-17
Correspondence, S-Z, General, 1940-1950
15
18-20
Academy Notices, 1941-1947
15
21
American Fine Arts Society, 1941-1942
15
22
Diploma Samples, 1931-1939
15
23
Exhibitions, 1942
15
24
Our Heritage Exhibit, 1941-1942
15
25
Press Releases, 1941-1942
15
26
Publicity, 1941-1949
15
27
Radio Broadcasts, 1940-1942
15
28
Speeches, 1940-1942
15
29
Washington Society of Fine Arts Dinner, 1940
15
30
De Witt Lockman (1949-1950), 1949-1950
15
31
Lawrence G. White (1950-1956)
Correspondence, 1950-1956
16
1-2
Committee on Government and Arts, 1954-1955
16
3
National Academy Federal Charter, 1955-1956
16
4
Postage Stamp Advisory Committee, 1955
16
5
Resignation, 1956
16
6
UNESCO, 1952-1955
16
7
Eliot Clark (1956-1959)
Correspondence, 1956-1959
16
8
American Art in Sports Program, 1957
16
9
Fundraising, 1957-1958
16
10-11
National Academy Federal Charter, 1955-1958
16
12-13
John Harbeson (1959-1962)
Correspondence, United States Committee of International Association of Plastic Arts, 1953-1962
16
14
Correspondence, 1959-1962
16
15
Joint Committee on the National Capital, 1961
16
16
National Academy School, 1959-1960
16
17
National Academy Statement on Juries, 1960
16
18
National Commission of Fine Arts, 1961
16
19
Roosevelt Memorial Jury, 1960-1962
16
20
Edgar I. Williams (1962-1966)
Correspondence, 1962-1965
16
21
Federal Advisory Council on the Arts Legislation, 1952-1962
16
22
Alfred Easton Poor (1966-1977), 1966-1973
17
1-3
Alfred Easton Poor (1966-1977), 1974
17
4-6
Alfred Easton Poor (1966-1977), 1975
17
7-9
Alfred Easton Poor (1966-1977), 150th Anniversary, 1975
17
10
Alfred Easton Poor (1966-1977), 1976
17
11-12
Alfred Easton Poor (1966-1977), 1977
17
13-14

5.2: Vice Presidents, 1942-1947

Description Container
John Taylor Arms, Correspondence, 1942-1947
18
1
John Taylor Arms, Reports, 1945
18
2

5.3: Corresponding Secretaries, 1848-1980

Description Container
New York Life School, 1848
18
3
T. Addison Richards, Academy Notices, 1852-1892
18
4
Correspondence, 1894-1895
18
5
Harry Watrous, Metropolitan Museum of Art Correspondence, 1918-1920
18
6
Charles Curran
Correspondence, 1922-1936
18
7
Academy Notices, 1928-1939
18
8
New York State Fine Arts Commission, 1927-1930
18
9
Proposed Travelling Scholarship, 1922-1923
18
10
Soldiers Memorial, Kansas City, 1925
18
11
Southern National Academy of Design, 1931
18
12
George Lober, Correspondence, 1944-1949
18
13
Eliot Clark
Council Correspondence, 1948-1950
18
14
Council Meeting Agendas, 1950-1952
18
15
National Soap Sculpture Committee, 1949-1950
18
16
Reports, 1952
18
17
Ernest Fiene, Correspondence, 1956-1959
18
18
Louis Bouche, Correspondence, 1959-1964
18
19
Louis Bouche, Reports, 1958-1962
18
20
Norman Kent, Correspondence, 1966-1970
18
21
Colleen Browning, Correspondence, 1973-1974
18
22
Xavier Gonzalez, Academy Announcements, 1980
18
23

5.4: Treasurers, 1897-1968

Description Container
Correspondence, 1897-1898
18
24
Francis C. Jones, Account Book, 1906
18
25
Francis C. Jones, Old Tent Evangelical Committee, 1918-1923
18
26
Arthur Crisp, Correspondence, 1949-1952
18
27
Arthur Crisp, "The Academy as I Knew It", 1968
18
28
William Platt, Correspondence, 1954-1957
18
29
Ralph Fabri, Correspondence, 1963-1965
18
30
Ralph Fabri, Royal Academy of Art Certificate of Merit Recipients, 1963
18
31
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Series 6: General Administration , 1825-1982
0.6 Linear feet
Box 18, 126

General administrative files include ledgers, certificates, correspondence, and legal documents pertaining to the National Academy of Design's founding, building, financial accounts, art collection, and other administrative matters. General correspondence consists primarily of early letters received by council officers from individuals and organizations regarding finances, donations, exhibitions, invitations, and cooperation between the Academy and other art organizations including the American National Gallery Committee, Ladies' Art Association, and the Washington Monument Association of the City of New York. The "Building Scrip.", a large ledger in box 126, contains blank and signed bonds sold to investors of a new Academy building.
Description Container Select
Accounts of the Trustees, Ledger, 1854-1860
18
32
Building Scrip., circa 1848
126
Cataloging the Art Collection, 1952
18
33
Certificates, circa 1963
18
34
Correspondence, 1828-1929
18
35-36
Founding, 1825-1982
18
37-38
Legal, 1828-1904
18
39
Tax Exemption, 1866-1900
18
40
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Series 7: Exhibitions , 1826-2003, 2008
14.4 Linear feet
Boxes 18-33

Exhibition files document the National Academy of Design's commitment to exhibiting American art, achieved through its long history mounting annual, gallery, special, and museum exhibitions. Files may include exhibition catalogs, photographs, press clippings, sales records, and correspondence related to jury selection, awards and prizes, and logistical planning.
Annual exhibition files (subseries 7.1) document the Academy's member-curated annual exhibitions, which since 1826, have presented a survey of contemporary art in America. Up until 1900, the documentation of the annual exhibitions consists primarily of the exhibition catalogs, press clippings, and other printed material such as invitations and tickets. Catalogs provide details on participants, and many from the late 19th century contain illustrations by the artists and notes by prominent art critics such as Charles M. Kurtz. Documentation for 20th century exhibitions may additionally contain correspondence; financial material including price lists and receipts; exhibition and jury committee records; photographs of artwork, installations, and juries; guest books; entry forms and submission guidelines; and voting ballots. Annual exhibitions have typically been held in the spring, and certain years include winter or autumn annual exhibitions as well.
Gallery exhibition files (subseries 7.2) pertain to those exhibitions organized by outside organizations or groups who rented or borrowed the space from the Academy, including the American Society of Painters in Watercolor, Audubon Artists, and the National Association of Women Artists. These exhibitions provided a source of revenue for the Academy or were organized as a benefit for the outside organization. Items may include exhibition catalogs, clippings, correspondence, lists, and rental agreements.
Special exhibition files (subseries 7.3) pertain to exhibitions organized by the Academy and featuring works by Academy members. This includes exhibitions organized to correspond with America's centennial in 1876, the Academy's own centennial in 1925, and exhibitions of Academy artists organized in other locations including New Zealand and Fort Worth, Texas. Items found in this subseries may include catalogs, lectures and essays, correspondence, and other records pertaining to sales, curatorial, advertising, fundraising, and lenders.
Museum exhibition files (subseries 7.4) relate to exhibitions mounted by the Academy museum, opened in 1979, independent of the Annuals and member generated shows. Museum exhibitions included many travelling exhibitions that originated elsewhere and visited the Academy museum.
The final subseries (7.5) contains general exhibition files that overlap between exhibition types.
The series is arranged as five subseries. Files are arranged chronologically within each subseries.
  • 7.1: Annual Exhibitions, 1826-2003
  • 7.2: Gallery Exhibitions, 1836-1988
  • 7.3: Special, 1846-1981, 2008
  • 7.4: Museum, 1979-1984
  • 7.5: General, 1917-1996

7.1: Annual Exhibitions, 1826-2003

Description Container
Abstract of Pictures Exhibited, 1826-1844
18
41
Reviews, 1830-1847
18
42-44
23rd Annual Exhibition, Ticket, 1848
18
45
Reviews, 1851-1863
18
46-48
Ephemera, 1865-1866
18
49
Reviews, 1865-1875
18
50-51
Published "Academy Sketches", 1877-1880
18
52
56th Annual Exhibition, Published Exhibition Notes by Charles M. Kurtz, 1881
18
53
57th Annual Exhibition, Published Exhibition Notes by Charles M. Kurtz, 1882
19
1
57th Annual Exhibition, Catalog, 1882
19
2
58th Annual Exhibition, Published Exhibition Notes by Charles M. Kurtz, 1883
19
3
59th Annual Exhibition, Catalog, 1884
19
4
60th Annual Exhibition, Catalog, 1885
19
5
61st Annual Exhibition, Catalog and Reviews, 1886
19
6
62nd Annual Exhibition, Ephemera, 1887
19
7
63rd Annual Exhibition, 1888
19
8
64th Annual Exhibition, Catalog and Ephemera, 1889
19
9
65th Annual Exhibition, Ephemera, 1890
19
10
9th Annual Autumn Exhibition, 1890
19
11
66th Annual Exhibition, Correspondence, 1891
19
12
10th Annual Autumn Exhibition, Reviews, 1891
19
13
67th Annual Exhibition, Ephemera, 1892
19
14
11th Annual Autumn Exhibition, Reviews (copies), 1892
19
15
1st Annual Summer Exhibition of American Painting, Catalog, 1893
19
16
Reviews, 1893-1894
19
17
13th Annual Autumn Exhibition, Ephemera, 1895
19
18
14th Annual Autumn Exhibition, Clippings, 1896
19
19
71st Annual Exhibition, Ephemera, 1896
19
20
16th Annual Autumn Exhibition, Record of Receipts, 1897
19
21
17th Annual Autumn Exhibition, Catalog, 1898
19
22
76th Annual Exhibition, Catalog, 1901
19
23
Reviews, 1902-1906
19
24
80th Annual Exhibition, Article Regarding Sales (copy), 1905
19
25
81st Annual Exhibition, Catalog, 1906
19
26
Winter Exhibition, Ephemera, 1907
19
27
82nd Annual Exhibition, 1907
19
28
83rd Annual Exhibition, Ephemera, 1908
19
29
Winter Exhibition, Jury of Selection, 1909
19
30
84th Annual Exhibition, Reviews (copies), 1909
19
31
84th-112th Annual Exhibition Financial Ledger, 1909-1937
19
32
Petition, 1912
19
33
Winter Exhibition, Financial Records, 1913
19
34
89th Annual Exhibition, Reviews, 1914
19
35
90th Annual Exhibition, 1915
19
36
Winter Exhibition, 1916-1917
19
37
92nd Annual Exhibition, 1917
19
38
93rd Annual Exhibition, 1918
19
39
Winter Exhibition, 1919
19
40
94th Annual Exhibition, 1919
19
41
Winter Exhibition, 1920
19
42
95th Annual Exhibition, 1920
19
43
96th Annual Exhibition, 1921
19
44
Winter Exhibition, 1921-1922
19
45
97th Annual Exhibition, 1922
19
46
Winter Exhibition, 1923
19
47
98th Annual Exhibition, 1923
19
48
Guest Book for Winter and Annual Exhibitions, 1923-1926
19
49
Winter Exhibition, 1924
19
50
99th Annual Exhibition, 1924
19
51
100th Annual Exhibition, 1925
19
52
101st Annual Exhibition, 1926
19
53
Winter Exhibition, 1926-1927
19
54
102nd Annual Exhibition, 1927
19
55
Winter Exhibition, 1928
19
56
103rd Annual Exhibition, 1928
19
57
104th Annual Exhibition, 1929
20
1
Winter Exhibition, 1929
20
2
105th Annual Exhibition, 1930
20
3
Winter Exhibition, Special Members' Exhibition, 1930
20
4
Winter Exhibition, 1931
20
5
106th Annual Exhibition, 1931
20
6
Winter Exhibition, 1932
20
7
107th Annual Exhibition, 1932
20
8
108th Annual Exhibition, 1933
20
9
109th Annual Exhibition, 1934
20
10
110th Annual Exhibition, 1935
20
11
111th Annual Exhibition, 1936
20
12
112th Annual Exhibition, 1937
20
13
113th Annual Exhibition, 1938
20
14
114th Annual Exhibition, 1940
20
15-16
115th Annual Exhibition, 1941
20
17-18
116th Annual Exhibition, 1941-1942
20
19-20
117th Annual Exhibition, 1943
20
21
118th Annual Exhibition, 1944
20
22
1st Annual Exhibition of Contemporary American Drawings, 1944-1945
21
1
119th Annual Exhibition, 1945
21
2
120th Annual Exhibition, 1945
21
3
120th Annual Exhibition (2nd Half), 1945-1946
21
4
2nd Annual Exhibition of Contemporary American Drawings, 1946
21
5
121st Annual Exhibition, 1947
21
6
121st Annual Exhibition (2nd Half), 1947
21
7-8
122nd Annual Exhibition, 1948
21
9-10
3rd Annual Exhibition of Drawings, 1948
21
11
123rd Annual Exhibition, 1948-1949
21
12-14
123rd Annual Exhibition (2nd Half), 1949
21
15
124th Annual Exhibition, 1949
21
16-18
125th Annual Exhibition, 1950
22
1-3
126th Annual Exhibition, 1951
22
4-6
127th Annual Exhibition, 1952
22
7-8
128th Annual Exhibition, 1953
22
9-11
129th Annual Exhibition, 1954
22
12
130th Annual Exhibition, 1955
22
13
131st Annual Exhibition, 1956
22
14-16
132nd Annual Exhibition, 1957
23
1-2
133rd Annual Exhibition, 1958
23
3
134th Annual Exhibition, 1959
23
4
135th Annual Exhibition, 1960
23
5
136th Annual Exhibitions, 1961
23
6-7
137th Annual Exhibition, 1962
23
8-10
138th Annual Exhibition, 1963
23
11-13
139th Annual Exhibition, 1964
24
1-3
140th Annual Exhibition, 1965
24
4-5
141st Annual Exhibition, 1966
24
6-7
142nd Annual Exhibition, 1967
24
8-9
143rd Annual Exhibition, 1968
24
10-12
144th Annual Exhibition, 1969
24
13-14
145th Annual Exhibition, 1970
25
1-2
146th Annual Exhibition, 1971
25
3-4
147th Annual Exhibition, 1972
25
5
148th Annual Exhibition, 1973
25
6
149th Annual Exhibition, 1974
25
7
150th Annual Exhibition, 1975
25
8
151st Annual Exhibition, 1976
25
9
152nd Annual Exhibition, 1977
25
10
153rd Annual Exhibition, 1978
25
11
154th Annual Exhibition, 1979
25
12
155th Annual Exhibition, 1980
25
13
156th Annual Exhibition, 1981
25
14
157th Annual Exhibition, 1982
25
15
158th Annual Exhibition, 1983
25
16
159th Annual Exhibition, 1984
25
17
160th Annual Exhibition, 1985
26
1
161th Annual Exhibition, 1986
26
2
178th Annual Exhibition, 2003
26
3

7.2: Gallery Exhibitions, 1836-1988

Description Container
Catalogs (copies), 1836-1872
26
4
American Society of Painters in Watercolor, 1st Annual Exhibition, 1867-1868
26
5
American Society of Painters in Watercolor, 2nd Annual Exhibition, 1868
26
6
American Society of Painters in Watercolor, 4th Annual Exhibition, 1870
26
7
American Society of Painters in Watercolor, 5th Annual Exhibition, 1871
26
8
American Watercolor Society, 1872-1874
26
9
Loan Exhibition in Aid of the Society of Decorative Arts, 1877
26
10
Marshall O. Roberts Loan Exhibition, Catalog, 1878
26
11
Loan Exhibition in the Aid of the Society of Decorative Arts, Catalog, 1878
26
12
Pedestal Fund Art Loan Exhibition, 1883
26
13
Henry Mosler, Catalog (copy), 1885
26
14
Impressionists, Catalog (copy), 1886
26
15
Celebrated Paintings by Great French Masters (Impressionism), Catalog (copy), 1887
26
16
Richard H. Halsted, Collection of Paintings, Catalog (copy), 1887
26
17
New York Columbian Celebration, 1892
26
18-19
Portraits of Women Loan Exhibition, Catalog, 1894
26
20
Loan Exhibition of Portraits, Catalog, 1895
26
21
American Watercolor Society, 1898
26
22
Loan Exhibition of Portraits, Catalog, 1898-1899
26
23-24
Country Sketch Club, 2nd Annual Exhibition, Catalog (copy), 1899
26
25
Emil Fuchs, 1925
26
26
American Watercolor Society, 1940
26
27
American Veterans Society of Artists, 1941
26
28
National Association of Women Painters and Sculptors, 1941-1942
26
29-30
Audubon Artists, 1942
26
31
Catherine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club, 1942
26
32
American Watercolor Society, 1942
26
33
Triptychs for Armed Forces, 1942
26
34
Emilio Pettoruti, 1943
26
35
Louise Grace Murals, 1943
26
36
Artists Artwork for the Benefit of the American Red Cross, 1943
26
37
Society of American Etchers, 1943-1947
26
38
Artists for Victory (1944-1945), British and American Exhibition, 1944
26
39
New York Society of Women Artists, 1944-1946
26
40
American Watercolor Society, 1944-1950
26
41
Merchant Seamen Art Exhibition, 1944-1945
26
42
Audubon Artists, 1945
26
43
American Artists Group, 1945
26
44
National Association of Women Artists, 1945-1946
26
45
Merchant Seamen Art Exhibition, 1946
26
46
Paintings of the Year (Pepsi Competitions), 1946-1947
26
47-48
National Sculpture Society, 1947
26
49
National Association of Women Artists, 1947
26
50
Audubon Artists, 1947-1948
26
51
Paintings of the Year (Pepsi Competition), 1948
26
52
Historical Hawaiian Paintings by Peter Hurd, 1948
26
53
National Association of Women Artists, 1948-1954
26
54
California National Watercolor Society, 1949
26
55
Allied Artists of America, 1949-1955
26
56
Art Students League Diamond Jubilee, 1950
26
57
National Amateur Painters Competition, 1950
26
58
Audubon Artists, 1950-1952
26
59
Tiffany Foundation, 1951
26
60
American Watercolor Society, 1951-1955
26
61
New York Society of Women Artists, 1952
26
62
Jack B. Yeats Retrospective, 1952
27
1
Frank Vincent Dumond Memorial, Art Students League, 1952
27
2
Kenneth Hayes Miller Memorial, Art Students League, 1953
27
3
Royal Society of Painters, Etchers, and Engravers, 1953
27
4
Audubon Artists, 1953-1957
27
5
Royal Society of Painters, Etchers, and Engravers in England, 1954
27
6
Tiffany Foundation, 1954-1956
27
7
New York Society of Women Artists, 1954-1960
27
8
National Serigraph Society, 1955
27
9
Alcoa Caribbean Art Competition, 1955
27
10
National Association of Women Artists, 1955-1958
27
11
Armando Reveron Memorial, 1956
27
12
Allied Artists of America, 1956-1959
27
13
American Watercolor Society, 1956-1959
27
14
Audubon Artists, 1958-1960
27
15
Tiffany Foundation, 1958-1961
27
16
National Association of Women Artists, 1959-1962
27
17
Allied Artists of America, 1960-1965
27
18
American Watercolor Society, 1960-1965
27
19
Audubon Artists, 1961-1963
27
20
Tiffany Foundation, 1962-1963
27
21
National Association of Women Artists, 1963-1969
27
22
New York Society of Women Artists, 1963-1971
27
23
Audubon Artists, 1964-1967
27
24
Tiffany Foundation, 1964-1967
27
25
American Society of Contemporary Artists, 1966
27
26
Allied Artists of America, 1966-1969
27
27
American Watercolor Society, 1966-1970
27
28
Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club, 1967-1972
27
29
American Society of Contemporary Artists, 1968
27
30
Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture, 1968
27
31
Audubon Artists, 1968-1971
27
32
California National Watercolor Society, 1970
27
33
Allied Artists of America, 1970-1976
27
34
National Association of Women Artists, 1970-1978
27
35
California National Watercolor Society, 1971-1972
27
36
American Watercolor Society, 1971-1978
27
37
Audubon Artists, 1972-1978
27
38
National Society of Painters in Casein and Acrylic, 1973-1976
27
39-40
The Making of an Architect, 1881-1981 (1981), 1981
27
41
American Watercolor, 1981-1982
27
42
Prints and Multiples, 79th Exhibition by Artists of Chicago and Vicinity (1982), 1982
27
43
Seasons at the New Yorker (1984), 1984
27
44
Norman Parkinson Photographs, 1987
27
45
Geoffrey Beene, 1988
27
46
The Experimental Tradition (1988), 1988
28
1

7.3: Special Exhibitions, 1846-1981, 2008

Description Container
H. K. Brown Statues and Busts, Catalog (copies), 1846
28
2
Vienna Universal Exposition, Correspondence, 1872
28
3
Mortgage Auction, Catalog, 1875
28
4
Centennial Loan Exhibition, 1876
28
5
Centennial Exhibition, Philadelphia International, 1876
28
6
Munich Exhibition, 1883
28
7
Loan Exhibition, Bronze and Iron, 1893
28
8
Loan Exhibition, 1893
28
9
Berlin Exhibition, 1896
28
10
American Artists at the Paris Salon, 1898
28
11
Paris Exposition, 1900
28
12
Accepted But Not Hung (1914), Catalog (copy), 1914
28
13
Panama Pacific International Exhibition, 1915
28
14
Centennial Exhibition (1925)
General, 1924-1925
28
15-17
Art Students League Correspondence (copies), 1925
28
18-19
Catalog, 1925
28
20
Lecture, 1925
28
21
Photographs of Artworks, List, 2008
28
22
Photographs of Artworks, 1925
28
23-24
Photographs of Installation, 1925
28
25
Photographs of Installation, 1925
29
1
Photographs of Installation, Corcoran Gallery, 1925
29
2
New Zealand International Exhibition, 1925-1926
29
3
Members' Work, Catalog, 1930
29
4
Second Academy Room Exhibition, 1934
29
5
First Memorial Exhibition of Members' Work, 1934-1935
29
6
Third Memorial Exhibition, 1935
29
7
Twenty-Seventh Annual Exhibition of Paintings, Fort Worth Art Museum, 1936
29
8
Special Exhibition (1939)
Art Sales, 1939
29
9
Catalog, 1939
29
10
Catalog Advertising, 1938-1940
29
11
Clippings, 1939
29
12
Committee Meetings, 1939
29
13
Correspondence, 1939
29
14
Curatorial, 1938-1939
29
15
Exhibition Fund Benefit, 1939
29
16
Financial Records, 1938-1939
29
17
Labels, 1939
29
18
New Jersey Day, 1939
29
19
Photographs, Center Gallery, Architecture Gallery, Graphic Art Gallery, 1939
29
20
Photographs, Exterior and Entrance Hall, 1939
29
21
Photographs, Sculpture, 1939
29
22
Photographs, South Gallery, 1939
29
23
Photographs, Vanderbilt Gallery, 1939
29
24-25
Venice International, 1940
29
26
Exhibition of Living Members Elected Before 1915, 1942
29
27
American Academy in Rome Prize, 1942
29
28
Our Heritage (1942), 1942
29
29
Our Heritage (1942), 1942
30
1
Recent Diploma Works, 1942
30
2
Sculpture by Living Academicians, 1942
30
3
Fifty Canadian Prints (1942), 1942
30
4
Paintings by Living Members, 1942
30
5
Members Exhibition of Portraits in Painting and Sculpture and Small Paintings, 1943
30
6
Outdoor Sculpture (1950), 1947-1950
30
7
Morse Exhibition of Arts and Science (125th Anniversary) (1950), 1950
30
8-9
The American Tradition (1951)
Catalog and Essay, 1951
30
10
Ephemera, 1951-1952
30
11
Lenders, 1951-1953
30
12
Photographs, 1951
30
13
Press, 1951
30
14
Traveling Show, 1952-1953
30
15
National Academy Contemporaries, 1953
30
16
Memorabilia, 1800-1900, 1950-1954
30
17-18
Five Arts (1955), 1955
30
19-21
Contemporary Prints and Watercolors, 1955-1956
30
22
Henry W. Ranger Centennial Exhibition (1958), 1956-1959
30
23
Henry W. Ranger Centennial Exhibition (1958), 1956-1959
31
1-2
William Stanley Haseltine (1958), 1958
31
3
A Century and a Half of American Art (1975)
Catalog, 1975
31
4
Clippings, 1975
31
5
Correspondence, 1967-1975
31
6
Grants, 1968-1976
31
7
Medal, 1972-1975
31
8
Photographs, 1975
31
9
Plans, 1967-1975
31
10-11
Press Releases, 1975
31
12
Henry Ward Ranger Purchase Fund Exhibitions, 1973-1977
31
13-16
Henry Ward Ranger Purchase Fund Exhibitions, 1978-1981
31
17-20
Portfolios and Suites from the Academy Press, 1981
31
21

7.4: Museum Exhibitions, 1979-1984

Description Container
18th Century French Drawings from Musée Carnavalet, 1979
31
22
American Masters in the West (1979), 1979
31
23
American Drawings: Paul Magriel Collection (1980), 1979-1980
32
1
From All Walks of Life (1981-1982), 1979-1983
32
2-4
Next to Nature (1982-1983), 1980-1983
32
5
Mott B. Schmidt: An Architectural Portrait (1980), 1980
32
6
A Brief History of the National Academy of Design (1980), 1980
32
7
Recent Acquisitions, 1979-1981 (1981), 1981-1982
32
8
P.B. Wight (1981), 1981
32
9
French Master Drawings from the Rouen Museum (1981), 1981
32
10
Chicago Tribune Tower Competition, Late Entries (1981), 1980-1982
32
11
J. Alden Weir and the National Academy of Design (1981), 1981
32
12
Prints and Multiples (1981), Catalog, 1981
32
13
Edwin Dickinson (1982), 1979-1983
32
14-15
Edwin Dickinson (1982), Lenders, 1979-1983
32
16-17
Painters of the Humble Truth (1981), 1980-1982
32
18
Buildings on Paper (1982), 1981-1982
32
19
A Scandinavian View (1982), 1981-1982
32
20
Fragments of Invention (1982), 1982-1984
33
1
Samuel F.B. Morse (1982), 1980-1982
33
2
Battles and Leaders of the Civil War (1982), 1982
33
3

7.5: General, 1917-1996

Description Container
Expense Ledger, 1917-1926
33
4
Paintings Borrowed, Register of Loans, 1940-1979
33
5
Exhibition Record for National Academy Galleries, 1942-1952
33
6
Declined or Cancelled, 1954-1964
33
7
Exhibition Schedules, 1991-1996
33
8
Back to Top

Series 8: Gifts and Funding , 1860-2009
4.1 Linear feet
Boxes 33-37

Gifts and funding files include financial documents, ledgers, legal material, and correspondence concerning the bequests, endowments, donations, and other gifts that financed the operations of the National Academy of Design.
Academy gifts and funding files (subseries 8.1) document estate bequests, donations, and gifts. Estate bequests detail property, trusts, and establishment of awards, medals, or prizes to distinguished artists in the benefactor's name. Donations and gifts can include contributions of money, books, or artwork for the Academy to employ or sell. Notable funds were provided by Arthur M. Huntington, who left the Academy a generous endowment and a 5th avenue property, while also establishing the Fellowship Fund to solicit money from former and prominent members.
School gifts and funding files (subseries 8.2) contain much of the same material found in the Academy subseries, with the distinction that these funds were specifically allocated to support students and school operations. Notable among these are the Pulitzer Prize Scholarship Fund and the John Chancellor Paris Prize fund, both of which were awarded to exceptional art students to help finance their studies abroad. Additional information on scholarship and prize applicants and recipients are arranged in the school series, under student affairs (subseries 12.4).
The series is arranged as two subseries.
  • 8.1: Academy, 1860-2009
  • 8.2: School, 1864-2008

8.1: Academy, 1860-2009

Description Container
Abbey Trust Fund
Copyright of works by Edwin Austin Abbey, 1933-1938
33
9
Distribution of Principal, 1951, 1971
33
10
General Accounting, 1933-1987
33
11-12
General Legal, 1923-1951
33
13-14
Ocean County Property, 1938-1957
33
15
Reapplication of Trust Agreement, 1969, 1988
33
16
Benjamin Altman Prize Fund, 1940-1957, 1915
33
17
Albert H. Baldwin Fund, 1900-1951
33
18
Helen Foster Barnett Prize Fund, 1919-1921
33
19
James Carroll Beckwith Endowment, 1899-1962
33
20
Paul and Margaret Bertelsen Prize Fund, 1985-1990
33
21
Walter Biggs Fund, 1969
33
22
Florence Brevoort-Eickemeyer Prize Fund, 1950-1975, 2009
33
23
Emma B. Brunner Fund, 1938-1954
33
24
Building Fund, 1898
33
25
Howard R. Butler Fund, 1926-1929
33
26
B-C, General, 1934-1956
33
27
Ina T. Campbell Fund, 1953
33
28
Thomas B. Clarke Fund, 1893-1962
33
29
Cannon Prize Fund, 1895-1897
34
1
Emil and Dines Carlsen Award Fund, 1974-1975
34
2
Carnegie Prize Fund, 1911, 1956
34
3
Danforth Memorial Fund, 1971-1975
34
4
Durand Bequest, 1919-1938, 1991
34
5
Elliot Medal Fund, 1954-1963, 1932
34
6
Harriot Erving Fund, 1904-1951, 1991
34
7
Alex Ettl Award Fund, 1988-1990
34
8
Fellowship Fund
Committee Minutes, 1863
34
9
General, 1860s-1900s
34
10-14
General, 1924-1934, 2001
34
15
Ledgers, 1863, ca. 1865
34
16-17
William H. Fogg Fund, 1888-1892
34
18
Rebecca Freifeld Prize Fund, 1945-1950
34
19
Daniel Chester French Medal Fund, 1960-1967
34
20
Frank Geruasi Estate, 1988-1989
34
21
Lydia Gardner Orme Estate, 1963-1976
34
22
Samuel Goulding Fund, 1912, 1942
34
23
G-H, General, 1927-1928, 1987
34
24
Eva Hall-Fromkes Fund, 1962-1963, 1925, 1991
34
25
Harper Brothers Fund, 1885-1905, 1991
34
26
Henry Herring Estate, 1949-1950, 1991
34
27
George Hitchcock Fund, 1955-1972
34
28
Archer M. Huntington Fund
1083 Fifth Avenue Bequest, 1940-1941, 1965
34
29
General, 1940-1963
34
30
Helen Granville-Barker Beneficiary, 1942-1951
35
1
Publicity Fund, 1949-1975
35
2
Trust Revision, 1974-1978
35
3-4
Will Construction Suit, 1960-1968
35
5
Joseph S. Isidor Medal Fund, 1907-1922, 1952-1962
35
6
Kramer Purchase Fund, 1924-1926
35
7
K-L, General, 1950-1966
35
8
Orville Lance Prize Fund, 1939-1957, 2004
35
9
Frank A. Levy Bequest, 1988
35
10
Emma Fordyce MacRae Memorial Fund, 1974
35
11
Richard Lawrence Makin Fund, 1937-1938
35
12
Maynard Prize Fund, 1920-1935
35
13
McCarthy Memorial Prize Fund, 1928-1932
35
14
Samuel F. B. Morse Medal Fund, 1951-1962, 2000
35
15
Murphy Memorial Prize Fund, 1920-1932
35
16
M, General, circa 1930, 1991-1994
35
17
Raymond P. R. Nelson Prize Fund, 1958-1964
35
18
Adolph and Clara Obrig Fund, 1939-1949, 1991
35
19
Edwin Palmer Prize Fund, 1924-1929, 1991
35
20
Walter L. Palmer Memorial Fund, 1932-1951
35
21
William Paton Prize Fund, 1919-1948, 1965
35
22
Robert and Rochelle Phillip Prize Fund, 1981-1991
35
23
President's Medal Fund, 1929-1976
35
24
Thomas Proctor Prize Fund, 1904-1932
35
25
P, General, 1947-1958, 1991
35
26
R-S, General, 1943
35
27
Saltus Medal Fund, 1922-1959
35
28
Julia A. Shaw Memorial Fund, 1901-1935
35
29
Ellin P. Speyer Prize Fund, 1921-1940
35
30
Suydam Fund, 1865
35
31
Donald Teague Trust, 1971
35
32
Sidney B. Viet Bequest, 1940-1941, 1991
35
33
S. J. Wallace Truman Prize Fund, 1934-1940
35
34
Watrous Medal Fund, 1920-1962
35
35
Rachael and Gertrude Weed Prize Fund, 1934-1934
35
36
Henry A. Wolfe Bequest, 1916-1926
35
37
W, General, 1926, 1935
35
38
Unfunded Bequests, 1922-1945
35
39
Reference Documents, 1941-2008
35
40

8.2: School, 1864-2008

Description Container
Abbey School Fund, 1968-1969, 1992
35
41
American Watercolor Society Scholarship, 1943-1975
35
42
Auerbach-Levy Prize Fund, 1969-1970
35
43
A, General, 1955-1990
35
44
Albert H. Baldwin Fund, 1951, 2008
35
45
Gladys B. Blum Memorial Scholarship Fund, 1992-1997
35
46
Lucrezia Bori Foundation Fund, 1969-1970
35
47
Emily Buch Scholarship Fund, 1963-1966
36
1
B-C, General, 1960-1996
36
2
Carnegie Corporation Gift Fund, 1926-1957
36
3
Mary Hinman Carter, 1929-1933
36
4
D-F, General, 1930-1960, 1997-1998
36
5
Ralph Fabri Scholarship Fund, 1974-1977
36
6
Mabel C. Grimes Scholarship Fund, 1975
36
7
G-H, General, 1985-1991, 1956
36
8
Hallgarten Prize and Scholarship Fund, 1883-1935
36
9
Havemeyer Traveling Scholarship Fund, 1890-1898
36
10
George Inness Scholarship Fund, 1902-1912
36
11
Joseph S. Isidor School Fund, 1921-1951, 1992
36
12
Colonel Michel Jacobs Scholarship, 1946-1963
36
13
Henry Jacobsen Fund, 1950-1955
36
14
Kit Kat Club Funds, 1957-1966
36
15
Kosciuszko Foundation Scholarship, 1936-1937
36
16
K-L, General, 1962-1974, 1905
36
17
Robert Lehman Endowment Fund, 1992-1997
36
18
Alice Melrose Scholarship, 1977-1978
36
19
Edward Mooney Traveling Scholarship Fund, 1900-1987
36
20
M-N, General, 1963, 1984
36
21
National Sculpture Society Scholarship, 1958-1964
36
22
Ivan G. Olinsky Memorial Scholarship, 1962-1963
36
23
O-P, General, 1950s, 1921
36
24
Paris Prize Fund, 1917-1936
36
25-27
Arthur and Melville Phillips Scholarship, 1971-1975
36
28
Pulitzer Traveling Scholarship, 1904-1969
36
29-30
R-S, General, 1961-1963, 1990
36
31
School Art League of New York Scholarship Fund, 1950-1956
36
32
School Sustaining Fund, 1972-1978
37
1
Helen Smith Prize Fund, 1959-1960
37
2
James A. Suydam Medal Fund, 1956-1960
37
3
Tiffany Foundation Residency Fund, 1919-1975
37
4
T, General, 1964-1987
37
5
Dr. Ralph Weiler Fund, 1956-1975
37
6
Pauline Wick Trust, 1971-1976
37
7
W-Y, General, 1963-1966
37
8
Youth's Friends Association, Inc., Scholarship Fund, 1955-1967
37
9
Reference Documents, 1980-1990s
37
10
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Series 9: Membership , 1826-2012
3.4 Linear feet
Boxes 37-39, 127-131

Membership files document National Academy of Design members, honorary members, fellows, and the nominations and elections whereby members were voted into the Academy.
Member registers and certificates (subseries 9.1) document membership at the academician and associate levels. Registers provide names of members, and a few ledgers track member payments and addresses. Official certificates, signed by the Academy president, further document associate and academician membership in the 19th century. Due to the gap in years of registers and certificates, the most complete record of membership is a listing created circa 1987, which documents members initial election and level for the years 1826-1987 (box 37, folder 11).
Nomination and election files (subseries 9.2) document the process by which new members were elected. Proposal forms vary over the decades, from an early list of names submitted by current members, to more elaborate forms later, containing endorsers and letters of recommendation. Candidate biographies only began to be prepared in the mid-1950s. These printed and illustrated brochures provided voters with an overview of the nominated artists in the four professional classes of painting, sculpture, graphics, and architecture, for membership at either the academician or associate level. Also filed here are ballots used by current members for selection, and one file pertaining to the nomination and election of officers and council.
The final subseries (9.3) documents fellows and honorary members to the Academy through registers, diplomas, and certificates.
The series is arranged as three subseries.
  • 9.1: Member Registers and Certificates, 1826-circa 1987
  • 9.2: Nominations and Elections, 1840-2012
  • 9.3: Fellows and Honorary Members, 1845-1974

9.1: Member Registers and Certificates, 1826-circa 1987

Description Container
Certificates, 1858-1868
128
2-4
Initial Election Membership Listing, 1826-1987 (disbound), circa 1987
37
11
Members List, List of Associates, List of Academicians (Secretary's Copy), 1892-1893
37
12
Register, 1826-1906
127
1
Register, 1826-1936
127
2
Register of Payments and Addresses, circa 1867
128
1
Register of Payments and Addresses, circa 1869-1870
37
13

9.2: Nominations and Elections, 1840-2012

Description Container
Academician and Associate Nomination Proposals, 1894
37
14
Associate Nomination Proposals, 1942-1955
37
15-18
Associate Nomination Proposals, Declined Nominations, 1932-1955
37
19
Associate Nomination Proposals, Failed to Get Elected, 1944-1950, 1977, 2004
37
20
Ballots, 1878-1967
37
21-24
Ballots, 1961-1978, 2001, 2005
38
1-2
Candidate Biographies, Associates, 1954-1978
38
3-8
Candidate Biographies, Associates, 1980-1994
38
9-11
Candidate Biographies, Academician, 1995-2005
38
12-15
Candidate Biographies, Academician, 2006-2012
38
16-19
Nominations for Membership, Ledger, 1840-1863
38
20
Nominations for Membership, Ledger, 1863-1888
128
5
Nominations for Academicians, Ledger, 1896-1900
129
1
Nominations for Associates, Ledger, 1896-1900
129
2
Officers and Council, 1959-1970, 1999-2006
39
1

9.3: Fellows and Honorary Members, 1845-1974

Description Container
Diploma Book, Fellows for Life, 1861-1870
130
1
Diploma Book, Fellows in Perpetuity, 1861-1870
130
2
Diplomas for Life Register, 1865-1865
39
2
Fellow Certificates, 1864
131
1-2
Fellow Certificates, 1865-1873
131
3
Fellows Correspondence, 1917-1974
39
3
Fellows Directory, circa 1865-1990
39
4-5
Honorary Certificate, Isaac P. Davis, 1845
131
4
Honorary Members, 1916-1933
39
6
Register of Payments and Addresses, Fellows for Life, circa 1865
39
7
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Series 11: Ranger Fund Assignments , 1919-2008
4.3 Linear feet
Boxes 39-44

The Ranger Fund assignment files document the distribution of artworks by living American artists to institutions throughout the United States, in accordance with the will of Henry Ward Ranger. The Ranger Fund was initiated to stimulate public interest in the work of contemporary American painters in 1919, when the National Academy of Design received a bequest from Henry Ward Ranger, totaling $400,000. Ranger stated in his will that the capital should be invested and the income used as a purchase fund to facilitate gifts of paintings by living American artists to arts institutions throughout the United States.
Files document the assignment of particular works of art to institutions through the official agreement, related correspondence, and in some instances, photographs of the artwork. Requests include questionnaire forms completed by requesting institutions regarding the nature of the building and public accessibility. Also included are lists of paintings for assignment and assignment location, as well as related correspondence. Purchases includes lists of artworks purchased with the Ranger Fund and related correspondence.
A stipulation of the Ranger Will was that the National Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, be able to acquire any artwork purchased with the Ranger Fund during a certain period of time after the artist's death. Smithsonian Institution files here contain annual reports with the purchases from each year and their assignments. Correspondence between the Smithsonian Institution and the Academy inform on the council's decision to assign particular paintings purchased with the Ranger Fund, detail purchases and allocations, and discuss whether or not to bring a painting into the National Gallery's collection within the designated time period.
A spreadsheet in box 43, folder 7 catalogs all assigned works from 1919-2007 and includes purchase date, price, original assignee, current assignment, and Smithsonian Institution accession date, when applicable.
Description Container Select
Agreements
Acampora-Andrews, 1924-2003
39
18
Annus-Avery, 1953-2004
39
19
Barber-Betts, 1925-1982
39
20
Binder-Blumenschein, 1923-1987
39
21
Bober-Brandt, 1951-2006
39
22
Brook-Burrough, 1922-1991
40
1
Burton-Chavez, 1922-2003
40
2
Checkley-Cobb, 1922-1983
40
3
Coffey-Craig, 1921-2003
40
4
Crane-D'esposito, 1919-1983
40
5
De Knight-Dickinson, 1925-1980
40
6
Dickinson-Dougherty, 1932-2005
40
7
Dubaniewicz-Fishburne, 1925-2002
40
8
Fisher-Gaertner, 1921-1989
40
9
Garber-Goldin, 1922-2001
40
10
Gonzales-Granville-Smith, 1922-1986
40
11
Graves-Guerin, 1950-2002
40
12
Gumpel-Heitland, 1925-1983
40
13
Heliker-Hirsch, 1925-1983
41
1
Hitch-Humphreys, 1930-2003
41
2
Ispen-Jones, 1924-2004
41
3
Kaep-Kent, 1929-2001
41
4
Kenyon-Koch, 1952-1987
41
5
Kourad-LaHotan, 1922-2003
41
6
Lascari-Lawson, 1927-1987
41
7
Lechay-Levi, 1962-1986
41
8
Levine-Madgziak, 1932-2001
41
9
Manship-Mason, 1951-1984
41
10
Matthews-Miller, 1924-2005
41
11
Miyasaki-Neck, 1926-2001
41
12
Nicholas-Nisbet, 1924-2001
42
1
Noble-Page, 1922-1967
42
2
Palmer-Peters, 1922-1987
42
3
Philipp-Poor, 1949-1987
42
4
Porter-Redick, 1924-2006
42
5
Reed-Ritschel, 1925-1981
42
6
Rivera-Rungius, 1924-1986
42
7
Russell-Schild, 1953-2002
42
8
Schlaikjer-Sgouras, 1929-2005
42
9
Shapiro-Shikler, 1951-2006
42
10
Shinn-Speicher, 1924-2008
42
11
Speight-Talbot, 1922-1989
42
12
Tarbell-Thomas, 1930-1971
42
13
Thon-Volk, 1921-1983
42
14
Wade-Weiland, 1922-1983
43
1
Weiss-Wiles, 1922-1972
43
2
Williams-Wong, 1924-1980
43
3
Woodbury-Zornes, 1932-1980
43
4
Exhibition at the National Gallery of Art, 1929-1930
43
5
List of Applications for Assignments of Ranger Fund Purchases, 1920s
43
6
List of Paintings Assigned, 1919-2007, 2007
43
7
Purchases, 1920s-1940s, 1960s-1970s
43
8-9
Requests, 1919-1929
43
10-13
Requests, 1930-1979
43
14-15
Requests, 1980-1999
43
16-17
Requests, 1990-1999, 2004
44
1
Smithsonian Institution, 1919-1995
44
2-4
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Series 12: School , 1826-2008
28.5 Linear feet
Boxes 44-56, 68-99

School records contain administrative files, enrollment records, course files, student affairs files, and printed material documenting all aspects of the school's activities.
Administrative files (subseries 12.1) contain material on the school's history and associations, including its 1948 closing and subsequent reopening in 1951, its affiliation with Columbia University in the early 20th century, and its failed merger with New York Academy of Art in 1992. Also found are analytics and expense reports on the school's performance, an extensive comparative study that was commissioned in 1928 to measure the school against similar institutions, and a detailed historical survey compiled in 1919 with summaries of the school's operations since its founding. Other material consists of licensing documents related to the school's official accreditation, and material on the school supply store that was run both by students and outside vendors.
The bulk of enrollment files (subseries 12.2) is comprised of student registration and attendance records. Student course registrations were documented in registers, then on index cards beginning in the 1930s. While information collected varied over the decades, registrations document student names and the year, and may additionally include course name, instructor, and cost. Additional files contain prospectuses, financial aid and scholarship information, applications, and immigration forms for international students.
Course files (subseries 12.3) include calendars, course descriptions, assignments, exams, and information on models used for figure classes. Teacher files are also included here, and contain letters of application, clippings, course proposals, photographic material, and legal contracts.
Student affairs files (subseries 13.4) are comprised of material directly related to the student body. Included are lists of notable students and alumni, material on the student association and student petitions, records of the recipients of awards and prizes, and information regarding War services and death notices, which includes correspondence with the Veterans Administration and announcements of students who passed away during service in World War I and World War II, or in the influenza epidemic of 1918.
Printed materials (subseries 12.5) relate to the promotion and advertising of the school, and include booklets, brochures, bulletins, notices posted for students and faculty, newspaper clippings, and articles containing school and faculty mentions.
The series is arranged as five subseries.
  • 12.1: Administrative Files, 1898-1995
  • 12.2: Enrollment, 1826-2002
  • 12.3: Course Files, 1893-1997
  • 12.4: Student Affairs, 1832-1999
  • 12.5: Printed Material, 1919-2008

12.1: Administrative Files, 1898-1995

Description Container
Associations and History
1948 Closing, 1948-1949
44
5
1950 Reopening, 1950-1951
44
6
Artists for Victory, circa 1941
44
7
Columbia University, 1898-1907
44
8-9
New York Academy of Art, 1992
44
10
New York University, 1922-1933
44
11
General, 1936-1984
44
12
Analytics and Expense Reports, 1920-1942, 1950-1972
44
13-16
Building Renovation, circa 1955, 1992-1995
44
17
Comparative Studies, 1928
44
18-23
Historical Survey, 1919
44
24-25
Licensing Material, 1973-1979
45
1
School Supply Store, 1934-1969
45
2

12.2: Enrollment, 1826-2002

Description Container
Applications, 1934-1952, 1892
45
3-7
Financial Aid Information and Scholarship Applications, 1960-1964, 1998-2002
45
8
International Student Applications and Immigration Forms, 1961-1972
45
9
Prospectus and Forms, 1948-1960
45
10
Registers, 1882-1891, 1826
45
11-14
Registers, 1893-1901
45
15-19
Registers, 1899-1905
46
1-3
Registers, 1902-1938
46
4-6
Registration Forms, 1952-1959
46
7-11
Registration Forms, 1960
46
12-14
Registration Forms, 1961
46
15-17
Registration Forms, 1962
46
18
Registration Forms, 1962
47
1-2
Registration Forms, 1963
47
3-5
Registration and Tuition Material, 1963-1964
47
6
Registration Forms, 1964
47
7-8
Registration Forms, 1990
47
9
Registration Index Cards
Aar-Bjo, 1902-1929
47
10
Bla-Cer, 1902-1929
47
11
Ces-Don, 1902-1929
48
1
Doo-Fri, 1902-1929
48
2
Fro-Hal, 1902-1929
48
3
Ham-Jau, 1902-1929
48
4
Jar-Lap, 1902-1929
48
5
Lar-Mar, 1902-1929
48
6
Mas-Nis, 1902-1929
49
1
Nix-Rap, 1902-1929
49
2
Ras-Sce, 1902-1929
49
3
Sch-Squ, 1902-1929
49
4
Sta-Vog, 1902-1929
49
5
Vol-Z, 1902-1929
49
6
Abe-Cha, 1930-1948
68
Che-Fox, 1930-1948
69
Fra-Jaf, 1930-1948
70
Jah-Mas, 1930-1948
71
Mat-Qui, 1930-1948
72
Rab-Sta, 1930-1948
73
Ste-Z, 1930-1948
74
Aut-Dye, 1950s-1980s
50
1
Eag-Kyr, 1950s-1980s
50
2
Lac-Rod, 1950s-1980s
50
3
Roe-Z, 1950s-1980s
50
4
A-Z, 1950-1956
75
A-Z, 1956-1960
76
A-Z, 1960-1962
77
A-Z, 1962-1964
78
A-Z, 1964-1965
79
A-L, 1965-1966
79
M-Z, 1965-1966
80
A-Z, 1966-1967
80
A-Z, 1967-1968
81
A-L, 1968-1969
81
M-Z, 1968-1969
82
A-Z, 1969-1970
82
A-Z, 1970-1971
83
A-N, 1971-1972
83
O-Z, 1971-1972
84
A-Z, 1972-1973
84
A-Z, 1973-1974
85
A-M, 1974-1975
85
N-Z, 1974-1975
86
A-Z, 1975-1976
86
A-Z, 1976-1978
87
A-Z, 1978-1979
88
A-Z, 1979-1980
89
A-Q, 1980-1981
89
R-Z, 1980-1981
90
A-Z, 1981-1982
90
A-Z, 1982-1983
91
A-Z, 1983-1984
92
A-G, 1984-1985
92
H-Z, 1984-1985
93
A-Z, 1985
93
A-L, 1985-1986
93
M-Z, 1985-1986
94
A-Z, 1986
94
A-G, 1986-1987
94
H-Z, 1986-1987
95
A-Z, 1987
95
A-Z, 1987-1988
96
A-Z, 1988-1989
97
Aar-Z, 1988-1990
50
5
A-Z, 1990-1991
98
A-Z, 1991-1995
99
Abr-Z, 1996-1997
50
6
Attendance Records, 1864, 1894, 1901
51
1-3
Attendance Records, 1980-1981
51
4-9
Attendance Records, 1981-1982
51
10-19
Attendance Records, 1982-1983
52
1-12
Attendance Records, 1984-1985
52
13-18
Attendance Records, 1984-1986
53
1-4
Attendance Records, 1986-1989
53
5-8

12.3: Course Files, 1893-1997

Description Container
Calendars and Course Descriptions, 1929-1959, 1893
53
9
Calendars and Course Descriptions, 1971, 1996
53
10-11
Composition Assignments, 1931-1943
53
12
Exams and Portfolio Reviews, 1931-1942
53
13
Figure Models, 1940s, 1919
53
14
Teachers
A-E, 1950s-1996, 1919
53
15
F-N, 1950s-1996, 1919
53
16
O-Y, 1950s-1996, 1919
53
17
Contracts, 1950s
54
1-2
Contracts, 1960-1971
54
3-5
Contracts, 1972-1989
54
6-7
Contracts, 1992-1997
54
8-11
Faculty Exhibition, 1995
54
12
Salary Information, 1930-1958
54
13

12.4: Student Affairs, 1832-1999

Description Container
Awards and Prizes
Recipients, 1832-1949
55
1
Recipients, 1885-1930s
54
14-15
Recipients, 1940s-1950s
54
16-17
Recipients, 1953-1997
55
2
Recipients, 1960s-1990s
55
3-8
Study Abroad, 1903-1949
55
9
Exhibitions, 1923-1995
55
10
Notable Students and Alumni, 1927-1996
55
11
Petitions, 1844-1940, 1971
55
12
Student Association, 1921-1941
55
13-14
War Services and Death Notices, 1918-1921, 1945-1946
56
1

12.5: Printed Material, 1919-2008

Description Container
Advertising, 1969-1978
56
2
Booklets and Brochures, 1919-1970s, 1990s, 2008
56
3-4
Bulletins and Notices, 1930s-1977, 2008
56
5-8
Clippings, 1939-1960, 1980s
56
9
General, 1838, circa 1950s, circa 2000
56
10
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Series 13: Scrapbooks , 1828-1939
4 Linear feet
Box 56, BV 107-125

Twenty National Academy of Design scrapbooks document the organization's activities from 1828-1939 and include clippings and ephemera. Clippings from contemporary periodicals illuminate perception of the Academy in the public press, or pertain to academicians and persons related to the Academy. Topics include exhibition reviews and announcements; jury of selection activities and decisions; Academy elections; awards, prizes, honors and scholarships; school affairs; building news; and obituaries both in the press and published by the Academy. Ephemera includes announcements, invitations, tickets, programs, flyers, circulars, stationary, constitutions, and forms for student applications, certificates, and awards. A few lists and some correspondence are also found among the scrapbooks. Three of the scrapbooks are devoted to specific topics, including one for the Society of American Artists, one for both the Society of American Artists and the Society of American Fakirs, and one for the Academy's centennial exhibition. Additional description for thirteen of the notebooks was prepared by an Academy archivist and is filed in box 56, folder 11.
Description Container Select
Scrapbook Descriptions, 2010
56
11
Scrapbook, 1828-1934
107
Scrapbook, 1865-1882
108
Scrapbook, 1871-1916
109
Scrapbook, 1890-1897
110
Scrapbook, Society of American Artists, 1892
56
12
Scrapbook, 1892-1900
111
Scrapbook, Society of American Artists and Society of American Fakirs, 1893-1901
112
Scrapbook, 1898-1902
113
Scrapbook, 1901-1904
114
Scrapbook, 1902-1908
115
Scrapbook, 1908-1915
116
Scrapbook, 1915-1922
117
Scrapbook, 1917-1925
118
Scrapbook, 1922-1926
119
Scrapbook, Centennial Exhibition, 1925
120
Scrapbook, 1932-1939
121
Scrapbook, 1933-1934
122
Scrapbook, 1933-1935
123
Scrapbook, 1935-1936
124
Scrapbook, 1939
125
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Series 14: Society of American Artists , 1878-1906
0.8 Linear feet
Boxes 56-57

The Society of American Artists files document the formation of the Society as a departure from the National Academy of Design in 1877, its independent operations and activities, and its eventual consolidation with the Academy in 1906. Included are an article about the formation of the Society, correspondence, constitutions, incorporation records, exhibition files, a financial ledger, minutes, and records pertaining to the society's consolidation with the Academy. The Society's members have included Edwin Abbey, James Carroll Beckwith, Mary Cassatt, William Merritt Chase, Thomas Eakins, George Inness Jr., John La Farge, Albert Pinkham Ryder, among many others.
Description Container Select
Article, "A New Departure in American Art" (1878) by George William Sheldon, 1878
56
13
Certificate of Incorporation, 1882
56
14
Constitutions, 1880-1889
56
15
Constitutions, 1892-1896
56
16
Constitutions, 1901
56
17
Correspondence, 1881-1904
56
18