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Martin Biddle Director's Office records, 1977-1981 (inclusive)

Extent:

16.4 linear feet

Abstract:

Martin Biddle was the Director of the University Museum from 1978 to 1981. In addition, he served as a Professor in the Department of Archaeology at the University of Pennsylvania. His administrative records consist of forty archival boxes of correspondence, administrative memos and reports and material related to exhibitions. The records are in two series; alphabetical and chronological.

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Penn Museum Archives [Contact Us]

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Museum Building Records, 1892-2007 (inclusive)

Extent:

4.8 linear foot

Abstract:

The first section of the University of Pennsylvania Museum building, designed to exhibit the large archaeological and ethnological collections amassed in the preceding twelve years, was opened in 1899. The architects, Wilson Eyre, Jr., Cope and Stewardson, and Frank Miles Day and Brother, envisioned this first section as the westernmost wing of an immense building, at least three times the size of the present museum. The second section, the Harrison Rotunda, consisting of the exhibit hall and auditorium, was added in 1915. It featured a dome constructed by Rafael Guastavino. In 1926 the Eckley B. Coxe, Jr. Egyptian Wing opened, followed by the Administrative Wing (nowadays called the "Sharpe" Wing after the third floor gallery bearing that name) in 1929. Building activity stopped after 1929 until construction began on the Academic Wing in 1969. This section, designed by Mitchell/Giurgola Associates is the only part of the building that deviates from the original plan by Wilson Eyre....(see more)

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Penn Museum Archives [Contact Us]

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Exhibits Department records, 1893-1984 (inclusive)

Extent:

2.8 linear foot

Abstract:

The Museum collections, initially displayed in the University Library in the Furness Building, were transferred to the new building in 1898. In the years that followed, the collections and the space available continued to grow and the Museum prepared both permanent and loan exhibits. The earliest Museum exhibits can be found in the records of the individual sections. An exhibit staff member was appointed in 1940; the staff remaining relatively small. Although exhibit catalogs date from 1892, few files were kept, and the photographic collections are often helpful in documenting past exhibitions. The files are arranged chronologically. Exhibit catalogs are filed separately (see Special Collections— Publications).

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Penn Museum Archives [Contact Us]

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Works Progress Administration Records, 1935-1943 (inclusive)

Extent:

2.5 linear feet

Abstract:

During the Great Depression President Franklin D. Roosevelt developed New Deal programs to return the country to work through relief projects. The most popular of these was the Works Progress Administration because it provided work for so many Americans. Large numbers were put to work building bridges, roads, public buildings, public parks and airports with nominal salaries subsidized by the federal government. In addition, tens of thousands of artists were funded to create murals and sculpture for public buildings, write plays and music and perform their work for an arts-hungry public. Between 1935 and 1942, the University Museum co-sponsored(with institutions such as the Fairmount Park Commission and the Pennsylvania Commission for the Fine Arts) at least eight Works Progress Administration projects as part of the State-wide Museum Assistance Program. Employee salaries for the WPA/University Museum projects were paid by the WPA; equipment, space, supplies, technical aid, and...(see more)

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Penn Museum Archives [Contact Us]

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Stewart Culin Papers, 1891-1921 (inclusive)

Extent:

1.2 linear feet

Abstract:

Born in Philadelphia in 1858, Stewart Culin joined his father's business following graduation from Nazareth Hall. In the course of business, Culin regularly came in contact with Chinese community members, learned to speak Chinese, and developed an interest in Chinese medicine and ancient Chinese games. He became an expert on games of the world especially those of China, Korea and Japan publishing and lecturing on this subject. Culin also studied American folklore and was a founding member of the American Folklore Society and President of the national society The Stewart Culin Papers are held in two archival boxes. Most of the records span the period from 1896 to 1902.

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Penn Museum Archives [Contact Us]

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Linton Satterthwaite Papers, 1932-1978 (inclusive)

Extent:

18.0 linear foot

Abstract:

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Penn Museum Archives [Contact Us]

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Asian Section, 1890-1969 (inclusive)

Extent:

1.6 linear feet

Abstract:

The Asian Section collection includes correspondence and receipts all dealing with the donation or sale of artifacts to the Penn Museum from 1890 to 1969. Artifacts are mostly from China, Korea, and Japan. Notable donors include Stewart Culin, William Pepper, Phoebe Hearst, and Worch of Paris, C.T. Loo, and Yamanaka and Co.

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Penn Museum Archives [Contact Us]

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Casting Department, 1960-2010 (inclusive)

Extent:

0.5 linear feet

Abstract:

The Casting Department of the Penn Museum was begun in the 1890s and continued until 2010. The museum staff was initially in charge of making the casts. Those involved in the early days included Paul Casci, the first museum restorer, and M. Louise Baker, the official museum artist. The Casting Department papers consist of 0.5 linear feet of annual reports, list of available casts and prices, and labels from the Museum casting department. The material has been divided into three series: Annual Reports, Labels, and List of Available Casts.

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Penn Museum Archives [Contact Us]

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Egyptian Section, 1892-1971 (inclusive)

Extent:

1.6 linear feet

Abstract:

The Egyptian section was one of the original divisions of the Free Museum of Science and Art, conceived and built by William Pepper and Sara Yorke Stevenson. The initial collection was amassed through donations and the expeditions funded by the University of Pennsylvania and wealthy Philadelphians. Stevenson was the first curator of the section. She worked tirelessly to establish and maintain connections with dealers and organizations who provided the objects needed for a first class museum. The Egyptian section records are contained in two archival boxes. The material was already divided into folders which attributed the information to either a donor, a transfer or an offer of objects from a dealer. Processing then involved determining if the individual records were collection-oriented or belonged in other series. Four additional series were determined, curatorial, exhibits, and information related to Max Muller and Giorgio Della Vida. Other records from the Egyptian Section are...(see more)

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Penn Museum Archives [Contact Us]

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Leon Legrain Near East Section records, 1907-1951, 1955, 1964 (inclusive) 1925-1948 (bulk)

Extent:

6.8 linear feet

Abstract:

Leon Legrain (1878-1963) was a French-born archaeologist and epigrapher who devoted his life to the study of Sumerian cuneiform and engraved seals. From 1920 until 1948 he was Curator of the Babylonian Section of the University of Pennsylvania Museum. The collection consists of 6.8 linear feet of textual and graphic documentation, including Legrain's personal research as well as records of the Babylonian Section.

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Penn Museum Archives [Contact Us]