Call Number:

C0623

Repository:

Princeton University Library: Manuscripts Division

Extent:

6 boxes

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Patrick J. Kelleher Papers, Box and Folder Number; Special Collections, Princeton University Library.

Date:

circa 1939-1981 (inclusive) and 1960-1978 (bulk)

Creator:

Kelleher, Patrick J. (Patrick Joseph), 1917-

Form:

Photographs. and Correspondence.

Abstract:

Patrick Kelleher was director of the Princeton University Art Museum from 1960 to 1972. His papers consist of articles, notes, photographs, and printed matter from Kelleher about the Holy Crown of Hungary. There is a smaller selection of correspondence with artists and colleagues about the direction of the Art Museum.

Patrick Joseph Kelleher, born in 1917, was the much-loved director of the Princeton University Art Museum from 1960 to 1972. During World War II, Kelleher headed the Greater Hesse Division of the monuments, fine arts, and archives section of the United States Army's Office of Military Government for Germany, recovering and returning works of art in Europe. He was most notably in charge of the Holy Crown of Hungary during this time. Kelleher eventually moved to Princeton, where he supervised the first modern expansion of the University's Art Museum. He oversaw the construction and dedication of a new museum building in 1966, and served on the committee that oversaw the selection and installation of the Putnam Memorial Sculptures on campus. He passed away on June 16, 1985.

The collection consists, for the most part, of articles, notes, photographs, and printed matter prepared and collected by Kelleher concerning the Holy Crown of Hungary, which was returned to Hungary by the United States in 1978. Also present is correspondence (1958-1976) with various artists and associates covering, primarily, the period (1960-1972) Kelleher served as director of the Princeton University Art Museum.

Roughly organized into Holy Crown of Hungary material (boxes 1-4) and correspondence and lectures (box 5).