1944-1945, 1944 - 1945
Scope and Contents
The Isabel Roberts records comprise three subseries, covering fiscal years 1943-1944, 1944-1945, and 1945-1946. The final subseries includes some materials from the first months of the Charles Nagel administration. Each is arranged alphabetically by folder title. The system of subdivisions, with some files grouped under headings such as Departments, BIAS, Objects continues to be used.
Files document all activities of the Museum and include correspondence with donors, lenders and vendors; Board of Trustees and Governing Committee members, especially Edward C. Blum, Robert E. Blum, Arthur W. Clement, Walter H. Crittenden, Sidney W. Davidson, Louis V. LeDoux, Caroline A.L. Pratt, and Adrian Van Sinderen; New York City agencies; Museum staff; and staff of other museums and cultural institutions.
Curatorial records are again found under the department name, with additional material on the collections filed under "objects" or "loans." Correspondence with Robert Moses about plans for the post-war building programs may be found in Parks Department files. Work on Latin-American projects continues in Coordinator of Inter-American Affairs files.
The effects of World War II continue to be evident in files on defense measures, including the return of evacuated works of art, and the creation of new or installation of loan exhibitions on civil defense, home-front topics, and the cultures of areas involved in the war.
Dates
- 1944 - 1945
Creator
- From the Collection: Office of the Director (Organization)
Biographical / Historical
Isabel Spaulding Roberts (1911-2005)
Isabel Spaulding Roberts was born in 1911 in San Francisco, the daughter of Morrill B. Spaulding. She attended Vassar College, receiving a B.A. in 1933. From 1933-1937, she was a member of the staff of the Education Division at The Brooklyn Museum, resigning after her marriage to Laurance Page Roberts in September 1937.
In January 1943, when Museum Director Laurance Roberts went on military leave, Isabel S. Roberts was appointed Acting Director/Curator-in Chief, in conjunction with Superintendent Albert N. Henricksen, who was Acting Director in charge of Museum operations. In October of that year, she was appointed Director and Henricksen became Assistant Director. During the duration of World War II, Laurance Roberts also retained the title of Director. Isabel Roberts resigned in January 1946 and Laurance Roberts in April 1946. Charles Nagel was appointed Acting Director following Isabel Roberts' resignation and was later promoted to full Director.
The Isabel Roberts administration, carried on during wartime, carried forward the programs of her husband's administration. The exhibition schedule included shows on war-related topics and on the cultures of a variety of countries. Several major shows were organized, often in conjunction with other museums or government agencies; among these are "Everyday Life in China" (1943); "5000 Years of Fibers and Fabrics" (1945-1946); 100 Artists and Walkowitz" (1944); "Posada" (1943-1944); "Velasco" (1943); "The Eight" (1943). New installations were opened, among them European paintings, and the Latin American Colonial and ceramics galleries.
Because of wartime restrictions, alterations and renovations of the building came to a halt. Planning did begin, however, for a post-war construction program. Staff and material shortages affected, but did not halt Museum programs. The first talk of labor organization appears during this period.
Extent
From the Series: 3.33 Linear Feet (8 document boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Repository Details
Part of the Brooklyn Museum Archives Repository