Municipal Art Society records

The Municipal Art Society of Baltimore records is divided into twelve series. Except when noted, Friends of Art papers have been separated from those of the Municipal Art Society, and organized as their own series. Arrangement is generally chronological, with undated items first.

Series I: Friends of Art (F of A), 1919-1942

3 1/2 boxes

Papers cover the various activities of the Friends of Art, from its organization in 1919 up to its merger with the Municipal Art Society. The bulk of this series falls within the years 1919-1931. Documents are arranged in folders by subject. Included are receipts, correspondence, notes, minutes, and legal papers. Papers concerning the purchase and maintenance of the Friends of Art House are found in series III. Items of note are the original certificate of incorporation and the minutes of the founding meetings.

Series II: Municipal Art Society pre-Merger, 1905-1919

1/2 box

This series consists of two volumes compiled by members of the Municipal Art Society in the years before merging with the Friends of Art. A scrapbook contains newspaper clippings which refer to the proposed Howard Street Extension. A letterpress book is a record of correspondence and minutes of meetings of the Municipal Art Society. Major figures include Josias Pennington, Frederick Law Olmsted, Hans Schuler, Theodore Marburg, Robert Garrett, R. Brent Keyser, and S. Davies Warfield. Topics covered in the correspondence and meetings surround civic improvements, public sculpture, and park development.

Series III: Friends of Art House, 1923-1946

3 boxes

Different subjects concerning the headquarters of the Friends of Art, and later the Municipal Art Society, are covered in this series, which is arranged by subject. Details on the purchase of this house at 8 East Pleasant Street and improvements made over the years, as well as a full inventory of the contents of the house are included. This series contains all papers concerning the house, both from the Friends of Art (premerger) and Municipal Art Society (postmerger).

Series IV: Merger, 1931-1932

1/2 box

This series contains notes, minutes, correspondence and legal papers concerning the 1932 merger of the Friends of Art and the Municipal Art Society. Included are papers from Friends of Art meetings discussing the proposed merger, as well as official documents approving the step.

Series V: Governance, 1927-1949

1/2 box

This series contains papers concerning the various aspects of the organization and running of Municipal Art Society. Correspondence of executive officers, publicity information, and details of meetings are included.

Series VI: Treasurer, 1932-1947

1 box

Correspondence, notes, and receipts of the Municipal Art Society treasurer William Casey are filed in this series. The bulk of this series falls within the years 1932-1940. Check stubs of the Maryland Trust Company and deposit receipts of the Colonial Trust Company are included.

Series VII: Membership, 1932-1948

1 box

Membership lists, notes, and correspondence concerning the Municipal Art Society's membership are found in this series. The bulk of the series falls within the years 1932-1940.

Series VIII: Exhibits, 1932-1943

2 1/2 boxes

These papers concern all exhibits organized by the Municipal Art Society, including an annual competitive exhibition held first at the F. of A. House and later at the Baltimore Museum of Art. Informational brochures and programs on other artists and other galleries' exhibits besides those of the Municipal Art Society are included.

Series IX: Lectures, 1930-1948

1 1/2 boxes

Contained in this series are ephemera and correspondence concerning lectures sponsored by the Municipal Art Society, as well as art classes taught by Richard Dicus at the F. of A. House. Papers concerning French lectures and the 1939 lecture by Thomas Mann are filed separately, but all other papers are in chronological order. Various printed folders advertising touring lecturers and their topics, and printed invitations to Municipal Art Society lectures are filed here. Copies of actual lectures are not included.

Series X: Special Events, 1932-1942

1 1/2 boxes

This series contains papers concerning special events and entertainments organized by the Municipal Art Society. Found here are notes, minutes, correspondence, promotional pamphlets of touring entertainers, and printed invitations to events. Grouped according to subject, these events include a lawn fete held at the estate of Robert Garrett, and numerous teas, luncheons, and card parties. Papers concerning lectures and exhibits are filed as separate series.

Series XI: Baltimore Works of Art, 1903-1948

6 folders

Correspondence, printed matter, and notes concerning specific paintings and sculptures around the city of Baltimore comprise this series. Papers of both the Friends of Art and the Municipal Art Society are filed here under the names of works of art that the organizations commissioned or in which they had an interest. Of particular note is an illustrated booklet of speeches given at the 1904 unveiling of Fremiet's “Howard” at Mt. Vernon.

Series XII: Miscellaneous Files, 1928-1949

2 boxes

This series is comprised of papers grouped according to various subjects which were important to the Municipal Art Society. Each subject has only a limited amount of material (three or fewer folders each), and the bulk of the material falls between the years 1932-1942. Subjects of note are lists of Baltimore artists, civic concerns of the Municipal Art Society, and the work of Frederick Law Olmsted.