Collections : [Virginia Museum of Fine Arts]

Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

VMFA Archives
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
Margaret R. and Robert M. Freeman Library
200 N. Arthur Ashe Boulevard
Richmond, VA 23220-4007
Primary Collecting Areas:
VMFA institutional records, Donor papers, Virginia Artists Archives, Oral histories, Artist subject files, Analog, and digital audiovisual collections
Description:

The Margaret R. and Robert M. Freeman Library provides access to a wealth of rare and unique primary source materials for scholars, researchers, and the public.

The Archives consists of a diverse and growing collection of permanent materials, covering museum history from its beginnings in the 1930s until today. The Archives includes institutional records from over 25 museum departments, thousands of artist and subject files, as well as donated collections related to the museum and the history of art in Virginia. The Archives also recently launched the Virginia Artists Archives, a collecting initiative that aims to create a rich, diverse, and unprecedented collection of Virginia artists’ papers to increase awareness about the contributions of Virginia artists, both past and present.

POC: Roxanne Winfield
Phone: (804) 340-1497
Phone: (804) 340-1495
Start Over Repository Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Date range 1908

Benjamin L. Wigfall Artist Archives and Mary Carter Wigfall Personal Papers 21.875 Linear Feet 50 boxes; 63 folders

Wigfall, Benjamin L., 1930-2017
The collection documents the life and work of Benjamin L. Wigfall, African American abstract expressionist artist. Benjamin L. Wigfall was the second African American artist to have a painting aquired by the VMFA, as well as the youngest ever artist to do the same. In addition to his work as an artist, Wigfall also taught and mentored in both Virginia at Hampton Institute, as well as New York at SUNY New Paltz and in his own community. Additionally, the collection contains documents related to the life and career of artist and educator, Mary Carter Wigfall, Benjamin L. Wigfall's wife. Mary C. Wigfall founded and directed the Migrant Childcare Center in New York from the early 1970s until her retirement in 1992.
  1. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

Ivan Bilibin Postcard Collection (SC-30) 0.1 Linear Feet 1 box; 12 items

Bilibin, Ivan I︠A︡kovlevich, 1876-1942
The collection consists of 12 postcards illustrated by Russian Art Nouveau artist Ivan Bilibin between 1899-1909 depicting scenes from traditional Russian folktales.
  1. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

John Barton Payne Personal Papers (SC-31) 0.4 Linear Feet 1 box; 10 folders; 73 items

Payne, John Barton, 1855-1935‏
The collection documents parts of John Barton Payne's varied professional career. It contains correspondence, including letters from President Woodrow Wilson and federal agencies including the White House, Senate, House of Representatives, and Postmaster General, as well letters from Payne's former employer, invitations, letters of thanks, and requests from private entities. The collection also contains photographs from trips that Payne took during his tenure as Secretary of the Interior, most of which were taken at Mt. Washburn in Yellowstone National Park, but also a photo album from a trip to Alaska as part of the Alaskan Engineering Commission (AEC).
  1. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

Letter 1 item Box SC-31 Box 1, Folder Folder 1, Item SC31.01.F01.001

Series level description: This series contains Payne's professional correspondence, including letters from President Woodrow Wilson, invitations, and one Christmas Card. The majority of the correspondence is from Federal Agencies including: The White House, United States Senate, The House of Representatives, and The Post Master General. Correspondence also includes letters from Payne's former employer, as well as letters of thanks, and requests from private entities.

  1. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
  2. John Barton Payne Personal Papers (SC-31)
  3. Series 1: Correspondence
  4. Folder 1: Correspondence

Letter 1 item Box SC-31 Box 1, Folder Folder 1, Item SC31.01.F01.002

Series level description: This series contains Payne's professional correspondence, including letters from President Woodrow Wilson, invitations, and one Christmas Card. The majority of the correspondence is from Federal Agencies including: The White House, United States Senate, The House of Representatives, and The Post Master General. Correspondence also includes letters from Payne's former employer, as well as letters of thanks, and requests from private entities.

  1. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
  2. John Barton Payne Personal Papers (SC-31)
  3. Series 1: Correspondence
  4. Folder 1: Correspondence

Letter 1 item Box SC-31 Box 1, Folder Folder 1, Item SC31.01.F01.003

Series level description: This series contains Payne's professional correspondence, including letters from President Woodrow Wilson, invitations, and one Christmas Card. The majority of the correspondence is from Federal Agencies including: The White House, United States Senate, The House of Representatives, and The Post Master General. Correspondence also includes letters from Payne's former employer, as well as letters of thanks, and requests from private entities.

  1. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
  2. John Barton Payne Personal Papers (SC-31)
  3. Series 1: Correspondence
  4. Folder 1: Correspondence

Letter 1 item Box SC-31 Box 1, Folder Folder 1, Item SC31.01.F01.004

Series level description: This series contains Payne's professional correspondence, including letters from President Woodrow Wilson, invitations, and one Christmas Card. The majority of the correspondence is from Federal Agencies including: The White House, United States Senate, The House of Representatives, and The Post Master General. Correspondence also includes letters from Payne's former employer, as well as letters of thanks, and requests from private entities.

  1. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
  2. John Barton Payne Personal Papers (SC-31)
  3. Series 1: Correspondence
  4. Folder 1: Correspondence

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