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 1914
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

Benjamin L. Wigfall Artist Archives and Mary Carter Wigfall Personal Papers, 1880/2023

21.875 Linear Feet 50 boxes; 63 folders
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.
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Benjamin L. Wigfall Artist Archives and Mary Carter Wigfall Personal Papers, 1880/2023 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.

Series 4: Communications Village, 1880/1980 3 boxes 2 boxes 10 folders

This series is comprised of correspondence, photographs, posters, newspaper clippings, ephemera, slides, negatives, and more related to the Communications Village organization.

Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

Records of the Home for Needy Confederate Women (SC-23), 1898/2007

2.5 Linear Feet 2 boxes; 68 folders
The collections documents the administration of the Home for Needy Confederate Women, a large residential building for destitute female relatives of Confederate veterans for over 50 years. The collection includes administrative files, applicant and resident files, and financial files, among other related ephemera.
Top 3 results view all 8

Records of the Home for Needy Confederate Women (SC-23), 1898/2007 2.5 Linear Feet 2 boxes; 68 folders

The collections documents the administration of the Home for Needy Confederate Women, a large residential building for destitute female relatives of Confederate veterans for over 50 years. The collection includes administrative files, applicant and resident files, and financial files, among other related ephemera.
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

Lillian Thomas Pratt Personal Papers (SC-07), 1901/1947

1.5 Linear Feet 2 boxes (15 folders), 1 oversize item and 1 binder
The collection documents the formation of the Lillian Thomas Pratt Collection of Fabergé decorative artworks at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Bequeathed to the museum upon her death in 1947, Pratt's Fabergé collection consistently remains one of the highlights of the museum's permanent collection. Pratt purchased most of her Fabergé collection from the Schaffer Collection and Hammer Galleries, both of New York City, in the 1930s and 1940s. Comprised of correspondence, invoices, price tags, and detailed item descriptions, this collection illuminates Pratt's mind as a collector, as well as her relationship with one of her dealers, Alexander Schaffer.
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Empress Alexandra, Peterhof, Photo by Anna Virubova, 1914 1 item Box SC-07 Box 2, Folder 16, Item SC07.CF.11.001

Description: Blurry portrait of the Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, who sits on a sofa indoors. Wearing a high-necked shirt and long skirt, she looks away from the camera towards the floor, with her hands clasped in her lap. Behind her, she is surrounded by picture frames, small vases, and flowers, on shelves that continue well above her head.

  1. Series 5: Museum Records, 1901/1947
  2. Folder 16

Lillian Thomas Pratt Personal Papers (SC-07), 1901/1947 1.5 Linear Feet 2 boxes (15 folders), 1 oversize item and 1 binder

Pratt, Lillian Thomas, 1876?
The collection documents the formation of the Lillian Thomas Pratt Collection of Fabergé decorative artworks at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Bequeathed to the museum upon her death in 1947, Pratt's Fabergé collection consistently remains one of the highlights of the museum's permanent collection. Pratt purchased most of her Fabergé collection from the Schaffer Collection and Hammer Galleries, both of New York City, in the 1930s and 1940s. Comprised of correspondence, invoices, price tags, and detailed item descriptions, this collection illuminates Pratt's mind as a collector, as well as her relationship with one of her dealers, Alexander Schaffer.

Series 5: Museum Records, 1901/1947 19 items Box 2 (1 Folder)

This series is comprised of items related to the Pratt collection that were transferred from the Curatorial department. Items found in the object records include early photographs of items from both Hammer Galleries and the Schaffer Collection, photographs of the Russian imperial family, as well as a statement of account from Hammer and the first complete list of the collection after its arrival at the museum in 1947.

Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

Harriet Severance Munn Postcard Collection (SC-14), 1911/1928

0.3 Linear Feet 2 boxes; 2 albums
The collection consists of two bound albums of postcards mostly depicting art and architecture throughout Europe and the United States. The volumes belonged to Harriet Severance Munn, and many contain correspondence between Harriet, her sister Marjorie, and other family members.
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Harriet Severance Munn Postcard Collection (SC-14), 1911/1928 0.3 Linear Feet 2 boxes; 2 albums

The collection consists of two bound albums of postcards mostly depicting art and architecture throughout Europe and the United States. The volumes belonged to Harriet Severance Munn, and many contain correspondence between Harriet, her sister Marjorie, and other family members.
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

John Barton Payne Personal Papers (SC-31), 1881/1938

0.4 Linear Feet 1 box; 10 folders; 73 items
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).
Top 3 results view all 25

John Barton Payne Personal Papers (SC-31), 1881/1938 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).

Letter, 1904/1920 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. Series 1: Correspondence, 1904/1920
  2. Folder 1: Correspondence

Letter, 1904/1920 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. Series 1: Correspondence, 1904/1920
  2. Folder 1: Correspondence
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

Pierre Sanchez Collection of Horace Vernet Graphic Works (SC-28), 1816/1996

0.5 Linear Feet 13 items (4 volumes, 7 prints, 1 poster, and 1 letter)
The collection was assembled by the French scholar Pierre Sanchez, who collected hundreds of lithographs by Horace Vernet (1789-1863) to write the catalogue raissoné of Vernet's lithographic work. The largest privately owned collection of Vernet's graphic works, the collection is comprised of three unpublished volumes of over 300 works, as well as eight loose prints, one poster, and one letter.
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Pierre Sanchez Collection of Horace Vernet Graphic Works (SC-28), 1816/1996 0.5 Linear Feet 13 items (4 volumes, 7 prints, 1 poster, and 1 letter)

Sanchez, Pierre, 1963-
The collection was assembled by the French scholar Pierre Sanchez, who collected hundreds of lithographs by Horace Vernet (1789-1863) to write the catalogue raissoné of Vernet's lithographic work. The largest privately owned collection of Vernet's graphic works, the collection is comprised of three unpublished volumes of over 300 works, as well as eight loose prints, one poster, and one letter.
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

Pinkney Near Personal Papers and Henrietta Near Artist Archives (SC-42), 1873/2020

2.5 Linear Feet 4 boxes; 27 folders
This collection documents the lives and careers of Pinkney Near, former curator of VMFA, and his wife, artist and art aficionado, Henrietta Near.
3 results
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

Records of the Oaks (SC-01), 1894/1995

6.25 Linear Feet 5 boxes; 76 folders
This collection documents a portion of the life of Lizzie Edmund Boyd and the history of her home, The Oaks, during her ownership from 1927 until the transfer of ownership to the VMFA in 1975. In addition, the lives of several of her family members, namely James Boyd Phillips and Asa Phillips, can be seen through official military documents, tax forms, bank records and personal correspondence, offering a glimpse into their time serving in WWII and assimilation back into society after the war's end. The contents of the collection can perhaps be best summarized in a portion from a memo from Records Manager Jennie Runnels to Director Katherine Lee on April 7, 1995: "Dr. Brownell believes these [papers] would be an exciting topic and important to recovering Richmond's rich architectural history. The boxes contain drawings of the gardens surrounding the Oaks and possibly reference sources used for their redesign, in addition to receipts and invoices pertaining to alterations of the house that took place during Miss Boyd's lifetime. The material documents not only the social and cultural fabric of Richmond's past but also the history of a home that is important to the Virginia Museum."
2 results

Records of the Oaks (SC-01), 1894/1995 6.25 Linear Feet 5 boxes; 76 folders

This collection documents a portion of the life of Lizzie Edmund Boyd and the history of her home, The Oaks, during her ownership from 1927 until the transfer of ownership to the VMFA in 1975. In addition, the lives of several of her family members, namely James Boyd Phillips and Asa Phillips, can be seen through official military documents, tax forms, bank records and personal correspondence, offering a glimpse into their time serving in WWII and assimilation back into society after the war's end. The contents of the collection can perhaps be best summarized in a portion from a memo from Records Manager Jennie Runnels to Director Katherine Lee on April 7, 1995: "Dr. Brownell believes these [papers] would be an exciting topic and important to recovering Richmond's rich architectural history. The boxes contain drawings of the gardens surrounding the Oaks and possibly reference sources used for their redesign, in addition to receipts and invoices pertaining to alterations of the house that took place during Miss Boyd's lifetime. The material documents not only the social and cultural fabric of Richmond's past but also the history of a home that is important to the Virginia Museum."
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

Records of the Roycroft Community (SC-08), 1899/1915

0.25 Linear Feet 1 box
The collection includes postcards, concert and recital announcements, subscription offers, Richmond newspaper accounts of Hubbard's visit, Roycroft Fraternity membership, an original manuscript of "A Visit to the House of Shakespeare" with handwritten annotations by Hubbard, a blank copy of Memory Book in its original box and other ephemeral material.
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Records of the Roycroft Community (SC-08), 1899/1915 0.25 Linear Feet 1 box

The collection includes postcards, concert and recital announcements, subscription offers, Richmond newspaper accounts of Hubbard's visit, Roycroft Fraternity membership, an original manuscript of "A Visit to the House of Shakespeare" with handwritten annotations by Hubbard, a blank copy of Memory Book in its original box and other ephemeral material.
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

Records of Virginia Arts Organizations (SC-03), 1888/1942

0.5 Linear Feet 1 box, 12 folders; 113 items
The collection documents the rich history of Richmond's artistic culture and community in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Drawing upon the legacy of the first Academy of Fine Arts in the United States, founded in Richmond in 1786, the Richmond Academy of Arts was revived in 1930, and records created throughout the organization's history comprise the majority of the collection. The Academy provided the most cohesive and active arts organization in Richmond before the founding of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Even after the museum's opening in 1936, the relationship between the Academy and the museum is notable; from the correspondence between Thomas C. Colt, the museum's first Director, and two Presidents of the Academy, to the creation of Richmond's first "Salon des Refuses," and to the repeated overlapping of artist and patron names within the organizations.
2 results

Records of Virginia Arts Organizations (SC-03), 1888/1942 0.5 Linear Feet 1 box, 12 folders; 113 items

Academy of Sciences and Fine Arts
The collection documents the rich history of Richmond's artistic culture and community in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Drawing upon the legacy of the first Academy of Fine Arts in the United States, founded in Richmond in 1786, the Richmond Academy of Arts was revived in 1930, and records created throughout the organization's history comprise the majority of the collection. The Academy provided the most cohesive and active arts organization in Richmond before the founding of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Even after the museum's opening in 1936, the relationship between the Academy and the museum is notable; from the correspondence between Thomas C. Colt, the museum's first Director, and two Presidents of the Academy, to the creation of Richmond's first "Salon des Refuses," and to the repeated overlapping of artist and patron names within the organizations.

Series 1: Early Arts Organizations' Exhibitions, 1888/1928 5 items 1 Folder

This series is comprised of exhibition catalogs from various shows presented in Richmond and sponsored by different arts organizations from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, in the decades before the revival of the Richmond Academy of Arts in 1930. In 1888, the statewide "Virginia Exposition" was held at the fairgrounds in Richmond and mainly showcased artifacts of historical significance. Judge John Barton Payne donated his entire painting collection to the state of Virginia in 1919, which formed the core of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts' collection when it was founded. The Virginia League of Fine Arts was the successor to the Virginia League of Fine Arts and Handicrafts, and merged with the Academy just two years after their "First Municipal Art Exhibition of Richmond" in 1928.

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