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Parkhurst, Charles, 1913-,. Oral history interview with Charles Parkhurst, 1990 November 10 and December 6.

Title: Oral history interview with Charles Parkhurst, 1990 November 10 and December 6.

Charles Parkhurst joined the staff of the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., in 1941 as an assistant curator. He left soon thereafter for military service in World War II, serving in Europe as an officer with the U.S. Army's Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives Section. He returned to the National Gallery in 1971 as assistant director, retiring from that position in 1983. Parkhurst described his education and his work at the National Gallery before the war and recalled many of the early curatorial staff and administrative officers. He recounted his experiences in Europe during World War II and the controversy surrounding the Berlin paintings and their shipment to the National Gallery. He described the circumstances of his return to the National Gallery in 1971, the organization and functions of the office of the assistant director, and especially events surrounding the conservation controversy of the late 1970s. He described construction of the East Building and its impact on the National Gallery, development of some of the art commissions for the new building, and establishment of the Center for Advanced Study in the Visual Arts.

ArchivalResource: 3 sound cassettes (ca. 150 minutes)

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/82962726 View

Thomas, Thelma, 1902-1994. Papers, 1941-1972.

Title: Papers, 1941-1972.

Thelma Thomas served as telephone operator at the National Gallery of Art from 1940 to 1972. She was active in the NGA Recreation Association and her collection of Association bulletins provide a wealth of information about employee activities and relations during the first three decades of the Gallery's operation. Other records preserved by Mrs. Thomas include photographs, office records, telegrams sent by David Finley and newspaper clippings.

ArchivalResource: 5 linear ft.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/122558196 View

Smyth, Craig Hugh,. Oral history interview with Craig Hugh Smyth, 1993 March 1.

Title: Oral history interview with Craig Hugh Smyth, 1993 March 1.

Craig Hugh Smyth joined the curatorial staff of the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., in 1941. He left to join the U.S. Navy in 1942 and in 1945 was assigned to the U.S. Army's Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives Section. He returned to the National Gallery in 1987 as Kress professor in residence at the Center for Advanced Study in the Visual Arts. Smyth described his education and the development of his interest in the Renaissance in Italy. He recalled his initial interview with John Walker at the offices of the A. W. Mellon Educational and Charitable Trust before the National Gallery opened and his work as a young curator at the museum. He described the curators, administrators, and staff with whom he worked, especially John Walker, Macgill James, Charles Parkhurst and Fred Rieth, and remembered his experiences at Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina, supervising care of paintings evacuated from the National Gallery for safekeeping during the war years. He also recalled the work of the Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives Section of the U.S. Army, and his involvement in the controversy relating to transfer of paintings from Berlin museums to the National Gallery for temporary safekeeping.

ArchivalResource: 1 sound cassette (ca. 90 minutes)

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/78939636 View