Radeke, Eliza G., 1854-1931

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Born on December 11, 1854 in Augusta, GA, Eliza G. Radeke graduated from Vassar College in 1876. That same year, she assisted her mother Helen Metcalf's work for the Rhode Island Women's Centennial Commission organized for the Philadelphia Exposition. Radeke married Dr. Gustav Radeke, an immigrant from Hamburg, Germany, in 1880. She and her husband took an active role in RISD soon after. Until his death in 1892, Gustav Radeke worked to organize an Industrial Museum. Elected to the Board of Directors in 1886, Eliza Radeke assisted her mother on the Committee of Management that year, and then permanently beginning in 1890. She served as Chair of the Committee, 1895-1931, and President, 1913-1931. In addition, she was a member of the Museum Committee, 1893-1931, and served as Acting Director, 1907-1908.

Eliza Radeke worked closely with artists, dealers, and Museum Directors, especially L. Earle Rowe, to develop the Museum of Art's extensive collection. She compiled the Museum's cast collection and funded the building of the Japanese Gallery, designed by Charles Platt. The strength of her collection lay in 19th century French paintings and drawings. Other interests included Japanese prints, Native American pottery, and the antiquities, particularly Greek and Roman works.

In 1900, in honor of their father, Radeke and her siblings created the Jesse Metcalf Memorial Fund for the purchase of works of art. Funded by her brothers Stephen and Jesse, the Eliza G. Radeke Museum of Art opened in 1926. The Radeke Memorial Garden within the Museum courtyard opened in 1934.

From the guide to the Eliza G. Radeke records, Radeke (Eliza G.) records, 1860-1930, bulk 1880-1924, (Rhode Island School of Design Archives)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Warren S. Locke papers, Locke (Warren S.) papers, 1893-1901 Rhode Island School of Design Archives.
creatorOf Eliza G. Radeke records, Radeke (Eliza G.) records, 1860-1930, bulk 1880-1924 Rhode Island School of Design Archives.
referencedIn Rhode Island School of Design. Museum of Art. Presidents' and Directors' correspondence., 1893-1966, 1900-1948 Rhode Island School of Design Archives.
referencedIn Royal Bailey Farnum records, Farnum (Royal Bailey) records, 1905-1965, bulk 1905-1946 Rhode Island School of Design Archives.
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Anthony, Gardner C. (Gardner Chace), 1856- person
associatedWith Farnum, Royal Bailey person
associatedWith Homer, Eleazer Bartlett person
associatedWith La Farge, John, 1835-1910 person
associatedWith Locke, Warren S., 1854-1912 person
associatedWith Matsumoto, Sogo person
associatedWith Pendleton Collection corporateBody
associatedWith Platt, Charles A. (Charles Adams), 1861-1933 person
associatedWith Rhode Island School of Design. Museum of Art. corporateBody
associatedWith Rhode Island School of Design. Office of the President corporateBody
associatedWith Sauerwein, Frank Paul, 1871-1910 person
associatedWith Stetson, Charles Walter, 1858-1911 person
associatedWith Wanskuck Company corporateBody
Place Name Admin Code Country
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Birth 1854

Death 1931

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