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James H. Chillman, Jr. papers

 Collection
Identifier: MS 0482
Finding aid note: Stored off-site at the Library Service Center. Please request this material via woodson@rice.edu or call 713-348-2586.

Scope and Contents

Correspondence, typescripts, printed material, news clippings, photographs, books, memorabilia, dating 1891 to 1972 and covering family and professional life of James Chillman, a faculty member at the Rice Institute and the first director of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Many of the transcripts of his radio show "Art is Fun" are in the collection along with a thorough photographic history of his family and career. A large number of news articles are featured concerning his life and career as leading member of Houston's burgeoning academic and art communities.

Dates

  • 1891-1972

Creator

Restrictions on Access

This material is open for research. Stored off-site at the Library Service Center. Please request this material via woodson@rice.edu or call 713-348-2586.

Restrictions on Use

Permission to publish from the Chillman Papers must be obtained from the Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library, Rice University.

Biographical / Historical

James H. Chillman was the first director of the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston and one of the first faculty members of the Rice Institute, now known as Rice University. In the 1950's Chillman aired a very popular radio show called "Art is Fun" which discussed art relating to Houston, popular currents, and new art, all aimed at getting the Houston community interested in art. He was the first director of the Museum of Fine Arts until the early ’50s, and he also was Agnes Cullen Arnold Professor of Fine Arts (part of the Department of Architecture) at Rice from the formative years into the early ’70s. He worked half time as the director and half time on the faculty at Rice. He died in 1972 after 55 years of service to the Rice community.

Extent

2.5 Linear Feet ( (5 boxes))

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Overview

Correspondence, typescripts, printed material, news clippings, photographs, books, memorabilia, dating 1891 to 1972 and covering family and professional life of James Chillman, Agnes Cullen Arnold Professor of Fine Arts at the Rice Institute and the first director of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Many of the transcripts of his radio show "Art is Fun" are in the collection along with a thorough photographic history of his family and career. A large number of news articles are featured concerning his life and career as leading member of Houston's burgeoning academic and art communities.

Acquisition Information

The collection was a gift of Helen Chillman, 1973.

Subjects

Record Groups

Related Names

Creator

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title
Guide to the James H. Chillman, Jr. papers, 1891-1972
Status
Completed
Author
Tyler Kruse
Date
2005
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the Woodson Research Center, Rice University, Houston, Texas Repository

https://library.rice.edu/woodson
Contact:
Fondren Library MS-44, Rice University
6100 Main St.
Houston Texas 77005 USA

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Harmful Content Statement
© 2023 Woodson Research Center
Fondren Library, Rice University
Physical Address: 6100 Main, Houston, Texas 77005-1827
Mailing Address: MS-44, P.O. Box 1892, Houston, Texas 77251-1892