Archives

Since its inauguration as a public institution in 1934, the Walters Art Museum has maintained records pertaining to the history of the institution and its acquisitions and exhibitions. Historical files include architectural drawings and plans for renovations and new construction, early collection catalogues, photographs of installations, Walters family memorabilia, and correspondence regarding the development of the collections and their conveyance to the city of Baltimore. The archives are not yet open to the public, but the museum's staff is willing to answer questions and make available material pertaining to the history of the museum. (info@thewalters.org)

A history of the Walters family and the creation of the museum is provided in William R. Johnston's William and Henry Walters, the Reticent Collectors (Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press in association with the Walters Art Gallery, 1999).  The book is available for purchase in the Museum Store.