Papers of Elizabeth H. Burrows

Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute:

A Guide to the Papers of Elizabeth H. Burrows, 1916-2002

Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute
225 South St. Williamstown, MA 01267

March 31, 2009

Arrangement of the Papers

Scope and Contents of the Papers

This series contains personal and business records of Elizabeth (Libby) H. Burrows. Elizabeth Burrows and her husband H. Morris Burrows were major donors to the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute. In 2000 the Burrowses donated their silver collection which had been on loan to the Clark since 1975. In 2004 the Burrows estate donated 8.4 million dollars to the Clark. At the time it was the largest private donation ever given to the museum. Elizabeth H. Burrows was born Elizabeth Hiscox in 1910. She graduated from Vassar College in 1931. She was married to Philip A. Salmon from 1938 until his death in 1968. She married H. Morris Burrows, a widower, in 1972. Elizabeth Burrows died in 2003. The Burrows' interests, as reflected in this series, included American Silver, Mercer cars, and travel.

The items in this series roughly fall into three categories. The first category, business correspondence, contains correspondence with the Clark and with other museums and dealers about the Burrows Collection including loan records and appraisals. The second series, financial records, includes inventories and receipts for their art and silver collections, records of art works sold, and personal financial records such as insurance policies, real estate, and wills. The Third, and largest, category contains ephemera and personal research about a variety of the Burrows' interests including antique cars, genealogy, travel, and local history. The ephemera also includes college yearbooks from Eunice Sage Burrows, Elizabeth Hiscox Burrows, and Henry Morris Burrows; Elizabeth Burrows' calendars and appointment books from 1958-2000; photographs of the Burrows, their families and friends; and several scrapbooks. The topics of the scrapbooks include family photos, travel abroad, Philip Salmon's WWII service, College event programs an invitations, and antique cars.

The majority of the records relate to Elizabeth H. Burrows but there are also items from her first Husband Philip A. Salmon, her second husband H. Morris Burrows, his first wife Eunice Sage Burrows and Eunice's father Darrow Sage. For instance, the scrapbook of invitations and event programs was compiled by Eunice Sage Burrows.

History of the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute

In 1950 Sterling and Francine Clark chartered the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute as a home for their extensive art collection. Opened to public in 1955, the Institute has built upon this extraordinary group of works to become one of the most beloved and respected art museums in the world, known for its intimate galleries and stunning natural environment. One of the few institutions in the United States that combines a public art museum with a complement of research and academic programs, including a major art history library, the Clark is now a leading international center for research and discussion on the nature of art and art history. Building upon the founders' legacy, the Institute has recently unveiled its master plan for the twenty-first century, which fosters the Clark's commitment to providing space for its expanding research and museum programs while maintaining the unique character of its beautiful rural setting.

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Restrictions

Restrictions on Access

This material is currently restricted.

Restrictions on Use

This material is currently restricted.

Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

[Cite the item (as appropriate)], Records and Papers of Elizabeth H. Burrows, 1927-2002, Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute Records, Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute, Williamstown, Massachusetts.

Acquisition Information

These records were acquisitioned from the office of the Registrar in December 2007

Processing Information

These records were processed in December 2007. A portion of the records were already processed but not organized. Staples were removed from the unprocessed materials and they were placed in acid-free folders and boxes. The records were organized together into categories.