This collection is located on-site.
A collection of letters addressed to Russell Potter, Director of the Institute of Arts & Sciences, relating to speaking engagerents and conferences. The correspondence, dated 1930-1945, includes letters from Gertrude Stein, Robert Frost, Edna Ferber, Al Smith, Henry Wallace, Anthony Eden, and Harold Laski. Some of the letters are of a personal nature.
There are also over 130 sketches by Lucie Ruth Kraft (1891- ) of lecturers as they appeared at the Institute. Many of these sketches were autographed by the subjects. Also included are a copy of "the Handbook" copies of "The Institute Program" 1934-1940 and a Playbill for a production of works by Cornelia Otis Skinner. The typescript notes of Walter H. McKay for the 22nd session are also included in the collection.
Selected materials cataloged; remainder listed.
You will need to make an appointment in advance to use this collection material in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room. You can schedule an appointment once you've submitted your request through your Special Collections Research Account.
This collection is located on-site.
Reproductions may be made for research purposes. The RBML maintains ownership of the physical material only. Copyright remains with the creator and his/her heirs. The responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.
Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. Contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.
Item related to Pearl S. Buck is available on microfilm. See MN# 91-2094-2.
Gift of the Institute, 1945.
Gift of Emma S. Stecher, 1982.
Transfered from Columbiana, 1986.
Gift of Beulah B. McKay, 1990.
Source of acquisition--Institute of Arts and Science. Method of acquisition--Gift, 1945; Date of acquisition--1945. Accession number--M-1945.
Source of acquisition--Stecher, Mrs. Emma. Method of acquisition--Gift; Date of acquisition--1982. Accession number--M-1982.
Source of acquisition--Columbiana. Method of acquisition--Transfered, 1986; Date of acquisition--1986. Accession number--M-1986.
Source of acquisition--McKay, Mrs. Beulah B.. Method of acquisition--Gift; Date of acquisition--1990.
Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library
Entered in AMC HR rev 2/82 08/29/90.
Entered in AMC 08/29/90.
Eneted in AMC 08/29/90.
2020-10-06 EAD document created by CCR, and note on Pearl Buck item was added to this document.
The Institute was the non-academic division of the University Extension at Columbia University from 1913 to 1957, and its scope included single lectures and short series of lectures on general subjects. The Institute was established to provide evening education for adults wishing to keep abreast of current thought among the arts.
The subject headings listed below are found in this collection. Links below allow searches for other collections at Columbia University, through CLIO, the catalog for Columbia University Libraries, and through ArchiveGRID, a catalog that allows users to search the holdings of multiple research libraries and archives.
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