Guide to the William Wallace Gilchrist, Jr. collection, 1861 - 2000, undated
No restrictions.
William Wallace Gilchrist, Jr., Collection, George J. Mitchell Department of Special Collections & Archives, Bowdoin College Library, Brunswick, Maine.
The George J. Mitchell Department of Special Collections & Archives, like all archives and special collections libraries, is the creation of human beings who have collected, organized, and described things in ways that reflect personal, cultural, societal, and institutional biases. Although we strive to preserve and present collections in a manner that is respectful to the individuals and communities who create, use, and are represented in the collections, we acknowledge that our systems are neither neutral nor perfect. We encourage you to let us know if you encounter materials, descriptive language, or practices that are offensive or harmful, particularly those for which inadequate context or warning is offered. We are committed to modifying and updating our descriptive practices to use respectful and inclusive terminology and appreciate your help in this work. We look forward to supporting you in your research and learning together.
William Wallace Gilchrist, Jr., was born on March 2, 1879, to Susan "Maudie" Gilchrist and William Wallace Gilchrist, Sr., a celebrated musician and composer. Gilchrist and his siblings were raised with an appreciation for the arts, and William, Jr., showed an early affinity and talent for painting. He began his formal training at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in Philadelphia, where he studied under some of the period's most influential artists, including Cecilia Beaux, Thomas Anshutz, and William Merritt Chase. Gilchrist also received instruction from Winslow Homer during annual summer vacations in Maine. Gilchrist married Lucretia deSchweinitz in 1901; they had three children: Peggy, Nelly, and Bill. The family settled in Philadelphia and spent time each year in Maine. Gilchrist died on November 4, 1926, of heart disease. Peggy's son, Robert Griffin, wrote Affectionately, Wallace, a biography of his grandfather, published in 2001.
Collection of materials gathered by Robert Griffin while researching and writing Affectionately, Wallace. The collection includes correspondence, family materials, information concerning Gilchrist's paintings, Robert Griffin's research materials, and images. The correspondence is principally between family members and includes letters written to Gilchrist, Sr., while a drummer in the Civil War and a series of letters by W.W. Gilchrist, Jr., to his father during his first trip to Europe. Family materials include genealogies of the Gilchrist and deSchweinitz families, a Gilchrist family scrapbook, and a journal with poetry kept by W.W. Gilchrist, Sr. The collection also contains a comprehensive list of W.W. Gilchrist, Jr.,'s paintings with accompanying data sheets and photographs of the paintings.
Organized in five series: Correspondence, 1861-1992, n.d.; Family Materials, 1878-1999, n.d.; Artwork Documentation and Ephemera, 1900-2000, n.d.; Miscellaneous Research Materials, 1880-1993, n.d.; Images, 1902-1988, n.d.
By correspondence grouping as established by the collector, then chronologically.
Though some business letters are included, this series consists primarily of correspondence between family members. The earliest letters are written to William Wallace Gilchrist, Sr., while a drummer in the Civil War. Also included are letters written by the elder W.W. Gilchrist while in Europe in 1886 and the younger W.W. Gilchrist while in Europe in 1900-1901. Other correspondents include several generations of the Gilchrist family. The bulk of the business correspondence consists of typescripts from the Macbeth Gallery concerning W.W. Gilchrist, Jr.,'s paintings. Also included is a photocopy of a December 14, 1908, business letter from Maxfield Parrish to W.W. Gilchrist, Jr. The correspondence groupings, originally established by Gilchrist biographer Robert Griffin, have been retained. The letters appear in three forms: originals, photocopies, and typescripts, with some letters duplicated in different groupings.
No restrictions.
Business correspondence (originals):
1917-1934, letters to family members concerning library gifts, portrait payments and other business matters
Business correspondence (photocopies):
1908 Dec 14, Maxfield Parrish to W.W. Gilchrist, Jr.
Business correspondence (typescripts):
1904-1927, miscellaneous letters to and from W.W. Gilchrist, Jr., and to Mrs. Gilchrist (Lucretia) re: Gilchrist's paintings
1908-1925, n.d., mainly between W.W. Gilchrist, Jr., and the Macbeth Gallery, from handwritten notes by Robert Griffin during his 1988 visit to the Smithsonian's Archives of American Art in New York
Family correspondence (originals):
1861-1864 letters to W.W. Gilchrist, Sr., during his teen years from his uncle and mother concerning the Civil War
1881-1886, W.W. Gilchrist, Sr., to his wife (Maudie) and children, mainly from Europe
1888-1904, n.d., W.W. Gilchrist, Sr., to his wife (Maudie) and children
1900-1901 W.W. Gilchrist, Jr., to W.W. Gilchrist, Sr., from Europe
1907-1920, letters to Anna Gilchrist many concerning the death of her brother, Charles
1907-1983, n.d., miscellaneous family letters with the bulk from W.W. Gilchrist, Jr., to his mother (Maudie) and sister, Anna
1922-1924, letters to Peg Gilchrist from her aunt, Anna Gilchrist, and cousin, James Stone
1988-1992, letters to Robert Griffin. Principal correspondent, Mrs. George L. deSchweinitz ("Aunt Dorothy")
Family correspondence (photocopies)
1861-1864, letters to W.W. Gilchrist, Sr., during his teen years
1881-1886, W.W. Gilchrist, Sr., to his wife and children, mainly from Europe
1888-1904, n.d., W.W. Gilchrist, Sr., to his wife and children
1902-1916, n.d., miscellaneous family letters, mainly to Anna Gilchrist with informal references to family history
1920, n.d., letters to Anna and Ted Gilchrist, many concerning the death of their brother, Charles. Principal correspondent, Kathryn Heck, Charles' friend and business partner
Family correspondence (typescripts)
1886 Jun 16, W.W. Gilchrist, Sr., to seven year old W.W. Gilchrist, Jr. (Waddie)
1900-1901, W.W. Gilchrist, Jr., to W.W. Gilchrist, Sr., from Europe
1900-1950,n.d., miscellaneous family letters, many to Anna Gilchrist with informal information on family history; also contains a letter from Kenneth Sills to Mrs. Gilchrist after W.W. Gilchrist, Jr.,'s death
1920, n.d., letters to Anna and Ted Gilchrist, many concerning the death of their brother, Charles.
Alphabetical by material type.
This series includes genealogies of the deSchweinitz and Gilchrist families, a family scrapbook kept by Anna Gilchrist, a journal with entries and poetry by W.W. Gilchrist, Sr., and household expense books kept by W.W. Gilchrist, Jr.,'s wife, Lucretia. Also included are memorial materials for Anna Gilchrist, W.W. Gilchrist, Jr., and W.W. Gilchrist, Sr.
No restrictions.
Genealogies of the Gilchrist and deSchweinitz families
Genealogy - "Summary History of the Schweinitz Family 1350-1975"
Handwritten poems, n.d., most by W.W. Gilchrist, Jr.
Household expense books, 1927-1938 kept by Lucretia Gilchrist
Journal and poetry of W.W. Gilchrist, Sr., 1882-1890, n.d.
Memorial material for Anna Gilchrist and W.W. Gilchrist, Jr., 1932-1953, n.d.
Memorial material for W.W. Gilchrist, Sr., 1916, 1999, n.d.
Musical material re: W.W. Gilchrist, Sr., 1915-1925, n.d.
Scrapbook of the Gilchrist family, 1878-1946, n.d. [extremely fragile]
Alphabetical by material type.
This series contains information and documentation specific to W.W. Gilchrist, Jr.,'s career. Copies of correspondence from the Archives of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, newspaper clippings concerning Gilchrist's exhibits and influences on his work, and exhibit catalogs are included. There is also a ledger of W.W. Gilchrist, Jr.,'s paintings kept by his sister, Anna, as well as lists of his paintings and exhibitions compiled from various sources. Also included is a comprehensive master list of Gilchrist's paintings, with accompanying data sheets and color photographs for most of the ninety-three paintings on the list.
No restrictions.
Career information for W.W. Gilchrist, Jr., 1904-1920
Career information for W.W. Gilchrist, Jr., 1923-2000
Career information for W.W. Gilchrist, Jr., n.d.
Exhibition catalogs, 1912-1916
Exhibition catalogs, 1917-1923
Exhibition catalogs, 1926-1930
Exhibition catalogs, 1984-1986
Ledger of W.W. Gilchrist, Jr.'s, paintings kept by his sister, Anna Gilchrist
Lists compiled from various sources, of W.W. Gilchrist, Jr.'s paintings and exhibitions where they were shown
Master list of W.W. Gilchrist, Jr.'s paintings, numbered 1-93, with accompanying data sheet for each painting. A color photograph (most are 3x5 or smaller) of each painting also accompanies the list, with the number on the photo envelope corresponding to the number of the painting on the master list
Master list photographs ref# 1-93
Miscellaneous photographs of paintings
Negatives of miscellaneous photographs of paintings
Photocopies of miscellaneous Gilchrist paintings
Postcards of European art and scenes, postmarked 1900, n.d. (miscellaneous, some annotated)
Prints of European art and scenes (miscellaneous, not Gilchrist)
Alphabetical by material type.
This series contains materials collected by Robert Griffin, W.W. Gilchrist, Jr.,'s grandson, in the course of his research for "Affectionately, Wallace", his biography of W.W. Gilchrist, Jr., published in 2001. Includes handwritten notes, newspaper clippings, magazine articles, and extensive notes from the "Brunswick Record", 1915-1927.
No restrictions.
Miscellaneous notes and clippings, 1880-1993, n.d.
Notes from the Brunswick Record, 1915-1927
Alphabetical by subject.
Images include family photographs of both the Gilchrist and deSchweinitz families as well as a full-size and a pocket-size photograph album of the Gilchrist family.
No restrictions.
deSchweintz family members, n.d., photographs
deSchweintz and Gilchrist family members, 1902-1920, n.d., photocopies of photographs (annotated)
Gilchrist and Cox family members, 1906, 1935, n.d.: including a photograph of Redelia Ann Cox Gilchrist
Gilchrist family photograph album, 1902-1935, n.d.
Gilchrist family photograph album (pocket-size), n.d.
Miscellaneous photographs, 1911, 1960, 1988, n.d. with subject unidentified in most of the photos