V, Objects Offered, Acquired, and Refused

This is the central correspondence file from Milliken's tenure as director, dating from 1930-1958. When Milliken became director, he apparently continued Whiting's numerical filing scheme for awhile, but at some point he (or someone on his support staff) decided to establish a new central file of director's correspondence in an alphabetical sequence by correspondent names and subject terms. Materials in each file are usually arranged chronologically, although general files, such as those pertaining to loans and objects offered, are arranged alphabetically by correspondents' names.

This series is particularly useful for researching museum operations during a period of tremendous growth and during important historical events such as the Depression and World War II. Whereas Whiting's administrative correspondence is frequently the only source for some early events, however, Milliken's is supplemented by records created in other departments during the same period. For example, most of the records pertaining to the planning and construction of the museum's 1958 building are located in the files of the buildings and grounds department (now design and facilities) and of Harold T. Clark, who was then the museum's president and legal counsel.

In addition to correspondence, this series contains transcripts from speeches and lectures, newspaper and magazine clippings, financial statements, invoices, photographs, and blueprints. Like Whiting, Milliken corresponded with art dealers, insurers, handlers, collectors, and purchasing agents, as well as artists, building architects and contractors, prominent members of the Cleveland community, and representatives from other cultural and educational institutions. In addition, his records contain internal memoranda and reports from staff in various departments, including the business office, library, buildings and grounds, prints and drawings, and textiles.

Researchers should be aware that this series is not as comprehensive as it should be, because a significant but unknown amount of materials were removed by staff in the director's and curatorial offices. It is known that William Milliken himself weeded and discarded those materials that he considered nonessential. To determine whether materials were once included, researchers should consult the card index (series IV).