Director, 1916–1921
8 linear inches
1 microfilm roll
History
George William Eggers (1883–1958) was born in Dunkirk, New York, and was trained as an artist at the Pratt Institute Art School. He came to Chicago in 1906 to serve on the faculty of the Chicago Normal College. He was hired as director of the Art Institute of Chicago in 1916 and served in that post until 1921, at which time he left to become director of the Denver Art Museum. Later positions included the directorship of the Worcester Art Museum and cChairman of the Art Department for the City Colleges of New York. While at the Art Institute of Chicago, George Eggers was responsible for creating the extension program, inaugurating the international water color exhibitions, and planning for the first permanent installation of the museum’s collection.
Scope and Content
The records of George Eggers consist primarily of correspondence from his tenure as director, 1916–1921. No records from the first two years of his directorship have yet been located. The records begin in 1918 and continue through 1921. They contain such routine museum business as acquisitions, lecture programs, and exhibition arrangements. Correspondents include artists, donors, dealers, scholars, and staff from other art institutions.
