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Fogg Art Museum Scrapbooks, May 1947-February 1950

ARCH.2003.30, Rendition: 802590

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The image shows a collection of newspaper clippings from 1947, primarily from the Worcester Evening Gazette and the Boston News. The clippings discuss the return of Harvard University's art treasures, which were hidden in the Petersham forest during World War II for safekeeping.

  1. Worcester Evening Gazette (May 9, 1947)

    • Headline: "Petersham Forest Disgorges Millions In Art Treasures"
    • Content: This article describes the retrieval of Harvard's art treasures from their wartime hiding place in the Petersham forest. The treasures, including paintings, tapestries, and other valuable artworks, were stored in a specially built vault in the forest to protect them from potential wartime threats. The article mentions the efforts of Edward W. Forbes, director of the Fogg Art Museum, in overseeing the safekeeping and retrieval of these artworks.
  2. Worcester Evening Gazette (May 23, 1947)

    • Headline: "Harvard's Art Treasure Took to Woods At Petersham During War, Now Returned"
    • Content: This article provides more details about the storage and retrieval process of Harvard's art treasures. It discusses the precautions taken to protect the artworks from humidity and temperature changes, as well as the efforts to ensure their safety during the war. The article also mentions the involvement of various individuals and organizations in the retrieval process.
  3. Boston News Clip (May 20, 1947)

    • Headline: "Harvard's Prize Art Brought From Hiding"
    • Content: This short article from the Boston News reports on the return of Harvard's art treasures from their wartime hiding place. It highlights the significance of the artworks and the measures taken to protect them.
  4. Boston News Clip (May 21, 1947)

    • Headline: "Famous Art Returned to Harvard"
    • Content: This article from the Boston News provides additional details about the return of the art treasures to Harvard. It mentions the involvement of the Fogg Art Museum and the significance of the artworks to the university.

Overall, the clippings highlight the efforts taken to protect valuable artworks during World War II and the successful retrieval and return of these treasures to Harvard University.

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The image shows a collection of newspaper clippings related to the return of art treasures from Harvard that were stored in the Petersham Forest during World War II. The articles are from different publications, including the Worcester Evening Gazette, the Boston News Clip, and the Boston News.

  1. Headline and Date:

    • The main headline reads "Petersham Forest Disgorges Millions In Art Treasures" with the date May 19, 1947, indicating the day these valuable items were revealed to the public after being hidden for safety during the war.
  2. Main Article:

    • The article describes how Harvard’s priceless art collection, including paintings, drawings, and other items, was stored at the 2287-acre University forest in Petersham, Massachusetts. The collection was moved there in 1942 for protection from potential threats during the war. The articles detail the meticulous process of packing, transporting, and storing the items in a specially prepared building to ensure their safety. The collection included works by renowned artists such as Rembrandt, Reynolds, and Gainsborough. The article also mentions the challenges posed by the weather and the need for precise climate control to protect the delicate items.
  3. Additional Clippings:

    • There are additional clippings that provide more context and details about the returned art treasures. One of these is titled "Harvard's Art Treasure Took to Woods At Petersham During War, Now Returned" and discusses the specific measures taken to protect the art, including the use of fireproofing and the selection of Petersham for its low risk of natural disasters.
    • Another clipping, titled "Harvard's Prize Art Brought From Hiding" from the Boston News, dated May 20, 1947, provides a summary of the return of the art, noting the involvement of the university's Fogg Art Museum and the role of the forest as a secure hiding place.
  4. Content and Context:

    • The articles collectively highlight the significance of the art pieces, the careful planning and execution to protect them, and the relief and satisfaction upon their safe return. The descriptions offer insights into the historical context of safeguarding cultural treasures during times of conflict and the specific challenges involved in preserving art.

The clippings provide a comprehensive overview of the efforts made by Harvard to protect its art collection during World War II and the subsequent return of these items to their rightful place.

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The image is a collage of newspaper clippings from the Worcester Evening Gazette and other local papers dated May 1947, detailing the return of Harvard's art treasures from the Pettersham Forest in Worcester, Massachusetts.

  1. Worcester Evening Gazette, May 19, 1947:

    • Title: "Petersham Forest Disgorges Millions In Art Treasures"
    • The article discusses the retrieval of Harvard's art collection from the forest. Harvard officials had stored these treasures in a hidden location during World War II. The treasures, including paintings, drawings, and engravings, were safely returned to the university after the war.
    • Key Points:
      • The treasures were hidden in a 228-acre forest, part of the former Copleston property.
      • A significant amount of artworks was recovered, including works by famous artists such as Winslow Homer and Francis Marion Carpenter.
      • Harvard's art collection, valued at millions, was stored in secret to protect it from potential damage during the war.
  2. Gazette, May 24, 1947:

    • Title: "Harvard’s Art Treasure Took To Woods At Petersham During War, Now Returned"
    • This article focuses on the specific details of the storage and retrieval of Harvard’s art treasures.
    • Key Points:
      • The artworks were stored in a specially built waterproof bunker.
      • The storage location was discovered by accident and was found to be well-protected from the elements.
      • The retrieval process involved the careful removal of the art pieces to prevent any damage.
  3. Boston News Clip (120 Tremont Street):

    • Title: "Harvard Prize Art Brought From Hiding"
    • This article notes the return of Harvard’s prized art collection from the hiding place in Pettersham.
    • Key Points:
      • The return of the art treasures was a significant event, marking the conclusion of their wartime hiding.
      • The artworks were described as valuable and significant to Harvard’s heritage.
  4. Boston News Clip (120 Tremont Street):

    • Title: "Argus, Montclair, Vt."
    • This part of the collage doesn’t provide specific details but indicates the broader significance of the returned art treasures, highlighting the importance of preserving cultural heritage.
  5. Register, May 20, 1947 (New Haven, Conn):

    • Title: "Harvard Prize Art Brought From Hiding"
    • A reiteration of the return of Harvard's art treasures, emphasizing the historical and cultural importance of the event.

Overall, these clippages highlight the strategic and careful handling of Harvard’s art collection during World War II and the eventual return of these valuable items to their rightful place in the university's collection.

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The image is a collection of newspaper clippings from the Worcester Evening Gazette dated May 19, 1947, and other papers, detailing the recovery of valuable art treasures from Harvard University's Petersham Forest during World War II.

  1. Main Headline:

    • "Harvard's Art Treasure Took to Woods at Petersham During War, Now Returned"
    • The article, written by W. M. Howe Jr., describes how Harvard University's valuable art collection, including paintings, drawings, and sculptures, was taken to the Petersham Forest for safekeeping during World War II. The art pieces were hidden in a former school building and a barn to protect them from potential air raids and damage.
  2. Details from the Article:

    • Art Recovery:
      • The art pieces, which included works by Rembrandt, Rubens, and others, were brought back to Harvard's Fogg Museum.
      • The university had to make arrangements to transport the art safely back to Cambridge.
    • Conditions and Locations:
      • The art was kept in a former school building and a barn in the woods, protected from the elements and potential threats.
      • The recovery process involved careful handling and documentation to ensure the artworks remained intact.
    • Historical Context:
      • The artworks were initially taken to the Petersham Forest in 1942 due to the risk of air raids on Cambridge.
  3. Other Related Clippings:

    • Worcester Evening Gazette:

      • The clipping provides additional context, emphasizing the value and significance of the recovered art, including the names of some of the artists whose works were safeguarded.
    • Boston News Clips:

      • Clippings from the Boston News and other papers, dated May 20, 1947, mention the return of the artworks to Harvard and the efforts to protect them during the war.
      • There is a note about the value of the recovered art, including a mention of the Rembrandt piece, which is highlighted for its importance.
  4. General Observations:

    • The articles collectively highlight the meticulous planning and execution required to protect Harvard's valuable art collection during a time of war.
    • The recovery of these artworks represents a significant cultural and historical achievement for Harvard University.

The newspapers' detailed reporting underscores the importance of preserving cultural heritage even in times of conflict.

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The image is a collection of newspaper clippings from May 1947, detailing the return of Harvard University's art treasures from Petersham Forest in Massachusetts, where they were hidden during World War II.

Headlines and Main Articles:

  1. Worcester Evening Gazette - May 19, 1947:

    • Petersham Forest Disgorges Millions in Art Treasures: The article describes how Harvard's art collection, valued at millions, was hidden in the 2287-acre Petersham Forest during the war. The collection includes paintings, sculptures, and other artworks, which were moved from Harvard's Fogg Museum and other locations to a remote area in the forest for safekeeping. The return of these artworks is being facilitated by Harvard officials.
  2. Harvard's Art Treasure Took to Woods At Petersham During War, Now Returned (by H.M. ROBERTS, JR.):

    • This article explains the circumstances leading to the art treasures' relocation. Harvard University's Fogg Museum, with its valuable art collection, was deemed vulnerable to potential bombings and thus the art was moved to Petersham Forest. The forest's remote and rugged terrain was chosen for its security. The article mentions the return of the artworks to the Fogg Museum.
  3. Additional Articles:

    • Harvard Prize Art Brought From Hiding: This article from the Boston News Clip, dated May 2, 1947, mentions the return of three paintings from the Fogg Museum, including works by George Washington's portrait painter Gilbert Stuart and other notable artists, to their rightful place at Harvard.

Details:

  • The collection included valuable pieces such as works by artists like Rembrandt, Titian, and other masters.
  • The artworks were stored in a series of buildings in the forest, including the former Petersham School and the Fogg Museum's own buildings.
  • The return of these treasures is a significant event, marking the end of a period of careful concealment and the resumption of their display at Harvard.

The clippings emphasize the importance of protecting cultural heritage during times of war and the relief of their safe return.

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The image displays several newspaper clippings from 1947 detailing the discovery and return of Harvard University's art treasures that were hidden in Petersham, Massachusetts, during World War II.

Main Article from Worcester Evening Gazette (Worcester, Mass., May 19, 1947):

Headline: Petersham Forest Disgorges Millions In Art Treasures

Content:

  • During World War II, Harvard University hid a vast collection of art treasures in the forest of Petersham to protect them from potential bombing or enemy confiscation.
  • The treasures, including paintings, rare books, and other valuable items, were stored in a climate-controlled environment inside a specially constructed vault.
  • The artworks were moved from various locations, including the Fogg Art Museum, Widener Library, and Houghton Library.
  • Some notable items mentioned include:
    • Paintings by Rembrandt, Van Dyck, and Copley.
    • Rare books from the 15th century and earlier.
    • Manuscripts and collections from notable figures such as Thomas W. Forbes and Paul J. Sachs.
  • The operation was highly secretive, with only a few Harvard officials aware of the exact location and details.
  • The treasures were returned to their respective locations in 1947 after the war.

Other Clippings:

Boston Transcript (Boston, Mass., May 19, 1947):

  • Headline: Harvard’s Prized Art Brought From Hiding
  • This article highlights that the art treasures were moved to ensure their safety during the war and were now being returned to Harvard's campus.

Boston News Clips (Boston, Mass.):

  • Headline: Harvard’s Art Treasure Took to Woods At Petersham During War, Now Returned
    • By S. H. Walker, Jr.
  • Mentions that the climate-controlled vault was built in Petersham and that the treasures were now being returned.

Gazette (Worcester, Mass., May 19, 1947):

  • Confirms the secretive and extensive nature of the operation to hide the art treasures.

Boston News Clip (28 Tremont Street, Boston, Mass., May 9, 1947):

  • Headline: Family Art Returned
    • Mentions the return of art pieces belonging to the Forbes family, including works by Reynolds and Romney.

Argus (Montpelier, Vt., May 9, 1947):

  • Headline: Million Dollar Art U.S. Stored in Woods Is Safe
  • Describes the value and importance of the hidden art treasures and their safe return.

Summary:

The newspaper articles collectively detail the story of Harvard University's efforts to protect its valuable art and literary collections during World War II by hiding them in a secret, climate-controlled vault in Petersham, Massachusetts. After the war, these treasures were safely returned to their original locations on Harvard’s campus. The articles emphasize the secrecy, planning, and significant value of the artworks involved.

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The image depicts a collection of several newspaper clippings, all dated around May 1947, from various newspapers including the Worcester Evening Gazette and Boston news outlets. The headlines and articles focus on the story of art treasures related to Harvard's Whistler and Gainsborough collections that were taken to the woods at Petersham for safekeeping during World War II and were now being returned.

The largest clipping on the right is titled "Harvard's Art Treasure Took to Woods At Petersham During War, Now Returned" by W.M. Homer, Jr. It narrates how paintings by famous artists such as Whistler and Gainsborough were moved out of Boston to a safe location in Petersham to protect them from war-related threats, including bombings. The article details the measures taken to preserve these valuable artworks, including the precautions against humidity, temperature changes, and fire hazards, and the eventual return of the paintings.

Another clipping from the Worcester Evening Gazette titled "Petersham Forest Disgorges Millions In Art Treasures" elaborates on how massive art treasures were relocated and stored safely at Petersham and the challenges faced during this process.

Additional smaller clippings from Boston news outlets report on the same event, describing the safe return of the paintings, the historical significance of this wartime protection effort, and some specifics about the storage and handling of the artworks.

The overall tone of the collection of clippings is historical and informative, documenting the wartime protection and subsequent return of important cultural artifacts. The clippings are yellowed, with some wear and torn edges, indicating their age.

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The image shows a collection of newspaper clippings that seem to be old and have been carefully arranged on a larger piece of paper or board. The main clipping in the center has a heading "Worcester Evening Gazette" with a sub-headline "Petersham Forest Disgorges Millions In Art Treasures" dated April 1947. The subject matter relates to the safeguarding of Harvard's famous art treasures during World War II, where they were hidden in a forest at Petersham, Massachusetts.

Other smaller clippings around this main article continue the subject with headings like "Harvard's Art Treasure Took to Woods At Petersham During War, Now Returned" and "Harvard's Prize Art Brought From Hiding". These clippings contain information about the specific works of art and the efforts to protect and eventually return them to their original location.

The physical state of the clippings suggests that they are brittle, with some pieces missing along the edges, indicative of their age. The collection gives an insight into post-war activities related to the recovery and protection of art and cultural heritage.

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The image is a scanned newspaper clipping from the Worcester Evening Gazette, dated May 19, 1947, featuring two main articles. The layout and design are typical of mid-20th-century newspapers, with a mix of headlines, subheadings, and columns of text. Here’s a detailed description:

Header Information:

  • Newspaper Name: Worcester Evening Gazette
  • Location: Worcester, Mass.
  • Date: May 19, 1947
  • Page Number: Page 1947 (likely a reference to the page number within the newspaper).

Main Articles:

Left Column:

  • Headline: "Petersham Forest Disgorges Millions In Art Treasures"
    • This article discusses the discovery of valuable art treasures hidden in the Petersham Forest in Massachusetts during World War II. Key points include:
      • Context: The treasures were concealed by Harvard University during the war to protect them from potential damage or theft.
      • Details: The treasures include paintings, drawings, prints, and other artworks, valued at millions of dollars.
      • Discovery: The art was found in 1942 and remained hidden until recently.
      • Value: The article mentions that some pieces were worth up to $60,000, with the most valuable items estimated to be worth $100,000 or more.
      • Ownership: The treasures were part of Harvard's collection and were stored in waterproof, humidity-controlled conditions to preserve them.
      • Return: The art was returned to Harvard after the war.

Right Column:

  • Headline: "Harvard’s Art Treasure Took to Woods At Petersham During War, Now Returned"
    • This article elaborates on the same event, providing additional context and details:
      • Protection During War: During World War II, Harvard moved its valuable art collection to the Petersham Forest to protect it from potential damage or theft.
      • Storage Conditions: The art was stored in a specially designed building with waterproofing, humidity control, and other protective measures.
      • Return: The treasures were returned to Harvard after the war, and the article highlights the successful preservation of the artworks.
      • Artworks Mentioned: The article references specific pieces, including works by famous artists such as John Singer Sargent and others.
      • Value: The total value of the returned art is estimated at millions of dollars.

Additional Elements:

  • Subheadings and Text: Both articles contain detailed subheadings and paragraphs that provide context, quotes, and further explanations about the discovery, storage, and return of the art treasures.
  • Visual Layout: The text is arranged in narrow columns, typical of newspaper formatting from the era. The headlines are bold and prominent, drawing attention to the main stories.
  • Footer Information: At the bottom of the image, there are smaller text boxes labeled "BOSTON NEWS CLIP" with addresses and dates:
    • Boston News Clip: 120 Tremont Street, Boston, Mass., dated May 20, 1947.
    • Argus: 120 Tremont Street, Boston, Mass., dated May 21, 1947.
    • These likely indicate that the clipping was part of a news archive or collection.

Visual Condition:

  • The image appears to be a scanned or photographed copy of the original newspaper page. There are some signs of aging, such as slight discoloration and minor creases, but the text remains legible.

Overall Theme:

The image captures a historical moment during and after World War II, highlighting the efforts made by institutions like Harvard University to protect cultural treasures during times of conflict. The articles emphasize the value, preservation, and successful return of these artworks.

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The image shows a piece of paper with various articles, newspaper clippings, and text printed on it. The paper appears to be old and worn, with some parts torn or damaged. The articles are about art treasures, including paintings, drawings, and prints, that were hidden during World War II to protect them from enemy bombs. The articles mention specific pieces of art, such as the Cross by Simone Martini and the Crucifixion of Giotto, and discuss the efforts to safeguard these treasures. The paper also includes a section titled "Boston News Clip" with additional information about the art treasures and their return to Harvard.