Collection context
Summary
- Abstract:
- John Taylor Johnston was a founder of The Metropolitan Museum of Art and was elected its first President in 1870. He held this position until he retired in 1889; the institution’s Trustees subsequently voted him Honorary President for Life. The collection consists of travel journals, visitor books, correspondence, family histories, and other unpublished and published documents relating to the life, travels and family history of John Taylor Johnston. The bulk of this material relates to Johnston’s personal affairs and is not concerned with The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
- Extent:
- 2.5 Linear feet and (2 boxes, 9 custom book boxes)
- Language:
- Preferred citation:
[Title of item], [date], Box [number], Folder/Volume [number], John Taylor Johnston Collection, The Metropolitan Museum of Art Archives.
Background
- Scope and Content:
The John Taylor Johnston Collection consists of travel journals, visitor books, correspondence, family histories, and other unpublished and published documents relating to the life, travels and family history of John Taylor Johnston. Travel journals written by John Taylor Johnston between 1832 and 1869 describe his leisure and business trips. Handwritten text and faded ink make some entries difficult to read; however, some are supplemented by typed transcripts. Visitor’s books record attendees of regularly hosted viewings of Johnston’s collection and artist receptions held at his residence. Typed transcripts of correspondence and family records found in Series III and IV provide insight into the personal life and family history of John Taylor Johnston. Series V contains miscellaneous documentation including clippings, an auction catalog, obituary, etc.
- Biographical / Historical:
John Taylor Johnston was a founder of The Metropolitan Museum of Art was elected its first President in 1870. He held this position until he retired in 1889; the institution’s Trustees subsequently voted him Honorary President for Life.
Johnston was born April 8, 1820 in New York to John Johnston, a successful businessman and patron of the arts, and Margaret Taylor. He attended Edinburgh High School in Scotland, the University of the City of New York (known today as New York University) and Yale Law School. In 1843 he was admitted to the bar and practiced law until 1848, when he was named President of what was to become the Central Railroad of New Jersey. Johnston was married in 1851 to Frances Colles (d.1888). Their children were Mrs. Robert W. de Forest (Emily), Mrs. Henry E. Coe (Eva), Mrs. Pierre Mali (Frances) and John Herbert Johnston. Johnston kept diaries to document his travels abroad with his family as a young man, as well as his leisure and business travels later in life. An avid and notable art collector, Johnston displayed his paintings at his home on the corner of Fifth Avenue and Eight Street and eventually gave many objects to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. John Taylor Johnston died March 24, 1893.
- Acquisition information:
- Created by various sources including, but not limited to, John Taylor Johnston and other Johnston descendents. The bulk of the collection was received in 1978 and the early 1980’s through gifts and bequests of Noel Johnston King, John Johnston Appleton, and William W. Appleton. Other donors include Mrs. Richard N. Pierson and various unnamed sources.
- Arrangement:
The John Taylor Johnston Collection is organized in the following series: Series I. Travel Journals Series I.A. Originals Series I.B. Transcripts Series II. Visitor Books Series III. Correspondence Series IV. J. Herbert Johnston’s File Vol. I Series V. Miscellaneous
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Access
- RESTRICTIONS:
-
Collection is open for research. Researchers are required to use transcripts when available for their initial access to travel journals. Requests for access to originals will be reviewed by Archives staff on a case by case basis.
- TERMS OF ACCESS:
-
Material in Series I and II are in the public domain and may be freely quoted. Copyright restrictions may apply to items in Series III, IV and V; consult Archives staff regarding permission to quote or reproduce. 1
- PREFERRED CITATION:
-
[Title of item], [date], Box [number], Folder/Volume [number], John Taylor Johnston Collection, The Metropolitan Museum of Art Archives.
- LOCATION OF THIS COLLECTION:
-
1000 Fifth AvenueNew York, NY 10028, United States
- CONTACT:
-
212-535-7710