Royal Bailey Farnum records (4.0)

Series I. Subject files
The bulk of the records document the Farnum administration, 1929-1946, with emphasis on the development of the educational program and the Business Office, construction projects, the budget, the Executive Committee, faculty and staff, and the Museum particularly Director Alexander Dorner. The collection contains records from the Office of the Director, 1901-1929, including World War One records, the Jewelry and Textile Departments, the Library, and scholarships (1905-1938).

There are extensive records on educational planning especially for a year long series of faculty meetings exploring art education, 1944-1945. The documents include detailed reports on the faculty discussions. The files on the development of the College Street Building, 1935-1937, and the Auditorium, 1938-1941, provide extensive coverage of the construction process including correspondence with architects Philip D. Creer and F. Ellis Jackson.

The files contain extensive records on Farnum's work for and relationship with the Executive Committee as well as the Faculty. Documents include Evening School Reports, 1934-1943, Faculty radio talks, 1932-1933, personnel files, 1934-1946, World War Two correspondence with faculty and students, and Commencement records, 1931-1947. The appointment and dismissal of Museum Director Alexander Dorner, 1938-1941, is documented in detail.

The records document the period from 1905-1929 with particular emphasis on World War One. The records include comprehensive lists of RISD war volunteers, correspondence, letters from soldiers to Eliza Radeke, and vocational training records (1918-1923). The records include files for individual scholarships granted to RISD students.

Arranged alphabetically by subject.

Series II. Reports
The reports, prepared monthly during the academic year by Royal Bailey Farnum for presentation to the Executive Committee, provide a detailed narrative of Farnum's administration. In addition, the reports document his professional activities outside of RISD including trips to other states and Europe, conferences, speeches, and organizations.

Farnum describes the activities of faculty, staff, the Museum and students with particular emphasis on the development of new educational programs. He covers the development of the degree in teacher training in depth as well as the Freshman Foundation and the creation of the Business Office and Administrative manual. His remarks include discussions of current trends in art education, cooperative ventures with local industry and educational institutions, the impact of W.W.II on the School, and his philosophical musings on various subjects.

The reports may include enrollment and scholarship statistics, correspondence, and notes of Executive Committee deliberations.

Arranged chronologically by month.

Series III. Awards and Achievements

Series IV. Writings