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Finding Aids to Personal Papers and Special Collections in the Smithsonian Institution Archives

Accession 17-126

Hirshhorn, Joseph H.

Joseph H. Hirshhorn Papers, 1921-1981, 1996

Repository:Smithsonian Institution Archives, Washington, D.C. Contact us at osiaref@si.edu.
Creator:Hirshhorn, Joseph H.
Title:Joseph H. Hirshhorn Papers
Dates:1921-1981, 1996
Quantity:1.88 cu. ft. (1 record storage box) (1 16x20 box) (0.19 non- standard size boxes)
Collection:Accession 17-126
Language of Materials:English
Summary:

This accession consists of papers of Joseph H. Hirshhorn. Joseph Hirshhorn was born in Latvia in 1899 and immigrated to the United States in 1905 with his mother and siblings. At twelve, Mr. Hirshhorn left school to sell newspapers and by fourteen he was working in the firm that would later become the American Stock Exchange. At seventeen, Mr. Hirshhorn established himself as a broker, and later invested in Canadian mining in the 1930s. This led to his eventual ownership of multiple uranium mines. Along with working as a businessman, Mr. Hirshhorn was an avid art collector and donated large sums of money to support the arts. In 1966 it was announced that he would donate his art collection to the United States, which would be housed in what would become the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden (HMSG).This collection is comprised of Hirshhorn family photographs, correspondence, Mr. Hirshhorn's immigration documents, some news articles pertaining to Mr. Hirshhorn's uranium business, photographs of Mr. Hirshhorn with various artists, documents regarding the HMSG, photographs from Mr. Hirshhorn's funeral, awards from the mining industry, and related materials. The items in this collection were donated by Mrs. Olga Hirshhorn, Mr. Hirshhorn's fourth and final wife, as well as his children Gene LePere, Naomi Hirshhorn Caryl (also known as Naomi Caryl Hirshhorn), and Gordon Hirshhorn.

Descriptive Entry

This accession consists of papers of Joseph H. Hirshhorn. Joseph Hirshhorn was born in Latvia in 1899 and immigrated to the United States in 1905 with his mother and siblings. At twelve, Mr. Hirshhorn left school to sell newspapers and by fourteen he was working in the firm that would later become the American Stock Exchange. At seventeen, Mr. Hirshhorn established himself as a broker, and later invested in Canadian mining in the 1930s. This led to his eventual ownership of multiple uranium mines. Along with working as a businessman, Mr. Hirshhorn was an avid art collector and donated large sums of money to support the arts. In 1966 it was announced that he would donate his art collection to the United States, which would be housed in what would become the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden (HMSG).

This collection is comprised of Hirshhorn family photographs, correspondence, Mr. Hirshhorn's immigration documents, some news articles pertaining to Mr. Hirshhorn's uranium business, photographs of Mr. Hirshhorn with various artists, documents regarding the HMSG, photographs from Mr. Hirshhorn's funeral, awards from the mining industry, and related materials. The items in this collection were donated by Mrs. Olga Hirshhorn, Mr. Hirshhorn's fourth and final wife, as well as his children Gene LePere, Naomi Hirshhorn Caryl (also known as Naomi Caryl Hirshhorn), and Gordon Hirshhorn.

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Access Restriction

Box 1 contains restricted materials; see finding aid.

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Preferred Citation

Smithsonian Institution Archives, Accession 17-126, Joseph H. Hirshhorn Papers

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Container List

Box 1

Gene Hirshhorn LePere Birth Certificate, October 1926 (LePere gift) [RESTRICTED]

Box 1 of 3

Photograph - Joseph H. Hirshhorn and Gene, Long Island, May or June 1927 (LePere gift)

Box 1 of 3

Promissory Note Julius Rilium(?) to Joseph H. Hirshhorn, 1935

Box 1 of 3

New Year's Card to Joseph H. Hirshhorn from Isaac Friedlander, 1937

Box 1 of 3

Preston East Dome Mines Painting Reproduction, 1937

Box 1 of 3

Satirical Writings, 1936-1939

Box 1 of 3

Joseph H. Hirshhorn Federation Building Fund Certificate, 1945

Box 1 of 3

Negative - Interior 165 Broadway, Mr. Hirshhorn's Desk in His Office, 1956

Box 1 of 3

Joseph H. Hirshhorn News Article, 1958

Box 1 of 3

Photograph - Gold Ore from the Porcupine Camp, 1959

Box 1 of 3

Slides - Joseph H. Hirshhorn in Greenwich, 1963

Box 1 of 3

Zogbaum's Studio Slides, September 1964

Box 1 of 3

Slides - Greenn in Gardens, 1964 (Olga Hirshhorn gift)

Box 1 of 3

Slides - Hartung in Greenwich Gardens, November 1964

Box 1 of 3

Slides - Round Hill Greenwich, November 1964

Box 1 of 3

Photograph - Joseph H. Hirshhorn and Eugene Berman, Italy, 1964

Box 1 of 3

Photographs - Joseph H. Hirshhorn at de Kooning Studio, 1965

Box 1 of 3

Slides - Joseph H. Hirshhorn at Barbara Hepworth Studio Saint Ives, England, June 1965

Box 1 of 3

Slides - Joseph H. Hirshhorn House and Gardens Greenwich, August 1965

Box 1 of 3

Slide - Joseph H. Hirshhorn in Nivola's House and Studio, August 1965

Box 1 of 3

Photograph - Joseph H. Hirshhorn and Willem de Kooning in the Artist's Studio, Long Island, 1965 (Photo by John McMahon)

Box 1 of 3

Slides - Joseph H. Hirshhorn in Gottleib's Studio, Long Island, August 1965

Box 1 of 3

Slides - Steichan Birthday Party at his Connecticut Home, 1965

Box 1 of 3

Agreement between Joseph H. Hirshhorn, The Joseph H. Hirshhorn Foundation, Inc., and the Smithsonian Institution, May 17, 1966 (Olga Hirshhorn gift)

Box 1 of 3

Congressional Records, May 1966 (Olga Hirshhorn gift)

Box 1 of 3

Congressional Documents, 1966 (Olga Hirshhorn gift)

Box 1 of 3

Various Correspondence to Joseph H. Hirshhorn, 1966

Box 1 of 3

Joseph H. Hirshhorn News Articles, 1967

Box 1 of 3

Photocopies of Correspondence - Joseph H. Hirshhorn to Gene LePere, 1942-1967

Box 1 of 3

Joseph H. Hirshhorn Correspondence, August-October 1968

Box 1 of 3

Correspondence - Joseph H. Hirshhorn and Man Ray, 1967, 1968

Box 1 of 3

Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden Annual Reports, 1968 and 1969 (Olga Hirshhorn gift)

Box 1 of 3

Photograph with Description - Joseph H. Hirshhorn and Edward Steichen, 1969

Box 1 of 3

"Our Daddy Joe" Poem by Gene LePere in Honor of his 70th Birthday, August 11, 1969

Box 1 of 3

Photograph - Joseph H. Hirshhorn and Picasso, 1969 (Olga Hirshhorn gift)

Box 1 of 3

Slide - Cesar, Madura Gallery Opening, 1969 (Olga Hirshhorn gift)

Box 1 of 3

Joseph H. Hirshhorn House and Sculpture Garden Photographs and Negatives, 1969

Box 1 of 3

Photographs Taken by Olga Hirshhorn at Notre Dame de Vie Mougins, 1969

Box 1 of 3

Contact Sheet, Negatives - Al Lerner and First Trustee Meeting, December 1971 (Photographs by Bill Soghor)

Box 1 of 3

HMSG Gift List, 1966-1972 (Olga Hirshhorn gift)

Box 1 of 3

Negative - Kenneth Clark with Joseph H. Hirshhorn in Greenwich, Connecticut, 1972

Box 1 of 3

Photographs - Round Hill Garden Spring, 1972

Box 1 of 3

HMSG Press Release, October 4, 1974 (Olga Hirshhorn gift)

Box 1 of 3

Photograph - Joseph H. Hirshhorn at Chaim Gross Opening at the National Collection of Fine Arts, 1974

Box 1 of 3

Photographs - Joseph H. Hirshhorn and Henry Moore, 1974

Box 1 of 3

Joseph H. Hirshhorn to Smithsonian Institution - Deed of Gift, April 17, 1974 (Olga Hirshhorn gift)

Box 1 of 3

Photographs of Joseph H. Hirshhorn with Man Ray (1969) and Kadishman (1974)

Box 1 of 3

Hirshhorn Family Photographs, 1922-1975

Box 1 of 3

Correspondence and Invoices, 1973-1975 (Olga Hirshhorn gift)

Box 1 of 3

Photographs - Joseph H. Hirshhorn at Vauvenargues, France, 1975

Box 1 of 3

Gene LePere - Horatio Alger Awards Luncheon Table Assignment, 1976

Box 1 of 3

Horatio Alger Awards Ceremony Invitation, 1976 (LePere gift)

Box 1 of 3

Horatio Alger Awards Booklet, 1976

Box 1 of 3

Joseph H. Hirshhorn Correspondence with Gene LePere, 1943-1977 (LePere gift)

Box 1 of 3

Assorted Images, 1977

Box 1 of 3

Photographs - Joseph H. Hirshhorn with Rauschenberg in Captiva Island, Florida, in Bob's Studio, 1977

Box 1 of 3

Photographs - Joseph H. Hirshhorn and Various Artists, 1963-1977

Box 1 of 3

Aevry Moore's Grandchild with Joseph H. Hirshhorn in District of Columbia House, 1978

Box 1 of 3

Gene LePere Correspondence, 1926-1980

Box 1 of 3

Christmas Cards, 1965-1980 (Olga Hirshhorn gift)

Box 1 of 3

Photographs - Joseph H. Hirshhorn and Ambassador Evron (Israel) and Wife, 1980

Box 1 of 3

Intaglio Plate for Joseph H. Hirshhorn's Death, 1981

Box 1 of 3

Correspondence to Gene Hirshhorn LePere after Joseph H. Hirshhorn's Death, 1981

Box 1 of 3

Joseph H. Hirshhorn Memorial Service Announcement, 1981

Box 1 of 3

Joseph H. Hirshhorn Memorial Condolence Card

Box 1 of 3

Joseph H. Hirshhorn Funeral Photographs, 1981

Box 1 of 3

Card to Olga Hirshhorn with Joseph H. Hirshhorn Doodle

Box 1 of 3

Round Hill Real Estate Pamphlet

Box 1 of 3

Correspondence - Lyndon B. Johnson and Joseph H. Hirshhorn (Olga Hirshhorn gift)

Box 1 of 3

Photographs - Greenwich Garden in the Snow (Olga Hirshhorn gift)

Box 1 of 3

Photographs - Joseph H. Hirshhorn and Kenneth Noland at Kenneth Snelson Exhibit Opening at HMSG

Box 1 of 3

Joseph H. Hirshhorn's Address Book (Gene LePere gift)

Box 1 of 3

Photocopies of Miscellaneous Photographs (many of Lily Harmon)

Box 1 of 3

Photocopies of Photographs with Identifications (LePere gift)

Box 1 of 3

Joseph H. Hirshhorn 80th Birthday Invitation

Box 1 of 3

Cards from Olga and Joseph H. Hirshhorn to Gene LePere (LePere gift)

Box 1 of 3

Portraits - Joseph H. Hirshhorn, Jennie Berman, and Family

Box 1 of 3

Photographs of Cap d'Antibes, France (Olga Hirshhorn gift)

Box 1 of 3

Hirshhorn Family Photographs (2201 Bancroft Place, Washington, DC), (Olga Hirshhorn gift)

Box 1 of 3

Portrait of a Tropical Beach Residence - 21 Gulf Shore Boulevard, Florida (Olga Hirshhorn gift)

Box 1 of 3

Hirshhorn Family House Photographs, La Quinta, California (Olga Hirshhorn gift)

Box 1 of 3

Photograph - Rodin Sculpture in Rudier Foundry with Giacometti, Gift of Pierre Matisse

Box 1 of 3

Joseph H. Hirshhorn Photographs (Olga Hirshhorn gift)

Box 1 of 3

Photographs from Florida List

Box 1 of 3

Slides - Round Hill Gardens

Box 1 of 3

Correspondence to Joseph H. Hirshhorn, Copies of Book Covers, Autographed Pages

Box 1 of 3

Olga Hirshhorn Gift of Photographs

Box 1 of 3

Photographs, Autographed Book Pages

Box 1 of 3

Correspondence to Joseph and Olga Hirshhorn

Box 1 of 3

Joseph H. Hirshhorn Certificate of Shares of the Rio Tinto Mining Company of Canada Limited

Box 1 of 3

An Authentic American Artist Article, Transparency Copy

Box 1 of 3

An Authentic American Artist Article and Negative

Box 1 of 3

Painters and Poets, Gift for Olga Hirshhorn

Box 1 of 3

Joseph H. Hirshhorn Petition for Naturalization, Certificate of Arrival, Declaration of Intention, 1921-1925 (LePere gift)

Box 1 of 3

Joseph H. Hirshhorn Cadillac Statement of Purchase, April 1930

Box 1 of 3

Joseph H. Hirshhorn Correspondence, 1934

Box 1 of 3

Joseph H. Hirshhorn Family Photographs Photocopies, 1921(?)-1940(?) (Naomi Caryl gift)

Box 1 of 3

Joseph H. Hirshhorn Technical Mine Consultants Certificate, 1942

Box 1 of 3

Joseph H. Hirshhorn Correspondence to Rose Berman, 1960-1961

Box 1 of 3

Joseph H. Hirshhorn Family Photographs, 1922-1966

Box 1 of 3

Joseph H. Hirshhorn Family Photographs - Negatives, 1922-1966

Box 1 of 3

Joseph H. Hirshhorn Genealogy Records, Family Photographs, and Correspondence, 1927-1970 (LePere gift)

Box 1 of 3

Joseph H. Hirshhorn Family Photographs (some photocopies), 1937(?)-1978 (Naomi Caryl gift)

Box 1 of 3

Letters to Gene LePere from Joseph and Olga Hirshhorn, 1967

Box 1 of 3

Writings Edited by Joseph H. Hirshhorn

Box 1 of 3

Box 2

Photograph - Preston East Dome Mines Limited, South Porcupine, Canada, Souvenir of the Official Opening of the Mill, April 29, 1939 (with identification of mill parts)

Box 2 of 3

Photograph - Hirshhorn Family with Lyndon B. and Lady Bird Johnson

Box 2 of 3

Photograph - Joseph H. Hirshhorn, Olga Hirshhorn, and the Hirshhorn Fellows

Box 2 of 3

Photocopy of Uranium News Article - The Financial Post, August 1, 1953

Box 2 of 3

Photograph - Joseph H. Hirshhorn, circa 1950-1952

Box 2 of 3

Photographs - Huckleberry Hill House, 1943 (2 folders)

Box 2 of 3

Box 3

Canadian Mining Hall of Fame Induction Trophy and Pin, January 1996 (Gordon Hirshhorn gift)

Box 3 of 3

Lodge on the Desert 25th Year and Callahan Mining 50th Year Commemorative Dish

Box 3 of 3

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