Submitted by Ken Cleary
On October 23, the Curtis Institute of Music welcomed Archives Month Philly enthusiasts for a tour of their historic conservancy and archives. Located adjacent to Rittenhouse Square at 1726 Locust Street and situated within three former mansion homes, the Curtis Institute of Music is as much a sight to behold, as it is a place to hear exemplary music and song. Founded in 1924 by Mary Louise Curtis Bok, the institute was created to fulfill her vision to provide the finest education and training to the most promising music students, regardless of their financial means.
Our group was led by Curtis archivist Helene van Rossum, who led us on a tour that encompassed art, architecture, music, and history. Our tour began with an overview of Curtis, pointing out classrooms, art, exhibits and other significant details. The tour concluded with a walkthrough of the library and archives spaces, where we had the opportunity to see some of their unique recordings, objects, and documents.
Several online exhibits and additional information can be found at the Curtis Archives.
Delaware Valley Archivists Group 