Contents
Foreword by Julián Zugazagoitia
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Part I. The Evolution of the Concept, 1911–1927
Chapter 1. Mary Atkins’s Dream of an Art Museum
Chapter 2. William Rockhill Nelson’s Bequest
Chapter 3. || Making Dreams a Reality
Chapter 4. || The Time Was Ripe
Chapter 5. || The University Trustees: The Men Who Made It Happen
Part II. The Temple of Art Becomes a Reality, 1928–1933
Chapter 6. Building the Museum
Chapter 7. Building the Art Collection
Chapter 8. Hiring the Museum Staff
Chapter 9. The Grand Opening
Part III. The Business of Running an Art Museum, 1934–1977
Chapter 10. The Nelson-Atkins as an Educational Institution
Chapter 11.. The University Trustees and Paul Gardner Set Policies
Chapter 12. The War Years under Ethlyne Jackson
Chapter 13. The Monuments Men Return
Chapter 14. Enter Ralph T. Coe
Chapter 15. The Museum Embraces Change, 1967–1977
Part IV. An Art Museum for the People
Chapter 16. Director Ralph T. Coe
Chapter 17. Wilson Facilitates a Successful Transition
Chapter 18. Beyond the Blueprint
Chapter 19. “Now, that’s the real thing.”
Appendix
Image Credits
Notes
Bibliography
Index