George G. Booth papers, 1900-1955

Collection Information

Size: 2,185 Items, (on 3 microfilm reels)

Summary: Correspondence relating primarily to the Cranbrook Academy and Cranbrook School, and some to the Detroit School of Design, the Detroit Institute of Art, the Art Alliance of America, and the American Federation of Arts; a history of Cranbrook by Booth; a diary and visitors' book; Booth's proposal for an Academy of Art and one for the reorganization of the Cranbrook Foundation; a history of the Cranbrook Press; biographical data on the Booth family; addresses by Booth; material relating to the League to Enforce Peace and the Detroit Society of Arts and Crafts; and ca. 100 letters of Carl Milles, resident artist at Cranbrook.

Biographical/Historical Note

Publisher, art administrator, art patron, founder of Cranbrook Academy, 1932; Detroit, Mich. Died 1949. Booth was president of the Detroit School of Design which was absorbed by the Detroit Museum of Art. The Detroit Museum of Art subsequently became the Detroit Institute of Art. Booth bought his estate in 1904 calling it Cranbrook, a family name. In 1932 he established it as the Cranbrook Academy and named Finnish-born architect, Eliel Saarinen, president.

Provenance

Lent 1974 by Henry Booth, descendant of George G. Booth.

Language Note

English .

Location of Originals

• Originals in: Cranbrook Archives and Historical Collection, Bloomfield Hills, Mich.