The Museum Archives document the life of Isabella Stewart Gardner and the history of the Museum. The Archival Collection complements the Museum’s art collection and provides a window into the world of the Museum’s founder. Archives staff collect, appraise, preserve, organize, and describe the personal papers of Isabella Stewart Gardner as well as the Museum records of enduring administrative, legal, fiscal, intrinsic, and historical value.
Archival Collections
A list of the different archival collections—and a link to a Finding Aid where available—is below.
I. Isabella Stewart Gardner Papers (1492–1924, bulk 1880–1923)
II. John L. Gardner, Jr. Papers (1869–1897)
III. Henry W. Swift Papers (1889–1923)
IV. Institutional Records (1900–present day)
V. Artists-in-Residence Archive (1990–present day)
Vl. Museum Artifacts (1900–present day)
VII. Collected Isabella Stewart Gardner Materials (1860–1925)
VIII. Manuscript Collections (late 1700s–1958)
IX. Collected Photographs (mid-1800s–mid-1900s)
Most of Isabella’s papers are digitized and available online through the Online Collection.
Music Archives
Explore recordings from our Weekend Concert Series in Music Department Recordings & Archives.
Past Exhibitions & Programs
Archival Reference & Research Service
Access to the Museum Archives and Reading Room is by appointment only. Specific requests to examine material may be made in writing to the archivist by letter, or email.
Museum Archives
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
25 Evans Way
Boston, MA 02115
Email: archives@isgm.org
Requests should be made at least two months in advance and should describe research interest and outcome in detail, material needed, and reason for an on-site visit. Follow-up conversations with the archivist may be necessary to better understand the nature of the study. Some records may be restricted for security, legal, privacy, or preservation reasons.
Collection Research
Frequently Asked Questions
Interested in doing research about an artwork in the collection? Many questions can be answered by consulting the Online Collection, the Inside the Collection blog, and Gardner Museum publications. Our collection catalogues and journals have been digitized and are available through the Virtual Reading Room. Catalogued objects include select bibliographies on their Online Collection pages.
Q: How can I source an image of a work of art or an archival item in the Museum’s collection?
A: Images are available for download on each object’s Online Collection page. To learn about our Terms of Use and how to request high resolution photographs, please visit our Rights & Reproductions page.
Q: Can you authenticate and/or give a valuation for a work of art or archival item in my own collection?
A: The Museum is unable to verify the authenticity of objects or archival items or provide valuations.
Q. How can I find out more information about Isabella Stewart Gardner and the history of the Museum?
A: Please consult the Meet Isabella page.
Q: Can I volunteer or be an intern in the Collections department?
A: Any open volunteer or internship opportunities will be posted on our Employment at the Gardner page.
Not finding the answer? Collection records and inquiries are managed through the Collections department. Contact collections@isgm.org. While we do try to answer inquiries about the Museum and objects in its collection if the information cannot be found online or in publications, we are sorry that we cannot help with inquiries about general history or objects not held by the Museum.
If you are requesting to see Collections files or objects in person, you should contact the department at least two months in advance and describe research interest and outcome in detail, material needed, and reason for an on-site visit.
Archives Collecting Policy
Occasionally, the Archives collects material directly related to Isabella Stewart Gardner and the history of the Museum. For more information, contact archives archives@isgm.org.
Rights and Reproductions
Learn about rights and reproductions on the use of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum's images, audio, text files, and data.