Finding Aid for the Edward E. Adams Papers, 

1945-1978 (bulk 1945-1948)

Summary Information

Repository National Gallery of Art Archives

Sixth Street and Constitution Avenue, NW 

Washington, DC 20565 

archives@nga.gov

Title Edward E. Adams Papers

Identifier SC.013

Creator Adams, Edward E., 1904-1994

Date 1945-1978 (bulk 1945-1948)

Extent 0.75 cubic feet (3 boxes); approximately 125 digital files

Abstract This collection documents the activities of Edward E. Adams, a captain

with the Monuments, Fine Arts and Archives (MFAA) Section of the United 

States Army in Germany during and immediately after World War II.

Papers include photographs, publications, and printed material.

Biographical Note

Worked as an interior architect before joining the United States Army

1945 Became the director of the MFAA Evaluation Team for Upper Bavaria, 

Germany

Winter 1945 Supervised the evacuation of looted works from Schloss Neuschwanstein 

near Füssen, and Kloster Buxheim, a former monastery in the village of 

Buxheim near Memmingen, both in Bavaria, Germany

1946 Returned to the United States

Published “Looted Art Treasures Go Back to France,” The Quartermaster 

Review (September-October 1946)

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circa 1950 Associated with Steton and Adams Consulting Decorators, Washington, 

DC

1982-1994 Resided at Penick Memorial Home in Southern Pines, North Carolina

June 6, 1994 Died, Southern Pines, North Carolina

Scope and Content

Papers concern the work of Adams and other MFAA officers. Included are a few items Adams 

accumulated while in Germany, such as procedural statements and an exhibition catalogue. 

Publications include Adams’ article in The Quartermaster Review describing his experience as an 

MFAA officer. Of note are Adams's original photographs of his work supervising the evacuation 

of art works from Schloss Neuschwanstein and Kloster Buxheim. They came to the National 

Gallery in the form of original camera negatives. Negatives were digitized for access and

preservation.

Arrangement 

Materials are arranged in the following series: 

Series 1 Art Restitution-Related Materials, 1945-1978

Series 2 Photographs, 1945-1946

Administrative Information

Conditions Governing Access This collection is open for research by appointment under 

the conditions of the National Gallery of Art Archives 

Access Policy. For all inquiries or to schedule an 

appointment, please contact archives@nga.gov. 

Preferred Citation National Gallery of Art Archives. Edward E. Adams Papers.

Rights Status Copyright undetermined

Language English; French

Acquisition Information Gift of Edward E. Adams, 1982. 

Processing Information Initially organized by National Gallery of Art Library staff 

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before transfer to the National Gallery of Art Archives, 1999. 

Arranged and described by archives staff, 2007.

Related Archival Materials Resources Relating to World War II describes other WWIIrelated archival materials available at the National Gallery 

of Art. 

The National Archives and Records Administration of the 

United States (NARA) holds official government records 

relating to the work of the Monuments, Fine Arts and 

Archives officers and the American Commission for the 

Protection and Salvage of Artistic and Historic Monuments 

in War Areas (Roberts Commission).

Monuments Men Foundation Archives available at the 

National WWII Museum. 

Series Descriptions

Series 1 Art Restitution-Related Materials, 1945-1978 [box 1] 

This series includes files and publications relating to Adams’ activities as a MFAA officer during 

World War II. Materials include military procedures and a security pass for Schloss 

Neuschwanstein, the exhibition catalogue for Paintings from the Berlin Museums at the National 

Gallery of Art, and four publications on the repatriation of looted art. Of special interest is an 

article that Adams wrote for The Quartermaster Review recounting his experiences as a MFAA 

officer in Germany.

Series 2 Photographs, 1945-1946 [boxes 2-3] 

This series includes photographic prints and negatives taken during the removal of art from

Schloss Neuschwanstein and Kloster Buxheim showing staff members at work and their

surroundings. Original prints and a partial set of chemical prints from original negatives are

arranged in folders. For conservation purposes, negatives are stored separately from the 

photograph prints. Photographs in this series have been digitized and are available to researchers.

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Edward E. Adams Papers

Series 1 Art Restitution-Related Materials, 1945-1978

Box 1

Adams, Major Edward E. Q.M.C. "Looted Art Treasures Go Back to France." The Quartermaster

Review (September-October 1946)

1-1

Flanner, Janet. "Annals of Crime: The Beautiful Spoils, Part I - A.H., Linz." The New Yorker

(February 22, 1947)

1-2

1-3 Hungarian Crown of St. Stephen - newspaper clippings, 1978

Paintings from the Berlin Museums Exhibited at the Request of the Department of the Army. National

Gallery of Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, March 17-April 18, 1948

2 copies.

1-4

1-5 Schloss Neuschwanstein - procedures and security pass, undated

Skilton, John D., Jr. Défense de L'Art Européen: Souvenirs d'un officier américain ‘Spécialiste des

Monuments.’ Translated by Jacqueline de Gromard. Paris: Éditions Internationales, 1948

1-6

Series 2 Photographs, 1945-1946

Box 2

2-1 List of photograph identifications

Buxheim roll 1-A

Selected chemical prints. Digitized version(s) available. Negative(s) stored separately.

2-2

Buxheim roll 1-B

Selected chemical prints. Digitized version(s) available. Negative(s) stored separately.

2-3

Buxheim roll 2

Selected chemical prints. Digitized version(s) available. Negative(s) stored separately.

2-4

Buxheim roll 3

Selected chemical prints. Digitized version(s) available. Negative(s) stored separately.

2-5

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Edward E. Adams Papers

Buxheim roll 4

Selected chemical prints. Digitized version(s) available. Negative(s) stored separately.

2-6

Buxheim rail head

Original prints.

2-7

Box 3

Neuschwanstein roll 1

Selected chemical prints. Digitized version(s) available. Negative(s) stored separately.

3-1

Neuschwanstein roll 2

Selected chemical prints. Digitized version(s) available. Negative(s) stored separately.

3-2

Neuschwanstein - Fussen rail head

Original print.

3-3

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