Ivins Family Papers
name: label: Collection Creator
content: Ivins, William Mills, 1881-1961
setName: label: See more items in
content: William Mills Ivins papers
physdesc: label: Extent
content: (Boxes 16-20; 4.5 linear ft.)
unitdate: label: Date
content: circa 1878-1964
dataSource: label: Archival Repository
content: Archives of American Art
identifier: label: Identifier
content: AAA.ivinwill, Series 5
objectType: label: Type
content: Archival materials
arrangement: label: Arrangement note
content: The series is organized into eight subseries by individual: 5.1: Genealogy, undated

5.2: William M. Ivins, Jr., circa 1893-1964

5.3: Barbara Ivins, circa 1923-1949

5.4: Emma Yard Ivins, 1878-1940

5.5: Florence Wyman Ivins, circa 1910-1948

5.6: Katharine Ivins, 1890s-1962

5.7: Margaret Ivins Holmes, 1890s-1954

5.8: Sarah Mills Ivins, 1890s-1910

5.9: William M. Ivins, Sr., 1885-1924
label: Arrangement note
content: Letters addressed to each particular person for whom a subseries exists are arranged alphabetically by sender and filed in chronological order within each name. Related clippings, estate papers, and miscellaneous items are filed with the papers of the person to whom they pertain. There are a few exceptions in this filing system: in cases where there is but one letter addressed to an individual, the item is filed with the papers of the sender, and the authorship clearly indicated in the description.
scopecontent: label: Scope and Contents note
content: The Ivins Family Papers consist mainly of correspondence between relatives and friends of the Ivins, 1878-1964, and also include drawings, clippings, genealogies, and miscellaneous items.

Correspondence between William M. Ivins, Jr., and his mother, Emma Yard Ivins, is extensive and wide-ranging. Included are letters from boarding school, c. 1890-1897, with childhood memorabilia such as grade reports, homework papers, a silhouette, and printed programs from school concerts and athletic events. His letters written while an undergraduate at Harvard, 1897-1901, and during his European trip of 1901-1902, reflect a growing interest in art. During some periods, mother and son corresponded almost daily. He frequently wrote in detail about progress with work, news of the museum, opinions about art, and activities of friends and colleagues, as well as commenting on daily life at home.

Florence Wyman Ivins (Mrs. William M. Ivins) also wrote to her mother-in-law regularly, mainly family news which often included details of her husband's professional activities.