Elmer E. Taflinger papers
name: label: Creator
content: Taflinger, Elmer E. (Elmer Edward), 1891-1981
topic: label: Occupation
content: Painters -- Indiana -- Indianapolis
label: Occupation
content: Landscape architects
label: Topic
content: Landscape design
label: Topic
content: Painting -- Indiana -- Indianapolis
acqinfo: label: Provenance
content: Donated 1982 by Robert Black, brother-in-law of Taflinger.
creator: label: Creator
content: Taflinger, Elmer E. (Elmer Edward), 1891-1981
setName: label: See more items in
content: Elmer E. Taflinger papers
abstract: label: Summary
content: The papers of painter and landscape artist Elmer E. Taflinger date from circa 1907-1981, and measure 6.2 linear feet. The papers document his life and career in Indiana and New York City. Found within the collection is biographical material; correspondence with family, friends, colleagues, and students; planning documents and design sketches from The Ruins (1973) in Holliday Park, Indianapolis and other specific artworks; theater programs and catalogues from the Art Students League of New York and other exhibitions; and photographs of studio art classes, completed works of art, works in progress, models, family, and friends.
bioghist: label: Biographical / Historical
content: Painter and landscape designer Elmer E. Taflinger (1891-1981), lived, studied, and worked in Indianapolis, Indiana, with stints in New York City and Florence, Italy.  Taflinger first studied art with at Manual High School in Indianapolis, followed by the Art Students League of New York. He was then hired by theater producer David Belasco as an art director and stage manager from 1914 to 1922. After leaving Belasco, Taflinger split his time between further study in Florence and at the Art Students League under George Bridgman. He contributed drawings to an anatomy textbook by Bridgman.   

Taflinger returned to Indianapolis in 1928, where he taught life-drawing classes in his own studio, as well as at the Indianapolis Art League until 1965. In 1933 he protested that Thomas Hart Benton was awarded the commission for murals depicting the history of Indiana for the Chicago World's Fair because Benton was not a native of the state. 

Taflinger's largest project was a design for The Ruins at Holliday Park in Indianapolis. His design helped Indianapolis gain possession of Karl Bitter's sculpture The Races of Man, after its original home, the St. Paul Building in New York City, was demolished. Taflinger's design was centered around the statues, and included additional sculptures and columns, a reflecting pool, fountains and landscaping. The project stretched from 1958 to 1973, prolonged due to lack of funds and changes to the design by Taflinger. It was finally dedicated in October, 1973. Taflinger continued to suggest the addition of the "Constitution Mall" to the project in the lead-up to the 1976 bicentennial, and that portion of the project was dedicated in 1977.   

Taflinger was also an enthusiastic amateur radio broadcaster. He died in Indianapolis in 1981.
physdesc: label: Extent
content: 6.2 Linear Feet
unitdate: label: Date
content: circa 1907-1981
dataSource: label: Archival Repository
content: Archives of American Art
identifier: label: Identifier
content: AAA.taflelme
objectType: label: Type
content: Collection descriptions
label: Type
content: Archival materials
label: Type
content: Drawings
label: Type
content: Interviews
label: Type
content: Scrapbooks
arrangement: label: Arrangement
content: The collection is arranged as 5 series:

Series 1: Biographical Material, circa 1908-1980 (0.2 linear feet; Box 1)  

Series 2: Correspondence, circa 1910-1981 (3.1 linear feet; Box 1-4; OV 8) 

Series 3: Project Files, circa 1921-1979 (0.7 linear feet; Box 4; OV 9) 

Series 4: Printed Material, circa 1907-1981 (1.0 linear feet; Box 4-5; OV 10) 

Series 5: Photographic Material, circa 1910-1979 (1.2 linear foot; Box 5-7; OV 11)
processinfo: label: Processing Information
content: Collection processed and a finding aid produced by Caroline Anderson-Gray in 2025.
genre_format: label: Genre/Form
content: Drawings
label: Genre/Form
content: Interviews
label: Genre/Form
content: Scrapbooks
scopecontent: label: Scope and Contents
content: The papers of painter and landscape designer Elmer E. Taflinger date from circa 1907-1981, and measure 6.2 linear feet.  

Biographical material includes ephemera from secondary and post-secondary school, a handwritten play and other short writings, administrative documents and teaching notes from art classes, an essay based on an interview with Taflinger, an annuity agreement, and awards and recognitions.  

Correspondence includes letters from colleagues, students, friends, and family throughout Taflinger's life and career, as well as extensive letters between Taflinger and his longtime girlfriend, Jessica Daube, some with illustrations. There are also a handful of postcards, and an original comic strip by Bill Juhré with a note to Taflinger.  

Project files consist of design and planning materials for a variety of projects, including designs and sketches, source material, construction specifications, and financial planning records for The Ruins (1973) at Holliday Park in Indianapolis.  

Printed Material includes newspaper and magazine clippings, some in scrapbooks, related to Taflinger's work, as well as theater programs, including several from David Belasco productions. There are also catalogs from the Art Students League of New York and other assorted exhibitions, as well as a few brochures from cruises Taflinger was a passenger on. 

Photographic material consists of extensive shots of Taflinger himself, as well as family, friends, and models, including some of Jessica Daube at her home in Mexico and other assorted travel. There are also photos from Taflinger's studio art class, of The Ruins (1973) in Holliday Park, Indianapolis, and of other works of art. This series includes some negatives and transparencies.