The Trustee Records, 1944-2007, contains records regarding the trustees of the Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields. The earlier records, prior to the name change in 1969, refer to the John Herron Art Institute. However, a majority of the records in this collection were created after 1975. Records within this collection include correspondence, memorandums, gift agreements, deeds, and obituaries. The arrangement is alphabetical by last name. There are multiple types of trustees represented in these records, including but not limited to, life, testamentary life, sustaining life, at large, elected, honorary, and representative trustees. Note that many of the women listed were originally listed under their husbands’ names and the documents will reflect this. Research was conducted and the names were changed within the finding aid to ensure that the female trustees received credit for their contributions.

The Wilbur D. Peat Research Papers contain materials related to Peat’s articles, books, lectures, and classes predominantly from the years 1935-1958. The collection includes notes and index cards on Indiana artists and collectors, article clippings, bibliographies, exhibition catalogs, photographs of artworks, and correspondence with art collectors, curators and artists’ families.  The materials contain extensive notes relating to a number of Peat’s books including Pioneer Painters of Indiana, Indiana Houses of the Nineteenth Century, Chinese Ceramics of the Sung Dynasty, and Portraits and Painters of the Governors of Indiana, 1800-1943. A portion of this collection, relating to Pioneer Painters of Indiana, has been digitized in partnership with IUPUI University Library made possible by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services, administered by the Indiana State Library. You can access the digital collection here: https://cds.ulib.iupui.edu/collections/WilburPeat

The Wilbur David Peat Papers, 1924-1972, undated, contains records regarding the Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields while under the directorship of Wilbur Peat after he took over as director from acting director Anna Hasselman. The collection contains records primarily sourced from the director’s office. It documents the administrative actions of the institution from the director level. Note that administration reorganization has taken place since these records were created. Many of the earlier papers in this collection were not originally housed in the director’s office due to the administrative setup of the institution at the time.
It is important to note that this collection extends past both Wilbur Peats's life and his final year as director in 1966. Isabel Martin, executive assistant to the director, started in 1967 and continued/finished many of the projects started under director Peat. Martin also compiled and added context to these files prior to their addition to the archives.
The series are organized by subject, but the individual files are in original order with no further arrangement. Due to Peat’s involvement with education and community, researchers will find information regarding correspondence and education of value.

The William Henry Fox Papers, 1884-1940, undated, contains records regarding the John Herron Art Institute while under the directorship of Fox after he took over from the unofficial first director of the museum, Anna Turrell. The collection contains records such as correspondence, financial reports, and acquisition data primarily sourced from the director’s office. It documents the early administrative actions of the institution. Note that administration reorganization has taken place since these records were created. Some current directorial responsibilities were being handled by various boards and can be found within the Boards and Committees Records collection (ADV 003). The collection is organized by subject, but the individual files are in original order with no further arrangement. The bulk of dates fall between 1902 and 1912. Researchers will find information regarding early correspondence and history of value.