Municipal Art Society

Sub-Series

Staff Only

Scope and Content

From the Collection:

The Boards and Commissions series (39 linear feet) comprises a variety of records and reports submitted to the Court of Common Council and maintained by the Town and City Clerk. The Joint Committee on Amusement subseries (1 linear foot) contains reports, appointments, appropriations, resolutions, ordinances, petitions, and other correspondence. Similar material is found in the Board of Charity Commissioners and Department of Public Welfare (4 linear feet) subseries, including both typescript and printed annual reports. Finance (7 linear feet) follows the evolution of the Board of Finance beginning with Ordinary and Fire Department budgets to the Finance and Ways and Means committees and finally the Board. Largely annual reports, there are additional reports, resolutions, correspondence, and other communications. The Housing Authority and Juvenile Commission subseries (.5 linear feet each) contain annual reports. The Board of Park Commissioners (6.5 linear feet) includes requests for funds, along with annual reports. In the Board of Street Commissioners subseries (10.5 linear feet) there are financial documents as well as information about street improvement. Receipts and Disbursements, a variety of assorted records and communications, and annual reports form the Board of Water Commissioners subseries (9.5 linear feet)

The Town and City Clerk Archives has been split into several additional finding aids: Boards and Commissions, Building Permits, City Property, Corporations, Court Matters, Education, Licenses and License Applications, Mayor and Council, Property Deeds and Releases of Attachment, Public Safety, Public Works, Selectmen’s Records, Sewers, Streets, Taxation, Town and City Officers, Transportation, Vital Records, and Zoning.

Dates

Majority of material found in 1836-1977
1635-2010 (Entire archive)

Access Restrictions

The records are stored in a restricted area and therefore may not be available on a same-day basis.

Historical

In proposing the organization of the Municipal Art Society, Charles Noel Flagg stated it would be for "the consideration of such municipal questions as the location, architecture, decoration and care of municipal and state buildings; the appropriate and harmonious layout of streets and avenues; the planting of shade trees along the streets and highways; the proper regulation of public advertising signs; the erection of public baths and houses of comfort; the better numbering of houses; in short the promotion in every practicable way of beautifying of our streets and public places." (Hartford Courant, 29 July 1904)