1849-1981
Offsite Storage Inventory
Restrictions on Access
The bulk of the Ralph Lowell papers is stored offsite and must be requested at least two business days in advance via Portal1791. Researchers needing more than six items from offsite storage should provide additional advance notice. If you have questions about requesting materials from offsite storage, please contact the reference desk at 617-646-0532 or reference@masshist.org.
Note: This collection is PARTIALLY PROCESSED.
Abstract
This collection consists of the papers of Ralph Lowell, businessman, soldier, philanthropist, civic leader, and educational television pioneer. The collection includes letters, diaries, scrapbooks, photographs, and printed materials concerning Lowell's long association with Harvard and A. Lawrence Lowell; Lowell's activities at Lee, Higginson & Co. and the Boston Safe Deposit Co.; and his charitable work for the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and WGBH educational television.
Collection Description
This collection consists of papers of Ralph Lowell (1890-1978), banker, soldier, philanthropist, civic leader, and educational television pioneer. They consist of letters, diaries of Ralph Lowell (80 volumes), scrapbooks, and printed material. The collection includes correspondence, notebooks, and essays detailing Lowell's undergraduate education at Harvard (class of 1912), as well as materials illustrating his long association with Harvard, especially as president of the Harvard Club and as a cousin and friend of Harvard president A. Lawrence Lowell.
There are in addition papers concerning Lowell's activities at Lee Higginson & Co. and as president of the Boston Safe Deposit Co., as well as other papers related to his charitable efforts on behalf of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and the WGBH Educational Foundation. There are also papers and miscellaneous printed materials relating to Lowell's involvement in the Plattsburg, N.Y. military training camp movement, 1915-1917, and the Military Training Camps Association, 1940-1948.
Ralph Lowell married in 1917 Charlotte Loring (b. 1897), and the couple had seven children: Charlotte (1918-1927), John (b. 1919), Ralph (b. 1923), Mary Emlen (b. 1925), Lucy (b. 1928), Susan (b. 1932), and James Hale 2nd (b. 1937). There are some papers in the collection of Charlotte Loring Lowell and some of the children, as well as genealogical papers and earlier materials relating to ancestors of Ralph Lowell.
Acquisition Information
Gift of Mrs. Ralph Lowell, July 1979, with additions, 1981.
Restrictions on Access
The bulk of the Ralph Lowell papers is stored offsite and must be requested at least two business days in advance via Portal1791. Researchers needing more than six items from offsite storage should provide additional advance notice. If you have questions about requesting materials from offsite storage, please contact the reference desk at 617-646-0532 or reference@masshist.org.
Note: This collection is PARTIALLY PROCESSED.
Summary Description of the Collection
Misc. writings, ca. 1902-1940
Correspondence, 1849-1912
Correspondence, world tour, 1912-1913; 1913-1944
Correspondence, 1945-1977
Obituaries, 1978
Letters of condolence, 1978
Guest book from Ralph Lowell's funeral, 1978
Charlotte L. Lowell correspondence, 1969, 1978
WGBH
Boston Museum of Fine Arts
Interview with Ralph Lowell by Daniel M. Fox, 30 Jan. 1964
Harvard University papers and notes, 1908-1912
A. Lawrence Lowell correspondence, 1937-1942
Harvard Coll. Board of Overseers, 1943-1952
Harvard War Memorial Comm., 1946-1948
Harvard Club, 1940-1947
WWI military training camps, corresp. & papers, 1916-1918
Military Training Camps Assoc., 1940-1948
Additions to collection, 1928-1977
Ralph Lowell correspondence, 1928-1977
DuPont-General Motors case, 1958-1959
Bingham Associates Fund/New England Center Hosp., 1945-1956
Essay on Labrador, undated
Genealogical papers, some printed matter
Ralph Lowell diaries
Line-a-day diary, 5-year type, 1904-1908
Line-a-day diary, 5-year type, only 1909 filled in, 1 Jan.-7 July 1909, with gaps
Diary of trip to Chamberlain Lake, 6-13 Aug. 1907
Diary, vol. I, 13 Oct.-1 Dec. 1907
Diary, vol. II, camping trip, 2-7 Dec. 1907
Diary, vol. III, Arizona stay, 19 Jan.-12 Mar. 1908
Diary, camping trip, 24-26 Feb. 1908, 13 Mar.-12 Apr. 1908
Diary, 25 Apr.-8 May 1908
Diary, 9-17 May 1908
Diary, Arizona, vol. III, 19-30 May 1908
French notes with diary of camping trip, 28-30 June 1908
Diary, 21 July-23 Aug. 1908
Diary, camping trip, 2-5 Sep. [1908?]
Line-a-day diary, 1910
Line-a-day diary, 1911
Diary, vol. IV, 31 May-5 June [1911?]
Diary, [book I], 1-12 July 1911
Diary, book II, 12-20 July 1911
Diary, book III, 21-28 July 1911
Diary, [book IV], 28 July-6 Aug. 1911
Diary, book V, 6-18 Aug. 1911
Diary, [book IV], 18 Aug.-1 Sep. 1911
Diary, 1 July-1 Sep. 1911, typed with photographs
Diary, 1912, senior year at Harvard
Diary, trip around world, vol. I, 28 Nov. 1912-7 Jan. 1913
Diary, trip around world, vol. II, 8 Jan.-1 Mar. 1913
Diary, trip around world, vol. III, 1 Mar.-17 Apr. 1913
Diary, trip around world, vol. IV, 18 Apr.-29 May 1913
Diary, trip around world, vol. V, 29 May-11 June 1913
Diary, trip around world, vol. VI, 11 June-2 July 1913
Diary, trip around world, vol. VII, 2 July-1 Aug. 1913
Diary, trip around world, vol. VIII, 1-23 Aug. 1913
Diary, 4 Jan.-29 Dec. 1919, intermittent
Line-a-day diary, school year, Sep. 1914-June 1915
Line-a-day diary, school year, Sep. 1915-June 1916
Line-a-day diary, school year, Sep. 1916-June 1917
Diary, 6 Aug.-27 Nov. 1923
Diary, 2 Jan.-15 July 1928, with gaps
Diary, 26 June 1930-26 Dec. 1934, intermittent
Diary, 26 Dec. 1938-31 Dec. 1939
Diary, 1940
Diary, 1941
Diary, 1942
Diary, 1943
Diary, 1944
Diary, 1945
Diary, 9 Jan. and 8 Feb. 1945
Diary, 1946
Diary, 1947
Diary, 1948
Diary, 1949
Diary, 1950
Diary, 1 Jan.-16 Feb. 1951
Diary, 1951
Diary, 1952
Diary, 1953
Diary, 1953, "overflow diary."
Diary, 1954
Diary, 1955
Diary, 1956
Diary, 1957
Diary, 1958
Diary, 1959
Diary, 1960
Diary, 1961
Diary, 1962
Diary, 1963
Diary, 1964
Diary, 1965
Diary, 1966
Diary, 1967
Diary, 1968
Diary, 1969
Diary, 1970
Diary, 1 Jan.-14 Feb. 1971
Diary, 14 Feb.-31 Dec. 1971
Diary, 2 Jan.-20 Mar. 1972
Diary, 1974
Diary, 1975
Diary, 1 Jan.-26 Sep. 1976
Other volumes
Edward P. Hamilton diary, 1916
Ralph Lowell Volkmann School lab notes, undated
Ralph Lowell baseball score book, 1904, 1907
Ralph Lowell Friday Afternoon Class, 1906-1907
Ralph Lowell, loose diary pages, 1911, 1926-1927, 1930
Ralph Lowell, "A Perfect Vacation," 1936
Ralph Lowell, typed and photocopied misc. reminiscences
Ralph Lowell, diary transcripts, Aug. 1907-May 1913
Ralph Lowell, diary transcripts, June 1913-Dec. 1945
Ralph Lowell, diary transcripts, 1946-1949
Misc. typescripts of diary entries, addresses, essays, etc.
John Lowell, Jr. school papers, 1897, 1904-1905
Misc. John Lowell papers, 1865-1921
Misc. John and James H. Lowell items, 1929-1931
Harvard University printed matter
Printed matter, Plattsburg
Misc. printed matter and newspaper clippings, unsorted
Lucy Lowell trip overseas, 1981, postcards
Cassette tape of "Grand Bostonians" show, 25 Apr. 1973
Scrapbooks
Ralph Lowell, 1910-1912, Harvard
Charlotte Loring Lowell, 1917-1918
Charlotte Loring Lowell, 1917-1922
Charlotte Loring Lowell, 1923-1932
Charlotte Loring Lowell for Ralph Lowell, 1932-1935
Charlotte Loring Lowell for Ralph Lowell, 1936-1939
Charlotte Loring Lowell for Ralph Lowell, 1938-1944
Charlotte Loring Lowell for Ralph Lowell, 1948-1950
Charlotte Loring Lowell for Ralph Lowell, 1944-1948
Charlotte Loring Lowell for Ralph Lowell, 1950-1953
Oversize Materials
1 oversize boxSTORED ONSITE at Ms. N-2077Materials Removed from the Collection
Medals
Challenge Cup Boston Poultry Association medal [not in Storer]
Society of Mayflower Descendants medal, Charlotte Loring Lowell [not in Storer]
Society of Mayflower Descendants badge, Charlotte Blake Loring [not in Storer]
Park Memorial medal of Lowell Institute School [not in Storer]
Charlotte Lowell Memorial medal [not in Storer]
Ralph Lowell "Grand Bostonian" award medal [not in Storer]
American Legion 12th National Convention badge [not in Storer]
Ralph Lowell Award medal [not in Storer]
Delta Kappa Epsilon medals (3), John Lowell, John Lowell, Jr. & Ralph Lowell [Storer 0868]
Harvard Polo Club medal, Ralph Lowell [Storer 0909]
Institute of 1770 medals (2), John Lowell, Jr. & Ralph Lowell [Storer 0920]
Pierian Sodality medal, Lowell Family [G.S.E..] [Storer 0936; Julian RF-11]
Signet Club medal, Ralph Lowell [Storer 0942]
Sphinx Club medal, Ralph Lowell [Storer 0946]
Stylus Club Medal, Ralph Lowell [Storer 0947]
Centennial Anniversary Battle of Bunker Hill medal [Storer 0990]
Bunker Hill Monument/ Warren medal [Storer 2053]
Museum Objects
LOWELL Button (matrix for) [MHS Artifact no. 1066.01-.02]
LOWELL Tray [MHS Artifact no. 0954]
LOWELL Knife, cake [MHS Artifact no. 0953]
LOWELL Tray [MHS Artifact no. 0952]
BOOTT Elizabeth Needlework picture (framed) [MHS Artifact no. 0745]
LOWELL Ralph / EMERSON COLLEGE Hood, academic [MHS Artifact no. 0914]
LOWELL Ralph / BOSTON UNIVERSITY Hood, academic [MHS Artifact no. 0907]
LOWELL Ralph / BOSTON COLLEGE Hood, academic [MHS Artifact no. 0908]
LOWELL Ralph / NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY L.L.D. Hood, academic [MHS Artifact no. 0909]
LOWELL Ralph / TUFTS UNIVERSITY L.H.D. Hood, academic [MHS Artifact no. 0910]
LOWELL Ralph / BATES COLLEGE L.L.D. Hood, academic [MHS Artifact no. 0911]
LOWELL Ralph / BRANDEIS UNIVERSITY Hood, academic [MHS Artifact no. 0913]
LOWELL Ralph / LOWELL TECHNOLOGICAL INSTITUTE Hood, academic [MHS Artifact no. 0915]
LOWELL Ralph / BOSTON COLLEGE Hood, academic [MHS Artifact no. 0916]
LOWELL Ralph / BOSTON UNIVERSITY Gown, academic [MHS Artifact no. 0917]
LOWELL Ralph / SUFFOLK UNIVERSITY Hood, academic [MHS Artifact no. 0912]
MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY Paper weight with seal [MHS Artifact no. 1077]
USS CONSTITUTION / GRAND BOSTONIAN AWARD Plaque [MHS Artifact no. 1078]
EDELWEISS Flower, pressed [MHS Artifact no. 1067]
LOWELL John / Fob, seal [MHS Artifact no. 1068]
LOWELL John / Ring, mourning [MHS Artifact no. 1069]
LOWELL Ralph / Insignia pin [Infantry] [MHS Artifact no. 1074.01]
LOWELL Ralph / Insignia pin [U.S. Reserves] [MHS Artifact no. 1071.07]
LOWELL Ralph / Insignia pin [Infantry] [MHS Artifact no. 1074.03]
LOWELL Ralph / Insignia pin [Infantry] [MHS Artifact no. 1074.02]
LOWELL Ralph / Insignia pin [Lt. Col.] [MHS Artifact no. 1073.01-.04]
LOWELL Ralph / Insignia pin [Maj.] [MHS Artifact no. 1072.01-.02]
LOWELL Ralph / Insignia pin [Maj.] [MHS Artifact no. 1072.05-.06]
LOWELL Ralph / Insignia pin [Maj.] [MHS Artifact no. 1072.03-.04]
LOWELL Ralph / Insignia pin [U.S. Reserves] [MHS Artifact no. 1071.08]
LOWELL Ralph / Insignia pin [Infantry] [MHS Artifact no. 1074.04]
LOWELL Ralph / Insignia pin [U.S. Reserves] [MHS Artifact no. 1071.06]
LOWELL Ralph / Insignia pins [U.S.] [MHS Artifact no. 1071.01-.05]
LOWELL Ralph / Insignia pin [U.S. Reserves] [MHS Artifact no. 1071.09]
LOWELL Ralph / WWI Flag, service [MHS Artifact no. 1316]
LOWELL Genealogy plaque plaque, engraved and framed [MHS Artifact no. 1315]
LOWELL Shoe ribbon [MHS Artifact no. 1070.01-.02]
AT&T/ CLARK, DODGE & COMPANY Cable [MHS Artifact no. 1076]
HARVARD TERCENTENARY/ LOWELL Ralph / Baton, Marshal's [MHS Artifact no. 1065]
Graphics
Ink drawing on [card stock?], [1973], "Favorite 'Group' - The Grand Bostonians." Left to right: Arthur Fiedler, David T.W. McCord, Samuel Eliot Morison, Archibald MacLeish, John W. McCormack, Paul Dudley White, Ralph Lowell. Framed.
Photographs
Photographs removed to the MHS Photo Archives.
Preferred Citation
Ralph Lowell papers, Massachusetts Historical Society.
Access Terms
This collection is indexed under the following headings in ABIGAIL, the online catalog of the Massachusetts Historical Society. Researchers desiring materials about related persons, organizations, or subjects should search the catalog using these headings.