In 1903, Archer became foreign corresponding secretary for the New York Historical Society and served in this capacity for several years. He funded the preparation and publication of Abstracts of Wills Vol IX 1777-1783. He contributed to the funding of many of the society's other publications, as well.[4]
In 1904 he founded the Hispanic Society of America. Though its home and headquarters are in New York, and its origin is American, it is an international organization in membership, scope, and character of its work. For about fourteen years he devoted his time, and means to collecting, rare Spanish books, maps, coins, paintings, manuscripts, and objects of archaeological interest. About forty thousand books, had thus been brought together in New York. On the eighteenth day of May, 1904, he and his wife, executed the deed of foundation of the Hispanic Society, to endow a free public library, museum, and educational institution, within the City of New York. Eight lots of land in Audubon Park, were conveyed, and three hundred and fifty thousand dollars granted as an endowment by this deed.[2] Wife Anna Hyatt Huntington's second Equestrian statue, "Ruy Diaz of Bivar, the Cid Campeador", is in front of the Hispanic Museum, the first of a group of four to be placed there. For writing the life of this warrior hero of Spain, "El Cid," Archer was made a member of the French Academy.[3] In 1930, Archer M. Huntington and wife, Anna Hyatt Huntington founded the Mariners' Museum in Newport News, VA. Anna designed several pieces of statuary which grace the grounds.[5] Also in 1930, the Huntingtons purchased Brookgreen Gardens, a former indigo and rice plantation in Murrells Inlet, SC, which opened to the public in 1932. Here Anna's sculptures may be seen in a natural outdoor setting.[6] Archer M. Huntington held honorary degrees from Harvard, Yale, Columbia, Kenyon College, and the University of Madrid. He was president of the American Geographical Society and a trustee of the American Museum of Natural History, the New York Historical Society, the Museum of the American Indian, and the Heye Foundation. He died December 11, 1955, in Bethel, CT.[7] Anna Hyatt Huntington died Oct. 5, 1973, at Redding, CT.[1] Sketch, © 1999 Huntington
Family Association,
Archer Milton is H.N. 1.3.6.7.6.2.6.2.
Last updated 10 Sep 1999 by Sara (Huntington) Abbott |
