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516

(X) 

April 29/96.

My dear Mr. Freer:

Earlier reply to your letter of 24th inst. prevented by my absence. I appreciate your courteous invitation to examine the sketches for the proposed building to be used as an art school and public art gallery in connection with your University, and regret that I cannot see my way clear to accept. My reasons are as follows:

In the first place, I am not egotistical enough to believe that my knowledge of architecture is sufficiently good to be of the slightest value in connection with a building such as you mention. 
In the next place, personally I deem it unwise to attempt to establish too many art schools or public art galleries in America. Let us first create in the schools connected with the Academy of Design and Metropolitan Museum of New York standards sufficiently perfect to entitle them to recognition and standing such as have been achieved by the great art schools and museums of the old world. After this shall have been done, art schools and museums located elsewhere throughout our country can hope to accomplish results worthy of the high cause aimed at. Personally I believe this country already has too many so-called art schools and museums. The competition existing between these various schools lends to low standards and in the end injures rather than benefits true art. 

You will I trust pardon this frank letter. My excuse, if one is necessary, is a strong desire for the centralization under the best auspices of the art work of the country, and surely this cannot be done outside of New York. 

Yours very truly,
Charles L. Freer

Prof. Paul C. Freer,
University of Michigan,
Ann Arbor, Mich.

Transcription Notes:
---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-09-20 13:32:41