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Christina Orr-Cahall Papers

 Collection
Identifier: CO-00

Scope and Contents

The Christina Orr-Cahall papers (1977-1993) contain the records documenting Orr-Cahall's academic and curatorial work on Addison Mizner. Materials include slides, negatives, and personal correspondence. The collection also contains communication with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, communication with Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach staff, and a copy of the Norton Museum's publication "Addison Mizner: Architect of Dreams and Realities."

The main projects within this collection are Cahall's dissertation, "An Identification and Discussion of the Architecture and Decorative Arts of Addison Mizner" and her article "Palm Beach: The Predicament of a Resort" in Historic Preservation Vol 30 No 1.

Dates

  • 1977 - 1993

Conditions Governing Use

The Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach makes its archival collections available for non-commercial, educational, and personal use unless restricted by copyright and/or donor restrictions. The materials within the collections held by the Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach Archives are intended for research, educational, or informational purposes only. Materials in these collections may be under copyright protection, and copyright restrictions may apply. Written permission must be obtained from the copyright holder and the Preservation Foundation Archives to copy, publish, or otherwise reproduce.

Biographical / Historical

Christina Orr-Cahall worked as the CEO and director of the Norton Museum in West Palm Beach from 1990-2009. She received her Ph.D. in History of Art from Yale University. Her dissertation, “An Identification and Discussion of the Architecture and Decorative Arts of Addison Mizner (1872-1933)" was completed in 1979. During her time at the Norton Museum, she curated three exhibitions on Mizner and published a book entitled "Addison Mizner: Architect of Dreams and Realities." She also wrote articles for the National Trust of Historic Preservation about Mizner and Palm Beach. After her time at the Norton Museum, she started as the Director and CEO of Experience Music Project/Science Fiction Museum Hall of Fame in Seattle, Washington. She served on the board of the Florida Association of Museums and the Institute of Museums and Library Services.

Extent

0.5 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Arrangement

The Christina Orr-Cahall Papers are arranged into 10 folders: Folder 1: Slides, Folder 2: PhotosTaken by Christina, Folder 3: Christina Orr-Cahall Negatives, Folder 4: Mizner Book Transparences and positive color images, Folder 5: Correspondence with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Folder 6: Orr-Cahall Dissertation Vol 1. Folder 7: Orr-Cahall Dissertation Vol 2 (Illustrations), Folder 8: Dissertation Chapter 6 Drafts, Folder 9: Dissertation Draft-Arch. of Mizner, Folder 10: Reprint of Mizner Dreans and Realities.

Processing Information

Collection was originally processed and arranged in 2022, but a finding aid was not created until 2025. The collection remains arranged as designated in the 2022 processing.

Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach Repository

Contact:
311 Peruvian Ave
Palm Beach FL 33480 United States