Encyclopedic Chart, ca. 1895–96

This object is not part of the Cooper Hewitt's permanent collection. It has been able to spend time at the museum on loan from Smithsonian Libraries and Archives.

Following the example of the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Eleanor created encyclopedic reference charts, which classified in detail architecture and decorative arts into centuries, countries, and periods. Volunteers helped compile almost 1,000 scrapbooks with images of many aspects of the decorative arts by 1902. These visual references had “practical instructive value” and enriched the holdings of the museum and library.