Deaths on January 6

Ruth Carter Stevenson, American art collector, founded the Amon Carter Museum of American Art (b. 1923)

Ruth Carter Stevenson (October 19, 1923 – January 6, 2013) stands as a foundational figure in American art philanthropy, best known as the visionary founder of the Amon Carter Museum of American Art. Born into a prominent Fort Worth, Texas, family, her remarkable life was dedicated to preserving and promoting American artistic heritage, locally and nationally. She passed away at her Fort Worth home at the age of 89, leaving behind an indelible legacy.

Early Life, Education, and Family Roots

Born in Fort Worth, Texas, in 1923, Ruth Carter Stevenson was the second daughter of Amon G. Carter and Nenetta Carter. Her father, Amon G. Carter Sr., was a towering figure in Texas, renowned as the creator and publisher of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, a newspaper that played a significant role in shaping the identity and development of Fort Worth and North Texas throughout the 20th century. This upbringing instilled in Ruth a deep connection to her Texan roots and an understanding of the power of cultural institutions.

Stevenson pursued her education with notable academic rigor. She graduated from the esteemed Madeira School, a girls' boarding school in McLean, Virginia, known for its strong academic program. She then went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from Sarah Lawrence College in Yonkers, New York, in 1945. While a degree in chemistry might seem an unusual path for a future arts patron, it underscores her intellectual curiosity and analytical approach, qualities that would later prove invaluable in establishing and guiding a major cultural institution.

Establishing the Amon Carter Museum of American Art

The genesis of the Amon Carter Museum stemmed directly from the philanthropic vision of her father, Amon G. Carter Sr. In his will, following his death in 1955, he stipulated the creation of a public museum specializing in Western American art. The primary purpose was to house his extensive personal collection, which comprised more than 700 art objects depicting the American West, with a particular emphasis on iconic paintings and sculptures by two of the most celebrated artists of the American frontier: Frederic Remington and Charles M. Russell. These artists are renowned for their vivid depictions of cowboys, Native Americans, and landscapes, capturing the spirit and mythology of the American West.

Ruth Carter Stevenson embraced this profound responsibility, becoming the driving force behind the museum's realization. She personally selected the internationally acclaimed architect Philip Johnson to design the museum building. Johnson, a leading figure in modernist architecture known for groundbreaking works like the Glass House in New Canaan, Connecticut, conceived an elegant and functional structure that would become a landmark in Fort Worth's cultural district. Under Stevenson's meticulous guidance, the museum, initially named the Amon Carter Museum of Western Art, officially opened its doors to the public in January 1961, fulfilling her father's wishes. Stevenson served as the inaugural president of the museum's board of trustees and remained in this pivotal leadership role until her death in 2013, overseeing its growth and evolution for over five decades. Her expansive vision transformed the institution from a focus solely on Western art to the Amon Carter Museum of American Art, broadening its scope to encompass a comprehensive collection of American artistic expression across various periods and styles.

A National Figure in the Arts

Ruth Carter Stevenson's influence extended far beyond Fort Worth, establishing her as a national leader in the arts. She achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first woman to be appointed to the prestigious board of directors of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. Her impact was further cemented when she subsequently became the first woman to serve as the chairman of that distinguished board. These appointments were not merely symbolic; they reflected her profound knowledge of art, her exceptional leadership skills, and her unwavering dedication to cultural institutions on a grand scale, breaking barriers and paving the way for future female leaders in the arts.

In a historically poignant moment, Stevenson also played a crucial role in assembling "An Art Exhibition for the President and Mrs. John F. Kennedy." Along with local art enthusiasts Owen Day and Sam Cantey III, she curated this special exhibition which adorned the suite in the Hotel Texas in Fort Worth, Texas. This suite was occupied by United States President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy on the night of November 21, 1963, just hours before his tragic assassination on November 22, 1963. The exhibition featured notable works from Fort Worth's private collections, including significant pieces of Impressionist art, offering the presidential couple a glimpse into the vibrant cultural landscape of the city during their historic visit. This intimate display of art became a quiet yet profound backdrop to one of the most pivotal moments in American history.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ruth Carter Stevenson and the Amon Carter Museum

Who was Ruth Carter Stevenson?

Ruth Carter Stevenson was a prominent American patron of the arts, best known as the founder and long-serving president of the Amon Carter Museum of American Art in Fort Worth, Texas. She was also a groundbreaking figure at the National Gallery of Art, serving as its first female board member and chairman.

What is the Amon Carter Museum of American Art?

The Amon Carter Museum of American Art is a renowned museum in Fort Worth, Texas, dedicated to collecting, preserving, and exhibiting American art. It houses a significant collection of paintings, sculptures, photographs, and works on paper, with a particular strength in 19th and 20th-century American art, including iconic works by Frederic Remington and Charles M. Russell.

What was Amon G. Carter Sr.'s connection to the museum?

Amon G. Carter Sr. was Ruth Carter Stevenson's father and a powerful publisher of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. He bequeathed his extensive collection of Western American art, primarily by Remington and Russell, with the stipulation that a museum be built to house it, thus laying the foundation for the Amon Carter Museum.

What was Ruth Carter Stevenson's role at the National Gallery of Art?

Ruth Carter Stevenson made history as the first woman ever appointed to the board of directors of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. She later broke another barrier by becoming the first woman to serve as the chairman of that board, demonstrating her significant influence on a national scale in the arts.

What was the significance of the art exhibition for President Kennedy in Fort Worth?

Ruth Carter Stevenson helped curate a special art exhibition for President John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy in their suite at the Hotel Texas on November 21, 1963. This exhibition, featuring works from local collections, offered a moment of cultural engagement just hours before the President's assassination the following day, adding a poignant historical footnote to her distinguished career.