Title and statement of responsibility area
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Dates of creation area
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1845-[200-?] (Creation)
- Creator
- Poole, Nancy
Physical description area
Physical description
ca. 8.7 m textual records; ca. 2,026 photographs - ca. 88 negatives - ca. 1,290 slides; 43 audio cassette tapes; 19 pages of graphic materials - 6 drawings; 2 film reels; 1 fabric leaf; 1 metal pin; 1 plastic plane; 1 postage stamp; 1 printing plate; 1 sheet of plastic
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Archival description area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Nancy Poole was born Nancy Geddes in London, Ontario, on May 10, 1930. She was educated at public schools in London, Branksome Hall in Toronto, and received a Bachelor of Arts degree from The University of Western Ontario in 1955.
In 1969, she founded Nancy Poole's Studio, through which she represented, promoted and helped to establish the reputations of a number of artists, including Herb Ariss, Rudolf Bikkers, Jack Chambers, Charles Comfort, Kim Ondaatje and Tony Urquhart. From 1971 to 1974, Nancy Poole served as member and then chair of the governing council of the Ontario Council of Art. She served as committee member, Interim Director and Director of the London Regional Art Gallery (LRAG) from 1977 to 1989, then as Director of its successor organization the London Regional Art and Historical Museums (LRAHM) from 1989 to 1995. During her tenure as director of LRAG/LRAHM, Poole played a key role in the controversies surrounding the construction of a new gallery and museum storage area.
Throughout her life, Nancy Poole has been involved in numerous cultural, educational and social activities. In the early 1950s, she hosted television programs on the London art scene; served as consultant to the London Free Press and Huron County Playhouse, and as advisor to Canadian Artists Representation (CAR); was a member of the boards of the John Howard Society of London, the London Health Association, the United Community Service (United Way); founded Hardy Geddes House, named in honour of her father, to provide services to young males; served on the Board of Governors of The University of Western Ontario; and was active, along with her husband, in Duff Roblin's 1967 campaign for the leadership of the Progressive Conservative Party. She wrote "The Art of London: 1839-1980", the principal reference work on the history of art in the city; and edited "Jack Chambers", an autobiography of her client and friend. In recognition of her community service, Nancy Poole received the first London YM-YWCA Women of Distinction Award in 1984, and was named to the Mayor's New Year's Honours List in 1985. Awards from the University of Western Ontario include an Award of Merit in 1985 and an honourary Doctor of Laws in 1990. Nancy Poole is a Fellow of the Ontario College of Art (now OCAD).
Nancy Geddes married William Poole (1918-2014), a London attorney, in 1952. The Pooles have one daughter, Andrea Mary.
Custodial history
Scope and content
The fonds consists of records illustrating Nancy Poole's career as an art studio owner, art gallery director, art historian, author, and her community service. Included are artist records, financial records, agendas and minutes, legal papers, manuscripts and transcripts, correspondence, newsletters and clippings, promotional materials, photographs, slides, films, and sound recordings.
Notes area
Physical condition
Immediate source of acquisition
Donated by Nancy Poole in 1999, 2008, and 2010.
Arrangement
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Script of material
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Availability of other formats
Restrictions on access
Access to records in AFC 22-S1-SS5-F15 and AFC 22-S1-SS5-F16 is restricted and will require submission of a Research Access Request.
Terms governing use, reproduction, and publication
Finding aids
Associated materials
Published material can be found in collections held by Western Libraries and the Affiliated College Libraries as well as Western Archives' Special Collections. An audio tape of an interview with Nancy Poole, recorded July 22, 1986, can be found in the President's Committee on Oral History Project records.
Accruals
General note
Titles in square brackets have been supplied by the archivist and are not original to Nancy Poole. Any exceptions will be noted at the appropriate level of said title.