Elizabeth Nourse (1859–1938) is one of Cincinnati’s most celebrated artists. Known for her technical ability and the emotional depth of her work, she is one of the few female artists of her era to have achieved international recognition while still alive. 

Today, Nourse’s legacy lives on in her hometown. A striking five-story mural of the artist graces one of the city’s busiest streets, and a selection of her work is permanently featured in the museum’s Cincinnati Wing galleries. But tucked away in the museum’s archives is a collection of letters, photographs, and other records that offer a more personal insight into Elizabeth’s life and career.

Among them is a fascinating scrapbook assembled by her sister Louise, who was also her business manager. The scrapbook is filled with letters, photographs, press clippings, and other unique materials that paint a fuller picture of Nourse as both an artist and a person.

Unfortunately, time had taken its toll on the volume. At almost a century old, the scrapbook was too fragile to handle safely. But thanks to a grant from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), awarded by the State Library of Ohio, the scrapbook has been carefully restored by Kathy Lechuga of Signature Conservation in Indianapolis.

Fully restored and looking almost as good as new, the scrapbook is once again available to researchers interested in learning more about Elizabeth Nourse’s remarkable life and career. It is currently on display in the Mary R. Schiff Library, alongside other materials from the Nourse archives.