York in York County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

David E. Finley Birthplace

Photographed by Stanley and Terrie Howard, September 6, 2008

1. David E. Finley Birthplace Marker (front)

Inscription.
[Front]:
David Edward Finley, Jr. (1890-1977), first director of the National Gallery of Art, was born in this house. Finley moved to Washington, D.C. as a child when his father was elected to Congress and was educated at the University of S.C. and George Washington University Law School. He practiced law, served in World War I, then worked for Secretary of the Treasury Andrew W. Mellon.

[Reverse]:
Finley and Andrew W. Mellon worked for years to establish a national art gallery with Mellon's collection as its nucleus, but Mellon died in 1937 just as the project began. Finley directed the construction of the National Gallery and was its director 1938-1956, building it into "a treasure trove of art." He was also chairman of the National Trust for Historic Preservation 1950-1962.

Erected 2000 by Yorkville Historical Society. (Marker Number 46-30.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • War, World I. A significant historical year for this entry is 1937.

Location. 34° 59.94′ N, 81° 14.302′ W. Marker is in York, South Carolina, in York County. It is on N. Congress St

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(State Highway 49) just north of Blackburn Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: York SC 29745, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Midlands

and in the Olde English District. It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 10 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Historic York, S.C. (approx. ¼ mile away); Town of Yorkville / Town of York (approx. 0.3 miles away); York Purple Heart Monument (approx. 0.4 miles away); King's Mountain Military Academy Site / Micah Jenkins (approx. 0.4 miles away); York County Gold Star Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); York County Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); Bratton Store (approx. 0.4 miles

David E. Finley Birthplace Marker </b>(reverse) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Stanley and Terrie Howard, September 6, 2008

2. David E. Finley Birthplace Marker (reverse)

away); First Presbyterian Church (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Old Garrison (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named Historic York (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in York.

More about this marker. Although its numbered 46-30, it is the second marked so numbered in York County; it is numbered by the Department of Archives and History to by the 29th marker in York County.

Also see . . .
1. David E. Finley, Jr. David Edward Finley, Jr. (September 1, 1890 – February 1, 1977) was an American cultural leader during the middle third of the 20th century. (Submitted on September 16, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)

2. David Finley: Quiet Force for America’s Arts. 2006 book by David A. Doheny. “Throughout his long and remarkable lifetime, David E. Finley (1890–1977) made brilliant contributions to the cultural life of this country. Yet less than thirty years after his death, his name is barely known. In [this book], biographer David Doheny revitalizes Finley’s legacy, presenting the compelling story of his life and incorporating

David E. Finley Birthplace Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Stanley and Terrie Howard, September 6, 2008

3. David E. Finley Birthplace Marker

fascinating excerpts from recently discovered private journals, published here for the first time. As the first director of the National Gallery of Art, founding chairman of the board of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and a key player in creating the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C., Finley used his matchless contacts and legendary powers of persuasion to establish institutions that today preserve and display masterpieces of western European and American art, a rich heritage of architectural properties across the United States, and an exceptional visual record of notable figures in American history.” (Submitted on November 12, 2008.) This website may earn income if you use this link to make a purchase on Amazon.com.

3. National Trust for Historic Preservation. Chaired by Finley 1950-1962. (Submitted on February 28, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)

4. Andrew W. Mellon. Andrew William Mellon (March 24, 1855 — August 27, 1937) was an American banker, industrialist, philanthropist, art collector and Secretary of the Treasury from March 4, 1921 until February

David E. Finley Birthplace and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Stanley and Terrie Howard, September 6, 2008

4. David E. Finley Birthplace and Marker

12, 1932. (Submitted on February 28, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)

David E. Finley Birthplace image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Stanley and Terrie Howard, September 6, 2008

5. David E. Finley Birthplace

Andrew W. Mellon<br>(1855-1937) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Wikipedia

6. Andrew W. Mellon
(1855-1937)

David E. Finley Birthplace from street corner image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, February 17, 2024

7. David E. Finley Birthplace from street corner

David E. Finley Birthplace from N. Congress St. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, February 17, 2024

8. David E. Finley Birthplace from N. Congress St.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 23, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 6, 2008, by Stanley and Terrie Howard of Greer, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 2,442 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 6, 2008, by Stanley and Terrie Howard of Greer, South Carolina. 6. submitted on February 28, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 7, 8. submitted on February 18, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.