Reginald Poland

Reginald Poland first studied at Brown University in Providence, which named him an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts in 1949. In 1915, he graduated with a Master of Arts degree from Princeton and earned the same degree from Harvard two years later.

In 1919, Poland became director of the Denver Art Association, and in 1921 educational director of the Detroit Institute of Arts. In 1926, he was appointed the first director of the Fine Arts Gallery of San Diego, a position he held until 1950. During this time, the value of art treasures in this museum is said to have increased from $50,000 to $7 million. Two years as director of the Norton Gallery in Palm Beach followed, and in 1954 he took over the position of director of the Museums of Atlanta, In Atlanta he also remained after his retirement in 1963.

Poland was a member of the American Association of Art Museum Directors. In addition, he was active in other cultural institutions, serving as vice president of the Atlanta Civic Ballet, a board member of the Atlanta Festival of Arts, secretary of the Atlanta Art Association, and a member of the San Diego Art Guild.

For his achievements, Poland received the Gold Medal of the California Pacific International Exposition in 1935 and was awarded the Royal Order of the Kingdom of Spain.