Search Results

Collection Creator:

Wehrle, Howard Franklin, 1890-1964  Search this

Container:

Box 1

Type:

Archival materials

Collection Restrictions:

No restrictions on access

Collection Rights:

Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests

Collection Citation:

Howard Franklin Wehrle Scrapbook, Acc. 2000.0069, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.

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Howard Franklin Wehrle Scrapbook

Archival Repository:

National Air and Space Museum Archives

EDAN-URL:

ead_component:sova-nasm-2000-0069-ref505

Collection Creator:

Wise, John, 1808-1879  Search this

Container:

Box 1, Folder 2

Type:

Archival materials

Collection Restrictions:

No restrictions on access

Collection Rights:

Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests.

Collection Citation:

John and Charles Wise Ballooning Collection, Acc. 2001.0002, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.

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John and Charles Wise Ballooning Collection

John and Charles Wise Ballooning Collection / Series 1: Documents

Archival Repository:

National Air and Space Museum Archives

EDAN-URL:

ead_component:sova-nasm-2001-0002-ref4

Collection Creator:

Wise, John, 1808-1879  Search this

Container:

Box 1, Folder 4

Type:

Archival materials

Collection Restrictions:

No restrictions on access

Collection Rights:

Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests.

Collection Citation:

John and Charles Wise Ballooning Collection, Acc. 2001.0002, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.

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John and Charles Wise Ballooning Collection

John and Charles Wise Ballooning Collection / Series 2: Scrapbooks

Archival Repository:

National Air and Space Museum Archives

EDAN-URL:

ead_component:sova-nasm-2001-0002-ref6

Collection Creator:

Wise, John, 1808-1879  Search this

Container:

Box 1, Folder 6

Type:

Archival materials

Collection Restrictions:

No restrictions on access

Collection Rights:

Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests.

Collection Citation:

John and Charles Wise Ballooning Collection, Acc. 2001.0002, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.

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John and Charles Wise Ballooning Collection

John and Charles Wise Ballooning Collection / Series 2: Scrapbooks

Archival Repository:

National Air and Space Museum Archives

EDAN-URL:

ead_component:sova-nasm-2001-0002-ref8

Collection Creator:

Webb, William  Search this

Container:

Box 1, Item 1

Type:

Archival materials

Collection Restrictions:

No restrictions on access

Collection Rights:

Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests

Collection Citation:

William Mitchell Trial Scrapbooks, Acc. 1992.0013, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.

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William Mitchell Trial Scrapbooks

Archival Repository:

National Air and Space Museum Archives

EDAN-URL:

ead_component:sova-nasm-1992-0013-ref505

Collection Creator:

Webb, William  Search this

Container:

Box 1, Item 2

Type:

Archival materials

Collection Restrictions:

No restrictions on access

Collection Rights:

Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests

Collection Citation:

William Mitchell Trial Scrapbooks, Acc. 1992.0013, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.

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William Mitchell Trial Scrapbooks

Archival Repository:

National Air and Space Museum Archives

EDAN-URL:

ead_component:sova-nasm-1992-0013-ref506

Creator:

Bushnell, Horace, 1802-1876 (developer)  Search this

Connecticut State Capitol  Search this

Landscape architect:

Weidenmann, Jacob  Search this

Olmsted Brothers  Search this

Olmsted, Frederick Law, 1822-1903  Search this

Olmsted, Olmsted, and Eliot  Search this

Collection Creator:

McFarland, J. Horace (John Horace), 1859-1948  Search this

American Rose Society  Search this

Type:

Archival materials

Place:

Connecticut -- Hartford

Bushnell Park (Hartford, Conn.)

United States of America -- Connecticut -- Hartford County -- Hartford

Scope and Contents note:

The folder includes a catalog sheet.

General note:

The two images consist of views of the park and the State Capitol. The Park, approved in 1854, became the country's first planned park financed with public money. The idea was developed through the efforts of Reverend Horace Bushnell. The park, however, was not built until six years later. Bushnell's neighbor and friend, Frederick Law Olmsted, was busy with Central Park in New York, but suggested Jacob Weidenmann as the landscape architect. Weidenmann's 1861 plan focused on informal gardens and walks using plant groupings to screen city buildings and industry. Architectural features, such as the Civil War Memorial Arch (1886), the Capitol (1876), Corning Fountain (1899), the Carousel (1974) and the Performance Pavilion (1995) were added. In the 1940's the Park River was buried and its bridges were demolished. A major transformation in the park occurred at this time when the firm of Olmsted and Olmsted of Brookline, Massachusettes was retained to assist the city in redesigning the Park.

Persons associated with the property and garden include: Jacob Weidenmann (landscape architect, 1861); The Olmsted Firm (landscape architects); and Rev. Horace Bushnell (developer).

Related Materials:

Records related to this site can be found at the Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site, Olmsted Job Number 00801, Bushnell Park.

Collection Restrictions:

Access to original images by appointment only. Researcher must submit request for appointment in writing. Certain items may be restricted and not available to researchers. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.

Collection Rights:

For information or study purposes only. Use or copyright restrictions may exist. All requests for duplication and use must be submitted in writing and approved by Archives of American Gardens.

Topic:

Urban parks  Search this

Gardens -- Connecticut -- Hartford  Search this

Collection Citation:

Smithsonian Institution, Archives of American Gardens, J. Horace McFarland Company Collection.

Identifier:

AAG.MCF, File CT063

See more items in:

J. Horace McFarland Company collection

J. Horace McFarland Company collection / Series 1: Garden Images / United States / Connecticut

Archival Repository:

Archives of American Gardens

EDAN-URL:

ead_component:sova-aag-mcf-ref7642

Artist:

Gregory Heisler, born 1954  Search this

Sitter:

Richard Cheney, born 30 Jan 1941  Search this

Colin Luther Powell, 5 Apr 1937 - 18 Oct 2021  Search this

Medium:

Chromogenic print on paper

Dimensions:

45.7cm x 37.7cm (18" x 14 13/16"), Accurate

Type:

Photograph

Date:

1990

Topic:

Costume\Dress Accessory\Eyeglasses  Search this

Costume\Jewelry\Pin\Lapel pin  Search this

Costume\Dress Accessory\Tie\Necktie  Search this

Richard Cheney: Male  Search this

Richard Cheney: Business and Finance\Businessperson  Search this

Richard Cheney: Politics and Government\Vice-President of US  Search this

Richard Cheney: Politics and Government\Cabinet Member\Secretary of Defense  Search this

Richard Cheney: Presidential Medal of Freedom  Search this

Colin Luther Powell: Male  Search this

Colin Luther Powell: Literature\Writer  Search this

Colin Luther Powell: Military\Army\Officer\General  Search this

Colin Luther Powell: Society and Social Change\Philanthropist  Search this

Colin Luther Powell: Politics and Government\Cabinet Member\Secretary of State  Search this

Colin Luther Powell: Society and Social Change\Founder  Search this

Colin Luther Powell: Military\Joint Chiefs of Staff\Chairman  Search this

Colin Luther Powell: Politics and Government\Government Official\Presidential Advisor\National Security  Search this

Colin Luther Powell: Presidential Medal of Freedom  Search this

Colin Luther Powell: Congressional Gold Medal  Search this

Portrait  Search this

Credit Line:

National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of Time magazine

Object number:

NPG.91.TC10

Restrictions & Rights:

Usage conditions apply

See more items in:

National Portrait Gallery Collection

Data Source:

National Portrait Gallery

GUID:

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/sm419ec95d0-f24c-4cf1-bf93-22a020914159

EDAN-URL:

edanmdm:npg_NPG.91.TC10

Creator:

National Portrait Gallery (Smithsonian Institution) Administrative Office  Search this

Subject:

Nagel, Charles 1899-1992  Search this

Evelyn, Douglas E. 1941-  Search this

Pachter, Marc  Search this

Hart, Barbara A  Search this

Baden, Eloise P  Search this

Faison, Barbara A  Search this

Yakaitis, Joseph A  Search this

National Portrait Gallery (Smithsonian Institution) Office of the Deputy Director  Search this

Type:

Mixed archival materials

Date:

1966

1966-

Topic:

Museums--Administration  Search this

Art museums  Search this

Museum finance  Search this

Local number:

SIA AH00063

Data Source:

Smithsonian Institution Archives

EDAN-URL:

edanmdm:siris_arc_218116

Creator:

National Portrait Gallery (Smithsonian Institution) Administrative Office  Search this

Subject:

Carr, Carolyn Kinder  Search this

Hart, Barbara A  Search this

Physical description:

17 cu. ft. unprocessed holdings

14 cu. ft. processed holdings

Type:

Brochures

Clippings

Manuscripts

Date:

1963

1963-2000

Topic:

Art museums  Search this

Museums--Administration  Search this

Local number:

SIA RS00610

Restrictions & Rights:

Materials less than 15 years old Restricted. Contact reference staff for details

See more items in:

Central Administrative Records 1963-2000 [National Portrait Gallery (Smithsonian Institution) Administrative Office]

Data Source:

Smithsonian Institution Archives

EDAN-URL:

edanmdm:siris_arc_219807

Creator:

National Portrait Gallery (Smithsonian Institution) Department of Design and Production  Search this

Physical description:

1 cu. ft. unprocessed holdings

Type:

Manuscripts

Date:

1988

1988-2000

FY 1989-FY 2000

Topic:

Museum finance  Search this

Art museums  Search this

Budget  Search this

Portraits, American  Search this

Local number:

SIA RS00693

Restrictions & Rights:

Materials less than 15 years old Restricted. Contact reference staff for details

See more items in:

Budget Records FY 1989-FY 2000 [National Portrait Gallery (Smithsonian Institution) Department of Design and Production]

Data Source:

Smithsonian Institution Archives

EDAN-URL:

edanmdm:siris_arc_268837

Creator:

Washington Gallery of Modern Art (Washington, D.C.)  Search this

Names:

Corcoran Gallery of Art  Search this

Breeskin, Adelyn Dohme, 1896-1986  Search this

Eisenstein, Julian Calvert, 1921-  Search this

Hopps, Walter  Search this

Millard, Charles  Search this

Nordland, Gerald  Search this

Extent:

15.7 Linear feet

0.523 Gigabytes

Type:

Collection descriptions

Archival materials

Gigabytes

Interviews

Sound recordings

Date:

1959-1992

Summary:

The records of the Washington Gallery of Modern Art measure 15.7 linear feet and 0.523 GB and date from 1959 to 1992. The records document the history of the gallery through Board of Directors meeting minutes, various committee meetings minutes and agendas, bylaws, and other trustee records; correspondence and other materials associated with each of the four gallery directors over the course of the gallery's existence; general correspondence; exhibition files, proposed exhibitions, collection files, and other curatorial and registrar records; financial records; development and membership records; tour guide information, gift shop finances and orders, and other museum services; and clippings, catalogs, and other printed and digital material.

Scope and Contents:

The records of the Washington Gallery of Modern Art measure 15.7 linear feet and 0.523 GB and date from 1959 to 1992. The records document the history of the gallery through Board of Directors meeting minutes, various committee meetings minutes and agendas, bylaws, and other trustee records; correspondence and other materials associated with each of the four gallery directors over the course of the gallery's existence; general correspondence; exhibition files, proposed exhibitions, collection files, and other curatorial and registrar records; financial records; development and membership records; tour guide information, gift shop finances and orders, and other museum services; and clippings, catalogs, and other printed and digital material.

Trustee records includes general administrative documents such as the bylaws of the gallery, certificates of incorporation, permits, and a history of the organization. Also included are the agendas and minutes for quarterly board of trustee meetings between 1962 and 1968, correspondence and agendas for various committees, annual reports, and president's records belonging to Julian Eisenstein, Carleton B. Swift, Jr., and Helen "Leni" Stern.

Director's records are arranged according to the tenure of each director of the gallery: Adelyn Breeskin (June 1962-May 1964), Gerald Nordland (June 1964-July 1966), Charles Millard (July 1966-June 1967), and Walter Hopps (August 1967-October 1968). Documents include correspondence with notable individuals, reports made to the board of trustees, and documents regarding exhibitions during each director's tenure.

Correspondence is arranged by year and includes correspondence from 1987 and 1992 between various researchers and Dr. Julian Eisenstein, chairman of the Board of Trustees for the gallery, concerning the history of the gallery.

Curatorial records include loan agreements and other documentation regarding exhibitions held at the gallery, information regarding proposed exhibitions for the gallery, and the collection files for objects in the permanent collection. Also included are transcripts and recordings of interviews from the "Popular Image" exhibition.

Financial documents include general ledgers, miscellaneous accounts arranged alphabetically, copyright information, stocks, and financial reports. Development records include attendance and sales information for each exhibition at the gallery, membership drive statistics and solicitation forms, information from foundations who contributed to the gallery, and membership lists.

Museum service documents include consignment records, rental agreements, museum shop sales and catalog orders, guided tour documents, docent training information, and volunteer lists. Public relation records are primarily on benefits, recitals, and other special events hosted by the gallery. Printed materials include brochures, newspaper clippings, press releases and exhibition catalogs.

Arrangement:

The collection is arranged into nine series. The arrangement is based on a pre-existing finding aid created by the Washington Gallery of Modern Art.

Series 1: Trustee Records, 1959-1968 (1.8 linear feet; Boxes 1-2)

Series 2: Director's Records, 1962-1968 (1.4 linear feet; Boxes 2-4)

Series 3: Correspondence, 1961-1992 (0.9 linear feet; Boxes 4-5)

Series 4: Curatorial/Registrar Records, 1962-1969 (6.4 linear feet; Boxes 5-11, OV 18, 0.523 GB; ER01)

Series 5: Financial Records, 1962-1969 (1.5 linear feet; Boxes 11-13)

Series 6: Development/Membership Records, 1962-1968 (1.1 linear feet; Boxes 13-14)

Series 7: Museum Services, 1962-1968 (1.2 linear feet; Boxes 14-15)

Series 8: Public Relations, 1963-1968 (0.1 linear feet; Box 15)

Series 9: Printed Material, 1961-1968 (1.3 linear feet; Boxes 15-17, OV 18)

Biographical / Historical:

The Washington Gallery of Modern Art (established 1961; closed 1968) was a gallery in Washington, D.C. The Washington Gallery of Modern Art was a non-profit institution organized for the purpose of presenting significant exhibitions of contemporary American painting and sculpture. In conjunction with exhibitions, the gallery also sponsored lectures, concerts, films, tours, and an art rental service designed to encourage the understanding and appreciation of contemporary art. It was located at 1503 21st Street, NW, Washington, D.C. Among its directors were Gerald Nordland, Charles Millard, Adelyn Breeskin and Walter Hopps. In 1968, the Washington Gallery of Modern Art sold its permanent collection to the Oklahoma Art Center and its programs were incorporated into the Corcoran Gallery of Art. At that time, the Washington Gallery of Modern Art turned over all assets to the Corcoran.

Provenance:

Donated 1965 by the Washington Gallery of Modern Art, in 1996 and 2002 by the Washington Gallery of Modern Art via Dr. Julian Eisenstein, one of the founders of the Gallery and President of Board of Trustees (1961-1966), in 2004 via Linda Lichtenberg Kaplan, director of public affairs (1965-1967), and in 2015 by the Corcoran Gallery of Art via David S. Julyan representative for the Trustees of the Corcoran Gallery of Art. One announcement for an exhibition by Mary Meyer was donated in 2009 by former director and curator (1966-1974) Charles Millard.

Restrictions:

This collection is open for research. Access to original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C. Research Center. Researchers interested in accessing born-digital records or audiovisual recordings in this collection must use access copies. Contact References Services for more information.

Rights:

The Archives of American Art makes its archival collections available for non-commercial, educational and personal use unless restricted by copyright and/or donor restrictions, including but not limited to access and publication restrictions. AAA makes no representations concerning such rights and restrictions and it is the user's responsibility to determine whether rights or restrictions exist and to obtain any necessary permission to access, use, reproduce and publish the collections. Please refer to the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for additional information.

Occupation:

Arts administrators -- Washington (D.C.)  Search this

Function:

Arts organizations -- Washington (D.C.)

Genre/Form:

Interviews

Sound recordings

Citation:

Washington Gallery of Modern Art records, 1959-1992. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.

Sponsor:

The processing of this collection received Federal support from the Smithsonian Collections Care and Preservation Fund, administered by the National Collections Program and the Smithsonian Collections Advisory Committee.

Identifier:

AAA.washgall

See more items in:

Washington Gallery of Modern Art records

Archival Repository:

Archives of American Art

EDAN-URL:

ead_collection:sova-aaa-washgall

Collection Creator:

Washington Gallery of Modern Art (Washington, D.C.)  Search this

Type:

Archival materials

Scope and Contents:

Found here are budget materials, meeting agendas and minutes, and reports - annual and miscellaneous. The materials provide a full account of those routine issues and concerns with which the Trustees dealt from 1961-67 including art rental, budgets and finances, building concerns, educational programs and events, exhibition, fundraising, the permanent collection, and staff and trustee changes. The minutes and reports also reveal more unique concerns such as problems with air conditioning system; efforts to achieve a tax exemption status from the D.C. government; and the proposed affiliation with American University. Records for 1968, however, are miscellaneous and scattered, providing a less complete account for that year. Prominent persons include Adelyn Breeskin, Julian Eisenstein, Charles Millard, Gerald Nordland, Helen "Leni" Stern, and Carleton B. Swift Jr.

Collection Restrictions:

This collection is open for research. Access to original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C. Research Center. Researchers interested in accessing born-digital records or audiovisual recordings in this collection must use access copies. Contact References Services for more information.

Collection Rights:

The Archives of American Art makes its archival collections available for non-commercial, educational and personal use unless restricted by copyright and/or donor restrictions, including but not limited to access and publication restrictions. AAA makes no representations concerning such rights and restrictions and it is the user's responsibility to determine whether rights or restrictions exist and to obtain any necessary permission to access, use, reproduce and publish the collections. Please refer to the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for additional information.

Collection Citation:

Washington Gallery of Modern Art records, 1959-1992. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.

Sponsor:

The processing of this collection received Federal support from the Smithsonian Collections Care and Preservation Fund, administered by the National Collections Program and the Smithsonian Collections Advisory Committee.

Identifier:

AAA.washgall, Subseries 1.2

See more items in:

Washington Gallery of Modern Art records

Washington Gallery of Modern Art records / Series 1: Trustee Records

Archival Repository:

Archives of American Art

EDAN-URL:

ead_component:sova-aaa-washgall-ref11

Collection Creator:

Washington Gallery of Modern Art (Washington, D.C.)  Search this

Container:

Box 4, Folder 1

Type:

Archival materials

Date:

1968

Collection Restrictions:

This collection is open for research. Access to original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C. Research Center. Researchers interested in accessing born-digital records or audiovisual recordings in this collection must use access copies. Contact References Services for more information.

Collection Rights:

The Archives of American Art makes its archival collections available for non-commercial, educational and personal use unless restricted by copyright and/or donor restrictions, including but not limited to access and publication restrictions. AAA makes no representations concerning such rights and restrictions and it is the user's responsibility to determine whether rights or restrictions exist and to obtain any necessary permission to access, use, reproduce and publish the collections. Please refer to the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for additional information.

Collection Citation:

Washington Gallery of Modern Art records, 1959-1992. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.

Sponsor:

The processing of this collection received Federal support from the Smithsonian Collections Care and Preservation Fund, administered by the National Collections Program and the Smithsonian Collections Advisory Committee.

See more items in:

Washington Gallery of Modern Art records

Washington Gallery of Modern Art records / Series 2: Director's Records / 2.4: Walter Hopps

Archival Repository:

Archives of American Art

EDAN-URL:

ead_component:sova-aaa-washgall-ref324

Collection Creator:

Washington Gallery of Modern Art (Washington, D.C.)  Search this

Container:

Box 4, Folder 18

Type:

Archival materials

Date:

1968

Collection Restrictions:

This collection is open for research. Access to original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C. Research Center. Researchers interested in accessing born-digital records or audiovisual recordings in this collection must use access copies. Contact References Services for more information.

Collection Rights:

The Archives of American Art makes its archival collections available for non-commercial, educational and personal use unless restricted by copyright and/or donor restrictions, including but not limited to access and publication restrictions. AAA makes no representations concerning such rights and restrictions and it is the user's responsibility to determine whether rights or restrictions exist and to obtain any necessary permission to access, use, reproduce and publish the collections. Please refer to the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for additional information.

Collection Citation:

Washington Gallery of Modern Art records, 1959-1992. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.

Sponsor:

The processing of this collection received Federal support from the Smithsonian Collections Care and Preservation Fund, administered by the National Collections Program and the Smithsonian Collections Advisory Committee.

See more items in:

Washington Gallery of Modern Art records

Washington Gallery of Modern Art records / Series 2: Director's Records / 2.4: Walter Hopps

Archival Repository:

Archives of American Art

EDAN-URL:

ead_component:sova-aaa-washgall-ref341

Collection Creator:

Evans, Matilda Arabella, Dr., 1872-1935  Search this

Container:

Box 1, Folder 5

Type:

Archival materials

Text

Date:

1931

Collection Restrictions:

Collection is open for research. Access to collection materials requires an appointment.

Collection Rights:

The NMAAHC Archives can provide reproductions of some materials for research and educational use. Copyright and right to publicity restrictions apply and limit reproduction for other purposes.

Collection Citation:

Dr. Matilda A. Evans Collection of archival material, National Museum of African American History and Culture

See more items in:

Dr. Matilda A. Evans Collection

Dr. Matilda A. Evans Collection / Series 2: Business Records

Archival Repository:

National Museum of African American History and Culture

EDAN-URL:

ead_component:sova-nmaahc-a2019-109-ref10

Collection Creator:

Evans, Matilda Arabella, Dr., 1872-1935  Search this

Container:

Box 1, Folder 12

Type:

Archival materials

Text

Date:

1982

Collection Restrictions:

Collection is open for research. Access to collection materials requires an appointment.

Collection Rights:

The NMAAHC Archives can provide reproductions of some materials for research and educational use. Copyright and right to publicity restrictions apply and limit reproduction for other purposes.

Collection Citation:

Dr. Matilda A. Evans Collection of archival material, National Museum of African American History and Culture

See more items in:

Dr. Matilda A. Evans Collection

Dr. Matilda A. Evans Collection / Series 5: Reference Material / 5.1: Awards Ephemera

Archival Repository:

National Museum of African American History and Culture

EDAN-URL:

ead_component:sova-nmaahc-a2019-109-ref50

Collection Creator:

Evans, Matilda Arabella, Dr., 1872-1935  Search this

Container:

Box 1, Folder 14

Type:

Archival materials

Text

Date:

undated

Collection Restrictions:

Collection is open for research. Access to collection materials requires an appointment.

Collection Rights:

The NMAAHC Archives can provide reproductions of some materials for research and educational use. Copyright and right to publicity restrictions apply and limit reproduction for other purposes.

Collection Citation:

Dr. Matilda A. Evans Collection of archival material, National Museum of African American History and Culture

See more items in:

Dr. Matilda A. Evans Collection

Dr. Matilda A. Evans Collection / Series 5: Reference Material / 5.2: Research Material

Archival Repository:

National Museum of African American History and Culture

EDAN-URL:

ead_component:sova-nmaahc-a2019-109-ref55

Creator:

Sklarek, Norma Merrick, 1926-2012  Search this

Names:

American Institute of Architects  Search this

Gruen Associates  Search this

Covington, Garnett K.  Search this

Davis, Carolyn Armenta, 1944-  Search this

Diamond, Katherine  Search this

Donaphin, Alexa Barnes  Search this

Grant, Bradford C.  Search this

Gruen, Victor, 1903-1980  Search this

Harney, Henrietta  Search this

Hermanuz, Ghislaine  Search this

Hinton-Lee, W. Chris  Search this

Hutchinson, Louise Daniel  Search this

LeGendre, Laurette  Search this

Love-Stanley, Ivenue  Search this

Mills, Marlene E.  Search this

Moseley-Olaleye, Joyce  Search this

Pelli, Cesar  Search this

Schwartz, Robert (Robert E.)  Search this

Siegel, Margot  Search this

Sklarek, Rolf  Search this

Sutton, Sharon E., 1941-  Search this

Tyler, Kathryn B.  Search this

Washington, Roberta  Search this

Williams, Paul R., 1894-1980  Search this

deJongh, Donna  Search this

Extent:

4.8 Cubic feet

Type:

Collection descriptions

Archival materials

Correspondence

Place:

Brooklyn (New York, N.Y.)

Harlem (New York, N.Y.)

Los Angeles (Calif.)

Date:

1944-2008

Scope and Contents:

The Norma Merrick Sklarek Archival Collection documents the prestigious and groundbreaking career of one of the early women architects who also broke ground for African American architects as well. The collection highlights Sklarek's journey and accomplishments as she paved the way for future women architects and architects of color. The collection is comprised of family records, resumes, business ephemera, photographs, correspondence, publications, clippings, architectural drawings, as well as her many awards and accolades.

Arrangement:

The materials in this collection have been separated into eight series. The materials have been ordered and organized based on the content and chronology. Within each series and subseries, the folders are organized as close to the collection's original order as when it was acquired.

Biographical / Historical:

Norma Merrick Sklarek was a renowned architect and a woman of firsts who broke racial and gender barriers earning her place in the male-dominated world of architecture. She was the first Black woman member and esteemed fellow of the highly respected architectural professional organization, American Institute of Architects (AIA). Norma was distinguished in her career for leading challenging assignments and managing large, complex construction projects.

Norma Merrick was born April 15, 1926 to Dr. Walter Ernest Merrick, and Amelia (Amy) Willoughby in Harlem, New York City, New York. Her parents had emigrated from Trinidad, though her father was born in St. Vincent, West Indies. Norma's parents were a part of the first significant Caribbean immigration waves to the United States in the early 20th century. Arriving just a year before her birth, her parents saw possibility and education there. Her father, Walter attended Howard University and eventually became a physician. While her mother, Amy worked as a seamstress in a factory to make ends meet as Walter "wasn't much of a businessman" as described by Norma in an oral history interview. He practiced medicine in Harlem, New York. Norma stated that her father often served as a physician to African American celebrities such as Hazel Scott, Ethel Waters and Art Tatum. Walter was also a talented musician and carpenter that supported his daughter's love of art and math and encouraged her to pursue a career in architecture.

Around 1940, Norma was enrolled at the prestigious Hunter College High School for the intellectually gifted and "Ivy League-bound" young women. Excelling academically, Norma attended Barnard University, the prestigious women's college formerly administered by Columbia University. She attended Barnard initially in order to gain a year of a liberal arts education so that she could be accepted into then-known Columbia University School of Architecture. In 1947, she met and married, Dumas Flagg Ransom, law student at nearby Wagner University. She subsequently gave birth to her first son, Gregory Merrick Ransom shortly thereafter. She graduated from Columbia in 1950 with a Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch.) degree. She was one of only two women and the only African American in her graduating class.

Despite her Columbia University pedigree, her race and gender made it predictably difficult to obtain employment. Norma easily recalls in an oral history interview later in life that she was turned down by nineteen prospective employers. It was on the twentieth interview with the Department of Public Works (DPW) that she was hired as a junior draftsperson for New York City. She passed her architecture licensing examination in 1954 becoming the first Black woman believed to be licensed to practice architecture in New York. Despite a poor recommendation from her DPW supervisor, she worked briefly at Katz, Waisman, Blumenkranz, Stein and Weber as a junior associate. She felt stifled and unchallenged and left that firm to do some rendering coloring work with notable New York architect, Bob Schwartz. In 1955, she started working at notable architectural firm, Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill (SOM) in New York City where she was given larger-scale projects. At the same time, she taught architecture courses at New York City Community College (presently called the New York City College of Technology) located in Brooklyn, NY. She was the school's first woman faculty member. It was also during her tenure at SOM that Norma joined AIA and inadvertently became the organization's first African American woman member. She was a member of the Council for the Advancement of the Negro in Architecture, a New York-based group. During all this groundbreaking work, Norma was a twice-divorced mother of two sons with the birth of her second son, David Merrick Fairweather from her union with Benjamin Fairweather. Norma depended on the assistance of her family in raising her sons while she worked and advanced her career.

In an effort to advance her career, Norma moved to Los Angeles, California to work with architectural firm, Gruen Associates in 1960. A requisite for an architect in California, Norma became the first Black woman to be a licensed architect in the state. Gruen Associates, founded by visionary Austrian architect Victor Gruen, was notable for their pioneering work with shopping malls and multi-use buildings. At Gruen, in 1965 she earned the director of architecture position where she was responsible for hiring and overseeing multiple staff members as well as serving as project manager on several high-profile projects for the firm.

Her projects included the high-rise multi-use building California Mart (1963), now known as California Market Center; skyscraper Fox Plaza (1966) in San Francisco and some of Norma's most notable work for Gruen, The Pacific Design Center (1975), a multi-use facility utilized by the California's bustling apparel and fashion industry. Norma's contributary design is affectionately known by California's locals as the "Blue Whale." Norma worked on the latter project with Gruen's lead architect at the time, Cesar Pelli, known for some of the world's tallest buildings, most notably World Finance Center (Brookfield Place) in New York City. Pelli also shared his credit with Norma for her exemplary contribution to the renovation and redesign of the San Bernardino City Hall (1972) in California as well as their work on the U.S. Embassy (1976) in Tokyo, Japan. While at Gruen, Norma married Rolf Sklarek, a fellow architect at the firm. She also taught architecture courses at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) and the University of Southern California (USC). At UCLA, she was the first African American member of the faculty.

In 1980, she was finally recognized for all of her trailblazing and innovative work, when she became the first African American woman elected to the AIA College of Fellows. The highest honor within the architecture profession. This prestigious award gave her assurance that she could take her career to another level. She departed Gruen for Welton Becket & Associates, a prominent California firm renowned for iconic music and cultural centers, including the iconic Capitol Records building in Los Angeles. Norma was appointed as the vice president of the firm and lead project manager on one of her most notable works, Terminal One at the Los Angeles International Airport. She was recognized for the timely completion of the project as preparation for the influx of travelers to Los Angeles the for the 1984 Olympic Games. Norma also suffered the loss of her husband, Rolf Sklarek, the same year.

It was her work from the Los Angeles Airport project that empowered Norma to break yet another barrier. 1985 proved to be significant year as she became first African American woman to found and co-own a woman-owned architectural firm. Norma collaborated with fellow veteran architects Margot Siegal and Katherine Diamond to create Siegel-Sklarek-Diamond (SSD). SSD was one of the largest woman-owned architecture firms at the time. Their largest project was the Tarzana Promenade, a 90,000 sq. ft. medical and retail center, and the remodel and renovation of the Lawndale Civic Center; both located in California. Norma also designed work for the proposed Marva Collins Preparatory School in Compton, CA. The school was named after seminal educator, Marva Collins that had revolutionized education for low-income students in a crime-ridden area in Chicago, Ill. The hope was the replicate Collins' important work for children in Compton.

Being a new firm amidst the prevalence of racism and sexism within the profession left SSD at a disadvantage. Their projects were mainly residential and smaller commercial projects that didn't bring the income and accompanying challenges like larger scaled projects. Sklarek left SSD in 1989 for Jerde Partnership, an established innovator in the design and construction of shopping malls around the world. Norma was hired as the principal on the project management for the design and construction of the Mall of America. Located in Bloomington, Minnesota, it is considered to be the largest shopping mall in United States.

In 1992, Norma retired from the profession but did not resign herself to stop working. Norma became an active advocate in broadening the profession to include more women and people of color. She focused her work on teaching, lecturing, and mentoring. Over the years, she served as faculty and lecturer at several universities including UCLA, USC, University of Iowa, Kansas State University, California Polytechnic as well as her alma mater Columbia University. In an effort to inspire Black architects, Norma regularly lectured at HBCUs including Howard University, Hampton University, Tuskegee University, and Southern University.

Sklarek's work was recorded and recognized by the black press and publishers, such as her being included in Ebony magazine as early as 1958, in their article on "Successful Young Architects." In 2008, the AIA awarded her with the Whitney M. Young, Jr. Award that recognizes architects who represented the profession's responsibility to address social issues. She also served on multiple professional boards and committees, such as the California Architects Board, Professional Qualifications Committee, California State Board of Architectural Examiners, the AIA National Ethics Council and many more.

On February 6, 2012, Sklarek died in the Pacific Palisades, California at the age of 85. She was survived by her husband Cornelius Welch, whom she married in 1985; her son, David Merrick Fairweather, stepdaughter Susan Welch as well as three grandchildren. She was predeceased by her son Gregory Merrick Ransom in 2006.

Historical Timeline

1926 -- Norma Merrick was born to Amy Willoughby and Walter Merrick in Harlem, New York.

1944 -- Graduated from Hunter College High School, New York, NY

1944-1945 -- Attended Barnard College, New York, NY

1945-1950 -- Attended Columbia University in New York City earning a bachelor's degree in architecture (B.Arch.).

1947 -- Married Dumas Flagg Ransom and had son, Gregory Merrick Ransom. They later divorced.

1950 -- Married Elwyn (Benjamin) Fairweather and had son, David Merrick Fairweather. They later divorced.

1950-1955 -- Worked at the Department of Public Works, New York, NY

1954 -- Licensed in the state of New York; believed to be the first black woman architect licensed in New York

1959 -- First African American woman member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA).

1955-1960 -- Worked at Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill in New York, NY

1957-1960 -- Architecture faculty member at New York City Community College, Brooklyn, NY

1960 -- Married Francis "Harry" Pena in New York, NY. Moved to California and began working at Gruen Associates and served as the Director of Architecture until 1980.

1962 -- First African American woman architect licensed in California

1963 -- Sklarek coordinated the design and construction of the California Mart, Los Angeles, CA.

1966 -- Sklarek coordinated the design and construction Fox Plaza in San Francisco, CA.

1967 -- Sklarek divorced Pena and married Rolf Sklarek, a fellow architect at Gruen Associates.

1970 -- Sklarek coordinated the design and construction of the Park Center Commercial Complex in San Jose, CA .

1972-1973 -- Sklarek coordinated the design and construction of the San Bernardino, City Hall in San Bernardino, CA.

1973 -- Sklarek coordinated the design and construction of Commons-Courthouse Center in Columbus, IN.

1973-1978 -- Served as faculty member in the UCLA School of Architecture and Urban Planning

1976 -- Sklarek coordinated the design and construction of the U. S. Embassy in Tokyo, Japan.

1978 -- Sklarek coordinated the design and construction of Pacific Design Center in Los Angeles, CA.

1980 -- First African American woman fellow of the AIA

1980-1985 -- Worked as VP and project manager at Welton Becket & Associates in Santa Monica, CA

1984 -- Sklarek working with Welton Becket Associates coordinated the design and construction of Terminal One at the Los Angeles International Airport, Los Angeles, CA. Rolf Sklarek died in February.

1985 -- Sklarek along with Margot Siegal and Katherine Diamond formed their own firm, Siegel- Sklarek-Diamond. Sklarek married Dr. Cornelius Welch.

1989 -- Left the Siegel-Sklarek-Diamond and joined The Jerde Partnership, in Venice, CA, as the principal project manager.

1989-1992 -- Sklarek coordinated the design and construction of the Mall of America in Minneapolis, MN.

1992 -- Retired from The Jerde Partnership

2003-2007 -- Served as commissioner on the California State Board of Architectural Examiners

2008 -- Awarded American Institute of Architects' Whitney M. Young Jr. Award

2012 -- Norma Merrick Sklarek died in the Pacific Palisades, California at the age of 85.

Provenance:

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of David Merrick Fairweather and Yvonne Goff

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research. Access to collection materials requires an appointment.

Rights:

The NMAAHC Archives can provide reproductions of some materials for research and educational use. Copyright and right to publicity restrictions apply and limit reproduction for other purposes.

Topic:

Architecture  Search this

Photographs  Search this

Business  Search this

Design  Search this

Women  Search this

Japan -- Tokyo  Search this

Entrepreneurship  Search this

African diaspora  Search this

Education  Search this

Gender  Search this

Identity  Search this

Genre/Form:

Correspondence

Citation:

Norma Merrick Sklarek Archival Collection, 1944-2008. National Museum of African American History and Culture, Smithsonian Institution.

Identifier:

NMAAHC.A2018.23

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Norma Merrick Sklarek Archival Collection

Archival Repository:

National Museum of African American History and Culture

EDAN-URL:

ead_collection:sova-nmaahc-a2018-23

Collection Collector:

National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of Medical Sciences  Search this

Collection Author:

Parke, Davis Company  Search this

Container:

Box 414, Folder 69

Type:

Archival materials

Collection Restrictions:

Collection is open for research but is stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.

Collection Rights:

Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.

Collection Citation:

Parke, Davis Research Laboratory Records, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.

See more items in:

Parke, Davis Research Laboratory Records

Parke, Davis Research Laboratory Records / Series 13: Addenda

Archival Repository:

Archives Center, National Museum of American History

EDAN-URL:

ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-0001-ref8400