Architectural League of New York: Archive of Women in Architecture Records
Scope and Contents
The Architectural League of New York: Archive of Women in Architecture collection consists mainly of copies of the form letters sent out by the Archive in 1973 and completed biographical worksheets, project worksheets, and other materials sent by women in reply to the solicitation. The form letter described the archive and its mission and was accompanied by a biographical worksheet and a project worksheet. The biographical worksheet includes information such as name, date of birth, address, telephone, education, awards, fellowships, grants, registration status, professional affiliations, work experience, areas of special interest and additional pertinent data. The project worksheet includes information such as project title, project category, project description, project data, participation in projects, and a place to list what media was submitted to the archive. Acceptable forms of project media included photos, photocopies, 35mm slides and written material not exceeding 8.5 x 11" when folded.
The amount of information about each woman architect in this collection varies because the selection of the materials was left to the judgment of the individual who submitted them. Some folders contain only a copy of the form letter from the Archive, while others include articles written by or about women, or photographs or blueprints of projects. If the folder title indicates "architectural projects," material includes an AWA project worksheet with supporting documentation of the projects, such as photos, slides or written information. If the folder title indicates "architectural drawings," the folder includes some form of architectural plans that accompany supporting documentation.
The collection also includes several publications that were donated to the Archive that deal specifically with working women, women in architecture, and architectural trends. Articles and booklets were retained in the collection, while full published works were cataloged individually. Removed items are listed below under Separated Items.
Dates
- 1892-1976, n.d.
Creator
- Architectural League of New York (Collector, Organization)
Language of Materials
The materials in the collection are in English.
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open to research.
Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use
The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials. Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction. Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.
Historical Note
The Architectural League of New York is a non-profit organization that sponsors exhibitions, research studies, and projects that explore ideas in architecture and related art and design fields. The ALNY promotes excellence and innovation in architecture and urbanism by broadening the knowledge of these fields and communicating the importance of architecture in public life.
In 1973 the ALNY founded the Archive of Women in Architecture as a means to gather data about the careers of women in the field of architecture and other design professions. The project was made possible with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts and a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, and contributions from CBS, Inc., IBM Corporation, and Harry Winston, Inc. The archive committee consisted of Susana Torre, Coordinator, Phyllis Birkby, Regi Goldberg, Marjorie Hoog, Naomi Leff, Dimon Liu, Mimi Lobell, and Marita O'Hare.
In September of that year, the Archive began a national survey to collect both biographical and project data from women working in the profession. Committee members sent a form letter to women architects describing the archive and its mission, along with both a biographical worksheet and a project worksheet. At this time, Archive committee members also collected information about women who were no longer practicing architects in 1973. From the information gathered for the Archive, a 1977 exhibition and a book, Women in American Architecture: A Historic and Contemporary Perspective, were produced. The Archive of Women in Architecture ceased to collect material after this date.
Extent
5.2 Cubic Feet (4 boxes; 4 oversize folders)
Abstract
The Architectural League of New York created the Archive of Women in Architecture collection in 1973 to gather biographical and project data about women professionals in the field of architecture and other related disciplines. This information was used to create a 1977 exhibition and the book, Women in American Architecture: A Historic and Contemporary Perspective, edited by Susana Torre.
Arrangement
This collection is arranged into two series. Most material is stored in legal size folders, but some oversized material is stored in a flat box (Box 4) and in oversize folders.
Series I, Records of Individuals, contains material about women architects arranged alphabetically by last name. It includes some oversized architectural plans.
Series II, General Information about Women and Architecture, is arranged chronologically by date of publication.
Source of Acquisition
The Architectural League of New York: Archive of Women in Architecture Records were donated to the International Archive of Women in Architecture at the Special Collections by the creator in 2002.
Separated Material
These publications were cataloged separately in the Addison library catalog, and are available through the Special Collections Reading Room:
SERIES I:
Curran, June. Drawing Plans for Your Own Home. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1976. Call number NA7115 .C87 1976
Cutler, Laurence S., and Sherrie Stephens Cutler. System Ecologic: Phase II. Cambridge, Mass., 1973. Call number TH1000.C98 S9 1973
Hosken, Fran P. The Language of Cities. New York: Macmillan, 1972. Call number HT153 .H65 1972
Kutsenkow, F. Corinne, Florence Carr Randall, and James J. Jones. Voices of Earth: Man's Environment. San Francisco: Leswing Communications, 1971. Call number GF48.K8 1971
Perriand, Charlotte. Charlotte Perriand: Interior Equipment. New York: Architectural League of New York, 1997. Call number NK2004.3.P47 C43 1997
SERIES II:
New York Cultural Center and Women in the Arts. Women Choose Women: January 12 - February 18, 1973. New York: New York Cultural Center, 1973. Call number N6512 .W59 1973
Rights Statement for Archival Description
The guide to the Architectural League of New York: Archive of Women in Architecture Records by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 (https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/).
Processing Information
Processing, arrangement and description of the Architectural League of New York: Archive of Women in Architecture Records took place in June and July of 2005. Minor revisions occurred in June 2006.
Creator
- Architectural League of New York (Collector, Organization)
- Title
- A Guide to the Architectural League of New York: Archive of Women in Architecture, 1892-1976, n.d.
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Kristin Maki and Amy Shaffer
- Date
- 2006 (CC0 1.0)
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Description is in English
Revision Statements
- 2020-10-12: Finding aid notes updated to new department standards. juliags
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech Repository
Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries (0434)
560 Drillfield Drive
Newman Library, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg Virginia 24061 US
540-231-6308
specref@vt.edu