Lila W. Van Der Smissen scrapbooks, 1910s-1930s

Collection context

Creator:
Van Der Smissen, Lila W., 1893-1948
Extent:
3 albums
Language:
English .
Scope and content:

The collection contains three albums: [1] Morris High School (Bronx, NY) Scrapbook, 1909-1913, which contains ephemera and autographs collected by Van Der Smissen while a student at the first public school in the Bronx, NY ; [2] Album of Christmas Greeting Cards, 1920s-1930s, which contains a collection of greeting cards sent to Van Der Smissen from students and faculty of The School of Architecture, Columbia University ; [3] Autograph Book, 1936, containing an original poem and a collection of autographs compiled by CU School of Architecture students and possibly faculty and presented to Van Der Smissen on her twentieth anniversary at the school.

Biographical / historical:

For 31 years, Lila W. Van Der Smissen worked at the Columbia University School of Architecture, starting as secretary to the dean, then secretaryof the school, to her final position as curator. In honor of her retirement in 1947, the Architectural Alumni Association of Columbia University established the Lila Van Der Smissen Medal, an annual award to be given to an architecture student for the best work on a design problem.

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is available for use by appointment in the Department of Drawings & Archives, Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library, Columbia University. For further information, please email avery-drawings@library.columbia.edu.

Location of this collection:
300 Avery Hall
1172 Amsterdam Ave.
New York, NY 10027, USA
Before you visit:
Researchers are encouraged to request materials at least one month in advance. You will receive an email from the department within 2-3 business days confirming your request and currently available appointment times. Requests are limited to 8 boxes per day (or equivalent), with a maximum of 5 boxes for off-site materials, 5 folders of drawings, or 5 rolls or tube boxes.
Contact:
avery-drawings@columbia.edu