Nathalie Bailey Morris photographs of American Gothic Revival architecture, 1853-1937, bulk 1933-1934
Collection context
- Creator:
- Morris, Alletta Nathalie Lorillard Bailey, 1887-1935, Howells, John Mead, 1868-1959, Champenois, J. J, Stokes, I. N. Phelps (Isaac Newton Phelps), 1867-1944, Mayer, Grace M., Stearns, Robert B, Austin, Emma Clifton, and Kolff, Cornelius G
- Extent:
- 0.25 linear feet of paper materials
- Language:
- English .
- Scope and content:
-
The collection includes 1134 images (photographs and postcards, with some duplicates) of approximately 60 buildings, including some earlier photographs, plans, and renderings that Morris copied to add context to her own contemporary photographs. Of properties with identified architects, the great majority were designed by Alexander Jackson Davis, with a few examples of the work of Richard Upjohn, James Renwick, and several other lesser-known architects. Major sites depicted include Lyndhurst, Tarrytown, N.Y.; Fonthill Castle, Bronx, N.Y.; Lovat, Hastings-on-Hudson, N.Y.; Hurst-Pierrepont, Garrison, N.Y.; Belvoir, Yonkers, N.Y.; Beechwood, Yonkers, N.Y.; Mount Ida, Troy, N.Y., Llewellyn Park, Orange, N.J.; and Malbone, Newport, R.I. Some 18th-century buildings, and one 17th-century building (the Christopher Billop House, near Tottenville, Staten Island, built circa 1699), are also depicted.
Also included is correspondence to Morris about her research from Emma Clifton Austin; J. J. Champenois; John Mead Howells; Cornelius G. Kolff; Grace M. Mayer (Museum of the City of New York); Renwick, Aspinwall & Guard; Robert B. Sterns; and Isaac Newton Phelps Stokes; as well as several published articles and Morris' own research notes. Lastly, of special interest are nine photographs of the official opening of the George Washington Bridge in 1931.
- Biographical / historical:
-
Alletta Nathalie Lorillard Bailey Morris (1883-1935) was born to a socially prominent New York City family and in her adult life was active in civic and charity work. She was also an amateur architectural historian and photographer, particularly dedicated to documenting works of 19th-century American Gothic Revival architecture in the Mid-Atlantic and New England states. Her interest may have been spurred in part by the summer house she and her husband, Lewis Gouverneur Morris, owned in Newport, Rhode Island. A large villa in the Gothic Revival style"Malbone" was designed in 1848-1850 by noted American architect Alexander Jackson Davis. From the 1910s through the early 1930s, Morris was driven by her husband or chauffeur to many notable sites of Gothic Revival architecture so that she could photograph extant conditions.
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.
- Terms of access:
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Permission to publish must be obtained in writing from the Director, Avery Architectural & Fine Arts Library, Columbia University, 1172 Amsterdam Ave., MC 0301, New York, NY 10027.
- Preferred citation:
-
Nathalie Bailey Morris photographs of American Gothic Revival architecture. Dept. of Drawings & Archives, Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library, Columbia University, New York, N.Y.
- Location of this collection:
- 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