William Muschenheim architectural drawings and papers, 1929-1957, bulk 1931-1950

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Collection context

Creator:
Muschenheim, William
Extent:
20 manuscript boxes, 4 print boxes, and 3,081 drawings
Language:
English .
Scope and content:

The William Muschenheim collection spans from 1929 to 1957, with bulk dates from 1931-1950. The collection documents approximately 130 separate jobs and is made up of architectural drawings, correspondence, accounts, estimates, specifications, invoices, contracts, samples, invoices, and other material related to Muschenheim's professional projects. The projects mainly represent Muschenheim's work in New York City, but also include work in Albany (NY), Amenia (NY), Bridgehampton (NY), Chappaqua (NY), Hampton Bays (NY), Malverne (NY), Massapequa (NY), Nassau Point (Long Island), Washington (CT), Washington DC, Westhampton Beach (NY), and Woodstock (NY), among other locations.

William Muschenheim also had numerous clients which included the following family members: Carl Muschenheim, Elsa Muschenheim, and Frederick A. Muschenheim. In addition to the many clients for whom he did alteration work, Muschenheim also worked with a wide variety of companies including Bigelow Carpet Company, C.G. Flygare Inc., Excel Metal Cabinet Co., F. Schumacher & Co., Famaes Development, Hans Knoll, Howard & Schaffer, Inc., Kurt Versen Lamps, Inc., Ledlin Light Designers, Portland Cement Association, and Thonet Brothers, among others.

Biographical / historical:

William Muschenheim (1902-1990), was a modernist architect in New York in the 1930s. Muschenheim attended Williams College, 1919-21; Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1921-1924; Behrens Master School of Architecture, Academy of Fine Arts, Vienna, Austria, 1925-29. He received the Behrens Prize in 1926, and taught at the University of Michigan from 1950-1973.

His work includes major alterations to the Hotel Astor, NY; Marine Transportation Building, 1939 New York World's Fair; S.R. Guggenheim Museum for Non-Objective Art, 1939; and numerous alterations to penthouses, apartment houses and private residences. Muschenheim also worked for Peabody, Wilson & Brown, and Joseph Urban.

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:

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:

William Muschenheim architectural drawings and papers. Dept. of Drawings & Archives, Avery Architectural & Fine Arts Library, Columbia University, New York, N.Y.

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