This finding aid is made available for public use following the Universal 1.0 Public Domain Dedication Creative Commons designation.
This collection is organized in the following series: U.S. Dept. of the Interior, National Park Service Architectural Study Project "Mission-66" in Connection with the Historic American Buildings Survey, 1958-1967; Preservation of Historic and Architecturally Notable Buildings, 1952-1974; Architecture of the Italian Renaissance; University of Illinois, Senate Advisory Committee on the Selection of a New President, 1944-1945; Columbia University, New York City; Miscellaneous; Slides, Negatives, and Microfilms.
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.
James Grote Van Derpool Papers. Located in Dept. of Drawings & Archives, Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library, Columbia University.
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.
Source of acquisition--Gift of the estate of James Grote Van Derpool. Accession number--1979.001.
Professor Emeritus of Architecture, James Grote Van Derpool was born in 1903. He received his bachelor of architecture degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1927 and his master's degree in fine arts from Harvard in 1940. Before completing his master's degree, he conducted research at the American Academy in Rome in 1928 and at the Atelier Gromort of the Ecole des Beaux-Arts, Paris, in 1929. In addition, he practiced architecture in Boston and taught the history of architecture at Renssalaer Polytechnic Institute before joining the faculty of the University of Illinois in 1932.
Professor Van Derpool was the head of the Department of Art at the University of Illinois from 1938 to 1946. In 1945 and 1946, he served as chairman of the committee for selection of a new president of the university. In 1946, he succeeded Talbot Hamlin as librarian of the Avery Library at Columbia University, serving as head of the library from 1946 to 1959. Between 1959 and 1961, Van Derpool was also Acting Dean and then Associate Dean of the School of Architecture at Columbia.
Van Derpool was president of the New York chapter of the Society of Architectural Historians from 1951 to 1956 and President of the National Society of Architectural Historians from 1955 to 1957. He was also National Chairman of the Advisory Committee for the Historic American Buildings Survey of the National Parks Service between 1956 and 1962. As well, he served as a trustee of the American Scenic and Historic Preservation Society from 1949 to 1965.
Van Derpool was a trustee of Columbia University Press from 1959 to 1962, was on the Advisory Board of the School of Painting and Sculpture at Columbia from 1959 to 1961, and served on the board of History of Art and Archeology from 1959 to 1966. Van Derpool was a member of the Committee on the Future of Columbia University for two years and the Committee on the Selection of Dean of Architecture in 1959-1960.
While on leave from Columbia University School of Architecture, Van Derpool organized the office of the New York Landmarks Preservation from 1961 to 1966. Also among his various achievements, he published widely, participated in or initiated numerous historic property restorations, and was the recipient of numerous awards and honors. Van Derpool retired from Columbia University in 1966 and died in 1979 at his home in Esopus, New York.
Papers Processed Irina Kuharets 1990.
This series relates to the National Park Service's Architectural Study Project "Mission-66," which was a capital improvement program in connection with the Historical American Buildings Survey. The material gathered in this series relates to JGV's work for a Registry of National historic Landmarks on the sub-theme "Architecture" for the period 1962-1968. This series contains correspondence, printed material, literary production and legal documents, inventories of sites prepared by HABS, photographs, and research notes. There series includes the following subseries:
The material gathered in this series relates to JGV's work as an Executive Director of the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. The subject of this series is the preservation of the buildings in New York, with some material on preservation of buildings in other states. The series contains correspondence, office files, miscellaneous printed material, photographs and literary productions. The original filing order has been preserved, folders are arranged by subject and chronologically within each folder; typescripts of articles and lectures and some miscellaneous groups of material arranged by subject and then chronologically. There is a portion of records which are not dated in this series.
The material gathered in this series relates to JGV's study of the Architecture of Italian Renaissance. This series contains manuscripts of his published works and speeches on Leon Battista Alberti, printed material, photographs, and miscellaneous records.
This series contains pedagogic and administrative records of the School of the Architecture, Columbia University, and research material regarding Avery Library (collected by JGV while writing the History of Avery Library)
Contains miscellaneous professional material including papers from the University of Illinois's Advisory Committee on Selection of a New President, brief biographical information, and some collected research material.
Primarily consists of travel slides, negatives and microfilms, mainly of New York and Italy.
Gift of the estate of James Grote Van Derpool, 1979.
Includes letters regarding "List of Proposed Sites" and "Narrative;" an old list of architectural structures kept in NPS' files; proposal of contract for an essay on the story of the Architecture; progress of JGV's work; letters written by Charles W. Porter III, Acting Chief, Division of History and Archeology; John O. Littleton, Chief, National Survey of Historic Sites and Buildings; Herbert A. Kehler, Chief, Division of History and Archeology; memorandums from directors of Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, Southwest and Western Regions.
Included are the following lists:
Includes letters regarding the lists of sites prepared by JGV and the data on these buildings recorded by HABS and kept in the files of NPS; and needs in assisting JGV in additional data for some of the sites. Correspondents include Herbert A. Kahler and John M. Corbett.
Included is a list of sites eligible for registration as National Historic Landmarks; a typescript describing architectural styles; a list of buildings prepared by JGV.
Also included is correspondence regarding
Includes letters regarding designations as a registered National Historic Landmarks of the following sites:
Included are
Correspondence regarding John O Littleton's and Kennith C. Anderson's visits to New York, and regarding survey's consideration of
Included are a brochure on
These are responses to Herbert E. Kahler's memo regarding the need to receive an additional data on some of the sites. Arranged alphabetically by regions, and thereunder chronologically.
Letter written by John O. Littleton to JGV.
Enclosed are a news release: "President Kennedy's Birthplace heads latest Historical Landmark List"; brief description of 96 sites; The Registered National Historic Landmark Program.
Includes correspondence regarding
Included are final versions of Lists I & II:
Includes letters from JGV to John O. Littleton regarding the
Included are typescripts and a handwritten draft of the
Included are several versions of
Included are several versions of the lists; sets of handwritten notes on architectural styles and periods in the U.S.A.; a chart "The Architecture of the United States."
Included are several versions of
Included are versions of
Included are lists of
Includes copy of the letter from JGV to Robert M. Utley regarding corrections for typed manuscript, vacation plans and payments.
Included are a holograph manuscript of
This group is arranged alphabetically by state and there is a separate Folder for New York City.
Inventories provided information such as exact location of a building, name of owner, description of the site and dates. Included are photographs of buildings: photographs are all identified.
Arizona: 2pp., 1 photo ; California: 15pp., 2 photos ; Connecticut: 6 pp., ills, 2 photos ; Delaware: 6pp., ill., 4 photos ; Districts of Columbia: 8pp., ills, ; Florida: 2pp., 1 photo ; Georgia: 1p., 5 photos ; Indiana: 2pp., 1 photo ; Illinois: 11pp., 3 photos, 1 postcard ; Louisiana: 4pp., 3 photos ; Maine: 5pp., 2 photos, 1 postcard ; Maryland: 9 pp., ills., 5 photos ; Massachusetts: 33 pp., ills., 31 photos, 1 postcard ; Michigan: 2 pp., ills., 1 photos, New Hampshire: 1 p., 7 photos
This group is arranged alphabetically by state and there is a separate Folder for New York City.
Inventories provided information such as exact location of a building, name of owner, description of the site and dates. Included are photographs of buildings: photographs are all identified.
New Jersey: 2 pp., 3 photos ; New Mexico: 10 pp., 6 photos ; New York State: 13 pp., ills., 27 photos, 1 letter ; New York City: 4 pp., ills., 11 photos ; North Carolina: 6 pp., 9 photos ; Ohio: 3 pp., 7 photos ; Pennsylvania: 11 pp., 12 photos ; Puerto Rico: 1 p., 1 photo ; Rhode Island: 4 pp., 15 photos ; South Carolina: 7 pp., 3 photo ; Tennessee: 2 pp., 1 photo ; Texas: 8 pp., 3 photos ; Utah: 9 pp., ills., 23 photos ; Washington: 12 pp., illus., 13 photos
This group is arranged alphabetically by state and there is a separate Folder for New York City.
Inventories provided information such as exact location of a building, name of owner, description of the site and dates. Included are photographs of buildings: photographs are all identified.
New York City: 4 pp., ills., 11 photos ; North Carolina: 6 pp., 9 photos ; Ohio: 3 pp., 7 photos ; Pennsylvania: 11 pp., 12 photos ; Puerto Rico: 1 p., 1 photo ; Rhode Island: 4 pp., 15 photos ; South Carolina: 7 pp., 3 photo ; Tennessee: 2 pp., 1 photo ; Texas: 8 pp., 3 photos ; Utah: 9 pp., ills., 23 photos ; Washington: 12 pp., illus., 13 photos
This group consists of flyers; leaflets; guidebooks; booklets; off-prints; photocopies; postcards; newspaper clippings and a few photographs. Some of the flyers are printed by the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, as a part of the "Mission-66" project.
Arranged alphabetically with states as topics, some buildings have separate Folders.
Subjects include: the cause of historic preservation; the buildings of exceptional importance some of which have been recognized as National Historic Landmarks.
Arizona : 2 items ; Connecticut : 5 items ; Delaware : 3 items ; District of Columbia : 2 items ; Florida : 7 items ; Illinois : 2 items ; Maryland : 14 items ; Massachusetts : 6 items ; New Hampshire : 1 items ; New Jersey : 3 items ; New Mexico : 2 items
This group consists of flyers; leaflets; guidebooks; booklets; off-prints; photocopies; postcards; newspaper clippings and a few photographs. Some of the flyers are printed by the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, as a part of the "Mission-66" project.
Arranged alphabetically with states as topics, some buildings have separate Folders.
Subjects include: the cause of historic preservation; the buildings of exceptional importance some of which have been recognized as National Historic Landmarks.
New York (1) : 14 items ; New York (2) : 10 items ; [New York] : "Olana" : 11 items ; [New York] : "Sleepy Hallow" : 2 items ; New York City : 17 items ; [New York City] The Browne House : 6 items, including letters ; [North Carolina] Old Salem. Single Brothers House : 9 items, including letters ; Ohio : 2 items ; Pennsylvania : 12 items ; Puerto Rico : 1 item ; Rhode Island : 6 items ; South Carolina : 3 items ; Texas : 1 item ; Virginia : 4 items ; Washington : 2 items
Constitutes two National Parks Service's Handbooks, with enclosures
Constitutes two notebooks with enclosures. Included are handwritten notes, and data collected on various buildings located through out the United States
Included are arranged alphabetically,
Also included are correspondence with Houston R. Turner and John O. Littleton regarding agreements.
Includes
Includes a proposal and approval of
Includes lists of nominations decisions voted and designations made
Includes lists of buildings presented for nomination, proposed and votes; inscribed: "incomplete copy only."
Includes calendar of Landmarks Preservation Commission; lists of buildings compiled by borough; a map: proposed boundary of
Includes correspondence; press releases; invitations and a magazine
Arranged alphabetically by topics and thereunder chronologically.
Subjects include
Also included are letters (August 1965 - January 1966) regarding the arrangements for JGV's talk "The Landmarks of New York" at the Antique Forum (January 30 - February 4, 1966), Williamsburg, Virginia.
Includes copies of the statements at the hearing a bill before the Committee of the City Council by Geoffrey Platt, Chairman LPC; James G. Van Derpool, Executive Director; Harmon Goldstone, City Planning Commission
Includes miscellaneous records:
Also included are offprints, postcards, magazines. Subjects traced are "landmarks" and "New Landmarks Commission."
Subjects included are local laws of establishment of landmarks; "American Landmarks Week";
Includes miscellaneous documentation on restoration of the house
This group consists of correspondence; printed material; photographs; blueprints; and handwritten drafts by JGV of a speech on a proposed project of restoration of the
In addition to documentation on restoration of
There is a photograph of Professor James G. Van Derpool in a wheelchair in New Paltz, dated July 21, 1971
Some of the traced subjects are: Historic Preservation; conference; winner award dinners
Some of the traced subjects are: Landmarks of New York City; preservation policies; a few articles on JGV's work on the Landmark Commission
Included are two copies: working and office copies. According to Platt the handbook was a valuable source and was frequently used by the Landmarks Commission in their work
Includes correspondence (April - August 1968), 4 letters regarding proposals for publications
Includes miscellaneous records on History and restoration of the house
Arranged chronologically
Includes correspondence with John Forbes, editor; magazine, brochures with JGV's articles on the restoration of
Included are drafts of the speeches: "The restoration of Historic St. Luke's Church, Smithfield, Virginia", delivered on May 8, 1957 at Church ceremonies and a lecture at Williamsburg, Virginia for A.I.A. Centennial meeting.
Consists of typescripts, handwritten drafts, photos, correspondence
Includes typescripts of lectures:
Also included typescripts of speeches:
In addition there are, in this group, several handwritten drafts of unidentified speeches.
Consists of typescripts of two lectures and five manuscripts of the articles; and photos of
Included are lectures:
There are typescripts for the following articles:
Includes notes for JGV's talk at Greenwich Village Symposium at new York University, in connection with American Landmarks Celebration Week in New York City.
Also includes a draft from Regina Kellerman:
Includes a handwritten draft of a speech
Includes a photocopy of a typescript of the following lectures:
Also included are handwritten drafts of the speeches:
Includes photos of views of New York (From New York Historical Archives).
Also included a speech by Robert William G. Vail on
Includes original typescript of the work and a photocopy; two sets of:
Included are photographs of plates of Leon Battista Alberti.
Contains typescript and handwritten translation (transcribed) of works on Leon Battista Alberti.
Among authors included: Corrado Ricci; Julius Schlosser and Paul-Henri Michel.
Also included are JGV's typescript
Handwritten notes, possibly translations of L.B.A.'s correspondence (Photostats of original letters in Italian Enclosed).
This group contains typescripts and printed published works on Alberti in English and Italian by the following authors: Captain John A. Cade (in collaboration with Niccolo Rucellai); Julius Schlosses; Theuer; John M. Kelly; Francesco Milizia; and Derek Mackan.
Some of the works included are translations by Aldof K. Placzek and Mrs. Edward Cresy; and two papers written by students on Alberti
Handwritten notes on Alberti. Possibly a synopsis of a book on Alberti written in Italian.
The group consists of a typescript,
Also included is a photocopy of the work in Italian by Ing. Andrea Schiavi
Arranged alphabetically by city, and thereunder the name of the architectural monument. Besides photographs there are few postcards, handwritten notes, a letter, Photostats, drawings, all originally found with photographs.
Most of represented monuments are works by Leon Battista Alberti.
There is a printed monographs
It appears that the photographs were sent to JGV from Italy in the period of 1953-61, however most photographs besides the names of the photographers bear earlier dates, presumably the dates of the negatives. There are two photographs of
There are few unidentified photographs.
Contains typescript of the lectures on L.B.A.; the time and occasions of delivery the speeches are not always identified:
Included are typescripts and handwritten drafts of
Also includes handwritten notes on Italian Renaissance.
Includes the following: Guide book on Mantova; Catalog "The complete Library of World Art"; clippings.
Includes brochure on
Also included are letters from JGV to different addresses in Italy where he expresses appreciation for the assistance in research during his trip to Italy.
Includes outlines of courses offered by school including courses descriptions for Evening School for the period of 1959-1960.
Includes JGV's
Also includes a typescript of JGV's speech:
Includes handwritten draft and typescripts:
Included are letters from JGV to Richard F. Bach; letters from Mrs. Thos. H. Russell;
Photo (and negative) of Miss Wimfred Jehrenkamp, who was a librarian at Avery Library
Includes typescript
Letters from Frederick Coykendall, Roger Howson.
Includes transcribed calculations, award reports (1890-1910), notes on donation of David Keppel Memorial Collections.
This group consists of typescripts, correspondence, printed materials.
Includes News Release about the donation of The Francis Henry Lenygon Memorial Room to the Avery Library. Also includes
Also included transcripts
Also included are two works by students: "A descriptive Study of Avery Architectural Library" by Wilson C. Duprey, and "Annotated Bibliography in the Fine Arts" by Charles Allan Baretski; and ephemera.
Correspondence, Minutes of the meetings of the Advisory Committee, Information from WHO's WHO, Clippings, Letters received by JGV and his responses, Confidential letters, Recommendations and statements about candidates
Information includes positions held, memberships, publications and biographical data.
Includes letters to JGV; leaflets
Included are bibliography on works on Art & Philosophy; History of Architecture; notes on "Byzantine Iconography"; on Russian Church Archives, Fogg Museum; notes, possibly taken for "Mission-66" project.
drawings, letter
"Romanesque and Gothic Architecture" - typescript
Includes a catalog