Max Abramovitz architectural records and papers, 1925-1990

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Creator:

Abramovitz, Max, 1908-2004, Ferriss, Hugh, 1889-1962, Harrison, Wallace K (Wallace Kirkman), 1895-1981, Harrison and Abramovitz, Abramovitz-Kingsland-Schiff, and Abramovitz-Harris-Kingsland

Abstract:

Max Abramovitz (1908-2004) was an American architect, whose firm Harrison & Abramovitz was one of the leading architectural practices in post-war America. Major commissions include Lincoln Center's Philharmonic Hall and the United Nations complex. The collection contains over 14,500 drawings, over 5,000 photographs, 24 boxes of manuscript material, 7 boxes of oversize material, 23 boxes of financial records, 5 boxes of reprint tear sheets, 36.75 linear feet of specification notebooks, photo albums, sketchbooks, art and artifacts.

Extent:

14,000 drawings approximate, 302 document boxes, 24.5 manuscript boxes, and 27 albums

Language:

English .

Scope and content:

The collection spans the years 1926-1995 and includes architectural drawings, photographs, correspondence, photo albums, scrapbooks, sketchbooks, financial records, reprint tear sheets, specification notebooks, art and artifacts related to the professional work, faculty work, and personal life of New York City architect Max Abramovitz.

The collection includes seven original renderings (1987.005) by Hugh Ferriss for projects designed by Harrison & Abramovitz.

The collection also includes 233 letters and 16 telegrams written by Abramovitz to his wife and children while in the Army. The time period spans 1942 to 1945 and 1950.

Biographical / historical:

Max Abramovitz was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1908 to a Romanian Jewish immigrant family. Abramovitz received his B.S. from University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign in 1929. In 1931, he received his M.S. from Columbia University's School of Architecture. His education continued on fellowship at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris from 1932-1934.

Abramovitz's architectural career began in 1935 when he was employed as an associated at Wallace Harrison's firm, Harrison & Fouilhoux. By 1941, Abramovitz became a partner in the firm, with the practice changing its name to Harrison, Fouilhoux & Abramovitz. After the death of J. André Fouilhoux, the firm was renamed Harrison & Abramovitz (active from 1945-1975). Later partnerships included Abramovitz-Harris-Kingsland from 1976 to 1985, and Abramovitz-Kingsland-Schiff from 1985-1992.

Outside his professional practice, Abramovitz served as a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army Corps of Engineers during World War II. During the war, Abramovitz designed military installations in China. He received the Legion of Merit Award for Service in China in 1945. From 1950-1952, Abramovitz was a Colonel for the Unnited States Air Force. In 1952, he served as Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of the United States Air Force.

Abramovitz was married to Anne Marie Causey in 1937. They had two children. After their divorce in 1964, Abramovitz married Anita Zeltner Brooks. He died in Pound Ridge, New York in 2004 at the age of 96.

Acquisition information:

Gift of Max Abramovitz in thirteen accessions.

Custodial history:

Max Abramovitz gave his first gift to Avery Library in 1987. These seven Hugh Ferriss drawings (1987.005) form part of the Library's Hugh Ferriss architectural drawings collection. He donated his own drawings and papers in ten installments during the years 1990-1997 (1990.003, 1990.007, 1991.002, 1992.017, 1993.001, 1993.006, 1994.014, 1995.022, 1996.020, 1997.004). The bulk of the collection came in the 1997 accession.

At the request of Max Abramovitz, the papers that he deposited at Syracuse University in 1965 were transferred to Avery Library in 1997 (1997.001). The architect also requested that his papers deposited at the University of Wyoming in 1983 be transferred to Avery. This collection was accessioned in 1998 (1998.003).

Processing information:

This ArchivesSpace finding aid was converted from a legacy finding aid in 2020 by Shelley Hayreh (Avery Archivist).

Arrangement:

This collection is organized into ten series.

Rules or conventions:

Describing Archives: A Content Standard

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 of Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library, Columbia University, 1172 Amsterdam Avenue, MC 0301, New York, NY 10027.

Preferred citation:: Max Abramovitz architectural records and papers. Dept. of Drawings & Archives, Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library, Columbia University, New York, N.Y.

Location of this collection:: Avery Drawings & Archives

Avery Home Page
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

Collection