This collection is available for use by appointment in the Department of Drawings & Archives, Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library, Columbia University. Unique time-based media items have been reformatted and are available onsite via links in the container list. All original copies of audio / moving image media are closed. Email avery-drawings@columbia.edu for more information.
The collection consists of correspondence, memos, articles, speeches, transcripts, clippings, notes, printed matter, photographs, audio tapes, and memorabilia mainly relating to Douglas Haskell's editorship at Architectural Forum from 1949-1964. A great portion of the collection (more than 46 boxes) consists of Douglas Haskell's correspondence with prominent architects during his tenure at Architectural Forum. The collection also contains material relating to Haskell's editorial duties and professional activities. Memos to various staff members (7 boxes) provide insight into the internal oranization of the editorial staff. The inclusive dates for the collection are 1915-1979, which includes material before Haskell's arrival at Architectural Forum.
All folders have retained Haskell's original order and his folder titles, with the exception of the Photography series, which has been arranged in broad subject groupings, generally following DH's original folder titles, and therein materials are arranged alphabetically by location and building title.
Series I: Pending Correspondence
The pending correspondence series contains Architectural Forum-related correspondence between Douglas Haskell and hundreds of architects. The dates span 1949-1964. Haskell also corresponded with numerous people in fields related to architecture, as well as those in the architectural press, politicians, and many others. The bulk of the correspondence revolves around Douglas Haskell's position as Editor of Architectural Forum.
The folders in this series are arranged in alphabetical order by name of correspondent, and thereunder in reverse chronological order.
The materials listed in each of the folders are selected items. Not all items are described. The items listed represent an overview of what is in a particular folder and may describe subject matter found throughout the entire collection. For example,a correspondent may have multiple letters in a single folder, but his or her name may only appear once in the item listing. Many of the correspondents are not listed at all. For correspondence and subject matter not represented in the finding aid, you must search the appropriate series and folder.
Correspondents' names, unless otherwise noted, are transcribed exactly as they appear in the original letter. Only the year has been included in the descriptions of the correspondence.
Series II: Personal Correspondence
The personal correspondence series contains material related to Douglas Haskell's personal friends and interests, as well as correspondence related to Architectural Forum. The dates span 1922-1979. It is more subject-oriented than the pending correspondence (Series I), but also includes correspondence with a number of specific people. The folders in Box 24-42 are arranged in alphabetical order by name of correspondent or subject, and thereunder in reverse chronological order. Boxes 43-46 of this series contain general correspondence and are arranged in reverse chronological order, beginning in 1964 and continuing to 1957. This group of correspondence documents the demise of FORUM. These boxes also contain material related to various editorial topics.
Correspondents' names, unless otherwise noted, are transcribed exactly as they appear in the original letter. Only the year has been included in the descriptions of the correspondence.
Series III: Committees, Foundations, Organizations, Forum Special Issues
This series contains material regarding the numerous committees, foundations, and organizations in which Douglas Haskell participated during his tenure at Architectural Forum (1949-1964.) The series contains many lectures and speeches given by Haskell at various functions. It also contains material related to "special issues" of Architectural Forum.
The folders in this series are arranged in alphabetical order by title of the committee, foundation, organization, or "special issue," and thereunder in reverse chronological order. Dates are NOT included unless they are part of the folder's original title.
Series IV: Notes on jobs, issues, trips, etc.
This series contains material, mainly in the form of internal memos at Architectural Forum, regarding information for prospective stories to be published. A wide range of people and topics are discussed.
The folders in this series are arranged in chronological order from 1949-1964, and thereunder in reverse chronological order.
This series contains material regarding Douglas Haskell's trips and meetings to various places for panel discussions, conventions, exhibitions, dedications, award ceremonies, AIA conventions, symposia, expositions, openings, etc.
The folders in this series are arranged chronologically from 1957-1964, and thereunder in reverse chronological order.
Series VI: Clippings, Speeches, Transcripts
This series contains material relating to various meetings, conferences, seminars, juries, panels, etc., that DH attended and in which he participated. Included in most of the folders are copies of the speeches he delivered at these functions.
The folders in this series are arranged chronologically from 1949-1960, and thereunder in reverse chronological order.
This series contains material regarding the numerous round tables sponsored by Architectural Forum. Dates are included in the summary and/or folder name, and span 1953-57, 1961-62, and 1964.
The folders in this series are arranged alphabetically by title of the round table, and thereunder in reverse chronological order. Some folders containing transcripts are divided by pagination, session, or name of the person who owned that particular copy of the transcript.
This series contains memos pertaining to the internal activities of Architectural Forum. The memos are mainly from Douglas Haskell to various staff members and departments. The topics covered are mainly of an editorial nature. The dates span 1949-1964. This series contains select item level descriptions.
The folders in this series are arranged alphabetically by name of staff person or department, and thereunder in reverse chronological order.
This series contains material regarding Douglas Haskell's professional and personal relationship with Frank Lloyd Wright. The dates of the material span 1928-1966, with gaps, and include related material after FLW's death in 1959. This series contains select item level descriptions.
The folders in this series are arranged non-alphabetically by subject, and thereunder in reverse chronological order.
This series contains Douglas Haskell's personal files. The dates span 1915-1979, with a gap in 1926. There are various forms of material including correspondence, periodicals, clippings and memorabilia. This series contains select item level descriptions.
The folders in this series are arranged chronologically by year.
Series XI: Grand Central Terminal
This series contains material regarding Douglas Haskell's personal and professional interest in preserving Grand Central Terminal. There is evidence of his interest in the history of the terminal, as well as his involvement in various professional activities regarding the Terminal. The bulk dates for the material are the 1960s-1970s.
The folders in this series are arranged in alphabetical order by subject or name of a person, and thereunder in no particular order. No dates are given unless they are part of a folder's original title, or in the text of the summary statement.
Series XII: Pennsylvania Avenue Council
This series contains material regarding Douglas Haskell's appointment to the President's Council on Pennsylvania Avenue in 1962. President Kennedy created an Ad Hoc Committee on Federal Office Space to devise a general policy toward future federal architecture and to issue a report on Pennsylvania Avenue. It was to be a joint undertaking by government and private enterprise to restore "focal centrality" to the capitol. The President's Council on Pennsylvania Avenue included leaders in the fields of planning, art, and urban design. The bulks dates are 1962-1964.
The folders in this series are arranged in no particular order. There is a variety of types of material including many publications which are not foldered. Because of the wide variety of formats of material, the summary statement contains the contents of each box. Original subject titles of folders have been retained wherever they were present. (Many folders in this series do not have titles. Please consult folder descriptions for more complete information.)
This series contains photographs related to Douglas Haskell's professional and personal interests. The photographs date from the 1920s-1970s. Many photos were taken by DH on various trips, some photographs were published in Architectural Forum, and others were acquired for study purposes.
The folders in this series are arranged in alphabetical order by subject, and thereunder mainly organized by size and/or subject matter of the photographs.
This series contains material relating to Douglas Haskell's study of bridge design and design technology. Most of the material is undated, however the material that is dated is mainly from the 1920s-1930s.
The folders in this series are arranged in alphabetical order by subject, and thereunder in no particular order. The photographs are arranged by subject, and therein alphabetically by location.
Series XV: Miscellaneous Projects and Certificates
This series includes the following subject matter: Douglas Haskell's certificates, Coliseum-NYC, Architectural Forum book on cities, house book proposals, war housing, Frederick Kiesler, photogrammetry, and a proposed book on schools tentatively to be published by Architectural Record. The bulk dates are the 1950s-1960s.
The folders in this series are arranged in alphabetical order by subject, and thereunder in no particular order. Some of the folders and summaries contain dates.
This collection is available for use by appointment in the Department of Drawings & Archives, Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library, Columbia University. Unique time-based media items have been reformatted and are available onsite via links in the container list. All original copies of audio / moving image media are closed. Email avery-drawings@columbia.edu for more information.
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..
Douglas Putnam Haskell papers, Dept. of Drawings & Archives, Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library, Columbia University..
Source of acquisition--Gift of Helen Lacey Haskell. Accession number--1986.006.
Publications: 1) Benson, Robert Alan. "Douglas Haskell and The Modern Movement in American Architecture" Journal of Architectural Education, Summer 1983, v. 36, no. 4, p. 2-9. 2) Benson, Robert Alan. Douglas Putnam Haskell (1899-1979): the early critical writings (Ph.D. thesis--University of Michigan, 1987), 549 p.
Columbia University Libraries, Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library
The collection was processed as part of the 1993-1994 "Modern Masters Project," funded by an HEA Title II-C grant.
This ArchivesSpace finding aid was converted from a legacy finding aid by Shelley Hayreh (Avery Archivist) in 2020.
Douglas Putnam Haskell was born in Monastir, Yugoslavia, in 1899, the son of American missionaries to the Balkans. He eventually moved to the United States, where he graduated from Oberlin College in 1923 with a degree in Political Science and a minor in Art. Known as the "dean" of architectural editors, Haskell wrote architectural criticism and edited numerous periodicals. He worked for The New Student as an editor from 1923-1927, was on the editorial staff of Creative Art from 1927-1929, was an Associate Editor for Architectural Record from 1929-1930, was architecture critic for The Nation from 1930-1942, Associate Editor again of Architectural Record from 1943-1949, and, finally, was Editor of Architectural Forum from 1949 until his mandatory retirement in 1964 at the age of sixty-five.
Haskell began his career as one of the few American proponents of modern architecture during the 1920s and was a friend and colleague of Clarence Stein, Henry Wright, Lewis Mumford, and Frank Lloyd Wright. He was very active in urban renewal, civic architecture, and historic preservation. He lectured throughout the US, and was adjunct professor a Pratt Institute and Columbia University, and served on countless architectural committees, advisory panels, and juries.
Although Haskell was never an architect, the American Institute of Architects admitted him as a member, and in 1962 he was elected to the College of Fellows. Douglas Haskell died on August 11, 1979.
The subject headings listed below are found in this collection. Links below allow searches for other collections at Columbia University, through CLIO, the catalog for Columbia University Libraries, and through ArchiveGRID, a catalog that allows users to search the holdings of multiple research libraries and archives.
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