Alumni Association of the School of Architecture at Columbia University records, 1898-1943

Summary Information

At a Glance

Arrangement

Arrangement

This collection is arranged in one series.

• Series I: Alumni Association of the School of Architecture at Columbia University records, 1898-1943

Description

Summary

This collection consists of the by-laws, correspondence and meeting minutes of the Alumni Association of the School of Architecture.

• Series I: Alumni Association of the School of Architecture at Columbia University records, 1898-1943

Using the Collection

Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Restrictions on Access

You will need to make an appointment in advance to use this collection material in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room. You can schedule an appointment once you've submitted your request through your Special Collections Research Account.

This collection is located off-site. You will need to request this material at least three business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room.

This collection has no restrictions.

Terms Governing Use and Reproduction

Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. The RBML maintains ownership of the physical material only. Copyright remains with the creator and his/her heirs. The responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.

Related Materials

Additional architecture alumni materials can be found in the Historical subject files (UA#0002). Materials related to the early days of the School of Architecture can be found in the Graduate School of Architecture and Planning records, 1890-1963 at the Avery Drawings & Archives. There is also a small collection of Graduate School of Architecture Planning and Preservation records at the University Archives.

About the Finding Aid / Processing Information

Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Processing Information

Collection-level record describing unprocessed material made public in summer 2018 as part of the Hidden Collections initiative. This collection was processed by Joanna Rios in December 2022.

Revision Description

2022-12-16 Finding aid published (JR)

Subject Headings

The subject headings listed below are found in this collection. Links below allow searches at Columbia University through the Archival Collections Portal and through CLIO, the catalog for Columbia University Libraries, as well as ArchiveGRID, a catalog that allows users to search the holdings of multiple research libraries and archives.

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Subject

History / Biographical Note

Historical Note

Instruction in the principles of civil and military architecture for the Senior Class appears in the Columbia College Statutes as early as 1836, but the establishment of a professional school of architecture would have to wait a few years. William Robert Ware, who established the first school of architecture in this country at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1865, organized the initial courses in architecture at Columbia College in 1881 and within the School of Mines. In 1902, the School of Architecture became its own independent unit in the University.

The formation of an association of the alumni of architecture dates back to a circular letter of information from Professor Talbot Hamlin sent in December 1903 to its graduates and former students. At a meeting on April 25, 1904, the Society of Columbia University Architects came into existence. In 1911, the name was changed to the Alumni Association of the School of Architecture of Columbia University. Every year, the Alumni Association gave out a medal for excellence in design and other endowed prizes.