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American Institute of Architects, St. Louis Chapter Records

 Collection
Identifier: A1797

Scope and Contents

The records are primarily comprised of the chapter’s meeting minutes (1898-1919) but also include meeting announcements (1906-1909), membership lists (ca. 1894-1923), financial reports (1901-1908), and resolutions and correspondence from the chapter’s World’s Fair Committee (1900-1901). The earliest document, dated 1893, includes an annual report submitted by Secretary A.F. Rosenheim and an accompanying Treasurer’s Report from Charles K. Ramsay (Folder 2). The Chapter’s general correspondence, dating from 1898 to 1927, is comprised of letters between members concerning service as officers and letters to the national secretary of the AIA informing him of newly-elected chapter officers (Folder 3). Some of the membership lists are dated and some have been assigned dates by comparing them with the dated lists. The lists for some years also include the names of members who served on the chapter’s standing committees (Folders 28-29). The World’s Fair Committee files contain drafts of resolutions and correspondence relating to the design of buildings for the 1904 World’s Fair. In 1898, William J. Seever, secretary of the Missouri Historical Society, requested that the chapter appoint a committee to assist with the centennial celebration of the Louisiana Purchase (Folder 33). The appointed members included: John Lawrence Mauran, chairman; Thomas C. Young, Tom I. Barnett, J.L. Wees, and William B. Ittner. The committee researched the situation in St. Louis and drafted a resolution for the chapter to consider which was then forwarded to David R. Francis, President of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition Company (Folder 32). In its pursuit of ideas and opinions about the process of designing the World’s Fair, the chapter sent letters to architects and other AIA chapters soliciting their input. Mr. William S. Wicks of Buffalo, New York, sent a lengthy letter and enclosures that their committees had used for the Pan-American Exposition. Letters of suggestions also came from the Kansas City Chapter, from Thomas R. Kimball, and from D.H. Burnham. The only essay in the collection concerns St. Louis’ most well-known, and sometimes most controversial, monument: the Arch. The reader learns how the idea for a monument emerged, how a design was chosen, issues that arose at different phases of the project, and the extent to which local architects were involved in the planning process (Folder 4).

Dates

  • 1893-ca. 1991

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research use.

Conditions Governing Use

For permission to publish, quote from, or reproduce material in this collection, please contact the Archives Reference Desk at archives@mohistory.org. Copyright restrictions may apply. The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming to the laws of copyright.

Historical Sketch

Architects in St. Louis formed a local chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) in 1884. Founding members included Thomas B. Annan, Henry G. Isaacs, H. William Kirchner, Edmund Jungenfeld, Francis D. Lee, and James H. McNamara. However, the charter for the American Institute of Architects, St. Louis Chapter is dated December 5, 1891. The group held meetings and collected dues on a monthly basis. The meetings provided a forum in which St. Louis architects were able to discuss mutual professional interests such as bringing prominent visitors to the city and directing the manner of professional practices by drafting resolutions for consideration by state and local government. The chapter, popularly known as AIA-St. Louis, continues its activities to promote and support the architecture profession. It meets monthly, allowing members to regularly greet one another and tour various facilities. There are special committees for continuing education and young architects. The many services offered to members include monitoring legislative actions at the local and state levels, sponsoring design and photography awards, and providing access to AIA professional documents and publications.

Extent

0.52 Cubic Feet ( (1 box; 1 oversize folder))

Language of Materials

English

Arrangement

The records are arranged in alphabetical order by type of document and/or topic.

Physical and Technical Requirements

There are no physical or technical restrictions.

Donor Information

The collection was donated by the American Institute of Architects, St. Louis Chapter in 2001.

Related Materials

See also American Institute of Architects, St. Louis Chapter Historic Buildings Survey (A0031). The Missouri Historical Society Library also has various publications by the American Institute of Architects, St. Louis Chapter.

Sources Consulted During Processing

For more information, see:
  • Toft, Carolyn Hewes, et. al. The Way We Came: A Century of the AIA in St. Louis. St. Louis, Mo.: Patrice Press, ca. 1991.

Processing Information

Processed by Missouri Historical Society archivists.

Title
Inventory of American Institute of Architects, St. Louis Chapter Records
Status
Completed
Author
EAD by Jaime Bourassa using ArchivesSpace
Date
2021
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the Missouri Historical Society Library and Research Center Repository

Contact:
225 S. Skinker Blvd.
St. Louis MO 63105 United States
314-746-4510