Collection Summary
Goldsmith, Goldwin, 1871-1962
Goldwin Goldsmith Drawings, archival material and photographs, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Connecticut
1896-1961
Accession number (s): 0000003, 1990009
527 drawings, .33 linear feet of archival material, 30 photographs
Alexander Architectural Archive,
The University of Texas at Austin.
Goldsmith (1871-1962) was a well-known professor of architecture, taught at the University of Texas School of Architecture (1928-1955) and served as chairman of the department. Born in Paterson, N.J., worked as an office assistant at McKim, Mead & White (1888-1890), schooled at Columbia University and the Ecole des Beaux-Arts (1897), practiced in the firm Van Vleck & Goldsmith in New York (1897-1913), established and taught at the University of Kansas School of Architecture (1913-1928). Personal papers, correspondence, reproductions of sketches, firm brochures, printed material, photographs and drawings documenting Goldsmith's life and work.
English.
Biographical Sketch of Goldwin Goldsmith
Born in Paterson, New Jersey on June 12, 1871, Goldwin Goldsmith received his early education in New York City. Following his high school graduation, he worked as an office assistant and draftsman (1888-1890) at the firm of McKim Mead and White which introduced him to the principles of the Beaux-Arts tradition. While working there he decided upon architecture as his chosen profession and accordingly entered the School of Architecture at Columbia University. He graduated in 1896 with a Ph.D. degree. Immediately after graduation he married Gertrude Relief Sumner and took a year's honeymoon in Europe where he pursued graduate study at the Atelier Dusay in Paris. When Goldsmith took breaks from studying, he and his wife toured France, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Belgium, Holland and England riding a tandem bicycle. The Smithsonian Institution now houses that bicycle.
Upon his return to the United States, Goldsmith established a firm in New York with Joseph Van Vleck, Jr. The firm, Van Vleck and Goldsmith maintained an office at 156 Fifth Avenue and flourished from 1897-1913. Among its designs were: the Young Men's Christian Association (1899), the First Methodist Episcopal Church (1899) and the Madison Building (1906) in Montclair, New Jersey; the Copper Queen Hotel (1909) in Bisbie, Arizona; and residences at 1026, 1027, and 1028 Madison Avenue in New York City.
The early years of the 20th century saw architecture schools springing up at colleges and universities across the Midwest. Administrators looked for teachers among professional architects in the East who were well versed in the principles of the Ecole des Beaux-
Arts, the premiere architecture school at that time. The University of Kansas called upon Goldsmith in 1913 to establish its school.
Goldsmith's success at the University of Kansas (1913-28) earned him a national reputation in the field of architectural education. He served as Vice-President (1925-1927) and President (1927-1929) of the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture and was responsible for drafting their "minimum standards," the precursor to the accreditation program now in existence.
In 1928, the University of Texas at Austin hired Goldsmith as Chairman of its Architecture Department. During his tenure, the Department of Architecture's curriculum was increased from a four-year to a five-year program and a new building (designed by Paul Cret) was completed. Goldsmith resigned as chairman of the department in 1935 to devote more time to his passion for teaching. His course in specifications was highly regarded for its rigor and he authored a book, Architects Specifications: How To Write Them, 1935, which became the standard text for the course. He donated the proceeds of this book to the scholarship fund of the American Institute of Architects.
Goldsmith's professional services included: member of the AIA Advisory Council on Specifications (1911), President of the Central Texas Chapter of the AIA (1938-1939), member of President Hoover's Conference on Home Building and Home Ownership (1931-1932).
In June 1955, at the age of 84, Goldsmith retired into the rank of Emeritus Professor of Architecture at the University of Texas at Austin. He died on January 7, 1962 in Fort Worth.
Scope and Content of the collection
Personal papers, correspondence, reproductions of sketches, firm brochures, a variety of printed material, photographs and drawings document the life and work of Goldwin Goldsmith. The bulk of the records consist of correspondence (1941-1951, with gaps) dealing with the establishment of the School of Architecture (SOA) as a separate entity from the College of Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin. Discussions include proposed administrative organization and curriculum for the SOA, and appropriate jurisdiction over Architectural Engineering courses. This record group also contains copies and the results of a survey of architectural engineering alumni to be used to study the reorganization of courses in the architecture department.
Personal papers include provisions of Goldsmith's will (undated) allocating a portion of his estate to the Texas Architecture Foundation to establish a scholarship fund for the UTSOA with the provision that scholarship funds will be revoked if the School loses its autonomy within the UT system.
Firm brochures illustrate Goldsmith's early residential design work in New York with the firm of Van Vleck and Goldsmith. Photographs of businesses and private residences (mostly unidentified) also document Goldsmith's architectural design career.
A book, Gertrude Goldsmith: Her Book, 1953, privately printed by Goldwin Goldsmith and signed, "Prof.", concludes this portion of the record group. The book contains short stories by Gertrude Goldsmith, and Christmas poems and other verse by Goldwin Goldsmith.
The drawing series consists of approximately 500 drawings representing Goldsmith's professional work in New York with the firm Van Vleck and Goldsmith, 1897 and 1913. Scrapbook contents consist of approximately 100 items, including; drawings, paintings, blueprints, and negative photostats, also from his early design work.
Other Finding Aids
Unpublished inventory in Archive.
References to works by or about Goldwin Goldsmith (1871-1962)
American Architects Directory. New York: R. R. Bowker, 1956.
Design for a Fraternity House." American Architect and Building News 73 (Aug. 17, 1901): p. 56, pl. 1338.
Goldsmith, Goldwin. Architects' Specifications: How to Write Them. Washington DC: American Institute of Architects, 1948.
Goldsmith, Goldwin. "I Remember McKim, Mead, and White." Journal of the American Institute of Architects13 (April 1950): p. 168-172.
Goldsmith, Goldwin. [Letter to the editor] Texas Architect (Oct. 1952): p. 18.
Goldsmith, Goldwin. "A Useless Squabble: Architectural Engineering." National Architect 6, no. 3 (March 1950): p. 5.
"House of C.E. Van Vleck, Montclair, N.J." American Architect 104, no. 1977 (Nov 12, 1913): plates and plans.
"House of Mrs. Amelia Hirsh, Montclair, N.J." American Architect 105, no. 1992 (Feb 25, 1914): plates and plans.
[Obituary] Texas Architect (Feb. 1962): p. 4-5.
Index Terms
This collection is indexed under the following headings in the University of Texas Online Catalog. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons, or places should search the catalog using these headings.
Persons:
Van Vleck, Joseph.
Goldsmith, Goldwin, 1871-1962--Archives.
Goldsmith, Gertrude, 1872-1952.
Van Vleck and Goldsmith.
Organizations:
University of Texas at Austin. School of Architecture.
University of Texas at Austin. College of Engineering.
University of Kansas. School of Architecture.
Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture.
McKim, Mead & White.
Young Men's Christian Association (Montclair, N.J.)
Madison Building (Montclair, N.J.)
Copper Queen Hotel (Bisbee, Ariz.)
Subjects
Montclair (N.J.)--Buildings.
Architecture--Study and teaching--Texas.
Church architecture--New Jersey.
School buildings--New Jersey.
Beaux-Arts.
Document types:
Sketches.
Architectural drawings.
Sketchbooks.
Student works.
Working drawings.
Presentation drawings.
Photoprints.
Restrictions on Access
Access is by appointment only to any serious scholar. Rolled materials must be flattened before viewing. A three day advance notice is required to flatten rolled materials. Portions of this collection are not processed and may not be accessible.
Restrictions on Use
Permission for publication is given on behalf of the University of Texas as the owner of the collection and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder which must be obtained by the researcher. For more information please see the Alexander Architectural Archive's Use Policy
Preferred Citation
Goldwin Goldsmith Drawings, Archival Material and Photographs (1896-1961) New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Connecticut, the Alexander Architectural Archive, the General Libraries, the University of Texas at Austin
Processing Information
Drawings processed by: Miguel DeSilva
Date: Fall 1983
Other material processed by: Kathy Martinson
Date: October 1992
Processing is not completed. Please see Archive's staff for more information.
Detailed Description of the Collection
The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.
Series A Personal Papers
Series Abstract
The records in the Personal Papers include certificates of marriage and memberships as well as Goldsmith's will.
1
1
Marriage Certificate and genealogy of Goldsmith Family (1896)
1
2
Provisions in will (n.d.)
1
24
Membership Certificate - Scarab Fraternity, University of Kansas
Series B: Correspondence
Series Abstract
The records in the Correspondence series reflect general information, the founding of the School of Architecture (includes enclosures such as reports and questionnaires), and Goldsmith's home in Lawrence, Kansas.
1
3
General correspondence
[2 items]
1
4
Establishing University of Texas School of Architecture (UTSOA) 1941-1951:
1
5
His former house, Lawrence, Kansas 1961:
Series C Sketch
Series Abstract
The records in the Sketch series reflect the Chapel for Reformed Church in New Jersey.
1
6
Chapel for Reformed Church, N.J.-reproductions
[3 items]
Series D Firm Brochures
Series Abstract
The records in the Firm Brochures series reflect Goldsmith's residential projects.
1
7
Residences 1026 & 1027 5th Ave., New York
1
8
Residences 94th near 5th Ave., New York
1
9
Residences 1026 & 1028 5th Ave., New York
Series E Photographs
Series Abstract
The records in the Photographs series reflect Goldsmith's professional projects, primarily those residential.
1
10
Holbrook Mfg. Co. 1909
1
11
YMCA Montclair, NJ: includes clipping, print and floor plan
1
12
Bailey, J.A.; Residence, Mt. Vernon, NY: includes floor plan and clippings
1
13
Castree, Louise; Residence, includes floor plan
1
14
Unidentified residence
1
15
Unidentified residence
1
16
Unidentified residence
1
17
Unidentified residence
1
18
Unidentified residence
1
19
Unidentified buildings
Series F Printed Material
Series Abstract
The records in the Printed Material series reflect architectural education, including a list of architectural schools in the United States and a University of Texas catalog.
1
20
List of architecture schools in the United States
1
21
UT Catalog, 1921-1922
Series G Magazine
Series Abstract
The record in the Magazine series reflect one issue of Architectural Record, July 1895.
1
22
"Special issue on Cyrus Eidlitz." Architectural Record 5 (July 1895).
Series H Book
Series Abstract
The record in the Book series reflect a publication by Mrs. Gertrude Goldsmith.
1
23
Gertrude Goldsmith: Her Book.. Austin, Texas; 1953. [Short stories by Gertrude Goldsmith and poetry by Goldwin Goldsmith.]
Series I Scrapbook
Series Abstract
The records in the Scrapbook series reflect primarily the professional projects of Goldsmith. Entries include sketches, floor, and elevation plans described below. Also includes negative photostats, blueprints, watercolor, and photographs which may duplicate records found in other series.
All measurements are in inches; Goldsmith's titles are in italics.
2
1
Front elevation, pencil
7 5/8 × 10 7/8
2
2
Elevation, pencil
5 5/8 × 8 5/8
2
3
Floor plan, pencil and colored pencil
5 × 8 1/8
2
4
Perspective sketch, pencil
7 3/4 × 13 3/8
2
5
Brick and Half Timber, front elevation, pencil and ink
7 3/4 × 15
2
6
Second Floor Plan, pencil and colored pencil
1/16 scale, 5 7/8 × 9 3/4
2
7
Floor plan, pencil
6 1/8 × 10 3/8
2
8
Floor plan, pencil
6 1/4 × 10
2
9
Front elevation, pencil
7 1/4 × 10 7/8
2
10
Front elevation, pencil and ink
6 × 10 1/2
2
11
Front elevation, pencil
7 × 11 3/4
2
12
Perspective sketch, pencil
6 5/8 × 11 1/2
2
13
First Floor Plan, pencil and colored pencil
1/16 scale, 6 1/8 × 11 3/4
2
14
Elevation, pencil
4 3/4 × 14 1/8
2
15
Floor plan with courtyard and road, pencil and colored pencil
11 × 14 7/8
2
16
Second Floor Plan, pencil and colored pencil
1/8 scale, 9 5/8 × 8 1/8
2
17
Elevation detail, pencil and colored pencil
10 7/8 × 9 1/2
2
18
Side Elevation, pencil
7 1/2 × 11
2
19
Elevation, 2 pages attached, pencil
5 1/2 × 14
2
20
Floor plan, pencil and colored pencil
5 1/4 × 7 7/8
2
21
First Floor Plan, pencil
1/8 scale, 9 5/8 × 8 1/8
2
22
Second Floor Plan, pencil
1/8 scale, 9 5/8 × 8 1/8
2
23
Front and Side Elevation, 2 pages attached, pencil
14 7/8 × 10 1/2
2
24
Second Floor Plan, pencil and colored pencil
1/16 scale, 6 × 8 7/8
2
25
Elevation, pencil
5 1/4 × 7 1/2
2
26
Second Floor Plan, pencil and colored pencil
1/16 scale, 5 3/4 × 10
2
27
Front Elevation, two pages attached, pencil
1/16 scale, 14 5/8 × 10 7/8
2
28
First Floor Plan, pencil and colored pencil
1/8 scale, 9 5/8 × 8 1/4
2
29
Perspective sketch, pencil
9 1/2 × 15 1/4
2
30
Floor plan, pencil, ink, and wash
6 1/4 × 10 7/8
2
31
Floor plan, pencil, colored pencil and ink
6 × 9 3/4
2
32
Front elevation and floor plan, 2 pages attached pencil, colored pencil, and ink
63/4 × 21
2
33
Front elevation, pencil and colored pencil
10 1/4 × 15
2
34
Floor plan, pencil and colored pencil
7 1/8 × 10 1/4
2
35
Front elevation, pencil and ink
7 3/8 × 10 5/8
2
36
Side Elevation, pencil and ink
6 1/4 × 7 7/8
2
37
Side Elevation, two pages attached, pencil
14 7/8 × 10 5/8
2
38
Rear Elevation, pencil and pen
6 3/4 × 13 5/8
2
39
Perspective sketch, pencil
5 3/8 × 9
2
40
Elevation, pencil
4 7/8 × 6
2
41
Elevation, pencil, ink and wash
11 × 10 3/8
2
42
First Floor Plan, two pages attached, pencil and colored pencil
1/16 scale, 8 1/4 × 15 1/8
2
43
Front Elevation, two pages attached pencil colored pencil and ink
11 1/8 × 14 1/2
2
44
Elevation, pencil
6 3/4 × 12 1/8
2
45
Front Elevation, pencil and ink
6 1/4 × 10 1/4
2
46
Second Floor Plan, pencil and colored pencil
4 1/2 × 7 3/4
2
47
1/2 of Front Elevation, pencil and ink
9 3/4 × 14 3/4
2
48
Elevation, pencil
8 1/2 × 10 1/4
2
49
Third Floor Plan, pencil
1/8 scale, 8 1/8 × 9 5/8
2
50
First Floor Plan, pencil and colored pencil
10 1/2 × 15 1/4
2
51
Elevation and floor plan, pencil
9 × 11
2
52
Elevation, pencil and colored pencil
6 3/4 × 10 7/8
2
53
Logo, Morrow Memorial Church
7 1/2 × 11 3/8
2
54
Elevation, pencil
5 1/4 × 8 3/4
2
55
Elevation, pencil
6 3/4 × 11 1/2
2
56
Front Elevation, four pages attached, pencil and wash
15 × 22 1/4
2
57
Rear Elevation, pencil
8 1/2 × 12 1/2
2
58
Front Elevation, pencil and ink
8 1/8 × 14 7/8
2
59
Front Elevation, pencil
1/8 scale, 9 1/4 × 12 3/8
2
60
Elevation and floor plan, 3 pages attached, pencil and wash
13 3/4 × 11 1/8
2
61
Elevation and floor plan, pencil
8 3/4 × 9 1/2
2
62
Front elevation, pencil and ink
1/8 scale, 9 1/2 × 13 1/2
2
63
Madison Bld. pencil, ink and colored pencil
1/8 scale, 12 3/4 × 10 5/8
2
64
Front Elevation, 2 pages attached, pencil
14 7/8 × 11
2
65
Perspective sketch on poster board, pencil
11 × 16
Series J Drawings
Series Abstract
Entries in the Drawings series are indexed in alphabetical order by Client's last name. If the client is not identifiable, the field will remain blank. Entries without client names are sorted by Project Name and listed before those that provide client's names. Project names are supplied by the cataloger, as title blocks on the drawings prove to be inconsistent and many drawings are not labeled. Dates are offered if they can be derived from the drawings or gathered from other authoritative sources. The term "drawing" includes both original works (such as pencil on trace paper, or ink on tracing clothe) as well as copies (such as sepia prints, blue line prints, etc.).
Bethany Memorial Church.
Goldsmith & Van Vleck
unknown
U.S.
Chester Hill Church.
Goldsmith & Van Vleck
Mount Vernon
N.Y.
U.S.
Greenwich School. Competition.
Goldsmith & Van Vleck
Greenwich
Conn.?
U.S.
Grove Street School.
1912
Goldsmith & Van Vleck
Montclair
N.J.
U.S.
Lincoln School.
nd
Goldsmith & Van Vleck
unknown
U.S.
Madison Building.
1911
Goldsmith & Van Vleck
Montclair
N.J.
U.S.
Nurse's Home.
1906
Goldsmith & Van Vleck
Montclair
N.J.
U.S.
Reformed Church. Chapel.
1908
Goldsmith & Van Vleck
Little Falls
N.J.
U.S.
St. John's Church.
nd
Goldsmith & Van Vleck
Bisbee
Ariz.
U.S.
St. Paul Apartments.
1904
Goldsmith & Van Vleck
Lynchburg
Va.
U.S.
Upper Montclair Grammar School.
1908
Goldsmith & Van Vleck
Upper Montclair
N.J.
U.S.
Irving Bacheler studio.
1902
Goldsmith & Van Vleck
Bacheler, Irving
Sound Beach
Conn.
U.S.
L.B. Bunn residence.
1907
Goldsmith & Van Vleck
Bunn, L. B.
East Orange
N.J.
U.S.
C.Q.C. Mining Company hotel.
1900
Goldsmith & Van Vleck
C.Q.C. Mining Co.
Bisbee
Ariz.
U.S.
John D. Crimmins Stable.
nd
Goldsmith & Van Vleck
Crimmins, John D.
Noroton
Conn.
U.S.
Delta Upsilon Fraternity Chapter House.
1900
Van Vleck & Goldsmith - Architects
Delta Upsilon Fraternity
Schenectady
N.Y.
U.S.
James Douglas cottage.
Goldsmith & Van Vleck
Douglas, James
Spuyten Duyvil
N.Y.
U.S.
John Emery residence.
1904
Goldsmith & Van Vleck
Emery, John
Montclair
N.J.
U.S.
W.T. Evans residence.
1908
Goldsmith & Van Vleck
Evans, W. T.
Montclair
N.J.
U.S.
B.V. Harrison residence.
1916
Goldsmith & Van Vleck
Harrison, B. V.
Montclair
N.J.
U.S.
Amelia Hirsh residence.
1910
Goldsmith & Van Vleck
Hirsh, Amelia
Montclair
N.J.
U.S.
Fentz Laff residence.
Goldsmith & Van Vleck
Laff, Fentz
unknown
U.S.
W.L. Law residence.
1909
Goldsmith & Van Vleck
Law, W. L.
Maplewood
N.J.
U.S.
L.C. Main residence.
1902
Goldsmith & Van Vleck
Main, L. C.
unknown
U.S.
Montclair Military Academy. Dormitory.
1903
Goldsmith & Van Vleck
Montclair Military Academy
Montclair
N.J.
U.S.
Mountainside Hospital. Additions. Proposed.
1913
Goldsmith & Van Vleck
Mountainside Hospital
Montclair
N.J.
U.S.
Office building for Dr. C. Noble and Dr. Willis.
1902
Goldsmith & Van Vleck
Noble, C., Dr.
Willis, Dr.
Montclair
N.J.
U.S.
Osborne Company factory.
1907
Goldsmith & Van Vleck
Osborne Co.
Newark
N.J.
U.S.
Dr. B.B. Ranson residence.
1908
Goldsmith & Van Vleck
Ranson, B. B., Dr.
Maplewood
N.J.
U.S.
Clara F. Thompson residence.
1908
Goldsmith & Van Vleck
Thompson, Clara F.
Glan Ridge
N.J.
U.S.
William D. Van Vleck residence.
nd
Goldsmith & Van Vleck
Van Vleck, William D.
Montclair
N.J.
U.S.
Morris Whitaker residence.
1911
Goldsmith & Van Vleck
Whitaker, Morris
Nyack
N.Y.
U.S.
Alice Castree Williams residence.
1905
Goldsmith & Van Vleck
Williams, Alice Castree
New Canaan
Conn.
U.S.
B.A. Williams residence.
1904
Goldsmith & Van Vleck
Williams, B. A.
Fifth Ave.
New York
N.Y.
U.S.
K.F. Williams residence.
1910
Goldsmith & Van Vleck
Williams, K. F.
Monticello
N.Y.
U.S.
Young Men's Christian Association.
nd
Goldsmith & Van Vleck
Young Men's Christian Association
Scranton
Lehigh?
Pa.
U.S.
Young Men's Christian Association building.
nd
Goldsmith & Van Vleck
Young Men's Christian Association
unknown
U.S.
Young Men's Christian Association building.
1898-1899
Goldsmith & Van Vleck
Young Men's Christian Association
New Haven
Conn.
U.S.
Young Men's Christian Association building.
nd
Goldsmith & Van Vleck
Young Men's Christian Association
Montclair
N.Y.
U.S.
Young Men's Christian Association naval branch building.
nd
Goldsmith & Van Vleck
Young Men's Christian Association
Brooklyn
N.Y.
U.S.