Goldwin Goldsmith: An Inventory of his Drawings, Papers and Photographs, 1896-1961


Collection Summary
	Creator	Goldsmith, Goldwin, 1871-1962
	Title:	Goldwin Goldsmith Drawings, archival material and photographs, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Connecticut
	Dates:	1896-1961
	Abstract	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.
	Identification:	Accession number (s): 0000003, 1990009
	Quantity:	527 drawings, .33 linear feet of archival material, 30 photographs
	Language	English.
	Repository:	Alexander Architectural Archive, The University of Texas at Austin.

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.

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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.

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Restrictions

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

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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.

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Administrative Information

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.

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Other Finding Aids

Unpublished inventory in Archive.

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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.

UT Catalog, 1921-1922

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Series G Magazine

Series Abstract

The record in the Magazine series reflect one issue of Architectural Record, July 1895.

box

folder

"Special issue on Cyrus Eidlitz." Architectural Record 5 (July 1895).

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Series H Book

Series Abstract

The record in the Book series reflect a publication by Mrs. Gertrude Goldsmith.

box

folder

Gertrude Goldsmith: Her Book.. Austin, Texas; [Short stories by Gertrude Goldsmith and poetry by Goldwin Goldsmith.] 1953.

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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.
box	folder
2	1	Front elevation, pencil 7 5/8 × 10 7/8
	2	Elevation, pencil 5 5/8 × 8 5/8
	3	Floor plan, pencil and colored pencil 5 × 8 1/8
	4	Perspective sketch, pencil 7 3/4 × 13 3/8
	5	Brick and Half Timber, front elevation, pencil and ink 7 3/4 × 15
	6	Second Floor Plan, pencil and colored pencil 1/16 scale, 5 7/8 × 9 3/4
	7	Floor plan, pencil 6 1/8 × 10 3/8
	8	Floor plan, pencil 6 1/4 × 10
	9	Front elevation, pencil 7 1/4 × 10 7/8
	10	Front elevation, pencil and ink 6 × 10 1/2
	11	Front elevation, pencil 7 × 11 3/4
	12	Perspective sketch, pencil 6 5/8 × 11 1/2
	13	First Floor Plan, pencil and colored pencil 1/16 scale, 6 1/8 × 11 3/4
	14	Elevation, pencil 4 3/4 × 14 1/8
	15	Floor plan with courtyard and road, pencil and colored pencil 11 × 14 7/8
	16	Second Floor Plan, pencil and colored pencil 1/8 scale, 9 5/8 × 8 1/8
	17	Elevation detail, pencil and colored pencil 10 7/8 × 9 1/2
	18	Side Elevation, pencil 7 1/2 × 11
	19	Elevation, 2 pages attached, pencil 5 1/2 × 14
	20	Floor plan, pencil and colored pencil 5 1/4 × 7 7/8
	21	First Floor Plan, pencil 1/8 scale, 9 5/8 × 8 1/8
	22	Second Floor Plan, pencil 1/8 scale, 9 5/8 × 8 1/8
	23	Front and Side Elevation, 2 pages attached, pencil 14 7/8 × 10 1/2
	24	Second Floor Plan, pencil and colored pencil 1/16 scale, 6 × 8 7/8
	25	Elevation, pencil 5 1/4 × 7 1/2
	26	Second Floor Plan, pencil and colored pencil 1/16 scale, 5 3/4 × 10
	27	Front Elevation, two pages attached, pencil 1/16 scale, 14 5/8 × 10 7/8
	28	First Floor Plan, pencil and colored pencil 1/8 scale, 9 5/8 × 8 1/4
	29	Perspective sketch, pencil 9 1/2 × 15 1/4
	30	Floor plan, pencil, ink, and wash 6 1/4 × 10 7/8
	31	Floor plan, pencil, colored pencil and ink 6 × 9 3/4
	32	Front elevation and floor plan, 2 pages attached pencil, colored pencil, and ink 63/4 × 21
	33	Front elevation, pencil and colored pencil 10 1/4 × 15
	34	Floor plan, pencil and colored pencil 7 1/8 × 10 1/4
	35	Front elevation, pencil and ink 7 3/8 × 10 5/8
	36	Side Elevation, pencil and ink 6 1/4 × 7 7/8
	37	Side Elevation, two pages attached, pencil 14 7/8 × 10 5/8
	38	Rear Elevation, pencil and pen 6 3/4 × 13 5/8
	39	Perspective sketch, pencil 5 3/8 × 9
	40	Elevation, pencil 4 7/8 × 6
	41	Elevation, pencil, ink and wash 11 × 10 3/8
	42	First Floor Plan, two pages attached, pencil and colored pencil 1/16 scale, 8 1/4 × 15 1/8
	43	Front Elevation, two pages attached pencil colored pencil and ink 11 1/8 × 14 1/2
	44	Elevation, pencil 6 3/4 × 12 1/8
	45	Front Elevation, pencil and ink 6 1/4 × 10 1/4
	46	Second Floor Plan, pencil and colored pencil 4 1/2 × 7 3/4
	47	1/2 of Front Elevation, pencil and ink 9 3/4 × 14 3/4
	48	Elevation, pencil 8 1/2 × 10 1/4
	49	Third Floor Plan, pencil 1/8 scale, 8 1/8 × 9 5/8
	50	First Floor Plan, pencil and colored pencil 10 1/2 × 15 1/4
	51	Elevation and floor plan, pencil 9 × 11
	52	Elevation, pencil and colored pencil 6 3/4 × 10 7/8
	53	Logo, Morrow Memorial Church 7 1/2 × 11 3/8
	54	Elevation, pencil 5 1/4 × 8 3/4
	55	Elevation, pencil 6 3/4 × 11 1/2
	56	Front Elevation, four pages attached, pencil and wash 15 × 22 1/4
	57	Rear Elevation, pencil 8 1/2 × 12 1/2
	58	Front Elevation, pencil and ink 8 1/8 × 14 7/8
	59	Front Elevation, pencil 1/8 scale, 9 1/4 × 12 3/8
	60	Elevation and floor plan, 3 pages attached, pencil and wash 13 3/4 × 11 1/8
	61	Elevation and floor plan, pencil 8 3/4 × 9 1/2
	62	Front elevation, pencil and ink 1/8 scale, 9 1/2 × 13 1/2
	63	Madison Bld. pencil, ink and colored pencil 1/8 scale, 12 3/4 × 10 5/8
	64	Front Elevation, 2 pages attached, pencil 14 7/8 × 11
	65	Perspective sketch on poster board, pencil 11 × 16

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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.).

Project name: Bethany Memorial Church.
Primary archt/firm: Goldsmith & Van Vleck

City: unknown

Country: U.S.

Project name: Chester Hill Church.
Primary archt/firm: Goldsmith & Van Vleck

City: Mount Vernon

State/Province: N.Y.

Country: U.S.

Project name: Greenwich School. Competition.
Primary archt/firm: Goldsmith & Van Vleck

City: Greenwich

State/Province: Conn.?

Country: U.S.

Project name: Grove Street School.
Date on drawings: 1912
Primary archt/firm: Goldsmith & Van Vleck

City: Montclair

State/Province: N.J.

Country: U.S.

Project name: Lincoln School.
Date on drawings: nd
Primary archt/firm: Goldsmith & Van Vleck

City: unknown

Country: U.S.

Project name: Madison Building.
Date on drawings: 1911
Primary archt/firm: Goldsmith & Van Vleck

City: Montclair

State/Province: N.J.

Country: U.S.

Project name: Nurse's Home.
Date on drawings: 1906
Primary archt/firm: Goldsmith & Van Vleck

City: Montclair

State/Province: N.J.

Country: U.S.

Project name: Reformed Church. Chapel.
Date on drawings: 1908
Primary archt/firm: Goldsmith & Van Vleck

City: Little Falls

State/Province: N.J.

Country: U.S.

Project name: St. John's Church.
Date on drawings: nd
Primary archt/firm: Goldsmith & Van Vleck

City: Bisbee

State/Province: Ariz.

Country: U.S.

Project name: St. Paul Apartments.
Date on drawings: 1904
Primary archt/firm: Goldsmith & Van Vleck

City: Lynchburg

State/Province: Va.

Country: U.S.

Project name: Upper Montclair Grammar School.
Date on drawings: 1908
Primary archt/firm: Goldsmith & Van Vleck

City: Upper Montclair

State/Province: N.J.

Country: U.S.

Project name: Irving Bacheler studio.
Date on drawings: 1902
Primary archt/firm: Goldsmith & Van Vleck

Client: Bacheler, Irving

City: Sound Beach

State/Province: Conn.

Country: U.S.

Project name: L.B. Bunn residence.
Date on drawings: 1907
Primary archt/firm: Goldsmith & Van Vleck

Client: Bunn, L. B.

City: East Orange

State/Province: N.J.

Country: U.S.

Project name: C.Q.C. Mining Company hotel.
Date on drawings: 1900
Primary archt/firm: Goldsmith & Van Vleck

Client: C.Q.C. Mining Co.

City: Bisbee

State/Province: Ariz.

Country: U.S.

Project name: John D. Crimmins Stable.
Date on drawings: nd
Primary archt/firm: Goldsmith & Van Vleck

Client: Crimmins, John D.

City: Noroton

State/Province: Conn.

Country: U.S.

Project name: Delta Upsilon Fraternity Chapter House.
Date on drawings: 1900
Primary archt/firm: Van Vleck & Goldsmith - Architects

Client: Delta Upsilon Fraternity

City: Schenectady

State/Province: N.Y.

Country: U.S.

Project name: James Douglas cottage.
Primary archt/firm: Goldsmith & Van Vleck

Client: Douglas, James

City: Spuyten Duyvil

State/Province: N.Y.

Country: U.S.

Project name: John Emery residence.
Date on drawings: 1904
Primary archt/firm: Goldsmith & Van Vleck

Client: Emery, John

City: Montclair

State/Province: N.J.

Country: U.S.

Project name: W.T. Evans residence.
Date on drawings: 1908
Primary archt/firm: Goldsmith & Van Vleck

Client: Evans, W. T.

City: Montclair

State/Province: N.J.

Country: U.S.

Project name: B.V. Harrison residence.
Date on drawings: 1916
Primary archt/firm: Goldsmith & Van Vleck

Client: Harrison, B. V.

City: Montclair

State/Province: N.J.

Country: U.S.

Project name: Amelia Hirsh residence.
Date on drawings: 1910
Primary archt/firm: Goldsmith & Van Vleck

Client: Hirsh, Amelia

City: Montclair

State/Province: N.J.

Country: U.S.

Project name: Fentz Laff residence.
Primary archt/firm: Goldsmith & Van Vleck

Client: Laff, Fentz

City: unknown

Country: U.S.

Project name: W.L. Law residence.
Date on drawings: 1909
Primary archt/firm: Goldsmith & Van Vleck

Client: Law, W. L.

City: Maplewood

State/Province: N.J.

Country: U.S.

Project name: L.C. Main residence.
Date on drawings: 1902
Primary archt/firm: Goldsmith & Van Vleck

Client: Main, L. C.

City: unknown

Country: U.S.

Project name: Montclair Military Academy. Dormitory.
Date on drawings: 1903
Primary archt/firm: Goldsmith & Van Vleck

Client: Montclair Military Academy

City: Montclair

State/Province: N.J.

Country: U.S.

Project name: Mountainside Hospital. Additions. Proposed.
Date on drawings: 1913
Primary archt/firm: Goldsmith & Van Vleck

Client: Mountainside Hospital

City: Montclair

State/Province: N.J.

Country: U.S.

Project name: Office building for Dr. C. Noble and Dr. Willis.
Date on drawings: 1902
Primary archt/firm: Goldsmith & Van Vleck

Client: Noble, C., Dr.

Client: Willis, Dr.

City: Montclair

State/Province: N.J.

Country: U.S.

Project name: Osborne Company factory.
Date on drawings: 1907
Primary archt/firm: Goldsmith & Van Vleck

Client: Osborne Co.

City: Newark

State/Province: N.J.

Country: U.S.

Project name: Dr. B.B. Ranson residence.
Date on drawings: 1908
Primary archt/firm: Goldsmith & Van Vleck

Client: Ranson, B. B., Dr.

City: Maplewood

State/Province: N.J.

Country: U.S.

Project name: Clara F. Thompson residence.
Date on drawings: 1908
Primary archt/firm: Goldsmith & Van Vleck

Client: Thompson, Clara F.

City: Glan Ridge

State/Province: N.J.

Country: U.S.

Project name: William D. Van Vleck residence.
Date on drawings: nd
Primary archt/firm: Goldsmith & Van Vleck

Client: Van Vleck, William D.

City: Montclair

State/Province: N.J.

Country: U.S.

Project name: Morris Whitaker residence.
Date on drawings: 1911
Primary archt/firm: Goldsmith & Van Vleck

Client: Whitaker, Morris

City: Nyack

State/Province: N.Y.

Country: U.S.

Project name: Alice Castree Williams residence.
Date on drawings: 1905
Primary archt/firm: Goldsmith & Van Vleck

Client: Williams, Alice Castree

City: New Canaan

State/Province: Conn.

Country: U.S.

Project name: B.A. Williams residence.
Date on drawings: 1904
Primary archt/firm: Goldsmith & Van Vleck

Client: Williams, B. A.

Street address: Fifth Ave.

City: New York

State/Province: N.Y.

Country: U.S.

Project name: K.F. Williams residence.
Date on drawings: 1910
Primary archt/firm: Goldsmith & Van Vleck

Client: Williams, K. F.

City: Monticello

State/Province: N.Y.

Country: U.S.

Project name: Young Men's Christian Association.
Date on drawings: nd
Primary archt/firm: Goldsmith & Van Vleck