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Washington Society of Landscape Architects Records, 1946-1970

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Washington Society of Landscape Architects
Title
Washington Society of Landscape Architects Records
Dates
1946-1970 (inclusive)
Quantity
.84 cubic feet (2 boxes)
Collection Number
2875 (Accession No. 2875-001)
Summary
Records of the Washington Society of Landscape Architects
Repository
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu
Access Restrictions

Access restricted: For terms of access contact repository.

Records are stored off site; advance notice required for use.

Request at UW

Languages
English
Sponsor
Funding for encoding this finding aid was partially provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.
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Historical Note

The Washington Association of Landscape Architects was formed by ten Seattle landscape architects in 1946. It was the first society for landscape architects in the state, and was not affiliated with a national organization. Its primary goal was to work toward professional registration in Washington. The society promoted the hiring of local landscape architects and urged that landscape architects be participating members of bodies such as the State Arts Commission and Seattle's Municpal Art Commission. Most of its activities centered on the Puget Sound region. Membership was restricted to those with professional training, and the society remained small until it disbanded in 1970.

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Content Description

The records of the Washington Society of Landscape Architects document the administrative and promotional activities of the organization, and include some records of affiliated societies. In its efforts to advocate for its profession, the society wrote letters to governors of the state, lobbied for a presence at the Century 21 Exposition at the World's Fair, and carried out a strict policy on membership. This collection includes preparations and materials gathered to lobby the state senate for regulations on professional registration. Some of the meeting minutes in the chronological files are entertainingly written, and reflect the social nature of the organization. Some meeting minutes that are missing in this accession may be found in records of American Society of Landscape Architects, Washington Chapter, accession number 5317-1. Also includes material collected from other landscape architects and other organizations.

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Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

Creator's literary rights not transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.

Preferred Citation

Washington Society of Landscape Architects, Special Collections, University of Washington Libraries, Seattle, Washington.

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

Arranged into two series:

  • Administrative records, 1946-1970
  • Organizations records, 1957-1969

Preservation Note

Records are stored off site; advance notice required for use.

Acquisition Information

Source: Robert Ramsey, Tacoma via University of Washington Landscape Architect Department, 1978

Processing Note

Processed by Marika Pineda; processing completed in 2006

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Detailed Description of the Collection

 

  • Administrative records, 1946-1970

    • Description: Chronological files

      Contains meeting agendas and minutes, correspondence, memoranda, clippings, press releases, and membership records. Major correspondents include Robert W. Blanchard, Raymond A. Brauner, and Victor Chanasyk, who served as presidents of the organization.

      Dates: 1946-1970, undated
      Container: Box/Folder 1/1-16
    • Description: Constitution

      Dates: 1955-1965
      Container: Box/Folder 2/1
    • Description: Fee schedule and short contract forms
      Dates: Undated
      Container: Box/Folder 2/2
    • Description: Membership applications
      Dates: 1946-1960, undated
      Container: Box/Folder 2/3
    • Description: Unit price guide
      Dates: 1963
      Container: Box/Folder 2/4
    • Description: Reports and writings
      Dates: 1957-1961, undated
      Container: Box/Folder 2/5
    • Subject files

      • Description: Century 21 Exposition

        Contains correspondence pertaining to a community development planning exhibit for the 1962 World's Fair (also called the Century 21 Exhibition). The Washington Society of Landscape Architects was one of several interest groups working to produce the exhibit, which was initiated to help influence urban planning. The Society proposed a display of schematic plans as a program to "invite all who wish: metropolises, cities, towns and rural communities to present for display at this World's Fair, a colorful, futuramic artists sketch of their plans for the future [sic]" (letter to Joseph Gandy from O. Earle Miller). Includes World Fair Headquarters statement of policy on the Design Standards Advisory Board.

        Dates: 1957-1962
        Container: Box/Folder 2/6
      • Description: Olmsted exhibition

        Includes correspondence, clippings, a press release, exhibit specifications, and a paper by Albert Fein pertaining to the Olmsted Exhibition, a nationally circulating group of photographs, letters, and memorabilia documenting the work of Frederick Law Olmsted. The 1965 exhibition was the first serious public presentation of Olmsted's work, and was a joint project between Harvard graduate students in landscape architecture and the American Society of Landscape Architects.

        Dates: 1964-1965
        Container: Box/Folder 2/7
      • Description: Registration
        Dates: 1957-1958
        Container: Box/Folder 2/8
      • Description: State Arts Commission
        Dates: 1956-1968
        Container: Box/Folder 2/9
  • Organizations records, 1957-1969

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Landscape architects--Washington (State)--Societies and clubs--Archives
  • Landscape architecture--Washington (State)
  • Professional associations--Washington (State)

Corporate Names

  • Washington Society of Landscape Architects--Archives

Geographical Names

  • Washington (State)--Societies, etc.--Landscape architecture

Form or Genre Terms

  • Correspondence
  • Membership lists
  • Minutes

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)
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