Cass Gilbert Papers, 1902-1910

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Gilbert, Cass, 1859-1934
Title
Cass Gilbert Papers
Dates
1902-1910 (inclusive)
Quantity
.6 linear feet of shelf space
Collection Number
MC 16
Summary
Cass Gilbert, a well known Montana architect, and designer of the Montana Club in Helena. His papers (1902-1910) include incoming and outgoing correspondence, legal documents, sketches, blueprints, schedules, and miscellany.
Repository
Montana Historical Society, Library & Archives
Montana Historical Society Research Center Archives
225 North Roberts
PO Box 201201
Helena MT
59620-1201
Telephone: 4064442681
Fax: 4064445297
mhslibrary@mt.gov
Access Restrictions

Collection open for research.

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

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Cass Gilbert was born on November 24, 1859, in Zanesville, Ohio, the son of General and Mrs. Samuel Augustus Gilbert. He received his education at MacAlester College, St. Paul, Minnesota and attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge after working in a St. Paul architect's office. Following graduation, he traveled throughout Europe and upon his return, entered the office of McKim, Mead, and White, Architects in New York City. A year later, in 1882, he established his own office in St. Paul. Cass Gilbert is credited by some as being the father of the skyscraper. He designed several well-known buildings in New York and Washington, D.C. In 1903, he was commissioned to design the rebuilding of the Montana Club, in Helena, Montana, after it had been destroyed in a 1902 fire. The club members wished to retain the "desirable features" of their first building which Gilbert then incorporated into a structure of Spanish Renaissance design. The cost of the building and furnishings exceeded $100,000. Cass Gilbert died in Brockenhurst, England, on May 17, 1934.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

This collection includes incoming and outgoing correspondence, legal documents, assorted sketches, blueprints, and schedules pertaining to the re-building of the Montana Club. The collection documents the design, construction, and furnishing of the Montana Club.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Researchers must use collection in accordance with the policies of the Montana Historical Society. The Society does not necessarily hold copyright to all materials in the collection. In some cases permission for use may require additional authorization from the copyright owners. For more information contact an archivist.

Preferred Citation

[item description and date]. Collection Title. Collection Number. [box and folder numbers]. Montana Historical Society Research Center. Archives. Helena, Montana.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

Arranged by series

Location of Collection

1:2-3

Acquisition Information

Acquisition Information available upon request

Separated Materials

Sketches have been separated to the Museum.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection

Incoming Correspondence Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1 / 1
A-D (correspondents include American Bridge Company, T.H. Anderson, Bauer Gas Fixture Works, W.G. Bennett, Alexander Bradley, Gustave A. Brand and Company, The Brickbuilder, Brunswick-Balke-Collender Company, Burdett-Rowntree Manufacturing Company, Butler Brothers, Cambra Steel Company, Capital Lumber Company, G.H. Carsley, Congress Construction Company, Diebold Safe and Lock Company, Dwyer Plumbing and Heating Company)
1903-1907
1 / 2
E-L (correspondents include W.S. Edwards Manufacturing Company, Fire Proof Door Company, W.I. Gray and Company, Great Falls Iron Works, A.M. Holter Hardware Company, T. Kain and Sons cut stone contractors, Linden Glass Company, George H. Lounsberry)
1902-1906
1 / 3
Montana Club
1903-1906
1 / 4
M (correspondents include Marine Engine and Machine Company, Mitchel and Halbach decorators and furnishers, Mitchell Vance Company, Montana Electric Company, Morreau Gas Fixture Manufacturing Company, Mound City Roofing Tile Company)
1903-1906
1 / 5
N-S (correspondents include Nebraska Plumbing Supply Company, W.P. Nelson Company, Otis Elevator Company, Pfanschmidt and Quigley fine window shades, George H. Rees mosaic and tile floors, Richards Manufacturing Company, Richter Manufacturing Company, John R. Rockart, St. Paul Foundry Company, Schuneman and Evans, Theodore Simons, W.E. Skinner, John Sturrock plumber)
1902-1905, 1909
1 / 6
T-W (correspondents include Tobey Furniture Company, United States Marble Company, Vapor Heating Company, Warner Elevator Company, George W. White stone merchant, R. Williamson and Company, Winslow Elevator and Machine Company)
1903-1904

Outgoing Correspondence Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1 / 7-8
Miscellaneous (arranged chronologically)
1903-1906, 1910

Legal Documents Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1 / 9
Contracts re construction of Montana Club
1904-1905

Miscellany Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
2 / 1
Blueprints [see also SC 1998]
undated
2 / 2
Proposals and specifications
1903-1904, undated
2 / 3
Rough drafts and notes
undated
2 / 4
Schedules
1904-1905, undated
2 / 5
General construction specifications
1903, undated
2 / 6
Miscellaneous
1906, undated

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Architecture--Designs and plans--Montana
  • Buildings--Design and construction--Montana

Personal Names

  • Gilbert, Cass, 1859-1934 (creator)

Geographical Names

  • Helena (Mont.)--Buildings, structures, etc.