H. E. and Lillian Kirkemo papers

H. E. and Lillian Kirkemo papers, 1883-1998

Overview of the Collection

Title: H. E. and Lillian Kirkemo papers
Dates: 1883-1998 (inclusive)
18831998
Quantity: 2.0 linear feet
Collection Number: Mss 532
Summary: H. E. Kirkemo was a Missoula, Montana, residential and commercial architect who drafted and designed many prominent buildings in western Montana and northern Idaho. The collection contains photographs, clippings, business records and a very small amount of personal correspondence from Lillian Kirkemo.
Repository: University of Montana, Mansfield Library, Archives and Special Collections
Archives and Special Collections
Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library
University of Montana
32 Campus Dr. #9936
59812-9936
Missoula, MT
Telephone: 406-243-2053
library.archives@umontana.edu
Access Restrictions: Researchers must use collection in accordance with the policies of Archives and Special Collections, the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, and The University of Montana--Missoula.
Languages: English

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Henry Elmer “Kirk” Kirkemo was born in 1894. Kirkemo was hired by Missoula, Montana, architect Ole Bakke as a draftsman in 1920 and he became a licensed architect in 1924. After Bakke retired, Kirkemo continued the architectural firm under his own name. Formally trained, Kirkemo created innovative designs using modern architectural theory and materials. He was a pioneer in the field of ‘Lift Slab Construction.’ Kirkemo designed hundreds of public and private buildings throughout Western Montana and Idaho. The Wilma building and St. Patrick’s Hospital are two of the most noteworthy Kirkemo projects, but he also designed many area schools in western Montana and buildings in Wallace, Idaho.

Lillian Fellows was born on September 6, 1898 and spent her early years in Vermillion, South Dakota. She moved to Missoula on November 1, 1920 and married H. E. Kirkemo on July 30, 1921.When H. E. Kirkemo retired in the early 1960s, his son, James W. Kirkemo, took over the business.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The collection includes photographs, personal and business-related correspondence, and other records. Of particular note are many clippings, articles, and photographs relating to Missoula’s Wilma Building and St. Patrick’s Hospital. Also included is H. E. Kirkemo’s estimate/billing book and photographic portfolio of completed projects. There is information, personal correspondence, and a few photographs relating to the Hilger family, a pioneer family that settled in the Gates of the Mountains area near Helena. The majority of personal correspondence in the collection is from Lillian Kirkemo.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Researchers are responsible for using in accordance with 17 U.S.C. and any other applicable statutes.

Preferred Citation

[Name of document or photograph number], H. E. and Lillian Kirkemo Papers, Archives and Special Collections, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, The University of Montana-Missoula.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

Folders in the collection have been arranged alphabetically.

Acquisition Information

This collection was donated to the Archives by Lillian Kirkemo in 1987. More recent clippings were added to the collection prior to 2003.

Processing Note

Materials were sorted and placed into folders by the processor.

Related Materials

The Archives holds architectural drawings by H. E. Kirkemo in the collection: Gibson, Bakke, Kirkemo Architectural Drawings (Mss 020).

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Container(s)	Description	Dates
Box/Folder
1/1	Arabian Nights novel belonging to Lillian Kirkemo	1907
1/2	Building Photographs	1921-1954
1/3	Clippings and articles	1931-1998
1/4	Correspondence, Personal	1969-1988
1/5	Correspondence, Professional	1926-1961
1/6	Elks Club brochure and newsletter	1947-1950
1/7	Hilger family information and correspondence	1967-1985
1/8	H. E. Kirkemo architectural portfolio	1922-1931
2/1	H. E. Kirkemo Business Ledger and project list	1923-1961
2/2	H. E. Kirkemo photographs	undated
2/3	Miscellaneous photographs	1883-1986
2/4	Missoula Country Club	1948-1979
2/5	Saint Patrick’s Hospital clippings and information	1944-1984
2/6	Wilma Building clippings and information	1978-1988
2/7	Good House Keeping Medal for merit	undated
2/8	Miscellany	undated

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

Hospitals--Montana--Missoula

Personal Names

Hilger family
Kirkemo, H. E. (Henry Elmer), 1894-1987 (creator)
Kirkemo, Lillian Fellows, 1898-1990 (creator)

Corporate Names

St. Patrick's Hospital (Missoula, Mont.)
Wilma Building (Missoula, Mont.)

Geographical Names

Missoula (Mont.)--Buildings, structures, etc

Occupations

Architects--Montana--Missoula

Other Creators

Personal Names
- Kirkemo, H. E. (Henry Elmer), 1894-1987 (creator)
- Kirkemo, Lillian Fellows, 1898-1990 (creator)

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