Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
C. Gilman Davis papers , 1947-1979
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Davis, C. Gilman (Charles Gilman), 1918-1979
- Title
- C. Gilman Davis papers
- Dates
- 1947-1979 (inclusive)19471979
- Quantity
-
36.5 linear feet, (29 containers, 6 drawers)
- Collection Number
- Coll 057
- Summary
- Charles Gilman Davis (1918-1979) was an architect and educator. The C. Gilman Davis Papers include architectural project files, project drawings, and research and educational material that reflect his career as an architect and educator.
- Repository
-
University of Oregon Libraries, Special Collections and University Archives
UO Libraries--SCUA
1299 University of Oregon
Eugene OR
97403-1299
Telephone: 5413463068
spcarref@uoregon.edu - Access Restrictions
-
Collection is open to the public. Collection must be used in Special Collections and University Archives Reading Room. Collection or parts of collection may be stored offsite. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives in advance of your visit to allow for transportation time.
- Additional Reference Guides
-
See the Current Collection Guide for detailed description and requesting options.
- Languages
- English
- Sponsor
- Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Historical NoteReturn to Top
Charles Gilman Davis, architect, educator and historian, was born in 1918 in Portland, Oregon. He began his career as assistant to his father, who designed prefabricated homes in Portland. Davis became a licensed architect in 1948, and completed his studies at the University of Oregon for the Bachelor of Architecture degree in 1949.
He established a successful and highly respected practice in Portland, designing a wide range of building types including residences, churches, warehouses, offices and hospital and nursing home facilities. In 1956 the Oregon chapter of the American Institute of Architects awarded him a citation for his design of the R.A Carlton House in Tigard, Oregon.
Davis joined the faculty of Portland State University in 1959 as professor of art and architecture. He taught architectural history and design, and also attempted to establish an accredited school of architecture at the university. Despite his concerted efforts, the program never materialized.
As historian and educator, Davis was especially interested in Oregon "vernacular" architecture, including historic barns, farm buildings and churches. In addition to preparing a number of articles and lectures on these subjects, he also developed a collection of slides and photographs to provide a pictorial record of outstanding examples of such architecture.
In 1965, Davis joined Henry P. Bergman in an architectural partnership which lasted until 1973. His restoration of the historic William Case house at French Prairie, Oregon, earned him another
American Institute of Architecture citation. In 1980, a posthumous citation honored his design for the Episcopal Chapel at the Bishop's Close in Portland. Davis died in 1979.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
The C. Gilman Davis Papers contain material spanning the entire 33 years of his career from 1947 to 1979. Included are architectural project files, project drawings, and research and educational material. One box of photographs of his projects, the Case house in particular, has been removed to the photograph collection. Over 1,000 historical slides of Pacific Northwest buildings are house at the Architecture and Allied Arts Library at the University of Oregon.
Project files are arranged alphabetically by client name, with building type, location, and date included for each building. The primary date for a project is included in parentheses. Available material varies greatly for each project from only a few pages of notes for some projects to a complete set of correspondence and documents for others.
Project drawings have also been arranged alphabetically by client name. However, not every project found in the project files has corresponding drawings, and additional projects are represented by drawings only. As with the project files, the available graphic material for each building various. The number of individual sheets is listed for the projects, which may include diagrammatic sketches, finished drawings and blueprints.
Davis' scholarly interests in Oregon historic buildings are represented in the collection in the research files and manuscript series. Also included are his educational program proposals and materials relating to professional organizations to which Davis belonged.
Photographs in the collection include images of the Peter French Round Barn, the William Case house at French Prairie, the Lone Rock church, the Lindgren house, Davis' Fremont Methodist Church (1953), and a contemporary furnished interior.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
| Description |
|---|
| Guide to the C. Gilman Davis papers |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Architects--Oregon
- Architectural historians--Oregon
- Architecture--Oregon
- Historic buildings--Conservation and restoration
- Vernacular architecture--Oregon
Personal Names
- Bergman, Henry P.
- Davis, C. Gilman (Charles Gilman), 1918-1979
Corporate Names
- American Institute of Architects. Oregon Chapter
Form or Genre Terms
- Architectural drawings
Finding aid prepared by Ronda Thompson, Manuscripts Processor
2006
