Irving C. Root papers, 1911-1972

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Root, Irving C.
Title
Irving C. Root papers
Dates
1911-1972 (inclusive)
Quantity
6.58 cubic ft. (14 boxes)
Collection Number
05972
Summary
Irving C. Root was an architect, city planner, chief engineer/planning director, and superintendent of the National Capital Parks in Washington D.C. The collection contains materials regarding his professional career and the projects he helped to develop.
Repository
American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
American Heritage Center
University of Wyoming
1000 E. University Ave.
Dept. 3924
Laramie, WY
82071
Telephone: 3077663756
ahcref@uwyo.edu
Access Restrictions
Access Restrictions

There are no access restrictions on the materials for research purposes, and the collection is open to the public.

Languages
English

Historical NoteReturn to Top

Irving C. Root (1891-1973) was an architect during the mid-20th century. He began his career as a city planner in Cambridge, Massachusetts (1916-1920) and Flint, Michigan (1920-1922). From 1922-1927 he pursued his own private practice as a planning consultant before becoming the Chief Engineer and Planning Director of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission. In 1940 Root was appointed Superintendent of the National Capital Parks in Washington D.C. He held this post until 1953 when he returned to private practice as a planning consultant.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The collection contains materials relating to Irving C. Root's involvement in city and national park planning including extensive subject files containing maps, architectural drawings, correspondence, publications, newspaper clippings, and articles and reports concerning projects for zoning, park systems, city planning, and the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission. The collection also contains files concerning his professional career and private practice. These files include correspondence, contracts, project prospects, newspaper clippings, articles and reports written by Root, and research files about zoning, park systems, and city planning.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Copyright Information

The researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.

Preferred Citation

Preferred Citation

Item Description, Box Number, Folder Number, Collection Name, Collection Number, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Related Materials

Related Materials

There are no known other archival collections created by Irving C. Root at the date of processing.

Acquisition Information

Acquisition Information

This material was received from the estate of Irving C. Root and his son, Robert W. Root, in June 1975.

Processing Note

Processing Information

The collection was processed by Jamie J. Greene in February 2013.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Series I. Subject filesReturn to Top

This series contains correspondence, reports, legislation, articles, clippings, ordinances, maps, blueprints and architectural drawings, pamphlets, brochures, publications, notes, and photographs relating to specific projects and subjects that Root worked on during his professional career.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box
1
American Society of Planning Officials
 1962-1970
1
Architectural control
 1928-1951
1
Automobile parking
 1928-1955
1
Bridge planning
 1921-1929
1
Building code
 1949-1952
1
Building lines
 1931-1935
1
California - Folsom
 1952
1
California - Sacramento-Folsom
 1952-1955
1
Cape Cod, National Park Service
 1953
1
Causeway Memorial Park, Muskegon, Michigan
 1925-1943
2
Commercial - Industrial
 1923-1950
2
Drafting
 1917-1964
2
Government Services, Inc.
 1964-1970
2-3, and 14
Guam
 1948-1952
4
Highway planning
 1920-1955
4
Highway protect
 1930-1953
4
Horticulture
 1926-1953
4
Housing
 1931-1940
4
Insects
 1911-1940
4
Landscape
 1923-1935
4
Maryland - Caroline County
 1963-1964
4
Maryland - Centreville
 1961
4-5
Maryland - Charles County
 1959-1968
5
Maryland - Denton
 1961
5
Maryland - Montgomery County
 1954-1956
5
Maryland National Capitol Park and Planning Commission
 1927-1967
6
Maryland state roads
 1952-1962
6
Maryland - Talbot County
 1951-1967
6 and 14
Michigan - Flint
 1920-1924
6 and 14
Michigan - Miscellaneous
 1920-1971
7
National Park Service
 1944-1968
7
Nevada - Boulder City
 1944-1953
7
Playgrounds
 1934-1954
7
Railroads-Transportation
 1920-1925
7
Regional planning
 1937
7
Subdivision of land
 1924-1941
7
Tennessee - Gatlinburg
 1946-1955
7
Virgin Islands
 1955-1958
7
Virginia - Alexandria
 1932
8
Washington area
 1920-1960

Series II. Professional filesReturn to Top

This series contains article and report drafts, contracts, city planning publicity and reports, correspondence, legislation, and newspaper clippings regarding Root's professional life.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box
8
Article and report drafts
 1927-1953
8
City planning promotion and publicity
 1913-1949
8-9
City planning reports
 1920-1969
9
Contracts
 1923-1962
Correspondence:
Box
9
Appointments
 1932-1952
9
Commendatory
 1915-1968
9
Letters of congratulations for appointment to Superintendent of National Capital Parks
 1940
9
Miscellaneous
 1927-1972
Box
9
Legislation and legal documents
 1928-1952
9
Miscellaneous
 undated
9
Newspaper clippings
 1920-1964
10
Prospects
 1950-1968
10
Reports
 1937-1955
10-11
Zoning
 1923-1960

Series III. PhotographsReturn to Top

This series contains photographs regarding Root's projects and professional career.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box
11
Carter Barron Amphitheatre - Rock Creek Park, Washington D.C.
 July 1950
11
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal - Potomac River
 1942-1945
11
Krug, Julius Albert - United States Secretary of the Interior
 1946-1949
11
Maryland
 1936-1951
11
Miscellaneous
 1919-1946
11
Monuments and markers
 1920-1950
11
People
 1916-1950
11
Potomac River
 undated
11
Root, Irving C.
 1945-1957
11
Virginia
 1920-1950

Series IV. MapsReturn to Top

This series contains subdivision maps, zoning and planning city maps, and architectural drawings regarding Root's projects as a city planner, private consultant, and chief engineer and superintendent for the National Capital Parks.

Container(s) Description
Maryland:
Box
12 Map Roll B
Charles County
 undated
12 Map Roll B
Montgomery County
 1950
12 Map Roll A
Gaithersburg
 1933
12 Map Roll A
Rockville
 undated
Box
12 Map Roll A
Massachusetts: Concord
 1916
Michigan:
Box
11-12 Map Roll A and D
Flint
 1920-1924
11-12 Map Roll A, B, and D
Midland
 1920-1924
12 Map Roll A, B
Michigan Cities, Saint Joseph and Benton Harbor
 1925
12 Map Roll A, B
Muskegon
 undated
12 Map Roll B
Owosso
 undated
11-12 Map Roll A
Saginaw
 undated
Box
12 Map Roll A
Missouri: Kansas City
 1917
13 Map Roll C
Mount Vernon Memorial Highway
 1930
12 Map Roll A
Nevada: Boulder City
 1951
11-13 Map Roll B, C, and D
Virginia: Alexandria
 1920-1927
11
Washington D.C.
 1918

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • City planning--United States
  • Landscape architecture
  • National parks and reserves--Planning
  • National parks and reserves--Washington (D.C.)
  • Regional planning--United States

Corporate Names

  • Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission

Geographical Names

  • Alexandria (Va.)
  • Maryland
  • Michigan
  • Potomac River
  • United States--History--20th century

Form or Genre Terms

  • Architectural drawings (visual works)
  • Blueprints
  • Maps

Processed by Jamie J. Greene
2013

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