Special Collections, University of Washington Libraries
Earl Layman papers
Layman, Earl D.
5791-001
6 cubic feet
6 boxes 1 oversize folder
1929-2002
Papers of a former Seattle Historic Preservation Officer
English
, English
.
Earl Drais Layman (1916-2001) was educated in social science, architecture, painting, and history at the University of Oregon and the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Fountainbleau, France. He was an instructor in architectural history, design and art at Auburn and Kansas State Universities. In 1968 he was hired by the Seattle Design Commission. In his years of service to the city, he was instrumental in creating and protecting many historic districts of Seattle. He was the first Historic Preservation Officer of the city from 1975 to 1982.
Clippings, documents, correspondence, photographs, and other materials relating primarily to Layman's time as the city of Seattle's Historic Preservation Officer, as well as art and papers from his time as a student and teacher.
Open to all users.
Request at UW
The creator's literary rights have been transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.
Donated by John Chaney, 2008. Additional materials donated by Lawrence Kreisman, 2025.
Arranged in 4 series:
- Series 1, School Work
- Series 2, Professional
- Series 3, Personal Miscellany
- Series 4, Painting and Illustration
Seattle
Personal Papers/Corporate Records
Architecture
City Planning
Fine Arts
Personal correspondence
Business correspondence
Records (Documents)
Ephemera
Interviews
Speeches
Course materials
Research notes
Newspaper clippings
Manuscripts for publication
Reports
Newsletters
Series 1, School Work
Schoolwork binder – missing cover and first few pages; notes and papers on the background of building cities, world architecture, lecture notes, etc.
1937-1941
5791-001 Box 1
1-3
"Space Concepts in Relation to Art and Architecture," research, program for thesis problem
1946
5791-001 Box 1
4
"Examples of Work, with Explanatory Notes"
1957
5791-001 Box 1
5
Series 2, Professional
History and Theory of Architecture - planning materials for class, 1980-1981
ca. 1935-1981
5791-001 Box 1
6
Professional information
1945-1965
5791-001 Box 1
7
Commissioned sketches – 2 Pi Kappa Phi brochures, one containing sketches (presumably done by Layman)
Fall 1959
5791-001 Box 1
8
Knoxville project - correspondence, moving records
1951-1965
5791-001 Box 1
9
Speeches, talks, travel, workshops
1963-1981
5791-001 Box 1
10-11
Architectural ordinances
1976-1978
5791-001 Box 1
12
Certificates of appreciation
ca. 1979-1983
5791-001 Box 1
13
Society of Architectural Historians, Newsletter
1979-1981, 1990
5791-001 Box 1
14
"Genius Loci in Seattle: A New Rationale for Historic Preservation?" - report by Layman
undated
5791-001 Box 1
15
Correspondence - professional, thank yous, family
1927-1986
5791-001 Box 1
16
Clippings - about Earl Layman, Victor Steinbrueck, architecture
1930-1984
5791-001 Box 1
17-18
Series 3, Personal Miscellany
Home Improvement
1976-1978
5791-001 Box 1
19
Layman Estate
2001-2002
5791-001 Box 2
1
Sketchbook
2001-2002
5791-001 Box 2
2
Ephemera
5791-001 Box 2
3
Miscellaneous photos and negatives
5791-001 Box 2
4-5
Historic Seattle L'Esprit de France brochure layout
1982
5791-001 Box 2
6
Guest Book from Earl Drais Layman Memorial
2002 January 20
5791-001 Box 2
Earl Drais Layman Memorial Scrapbook
2002 January 20
5791-001 Vertical Folder 1
Series 4, Painting and Illustration
Small paintings and sketches
1930-1978
5791-001 Box 3
Illustrations, watercolor paintings of cathedrals, churches, landscapes, and architecture. Schoolwork and photographs of downtown Seattle and Earl D. Layman.
Watercolor paintings
1929-1993
5791-001 Box 4
Watercolor paintings
1929-1993
5791-001 Box 5
Watercolor paintings
1929-1993
5791-001 Box 6