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Charles F. Hummel Papers, 1875-2019

Overview of the Collection

Title
Charles F. Hummel Papers
Dates
1875-2019 (bulk)
Quantity
44.75 linear feet, (54 boxes, 1 oversize folder)
Collection Number
MSS 365
Summary
The Charles F. Hummel Papers contain materials related to his architectural practice and interests, as well as family history.
Repository
Boise State University Library, Special Collections and Archives
Special Collections and Archives
1910 University Drive
Boise ID
83725
Telephone: 2084263990
archives@boisestate.edu
Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

Languages
English
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Content Description

The Charles F. Hummel Papers contains reports, architectural drawings, correspondence, ledgers, articles, presentations, slides, photographs, planning documents, and other materials related to his architectural firms and interests. Notable projects include St. John's Cathedral, The Egyptian Theatre, Boise High School, Bishop Kelly High School, and St. Michael's. The collection includes materials related to Hummel's architectural coursework at Catholic University and Columbia University, as well as his involvement in the American Institute of Architecture.

The collection contains extensive materials about family history. These include items about military service and German and Irish ancestors, as well as obituaries, articles, correspondence, photographs, scrapbooks, and other papers. Of particular note are photographs and documents relating to Fritz Hummel's service in World War I and Charles Hummel's service in World War II.

Charles' military memoir, "I Company, 398th Infantry: The World War II service of Charles F. Hummel" is included in the collection, as are his three self-published family biographies: "The Hummel and Nelson Families of Idaho," "Mary Hummel a Life," and "Charles Frederick Hummel and Marie Anna Konrad in Germany."

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Historical Note

Charles Frederick Hummel was born in Boise on June 21, 1925 to Mary McAndrews Hummel and Frederick ("Fritz") Charles Hummel. His grandfather and namesake, Charles Frederick Hummel, co-founded the Tourtellotte and Hummel architectural firm in Boise in 1896.

In Boise, Charles attended St. Joseph's School and graduted from St. Teresa's Academy in 1943. At St. Teresa's he met his future wife, Calista "Lissa" Ward. Charles briefly attended Boise Junior College before beginning active duty in World War II in 1944. Charles graduated from Catholic University in Washington D.C in 1950, was on active duty during the Korean War between 1951 and 1952, and finished his master's degree in architecture from Columbia University in 1953.

Charles and Lissa married at St. John's Cathedral in Boise on June 5, 1951. Following Charles's graduation from Columbia, the couple settled in Boise where Charles began his career at the firm founded by his grandfather. Lissa and Charles had four children: Michael (1952), Mary Catherine "Kay" (1954), John (1959), and Joan (1964).

Among the buildings that Charles designed during his nearly 50-year career were the United States Courthouse and Federal Building in Boise, Boise State University Library and Student Union, Idaho Department of Transportation headquarters, Idaho Statesman building, Bishop Kelly High School, Our Lady of the Lake Church in McCall, Our Lady of the Valley Church, and smokejumper facilities in McCall and Boise. He directed many historic restorations, including Boise's O'Farrell Cabin and St. John's Cathedral and St. Francis Cathedral in Baker, Oregon. He was instrumental in the rescue of the Egyptian Theater and was the principal architect in its 1977 restoration. He was also very involved in Boise civic planning and preservation organizations.

Charles retired from the firm in 2002, but he remained active in community organizations and projects. He recieved numerous awards and honors in recognition of his work and service to the community including the mayor's Lifetime Achievement award for Excellence in Art and History in 2009.

Charles died on October 22, 2016.

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Use of the Collection

Preferred Citation

[item description], Charles F. Hummel Papers, Box [number] Folder [number], Boise State University Special Collections and Archives.

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Administrative Information

Acquisition Information

Donated by Kay Hummel and Jeff Fereday, 2017-2019

Related Materials

See also:

Calista "Lissa" Hummel Papers

Planning Boise Collection

Hummel, Hummel, and Jones Collection

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Detailed Description of the Collection

Collection processed by Joe Hess (Intern) and Gwyn Hervochon
2019

CC Attribution
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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