Architectural drawings and papers, 1820-1937.

Format:

Archive

Manuscript

Author/Creator:

Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia.

Contributor:

Walter, Thomas Ustick, 1804-1887.

Notman, John, 1810-1865.

Windrim, James H. (James Hamilton), 1840-1919.

Webb, Samuel, 1817-1857.

Graff, Frederick, 1774-1847.

Wilson Brothers and Company (Philadelphia, Pa.)

Wilson, Harris and Richards.

Subjects (All):

Science museums--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia.

Research institutes--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia.

Architecture, American--History--20th century--Designs and plans.

Architecture, American.

Architecture, American--19th century--Designs and plans.

19th & Race Sts. (Philadelphia, Pa.).

Academy of Natural Sciences (Philadelphia, Pa.).

Local Subjects:

19th & Race Sts. (Philadelphia, Pa.).

Academy of Natural Sciences (Philadelphia, Pa.).

Genre:

Architectural drawings -- American.

Physical Description:

226 items

graphite, colored inks, and watercolor on paper and tissue.

colored inks and watercolor on linen.

colored pencils and graphite on blueprint.

blueprint.

Arrangement:

Organized in two series: 1. architectural drawings and prints (184 items) 1826-1936. 2. manuscripts: specifications, legal documents and some correspondence & memorandums (128 items), 1873-1937. Each series arranged by chronological order by date of creation, so far as could be determined by the archives staff.

Place of Publication:

1820-1937.

Biography/History:

The Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia was founded to promote the "cultivation of the natural sciences" in the United States in 1812 and has been in continuous operation since that year.

Summary:

This collection of original drawing, prints, and related manuscript materials constitute the corporate architectural archives of the Academy. Comprising of documentation for most, if not all, successive building and/or remodeling campaigns of the Academy from circa 1826 (representing the third location of the Academy) to 1937; including (besides major new construction, additions, or alterations) plans for a new roof; the retrofitting of mechanical systems; new exterior gates, window bars, and interior furnishings including book shelves and cases. The collection also includes a number of entries for the Academy's architectural design competition held in 1837.

Series 1, selected entries: (fd. 1) Samual Webb, architect (Phila., fl. 1817-1857) plan for the Academy building located in the old Swedenborgian church at Twelfth and George Streets (later Sansom Street), ca. 1826; (fd. 2) annonymous studies and plans for the new Academy building (first to be located on the existing site but later changed to Broad and Sansom Streets), ca. 1837; (fd. 3 and 4) Thomas U. Walter, architect (Phila., 1806-1887), competition entry for a new Academy, 1837; (fd. 5) Frederick Graff, engineer (Phila., 1775-1847), competition entry for a new Academy, 1837; (fd. 6) anonymous, addition to the Academy on Broad and Sansom Streets, ca. 1860; (fd. 7-11) James W. Windrim, architect (Phila., 1840-1919), plans for a new Academy building on Nineteenth and Race Streets, ca. 1868-72, and an addition ca. 1889-91; (fd. 14) Wilson Brothers and Company, engineers and architects (Phila., fl. 1876-1902), new building addition, ca. 1889-1891, 1900; (fd. 24-25, 28, 30-32) Wilson, Harris, and Richards, architects (Phila., fl. 1902-1910), alteration and addition to the existing buildings, ca. 1908; (fd. 33-34, 36) Wilson and Harris, architects (Phila., fd. 1911-1935), remodeling and repairs, 1911-1912; (fd. 39) Day and Zimmerman, engineers and builders (Phila.) alteration and additions, 1931; and (fd. 41) John W. Platt, architect (Phila., b.1892), alteration and addition, 1936.

Cited as:

Athenaeum copy: Academy of Natural Sciences (Philadelphia, Pa.) architectural drawings collection on loan the the Athenaeum of Philadelphia, with the support of the Pew Charitable Trusts through its Museum Loan Program.