http://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/c87080rk No online items Finding Aid for the Edla Muir papers, circa 1917-1986 0000160 Finding aid prepared by Alexandra Adler The processing of this collection was made possible through generous funding from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, administered through the Council on Library and Information Resources “Cataloging Hidden Special Collections and Archives” Project. Architecture and Design Collection, Art, Design & Architecture Museum Arts Building Room 1434 University of California Santa Barbara, California, 93106-7130 805-893-2724 [email protected] Finding Aid for the Edla Muir 0000160 1 papers, circa 1917-1986 0000160 Title: Edla Muir papers Identifier/Call Number: 0000160 Contributing Institution: Architecture and Design Collection, Art, Design & Architecture Museum Language of Material: English Physical Description: 43.79 Linear feet(7 half record storage boxes, 1 oversize storage box and 9 flat file drawers) Date (inclusive): circa 1917-1986 Location note: Boxes 1-7/ADC - regular Box 8*/ADC - oversize* Drawers 222-230/ADC creator: Muir, Edla, 1906-1970 Access Open for use by qualified researchers. Custodial History note Gift of Clyde Lambie, 1972. Preferred Citation note Edla Muir papers, Architecture and Design Collection. Art, Design & Architecture Museum; University of California, Santa Barbara. Biographical/Historical note Edla Muir, also known by her married name, Edla Muir Lambie, was born in San Francisco, California on January 23, 1906. At the age of 13, Muir worked summers and weekends in the architectural firm of John Byers. When she graduated from Inglewood High School in 1923, she worked as an office assistant for Byers until 1926, when she was promoted to draftswomen and designer. In 1934, after receiving her architectural license, Byers and Muir formed a partnership, renaming the firm John Byers and Edla Muir, Associated Architects. When the firm dissolved in 1942, Muir became the principle of her own firm in West Los Angeles. Muir focused on designing modern private homes and her designs were featured in Sunset magazine, Architectural Digest, and other publications, as representative of the modern California home. She also designed some public and commercial buildings, such as a supermarket and the City Hall in Ellensburg, Washington, and a corporate office in Mexico City. Her firm Edla Muir, Architect continued from 1946 until 1971, the year she died at the age of 65. Scope and Content Note The Edla Muir papers span 43.79 linear feet and date from circa 1917 to 1986. The collection consists of architectural drawings, photographic prints and manuscript material organized by project documenting the construction and finished product for many of her architectural projects in Southern California and Washington state. The collection also includes reference material including photographic prints and magazine clippings and articles which document different architectural styles as well as personal material including articles and clippings, correspondence and photographic prints. Related Archival Materials note John Byers papers, Architecture and Design Collection. Art, Design & Architecture Museum; University of California, Santa Barbara. Elliott Welsh papers, Architecture and Design Collection. Art, Design & Architecture Museum; University of California, Santa Barbara. Arrangement note The following arrangement scheme for this collection was imposed during processing in the absence of a usable original order. The collection is organized into three series: personal papers, reference, and project series. The contents of the personal papers series are arranged into three subseries: articles and clippings, correspondence and photographs and negatives. Each subseries is then arranged chronologically by date of the materials. The contents of the reference series is arranged into two subseries: articles and clippings and photographs and negatives. Each subseries is then arranged alphabetically by the subject of the materials. The project series is organized into subseries by client alphabetically and subsequently arranged by format (for example: architectural drawings, photographs, and project files). Subjects and Indexing Terms Muir, Edla, 1906-1970 Architects -- California Architectural drawings Architectural photographs Architecture -- California -- 20th century Finding Aid for the Edla Muir 0000160 2 papers, circa 1917-1986 0000160 Architecture -- California -- Los Angeles -- 20th Century Blueprints Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.) Commercial buildings Los Angeles (Calif.) Buildings, structures, etc. Negatives Photographic prints Reprographic copies Specifications Women architects Personal Papers Series 1: 1950-1971 Physical Description: 1.0 Linear feet(1 half record storage box) creator: Muir, Edla, 1906-1970 Scope and Contents note Series contains clippings about Muir, including an obituary; a telegram to Muir; and photographs and negatives of Muir, family, and friends. Subjects and Indexing Terms Muir, Edla, 1906-1970 Box 1, Folder 1 Clippings about Muir 1953, 1958 Scope and Contents note Clipping about the Lambies' purchase of a ranch in the Kittias Valley of Washington state from the Ellensburg Record as well as a clipping from Building News with Muir as the "Personality of the Week." Box 1, Folder 2 Obituary November 1971 Scope and Contents note Two clippings of Muir's obituary from the Santa Monica Evening Outlook. Box 1, Folder 3 Telegram from Elizabeth Gordon to Muir 1951 Scope and Contents note Western Union telegraph from Elizabeth Gordon to Muir. Box 1, Folder 4 Photographic portrait of Edla Muir circa 1935 Scope and Contents note Black and white portrait of Edla Muir. Box 1, Folder 5 Photographs of family and friends circa 1955 Scope and Contents note Various black and white photographs of Muir and her husband their child as well as Muir with her friends. Also contains negatives. Reference Series 2: 1917- circa 1980 Physical Description: 2.5 Linear feet(2.5 half record storage boxes) creator: Muir, Edla, 1906-1970 Scope and Contents note Series contains articles and clippings of images from magazines, as well as photographs of buildings, furnishings, and building elements, collected by Muir as reference material for her own design work. Finding Aid for the Edla Muir 0000160 3 papers, circa 1917-1986 0000160 Reference Series 2:1917- circa 1980 Articles and clippings 1917-1968 Articles and clippings 1917-1968 Scope and Contents note Clippings gathered by Muir as reference for her own design work and interest. Box 1, Folder 6 Barns nd Scope and Contents note Magazine clippings of barns. Box 1, Folder 7 Bars 1928, 1930, 1941 Scope and Contents note Magazine clippings of bars. Magazines include Pencil Points and House & Garden. Also includes a brochure from the Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company. Box 1, Folder 8 Bathrooms 1931-1932, 1939, 1941, 1968 Scope and Contents note Magazine clippings and articles about bathrooms. Magazines include Architect & Engineer, House Beautiful, Architectural Record, House & Garden and Ladies' Home Journal. Also includes a patent for a combo shower and tub by Walter Bennett Anderson. Box 1, Folder 9 Barbeques and Outdoor Entertaining 1946-1947, 1952 Scope and Contents note Magazine clippings about barbeques and outdoor entertaining spaces. Magazines include The American Home and Sunset. Also includes plans for barbeques and outdoor fireplaces. Box 1, Folder 10 Bay Windows 1923, 1925, 1928-1929, 1932, 1941 Scope and Contents note Magazine clippings of photographs of bay windows. Magazines include California Arts & Architecture, Architecture Portfolio, House & Garden, Better Homes & Gardens and House Beautiful. Also includes brochures from window companies and an original sketch of a casement. Box 1, Folder 11 Brickwork 1929-1930, 1938, 1943, 1958 Scope and Contents note Magazine clippings of photographs of brickwork. Magazines include Architecture and Building News. Box 1, Folder 12 Buildings and Apartments 1945, 1948, 1955, 1966 Scope and Contents note Magazine clippings of buildings and apartments. Magazines include Architecture/West, Progressive Architecture, Architect & Engineer, Western Building, Architectural Forum and Pacific Architect & Builder. Also includes a complete issue of Architectural Concrete. Box 1, Folder 13 Cabins 1927, 1931, 1935-1936 Scope and Contents note Magazine clippings of photographs of cabins. Magazines include Arts & Decoration, House & Garden, Architectural Record and Pencil Points. Finding Aid for the Edla Muir 0000160 4 papers, circa 1917-1986 0000160 Reference Series 2:1917- circa 1980 Articles and clippings 1917-1968 Box 1, Folder 14 California Style 1924, 1926, 1928, 1931-1932, 1937 Scope and Contents note Magazine and newspaper clippings of houses in California or showing California style architecture. Magazines include House Beautiful, California Southland, Los Angeles Sunday Times and California Arts and Architecture. Also includes a small book on El Greco's house in Toledo, Spain. Box 1, Folder 15 Chimneys 1921, 1924-1925, 1927-1928, 1937, 1939 Scope and Contents note Magazine clippings of photographs of chimneys. Magazines include Pencil Points, American Architect & Architecture, Arts & Decoration, Architecture, House & Garden, House Beautiful and Pacific Coast Architect. Also includes a brochure from Wheatley Hand Fashioned Chimney Tops. Box 1, Folder 16 Churches 1949, 1958, 1962 Scope and Contents note Magazine clippings of photographs of churches. Magazines include Architectural