Adirondack Experience Library Rte. 28N and 30 P.O. Box 99 Blue Mountain Lake, NY 12812 518.352.7311 x108 Guide to the Wareham DeLair Architects Records, (MS 13-001) Descriptive Summary Creator: Wareham DeLair Architects Title: Wareham DeLair Architects Records Collection Number: MS 13-001 Accession Number: 12919 Extent: 66 record boxes, 4 photo boxes, 4 slide boxes, 1 card catalog box, 530 files of architectural drawings [101 cubic feet] Inclusive Dates: 1955-2008 Abstract: Records pertaining to the architectural firm, Wareham DeLair, which was based in Saranac Lake, NY. The firm worked on many building projects throughout the Adirondack Park in the 20th century. Historical Note The firm of Wareham DeLair was originally founded in 1897 by William Coulter in Saranac Lake, NY. Coulter came to the Adirondacks at a time when large private camps were being established by the wealthy throughout the park. Coulter designed many of these camps and the firm became the leading designer of Adirondack rustic camp architecture. Coulter was later joined in practice by Max Westhoff, and the firm became Coulter & Westhoff. After Coulter died in 1907, Westhoff practiced solo until William Distin became his partner shortly before World War I. After the war, the firm continued under Distin’s name for many years until Arthur Wareham joined him in 1950. The firm then became Distin & Wareham until Distin’s death in 1970. Around this time Ronald DeLair joined as partner, bringing the firm to its final name, Wareham DeLair. Eventually Wareham retired, and DeLair was the principal architect until the firm ended in 2011. Although the firm was famous for its Adirondack rustic buildings, it was also a general architectural practice. They designed projects ranging from churches to ordinary commercial and government buildings. The firm also worked on project proposals for the Adirondack Museum (now Experience) when it was being built. Scope and Content This collection contains a variety of documents relating to the projects of the architectural firm, Wareham DeLair. Although the firm was in practice for the entirety of the 20th century, the majority of the documents in this collection are from the 1950s through the early 2000s. Materials in this collection include project plans, correspondence, notes, estimates, contracts, drawings, articles, manuals, appointment books, photographs, and slides. System of Arrangement The collection is arranged into 7 series: Series 1: Architectural Projects Series 2: Project Manuals Series 3: Appointment/Calendar books Series 4: Miscellaneous Office Documents (Project Specifications and Bills) Series 5: Photographs, Slides, Card Catalog Box Series 6: Architectural Drawings: William L. Coulter through Distin and Wareham Series 7: Architectural Drawings: Wareham DeLair Series Description Series 1: Architectural Projects, 1960-2007. Boxes 1-50. This series includes the firm’s projects arranged alphabetically by name. The materials are mostly correspondence, project notes, plans, estimates, contracts, drawings, and articles. Series 2: Project Manuals, 1975-2007. Boxes 51-58. This series mostly consists of various project manuals arranged by year, and master plans for individual projects. There is a typed box listing for Series 2 located in Box 51. Series 3: Appointment Books, 1968-2007. Boxes 59-61. Included in this series are appointment/calendar books kept by the architects at the firm. They are labeled by their year. Series 4: Miscellaneous Office Documents, 1955-2008. Boxes 62-66. This series consists of various project specifications and office bills. They are arranged by year. Series 5: Photographs, Slides, and Card Catalog Box This series includes 4 boxes of photographs and slides from various projects, 4 boxes of only transparency slides, and one card catalog box. Boxes 2, 3, and 4 of the photograph boxes each contain a listing of the project names. Series 6: Architectural Drawings: William L. Coulter through Distin and Wareham This series is mainly comprised of architectural drawings from the early 1900s to the late 1950s, starting with architectural drawings from the founder of the architectural firm, William L. Coulter, who began designing Adirondack architecture in 1896. The company experienced numerous name changes and had several different lead architects; by the late 1950's the company operated under the moniker Distin and Wareham, Architects Series 7: Architectural Drawings: Wareham DeLair This series is comprised of architectural drawings primarily from the 1970s to the early 2000s, when the firm was organized as Wareham DeLair Architects. The architectural drawings that precede the 1970s are oftentimes drawings from earlier construction completed by the firm. Some of these earlier drawings can also be found in Series 6. Access Points Wareham DeLair Architects.; Adirondack Park (N.Y.)--History.; Architects.; Architecture, Domestic--Designs and plans.; Architecture--New York (State)--Adirondack Mountains.; Architecture.; Administrative Information Conditions Governing Access: Access to any materials in this collection dating from 1970-2008, is restricted until the death of the donor. Conditions Governing Use: Fair use copy permitted for research, study, or investigational purposes citing the Adirondack Experience. Any other use requires written permission. Custodial History: This collection was donated as a gift by Ronald DeLair in 2010. Related Materials: For other materials relating to Wareham DeLair, see the Adirondack Experience database online at http://adirondack.pastperfectonline.com/. For items associated with this collection search for Object ID: 12919. Many projects listed below in Series 1 have corresponding drawings in Series 6 and/or 7. Preferred Citation: Wareham DeLair Architects Records, MS 13-001, Adirondack Experience Library, Blue Mountain Lake, NY Processing Note: Description and arrangement of this collection was made possible in part by a grant from the Documentary Heritage Program of the New York State Archives, a program of the State Education Department. Container List Series 1 - Projects Box 1 – Projects, Abruzzi through Adirondack Museum Folder 1 – Abruzzi Residence, Duane NY, 1976-1977 Folder 2 – Ackerman, Leonard; Fishing Camp on the Delaware River, 1996 Folder 3 – Adams, John & Bunnie; Bay Pond Condominium, 1986-1987 Folder 4 – Adams, Neal & Linda; Addition Robinwood Rd. Long Lake NY, 2000 Folder 5 – Adirondack Airport, Roof Replacement, 1982-1984 Folder 6 – Adirondack Adult Center, Masonry In-Fill Removal Bldg. 4, 1994 Folder 7 – Adirondack Bank Consultation, NCCC Assoc. Dorms, 2000-2001 Folder 8 – Adirondack Bank Consultation, NCCC Assoc. Dorms, 1998 Folder 9 – Adirondack Bank Main Office, Basement & Cellar Level Repairs, 1992 Folder 10 – Adirondack Community Church, 1989-1994 Folder 11 – Adirondack Daily Enterprise, Office Renovations, 1984-1985 Folder 12 – ADK. Economic Development Corp., Consultation-Uihlein Farm Property, 1999 Folder 13 – ADK. Health Initiatives (AHI), Keeseville Satellite Clinic, 1990 Folder 14 – Adirondack Medical Center, Kitchen Exhaust, 1994-1995 Folder 15 – Adirondack Medical Center, Site Paving and Related Work, 1994-1995 Folder 16 – Adirondack Medical Center, RFP’s Annex and Latour Buildings, 1993 Folder 17 – Adirondack Museum, Staff and Guest Quarters and Blanchard Cottage, 1990 Folder 18 – Adirondack Museum, Beach House Renovations, 1990 Folder 19 – Adirondack Museum, Addition of Cafeteria Deck, 1988 Box 2 – Projects, Adirondack Museum Folder 1 – Adirondack Museum, Consultation- Emergency Generator, 1988 Folder 2 – Adirondack Museum, Gatehouse, 1988 Folder 3 – Adirondack Museum, Builders’ Plans-Chair and Cigar Box, 1988 Folder 4 – Adirondack Museum, Barrier Free Access – R&R Bldg., 1987 Folder 5 – Adirondack Museum, One Room Schoolhouse, 1987 Folder 6 – Adirondack Museum, Stanton House Evaluation, 1987 Folder 7 – Adirondack Museum, Westport Chair Builder Drawings, 1986 Folder 8 – Adirondack Museum, Consultation-Conference Building, 1986 Folder 9 – Adirondack Museum, Main Building Roof/Attic Repair, 1987-1988 Folder 10 – Adirondack Museum, Restoration of Moodie Cottage, 1986-1988 Folder 11 – Adirondack Museum, Main Building Roof/Attic Repair, 1987-1988 Folder 12 – Adirondack Museum, Logging Building, 1987-1988 Folder 13 – Adirondack Museum, Logging Building, 1986-1987 Folder 14 – Adirondack Museum, Logging Building, 1986-1988 Folder 15 – Adirondack Museum, Administrative Office Renovations, 1985 Folder 16 – Adirondack Museum, Bull Cottage Restoration, 1984-1986 Folder 17 – Adirondack Museum, Wessel House Furnishings, 1985 Folder 18 – Adirondack Museum, Conference Center, 1982-1986 Folder 19 – Adirondack Museum, Wessel House Renovation, 1983-1985 Folder 20 – Adirondack Museum, Rest Room Facilities, 1982-1985 Folder 21 – Adirondack Museum, Reroofing Consultation, 1978-1980 Box 3 – Projects, Adirondack Nature Conservancy (ANC)/Adirondack Land Trust (ALT) Folder 1 – ANC/ALT, Construction Phase Correspondence, 2002-2005 Folder 2 – ANC/ALT, Water Cooled H.P. Loop System, 2003-2004 Folder 3 – ANC/ALT, Punch List, 2002-2003 Folder 4 – ANC/ALT, Change Orders, 2002-2004 Folder 5 – ANC/ALT, Shop Drawings-Construction Issues, 2002 Folder 6 – ANC/ALT, Site Visit Notes/Conference Calls, 2002 Folder 7 – ANC/ALT, Requisitions, 2002-2003 Folder 8 – ANC/ALT, Construction Contracts & Related Docs, 2001-2003 Folder 9 – ANC/ALT, Spec Data, 2000 Folder 10 – ANC; Design, Development, Working Drawing Phases, 2001 Box 4 – Projects, Adirondack Nature Conservancy through