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Furness Building Restoration Project Records

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Held at: University of Pennsylvania: University Archives and Records Center [Contact Us]3401 Market Street, Suite 210, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104

This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the University of Pennsylvania: University Archives and Records Center. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in their reading room, and not digitally available through the web.

Overview and metadata sections

Call Number:
UPG 30 F988
Repository:
University of Pennsylvania: University Archives and Records Center
Extent:
2.5 cubic feet
Language:
English
Date:
1985-1991 (inclusive)
Form:
Photographic prints
Abstract:
The University of Pennsylvania Trustees called for the building of a new library in 1888 and hired Frank Furness to design the building. Constructed of red bricks, sandstone, and terra cotta, the new library was dedicated on February 7, 1891. The restoration project began with the establishment of the building as a National Landmark in 1985. The records for the restoration project include feasibility studies, proposals, plans, schedules, correspondence, meeting minutes, historical data and research files, and miscellaneous fundraising ephemera.

The University of Pennsylvania Trustees called for the building of a new library in 1888 and hired Frank Furness, Philadelphia's most important late nineteenth century architect, to design the building. Constructed of red bricks, sandstone, and terra cotta, the new library was dedicated on February 7, 1891. The end design was a functional one in which reading rooms, staff facilities, and book storage were located on the first floor with additional classroom and Museum space on upper floors. The reading room's height rose to sixty feet, with a glass covered stack area forming the second half of the building. The restoration project began with the establishment of the building as a National Landmark in 1985. The architectural firm of Venturi, Rauch, and Scott Brown, in association with restoration consultants CLIO Group, Inc., and restoration architect Marianna Thomas, was selected to begin the restoration of the building. The restoration project concluded with a celebration gala in 1991.

The records for the restoration project include feasibility studies, proposals, plans, schedules, correspondence, meeting minutes, historical data and research files, and miscellaneous fundraising ephemera. The bulk of the collection is represented by historical research files as well as photographic prints of both interior and exterior details. The collection documents the successful efforts to restore an architectural treasure.

No note here.

Master plans and gala material transferred from Jeanette Flamm, University of Pennsylvania Library, 1992. Historical files, correspondence, minutes, photographic prints gift of George Thomas, 1993.

Subject

Publisher
University of Pennsylvania: University Archives and Records Center
Finding Aid Author
Finding aid prepared by Theresa R. Snyder
Finding Aid Date
1993
Access Restrictions

Access to collections is granted in accordance with the Protocols for the University Archives and Records Center.

Collection Inventory

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Feasibility Study, 1985.
Box 1 Folder 1
Studio Four Proposal, 1985.
Box 1 Folder 2
John Milner Associates Proposal, 1985.
Box 1 Folder 3
Venturi, Rauch, and Scott Brown Proposal, 1985.
Box 1 Folder 4
Venturi, Rauch, and Scott Brown Proposal Request from CLIO, 1985.
Box 1 Folder 5
CLIO Group Resume of selected projects, 1985.
Box 1 Folder 6
Restoration Team/ Project members, 1985.
Box 1 Folder 7
Project descriptions -- Public Relations statements/drafts.
Box 1 Folder 8
Venturi, Rauch, and Scott Brown -- Master plan, v.1, 1986.
Box 1 Folder 9
Venturi, Rauch, and Scott Brown -- Master plan, v.2, 1986.
Box 1 Folder 10
Venturi, Rauch, and Scott Brown -- Master plan, v.3, 1986.
Box 1 Folder 11
Venturi, Rauch, and Scott Brown -- Master plan, v.3, 1986 (draft).
Box 1 Folder 12
Venturi, Rauch, and Scott Brown -- Master plan, v.4, 1988.
Box 1 Folder 13
Venturi, Rauch, and Scott Brown -- Project Manual.
Box 1 Folder 14
Phase I -- outline.
Box 1 Folder 15
Stacks Structural Analysis.
Box 1 Folder 16
Schedules.
Box 1 Folder 17
Phase II -- Construction Document Schedules.
Box 1 Folder 18
Phase II -- Project handbook, 1988-1989.
Box 1 Folder 19
Phase II -- Pre-qualification lists, 1989.
Box 1 Folder 20
Building Analysis information.
Box 2 Folder 1
Construction.
Box 2 Folder 2
Cost estimates.
Box 2 Folder 3
CLIO Group Expenses 1985-1988.
Box 2 Folder 4
Correspondence, 1985.
Box 2 Folder 5
Correspondence, 1986.
Box 2 Folder 6
Correspondence, 1987.
Box 2 Folder 7
Correspondence, 1988.
Box 2 Folder 8
Correspondence, 1989.
Box 2 Folder 9
Correspondence, 1990-1991.
Box 2 Folder 10
Meeting Minutes (Phase IA), 1987-1988.
Box 2 Folder 11
Meeting Minutes (Phase IB), 1988.
Box 2 Folder 12
Meeting Minutes (Miscellaneous), 1987-1988.
Box 2 Folder 13
Meeting Minutes (Phase II Start Up), 1989.
Box 2 Folder 14
University of Pennsylvania Building Name Directory.
Box 2 Folder 15
Bibliography.
Box 2 Folder 16
University Trustee minutes index.
Box 2 Folder 17
University Trustee minutes, 1910-1965.
Box 2 Folder 18
Individual library histories.
Box 2 Folder 19
Comparable buildings.
Box 2 Folder 20
Floor plans, 1885-1916.
Box 2 Folder 21
Patent search.
Box 2 Folder 22
Subcontractors.
Box 2 Folder 23
Pre 1887.
Box 2 Folder 24
1887-1890.
Box 2 Folder 25
1891.
Box 2 Folder 26
1892-1894.
Box 2 Folder 27
1895-1899.
Box 2 Folder 28
1900.
Box 2 Folder 29
1901-1910.
Box 2 Folder 30
1910-1920.
Box 2 Folder 31
1921-1930.
Box 2 Folder 32
1931-1950.
Box 2 Folder 33
post 1950.
Box 2 Folder 34
Biographical.
Box 2 Folder 35
Restoration fundraising, 1990-1991.
Box 2 Folder 36
Restoration Gala -- program and place cards, 1991.
Box 2 Folder 37
National Preservation Honor Awards Application, 1991.
Box 2 Folder 38
Shot lists.
Box 3 Folder 1
Elevation (photographic prints).
Box 3 Folder 2
Interior details, domes and miscellaneous (photographic prints).
Box 3 Folder 3
Interior details, Reading room (photographic prints).
Box 3 Folder 4
Interior details, Architectural Archives (photographic prints).
Box 3 Folder 5
Interior details, Stack areas (photographic prints).
Box 3 Folder 6
Interior details, Stack areas (photographic prints).
Box 3 Folder 7
Interior details, Stack areas (negatives and contact sheets).
Box 3 Folder 8
Interior details, dumb waiter (photographic prints).
Box 3 Folder 9
Interior details (negatives).
Box 3 Folder 10
Interior details (contact sheets with shot lists).
Box 3 Folder 11
Interior details (contact sheets).
Box 3 Folder 12
Interior details, plaques (contact sheets).
Box 3 Folder 13
Exterior (photographic prints).
Box 3 Folder 14
Exterior details (photographic prints).
Box 3 Folder 15
Exterior details, roof (photographic prints).
Box 3 Folder 16
Exterior details, archway (photographic prints).
Box 3 Folder 17
Exterior details, Duhring Wing (photographic prints).
Box 3 Folder 18
Exterior details, Class of 1915 lamp (photographic prints and negatives).
Box 3 Folder 19
Exterior details, Windows and doors (photographic prints).
Box 3 Folder 20
Exterior details (negatives).
Box 3 Folder 21
Furness Library Brochure (negatives).
Box 3 Folder 22
Plans and miscellaneous (negatives).
Box 3 Folder 23

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