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DeMars, Vernon Collection, 1933-2001
2005-13  
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SERIES I. PERSONAL PAPERS 1935-2005

Physical Description: 4 Cubic Feet: Carton 1, 4; Tube 1; Flat Box 2; Box 3

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically.

Scope and Contents

Represents DeMars' personal materials including his curriculum vitae, correspondence with colleagues and friends, writings on various topics, early drawings and lithographs, student work, a sampling of financial records, personnel files related to his Navy service, personal and travel photographs, and Betty DeMars' artworks and photographs. Of note is artwork and documentation related his performances of Native American ritual dances at Berkeley's International House.
 

A. Biographical Information

Carton 1, Folder 1

Biographical Information 1950-2002

Carton 1, Folder 2

Military Service 1944-1946

Carton 1, Folder 3

Passports 1952-1974

Carton 1, Folder 4

VDM Day Proclomation 2003

Box 2, Folder 27

Diplomas n.d.

 

B. Correspondence

Carton 1, Folder 4

Correspondence 1935-2003

Carton 1, Folder 5-7

Holiday Cards 1928-2007

Box 2, Folder 28

Holiday Cards 1939

Flat-File 1

Holiday Cards 1970

Carton 1, Folder 8

Gun Control Campaign 1989

 

C. Student Work

Carton 1, Folder 9

Exams 1929-1930

Carton 1, Folder 10

Photograph of student frawing n.d.

Flat-File 2-3

Drawings n.d.

Box 2, Folder 29

Drafting Exercises n.d.

Box 2, Folder 30

Watercolor n.d.

Box 2, Folder 31

Sketches and Figure Drawing n.d.

 

D. Travel

Carton 1, Folder 11

California Department of State document and seal 1938

Carton 1, Folder 12

Itineraries 1963-1990

Carton 1, Folder 13

Photographs 1931, n.d.

Box 2, Folder 32

Travel Drawings - Southwest n.d.

Box 3, Folder 39-40

Travel / Reference n.d.

 

E. Indian Dances

Carton 1, Folder 14

Performance at International House 1932

Carton 1, Folder 15

Correspondence, Notes, Clippings n.d.

Carton 1, Folder 16-17

Indian dances photos n.d.

Box 2, Folder 33

Photos and Illustrations n.d.

Box 33, Folder 45

Photographs n.d.

Flat-File 4

Indian Dances n.d.

Carton 1, Folder 18

Research Files 1932-1935, n.d.

Tube 1

Indian ceremonial artifacts n.d.

 

F. Art and Illustration

Carton 1, Folder 19

Museum Illustrations 1934

Carton 1, Folder 20

Sketches 1934, n.d.

Box 33, Folder 46

Sketches n.d.

Box 2, Folder 34

Art and Artifacts n.d.

 

G. Betty DeMars

Carton 1, Folder 21

Correspondence 1961-1987

Carton 1, Folder 22

Sketches n.d.

Box 2, Folder 35

Costume and Set Design 1960, n.d.

Box 2, Folder 36

A Pageant of Miracles 1978-1979

Box 2, Folder 37

Watercolors n.d.

Box 2, Folder 38

Wall Design n.d.

Box 3, Folder 41

Slides n.d.

Box 33, Folder 47-48

Reference Clippings n.d.

 

H. Photographs

Carton 1, Folder 23

Personal Photographs and Snapshots n.d.

Carton 4, Folder 24

Portraits n.d.

Box 3, Folder 42

Portraits - slides n.d.

Carton 4, Folder 25

Military Service in Puerto Rico n.d.

Carton 4, Folder 26

Tito Patri additions n.d.

Box 3, Folder 43

My Life as an Architect - slides n.d.

Box 3, Folder 44

Sea Ranch - slides n.d.

 

SERIES II. PROFESSIONAL PAPERS 1943-2003

Physical Description: 3.5 Cubic Feet: Carton 4-5; Flat Box 2, 8; Box 3, 33

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically.

Scope and Contents

Documents DeMars' professional activities outside of the firm. Includes correspondence with other architects and artist Emmy Lou Packard; notes and writings related to numerous presentations and affiliation with professional associations; and extensive research and reference files mostly relating to low-cost housing developments. Also represented are administrative files and reports related to his U.S. government work with the National Housing Agency, and the General Services Administration. In 1952, DeMars request for employment for the Mutual Security Agency was challenged because of his involvement with the architectural committee of the National Council of American Soviet Friendship. This file contains material related to a 1944 MOMA exhibit of U.S. war housing submitted as evidence to get him approved for a security clearance.
 

A. Correspondence

Carton 4, Folder 1-2

General Correspondence 1943-1998

Carton 4, Folder 3

Speaking Engagements 1943-1948

Carton 4, Folder 4

Wurster AIA Gold Medal award 1968

 

B. Writings

Carton 4, Folder 5

Notebook and Diaries 1937-1938, n.d.

Carton 4, Folder 6

Articles and Reports 1953-1961

Carton 4, Folder 7

Report on the Third Biennial COnference of the International Association of Theater Technicians, London 1961

Carton 4, Folder 8

The People's Architect 1962-1964

Carton 4, Folder 9

Planning Lessons in Canadian Expo 1967

Carton 4, Folder 10

Contemporary Architects 1978-1995

 

C. Presentations

Carton 4, Folder 11

German Architecture 1953

Carton 4, Folder 12

Let's Build a House - museum lecture series 1953

Carton 4, Folder 13

KQED AIA Lecture 1954

Carton 4, Folder 14

The Form of the City Talk 1959

Carton 4, Folder 15

Golden Gateway Lectures 1960

Carton 4, Folder 16

Kosmos Club Lectures 1965, 1976

Carton 4, Folder 17

Douglass Commission Statement (National Commission on Urban Problems) 1967

Carton 4, Folder 18

Engineering for the People Conference 1967

Carton 4, Folder 19

Montevideo Invitation 1968

Carton 4, Folder 20

Wurster Memorial Remarks 1973

Carton 4, Folder 21

Mt. Angel Aalto Exhibition 1980

Carton 4, Folder 22

Mt. Angel Abbey, lecture on 1981

Carton 4, Folder 23

Mt. Angel Abbey Architectural Symposium 1998

Carton 4, Folder 24

Lectures on Aalto 1987

Carton 4, Folder 25

SFMOMA Visionary San Francisco Exhibit 1990

Carton 4, Folder 26

National Building Museum Exhibit 1994

Carton 4, Folder 27-28

Lectures 1946-1990

 

D. Associations and Committees

Carton 4, Folder 29

AIA Correspondence 1953-2003

Carton 4, Folder 30-32

AIA Committees 1955-1964

Carton 4, Folder 33

AIA Fellowship 1963

Carton 4, Folder 34

AIA Conferences 1963

Carton 4, Folder 35

AIA Nominations 1966-1969

Carton 4, Folder 36

State Board Certificate Renewals 1956-1999

Carton 4, Folder 37

Associations and Societies 1963-1972

Carton 4, Folder 38

San Francisco Museum of Art Board 1972-1976

Carton 4, Folder 39

State Office Building Review Panel 1977

Box 2, Folder 69

Awards and Certificates n.d.

Box 33, Folder 71

Awards and Certificates 1952-1972

Box 8

AIA Fellow Medal and Plate 1964

 

E. Reference Files

Carton 5, Folder 40-41

Art and Artists 1942-1971

Carton 5, Folder 42

Edward Durell Stone article 1960

Carton 5, Folder 43

SF Museum of Art Board of Trustees 1966-1987

Carton 5, Folder 44-46

Clippings 1967-1989, n.d.

Flat-File 5

Slide file and storage cabinet 1958, 1971

Box 3, Folder 66

Low Income Housing - slides n.d.

Box 3, Folder 67-68

Site reference - slides n.d.

 

F. Government Agencies

Carton 5, Folder 47-49

National Housing Agency 1943-1955

Carton 5, Folder 50-51

Mutual Security Agency, German Coal Miners Housing Report 1950-1953

Carton 5, Folder 52

Mutual Security Agency 1951-1952

Carton 5, Folder 53

San Francisco Redevelopment Agency 1951-1952

Carton 5, Folder 54

General Services Administration 1965-1968

 

G. Jurying

Carton 5, Folder 55

Reynolds Memorial Award 1965

Carton 5, Folder 56

HUD 1966

Carton 5, Folder 57

Various Projects 1976-1978

 

H. Telesis

Scope and Contents

Contains sketches of a museum exhibition for SFMOMA on urban planning in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Carton 5, Folder 58

Correspondence 1940-1989

Carton 5, Folder 59

Telesis Sketches and Photos n.d.

Carton 5, Folder 60

Telesis Exhibition Sketch (MOMA) n.d.

Carton 5, Folder 61

Telesis Clippings 1940-1978

Carton 5, Folder 62

San Francisco City Planning 1948-1949

Carton 5, Folder 63

Telesis files 1976-2002

 

I. Emmy Lou Packard

Carton 5, Folder 64-65

Correspondence 1961-1988

Box 2, Folder 70

Watercolors n.d.

 

SERIES III. FACULTY PAPERS 1952-2001

Physical Description: 3 Cubic Feet: Carton 5-6; Flat Box 8; Box 33

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically.

Scope and Contents

Documents DeMars’ duties as Professor of Architecture at UC Berkeley. Administrative files are composed of memoranda between DeMars’ and other faculty members, as well as outside correspondence. DeMars’ committee work is represented extensively. Of note are the academic Problems of Western Development Committee, and the Building Committee for the Environmental Design Building, related to the building of what became Wurster Hall. The Emeritus files contain a sampling of DeMars’ continuing work advising the College of Environmental Design. Course materials, research notes, and student work primarily provide evidence of DeMars’ teaching activities.
 

A. Administrative Files

Carton 5, Folder 1

UC Loyalty Oath 1950

Carton 5, Folder 2

Memoranda and Correspondence 1952, 1958-1967

Carton 5, Folder 3

Proposal for a New College of Planning and Design 1954-1955

Carton 5, Folder 4

Correspondence from Charles Eames 1957

Carton 5, Folder 5

Tenures and Promotions 1960-1961

Carton 5, Folder 6

Administrative Files 1962-1976

Carton 5, Folder 7

Sabbatical 1964-1965

Carton 5, Folder 8

Bibliography CV 1967

Carton 5, Folder 9

Emeritus files 1995-2001

Carton 5, Folder 10

Proposal letter for MUD atCED 1992-1993

Box 8

Awards and Medals 1999, n.d.

 

B. Committees

Carton 6, Folder 11

Curriculum Committee 1951-1961

Carton 6, Folder 12

Problems of Western Development Committee 1952-1963

Carton 6, Folder 13

Faculty Committees 1953-1976

Carton 6, Folder 14

Dean's Advisory / Academic Senate 1955-1957

Carton 6, Folder 15

Committee on Appointments and Promotions 1955-1961

Carton 6, Folder 16

Research Committee 1957-1958

Carton 6, Folder 17

Building Committee for Environmental Design Building 1959

Carton 6, Folder 18

National Accreditation Board Meeting, Princeton 1971

Carton 6, Folder 19

Search Committee for CED Dean 1975-1976

Carton 6, Folder 20

Campus Historic Resources Survey 1978

 

C. Course Materials

Carton 6, Folder 21

Course Materials 1947-1975

Carton 6, Folder 22-23

Student Work 1953-1970

Box 33, Folder 26

Student Work n.d.

Flat-File 6

Student Work 1952, n.d.

Carton 6, Folder 24

UC Extension lecture notes 1961

Carton 6, Folder 25

George E. McNeil Thesis 1965

 

SERIES IV. OFFICE RECORDS 1952-1991

Physical Description: 2.5 Cubic Feet: Carton 6-7; Flat Box 8

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically.

Scope and Contents

Documents represent a selected sample of the day-to-day administrative operations of the firm offices, such as legal agreements, notes, and correspondence. Includes the Hardison & DeMars joint-venture agreement and some financial records, including the Western Urban Redevelopment Investment Corporation Records, a corporation in which DeMars was invested. Reference and product literature is collected on contemporary architectural topics, including literature on fallout shelter design. Correspondence includes many years of correspondence with Jack Sidener, especially dealing with the Mililani New Town project.
 

A. Administrative

 

Firm histories and timelines 1991, n.d.

 

Appointment Books 1951-1991

 

Vernon DeMars business cards n.d.

 

DeMars and Reay Administrative Records 1955-1966

 

Draft of "Cities and Urban Problems" Article by J. Whyte for Fortune 1957

 

DeMars and Wells Joint Venture Agreement 1966-1973

 

Hardison and DeMars Joint Venture Agreement 1966

 

Clippings and tear sheets 1966

 

PR Dossier 1957-1971

 

Western Urban Redevelopment Investment Corp Records 1967

 

Work Prospects 1967-1975

 

Financial Records 1968-1977

 

DeMars and Maletic Administrative Records 2004-2005

 

DeMars and Reay Portfolio Mock-up n.d.

 

DeMars, Cairns and Thomson Builders Stationary n.d.

 

Licensed Architect Stamps n.d.

 

B. Correspondence

Carton 6, Folder 18-22

Correspondence 1952-1961

Carton 7, Folder 23-30

Correspondence 1962-1972

Carton 7, Folder 31

Architectural Board Registration Correspondence 1964-1966

Carton 7, Folder 32

Paul O. Heyer 1965-1966

Carton 7, Folder 33

Jack Sidener 1969-1974

 

C. Reference Files

Carton 7, Folder 34-36

Housing Lectures, Notes and Conferences 1951-1964

Carton 7, Folder 37

Housing Correspondence 1951-1965

Carton 7, Folder 38

Fallout Shelter Design Literature 1967

Carton 7, Folder 39

Article on Conceptual Design of Shells by S.J. Medwadowski 1970

Carton 7, Folder 40

Product Literature 1974-1975

Carton 7, Folder 41

Stirling Homes, San Bruno (subdivision) 1955

Carton 7, Folder 42

Sculptors 1961-1968

Carton 7, Folder 43

City Planning n.d.

Carton 7, Folder 44

Buildings n.d.

Carton 7, Folder 45

Unknown reference n.d.

 

SERIES V. PROJECT RECORDS 1933-2001

Physical Description: 5.5 Cubic Feet: Carton 9-10; Box 11-16; 33-35

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by project.

See Also

Project Index
 

A. Files

Scope and Contents

Correspondence, contracts, telephone notes, preliminary sketches, reports, specifications, financial records, vendor information, legal documents, and notes.
 

B. Photographs and Slides

Scope and Contents

Photographs (and some negatives) and slides of project sites, construction, and completed construction taken by the architects, project collaborators, and architectural photographers.
 

C. Drawings

Scope and Contents

Drawings from private practice and firm projects from 1933-2001. Commercial and institutional planning, development, and multi-residential commissions are documented more completely than residential projects.
 

SERIES VI. MAJOR PROJECTS 1936-2003

Physical Description: 6 Cubic Feet: Box 15, 17, 30-32 35; Oversize Box 18; Carton 19-29

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by major project.

See Also

Project Index
 

A. U.S. Farm Security Administration

Arrangement

Files arranged alphabetically.

Scope and Contents

Includes plans and photographs from DeMars’ tenure with the FSA designing low-cost housing. Projects included the Farm Workers’ Center at Yuba City, California, the Cooperative Farm and Workers’ Housing at Chandler, Arizona, and the Woodville Farm Workers’ Center near Porterville, California.
 

B. Old Sacramento Historic District

Arrangement

Files arranged chronologically.

Scope and Contents

Documents on-going site review, correspondence and urban design solutions for the rehabilitation of the historic waterfront area. Includes correspondence, contracts, telephone notes, preliminary sketches, reports, specifications, financial records, vendor information, legal documents, and notes.
 

C. San Francisco Ferry Building and Embarcadero Plaza

Arrangement

Files arranged chronologically.

Scope and Contents

Includes urban design plans, drawings related to MUNI and transportation alternatives, photographs and drawings of the Embarcadero Freeway before and during demolition, and proposals for a new plaza and Ferry Building rehabilitation. Includes extensive newspaper clippings files, office files for DeMars & Maletic, and documentation related to City of San Francisco decisions regarding the Embarcadero and Ferry Building.
 

D. San Francisco Performing Arts Center

Arrangement

Files arranged chronologically.

Scope and Contents

Includes the proposal, preliminary designs, and feasibility and economic studies for a proposed redesign of the San Francisco War Memorial Opera House and Civic Center. Includes extensive administrative files related to the proposal. Despite DeMars’ efforts, this project was not realized
 

E. UC Berkeley

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by campus project.
  1. Animal Resources Facility
  2. Mining Circle/Stele Meridiana
  3. Student Center
  4. Wheeler Hall
  5. Wurster Hall
  6. Zellerbach Hall

Scope and Contents

Includes all planning and design for initiatives on the UC Berkeley campus. Primarily, this series contains the project files for the Student Center and Zellerbach Hall. The collection contains little documentation of the student office building, Eschleman Hall, in the Student Center, and the College of Environmental Design's Wurster Hall. Also includes materials relating to Emmy Lou Packard’s signage for Zellerback Hall.
Collection Contents
PERSONAL PAPERS
Biographical Information
Correspondence
Student Work
Travel
Indian Dances
Art and Illustration
Betty DeMars
Photographs
PROFESSIONAL PAPERS
Correspondence
Writings
Presentations
Associations and Committees
Reference Files
Government Agencies
Jurying
Telesis
Emmy Lou Packard
FACULTY PAPERS
Administrative Files
Committees
Course Materials
OFFICE RECORDS
Administrative
Correspondence
Reference Files
PROJECT RECORDS
Files
Photographs and Slides
Drawings
MAJOR PROJECTS
U.S. Farm Security Administration
Old Sacramento Historic District
San Francisco Ferry Building and Embarcadero Plaza
San Francisco Performing Arts Center
UC Berkeley
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