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Finding Aid for the George Washington Smith papers, circa 1912-circa 1930
0000176
0000176
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Table of contents
Description
The George Washington Smith papers span 162 linear feet and date from circa 1912 to circa 1930. The collection contains architectural
drawings and reprographic copies, presentation boards, travel sketches and photographs, correspondence, specifications, project
progress reports, newspaper and magazine clippings, and financial records in the form of invoices, receipts, estimates, and
requisitions.
Background
Born in Pennsylvania on February 22, 1876, George Washington Smith began his education with the study of art and painting
at the Pennsylvania Academy of fine arts, and later attended Harvard University (1895-1987) where he studied architecture,
but never graduated. After leaving Harvard, Smith took a position supervising construction with Newman, Woodman and Harris,
but, unhappy with the work, left to join the Francis R. Welsh bond company, where he made enough money to retire to a life
of painting by 1912. After marrying, he travelled through Europe, eventually settling in Paris where he studied painting at
the Académie Julian of the Ecole des Beaux Arts. Smith and his wife left Europe in 1914 at the outbreak of World War I, and
settled in New York, where he continued to paint and exhibit his work. In 1915, Smith and his wife traveled to California
to see one of his paintings exhibited at the Panama Pacific Exposition in San Francisco. While in California, the two decided
to take a trip to Santa Barbara. After seeing Santa Barbara, Smith and his wife made the decision to settle temporarily there
to wait out the war, until they could return to Europe. They rented a house in Montecito while Smith built a house for them,
later known as the Heberton house, designed to resemble the Spanish farmhouses he had seen in Europe. This house brought George
Washington Smith national attention when it appeared in the 1920 issue of
Architectural Forum. As his neighbors asked him to build similar houses for them, Smith developed an architectural practice, with the help of
Lutah Maria Riggs who joined his office in 1921. Smith became very well known nationally for his Spanish Colonial Revival
style. He continued to practice architecture in Santa Barbara until his death in 1930.
Extent
162.0 Linear feet
(30 record storage boxes, 1 tube, and 43 flat file drawers)
Availability
Partially processed collection, open for use by qualified researchers.