Description
The Joseph Esherick collection is arranged in four series: Personal Papers, Professional Papers, Office Records, and Project
Files. Student drawings and travel sketchbooks comprise the bulk of Esherick's personal records. His professional papers include
speeches and writings on topics such as architectural education and the Bay Area Tradition as well as records of consulting
projects. Consulting projects include work with the Sea Ranch Design Committee, and the National Architectural Accrediting
Board. The bulk of the collection consists of project files, primarily from the 1960s. The Cannery, University of California,
Santa Cruz and Sea Ranch projects are especially well-documented.
Background
Joseph Esherick was born in Philadelphia in 1914, and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in architecture
in 1937. He moved to San Francisco the following year, where he worked part-time for structural engineer Walter Steilberg
before securing a full-time position in the office of Gardner Dailey.
Restrictions
All requests for permission to publish, reproduce, or quote from materials in the collection should be discussed with the
Director.
Availability
Collection is open for research.