Helen D. and Prentiss French Records 1998.-12
Joanne Miller, Betsy Frederick-Rothwell
Arrangement and description of this collection was funded by the College of Environmental Design, Department of Landscape
Architecture and Environmental Planning, and by a grant from the Getty Foundation.
University of California, Berkeley. College of Environmental Design. Environmental Design Archives
1999, 2005
230 Bauer Wurster Hall #1820
Berkeley, CA 94720-1820
designarchives@berkeley.edu
Contributing Institution:
University of California, Berkeley. College of Environmental Design. Environmental Design Archives
Title: Prentiss & Helen French Records
Creator:
French, Helen D., 1900-1994
Creator:
French, Prentiss, 1894-1989
Identifier/Call Number: 1998.-12
Physical Description:
10 Linear Feet:
1 box, 3 flat file drawers
Date (inclusive): 1932-1978
Language of Material:
English
.
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research
Conditions Governing Use
All requests for permission to publish, reproduce, or quote from materials in the collection should be discussed with the
Curator
Preferred Citation
[Identification of Item], Records of Helen D. and Prentiss French, (1998-12), Environmental Design Archives, University of
California, Berkeley.
Biographical / Historical
Architect Helen Douglass French and her husband, landscape architect Prentiss French, worked together and independently in
New England, Florida, and the San Francisco Bay Area. Helen Douglass was born in 1900 in Arlington, MA. earning her graduate
degree at the Cambridge School of Architecture (1917-1921) - now part of the Harvard School of Architecture. She subsequently
worked in the Boston offices of Charles G. Loring (1921-1925) and William Delano Aldrich (1925-1926), later studying at the
Ecole des Beaux Arts and traveling in Europe (1926-1927). Prentiss French was born in 1894 in Chicago, IL. He earned his
1917 B.A. at Williams College and his Master's Degree in Landscape Architecture from Harvard in 1921 subsequently working
in the office of the Olmsted Brothers (1921-1924), and teaching at the University of Massachusetts in 1925. From 1926-1928,
Prentiss was employed as the resident landscape architect for the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, then establishing the
new town of Venice, FL.
Helen and Prentiss married in 1927, and operated a private practice in Boston and Stockbridge, MA between 1928-1932. They
then relocated to Sarasota, Florida where they worked in association with architect Clarence Martin for ten years. During
WWII, Prentiss was employed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (1942-1946; consultant 1946-1960) after which they moved to
the San Francisco Bay Area where Helen Douglass French received her California license in 1946. The couple shared an office
in San Francisco from 1947 into the 1960s, working primarily on residential projects throughout Northern California. also
completed numerous projects for the U.S. Army in the late 1950s, in California, Alaska and other western states. Helen was
a member of the AIA Northern California Chapter, the San Francisco Planning and Housing Association, the Outdoors Arts Club
of Mill Valley, the Marin Art and Garden Center, the Women's League of San Francisco, and served as the secretary for the
Mill Valley Parks and Recreation Commission. Prentiss passed away around 1989, and Helen followed in 1994.
SOURCES:
Helen Douglass French membership file, AIA, Washington D.C.; "Helen Douglass French," American Architects Dictionary, 182.;
"Helen Douglass French," Who's Who on the Pacific Coast (Chicago: A.N. Marquis Co., 1949).
Prentiss French. Biographical Data. The Council of Fellows, American Society of Landscape Architects. Records of the ALSA
Scope and Contents
The French collection consists primarily of drawings and specifications documenting the French's collaborative and individual
work. The majority of the records are those of Helen D. French and is largely architectural in nature. The records are arranged
into two series: Professional Papers and Project Records. Though project files form bulk of the collection, some general
site planning and structural references can be found in the first series, Professional Papers.
Project records consist of drawings, specifications and photographs and some client correspondence. These include records
from the French's early work with Clarence Martin in Sarasota, Florida, and Northern California residential projects completed
during the 1950s and 60s. In addition to residential work, the records also include photographs of the site of the Diablo
Canyon nuclear power plant, a PG&E station, and a quadrangle for Harvey Mudd College. Drawings by Prentiss French for the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers were transferred to the National Archives, Alaska region.
Professional Papers I.
1936-1937
1961-1978
Box 1, Folder 3
Structural Information
undated
Box 1, Folder 4
Materials / Construction
1936-1937
Box 1, Folder 5
Landscape and Site Planning
1936
1962-1964
Project Records II.
1932-1968
Atterbury, Kirby, Jr. Paradise Cove (CA)
1954
Creator: French, Helen D., 1900-1994
flat-file-drawer W 18.8, Flat-File 1
Bailey, Richard J. San Rafael CA
1957
Creator: French, Helen D., 1900-1994
flat-file-drawer W 18.8, Flat-File 1a
Beers, Sherman.J. Kent Woodlands, Kentfield CA
1951-1952
Creator: French, Helen D., 1900-1994
Creator: French, Prentiss, 1894-1989
flat-file-drawer W 18.8, Flat-File 2
Boynton Ukiah CA
1959
Creator: French, Helen D., 1900-1994
flat-file-drawer W 18.8, Flat-File 3
Byles, Axtell J. Sarasota FL
1937
Creator: French, Helen D., 1900-1994
Creator: French, Leigh Jr.
flat-file-drawer W 18.8, Flat-File 4
Chesterwood (Cresson, W.P.), alterations Stockbridge MA
1954, 1957, 1962
Creator: French, Helen D., 1900-1994
flat-file-drawer W 18.8, Flat-File 5, Box 1, Folder 1
Christo, Mrs. George San Francisco CA
1961
Creator: French, Helen D., 1900-1994
flat-file-drawer W 18.8, Flat-File 6
Clark, Bruce Bay Point Park, Sarasota FL
1937
Creator: French, Helen D., 1900-1994
Creator: Martin, Clarence
Creator: French, Prentiss, 1894-1989
flat-file-drawer W 18.8, Flat-File 7
Cochrane, Andrew H. Palo Alto CA
1950-1951
Creator: French, Helen D., 1900-1994
flat-file-drawer W 18.8, Flat-File 8
Cook, S.C. Mill Valley CA
n.d.
Creator: French, Helen D., 1900-1994
Creator: French, Prentiss, 1894-1989
flat-file-drawer W 18.8, Flat-File 1
Cresson, W.P. (see Chesterwood)
Creator: French, Helen D., 1900-1994
Daddisman, Rex A. San Francisco CA
1949
Creator: French, Helen D., 1900-1994
flat-file-drawer W 18.8, Flat-File 9
Davis, Captain B.P. Mill Valley CA
1948
Creator: French, Helen D., 1900-1994
flat-file-drawer W 18.8, Flat-File 10
Davis, Duncan, alterations San Francisco CA
1951
Creator: French, Helen D., 1900-1994
flat-file-drawer W 18.8, Flat-File 11
Douglass, Donald C. Sarasota FL
1955-1958
Creator: French, Helen D., 1900-1994
flat-file-drawer W 18.8, Flat-File 12
Dunnigan, M.W. San Francisco CA
1956
Creator: French, Helen D., 1900-1994
flat-file-drawer W 18.8, Flat-File 13
Dynes, Charles, remodel San Francisco CA
1953
Creator: French, Helen D., 1900-1994
flat-file-drawer W 18.8, Flat-File 1
Elsener, L.A. Sonoma CA
1956
Creator: French, Helen D., 1900-1994
flat-file-drawer W 18.8, Flat-File 14
Evans, Frank Sarasota FL
1957
Creator: French, Helen D., 1900-1994
flat-file-drawer W 18.8, Flat-File 15
Evans, Frank Sarasota FL
1935, 1958-1959
Creator: French, Helen D., 1900-1994
flat-file-drawer W 18.8, Flat-File 15
Eyde , Richard B: Fairlawn Drive Berkeley CA
1950
Creator: French, Helen D., 1900-1994
Creator: French, Prentiss, 1894-1989
Creator: Baer, Morley, 1916-1995
flat-file-drawer W 18.8, Flat-File 16
Eyde, Richard B: Overlook Road, Park Hills- Unit #2 Berkeley CA
1953
Creator: French, Helen D., 1900-1994
Creator: French, Prentiss, 1894-1989
flat-file-drawer W 18.8, Flat-File 17, Box 1, Folder 5
Fassett, Truman Bay Island, Sarasota FL
1936
Creator: French, Helen D., 1900-1994
Creator: French, Prentiss, 1894-1989
Creator: Martin, Clarence
flat-file-drawer W 18.9, Flat-File 18
Finley, Malcolm H. San Rafael CA
1950
Creator: French, Helen D., 1900-1994
Creator: French, Prentiss, 1894-1989
flat-file-drawer W 18.9, Flat-File 19
French, Helen D. & Prentiss Bay Island, Sarasota FL
1936
Creator: French, Helen D., 1900-1994
Creator: Martin, Clarence
flat-file-drawer W 18.9, Flat-File 20
French, Helen D. & Prentiss Kent Woodlands, Kentfield CA
1950
Creator: French, Helen D., 1900-1994
Creator: French, Prentiss, 1894-1989
Creator: Baer, Morley, 1916-1995
flat-file-drawer W 18.9, Flat-File 21, Box 1, Folder 7
French, Helen D. & Prentiss San Francisco CA
1962
Creator: French, Helen D., 1900-1994
Creator: French, Prentiss, 1894-1989
Ganz, Frederick M. Lake Tahoe CA
1947
Creator: French, Helen D., 1900-1994
flat-file-drawer W 18.9, Flat-File 22
Gleason, F.B. Bay Island, Sarasota FL
1938
Creator: French, Helen D., 1900-1994
Creator: French, Prentiss, 1894-1989
Creator: Martin, Clarence
flat-file-drawer W 18.9, Flat-File 23
Greynolds Park Ojus FL
1933
Creator: French, Prentiss, 1894-1989
flat-file-drawer W 18.8, Flat-File 1
Guest, Mrs. Frederick E. Palm Beach FL
1935
Creator: French, Prentiss, 1894-1989
Gysenberg, P.H. San Rafael CA
1951, 1954
Creator: French, Helen D., 1900-1994
flat-file-drawer W 18.9, Flat-File 24
Hacienda del Gato [see Rosekrans] Indio CA
Creator: French, Helen D., 1900-1994
Creator: French, Prentiss, 1894-1989
Harvey Mudd College Claremont CA
1955-1957
Creator: French, Prentiss, 1894-1989
flat-file-drawer W 18.9, Flat-File 25
Hasenauer, R.P. Mill Valley CA
1948, 1955
Creator: French, Helen D., 1900-1994
flat-file-drawer W 18.9, Flat-File 26
Hersloff, Nils B. Stockbridge MA
1940-1941
Creator: French, Prentiss, 1894-1989
flat-file-drawer W 18.9, Flat-File 27
Hill, Austin San Francisco CA
1962
Creator: French, Prentiss, 1894-1989
flat-file-drawer W 18.9, Flat-File 28
Hitzrot, James Morley Bay Island, Sarasota FL
1938
Creator: French, Helen D., 1900-1994
flat-file-drawer W 18.9, Flat-File 29
Hyde, Olive Mission San Jose CA
1952
Creator: French, Helen D., 1900-1994
flat-file-drawer W 18.9, Flat-File 30
Johnson, Ward R. San Rafael CA
1953
Creator: French, Helen D., 1900-1994
flat-file-drawer W 18.9, Flat-File 31
Kerry, F.A. Sarasota FL
1935
Creator: French, Helen D., 1900-1994
Creator: French, Prentiss, 1894-1989
flat-file-drawer W 18.9, Flat-File 32
Luchessa, D.C. San Anselmo CA
1954
Creator: French, Helen D., 1900-1994
flat-file-drawer W 18.9, Flat-File 33
Matthews, Richard T., San Francisco CA
1966
Creator: French, Helen D., 1900-1994
flat-file-drawer W 18.8, Flat-File 1
McCormick, A.L., addition Fairhills, San Rafael CA
1950
Creator: French, Helen D., 1900-1994
flat-file-drawer W 18.10, Flat-File 34
Mundy, H.L. Venice FL
1938
Creator: French, Helen D., 1900-1994
Creator: French, Prentiss, 1894-1989
flat-file-drawer W 18.10, Flat-File 35
Newberry, John S. Sarasota FL
1940
Creator: French, Helen D., 1900-1994
Creator: French, Prentiss, 1894-1989
flat-file-drawer W 18.10, Flat-File 36
Pacific Gas & Electric: Diablo Canyon Power Plant Diablo Canyon CA
1968
Creator: French, Helen D., 1900-1994
Creator: French, Prentiss, 1894-1989
Pacific Gas & Electric: Inskip and Volta Power Houses Battle Creek CA
n.d.
Creator: French, Helen D., 1900-1994
Creator: French, Prentiss, 1894-1989
Creator: Nakagawa
Proctor, Randy Stockbridge MA
1934-1938
Creator: French, Helen D., 1900-1994
Creator: French, Prentiss, 1894-1989
flat-file-drawer W 18.10, Flat-File 37, Box 1, Folder 13
Raoul, Loring Siesta Key, Sarasota FL
1937
Creator: French, Helen D., 1900-1994
Creator: French, Prentiss, 1894-1989
Creator: Martin, Clarence
flat-file-drawer W 18.10, Flat-File 38
Remssen, Charles M. Bay Island, Sarasota FL
1937
Creator: French, Helen D., 1900-1994
Creator: Martin, Clarence
flat-file-drawer W 18.10, Flat-File 39
Richardson, J.F. Mill Valley CA
1955-1956
Creator: French, Helen D., 1900-1994
flat-file-drawer W 18.10, Flat-File 40
Rosecrans, W.S. Carpinteria CA
1947-1960
Creator: French, Helen D., 1900-1994
flat-file-drawer W 18.10, Flat-File 41
Rosecrans, W.S., addition Indio CA
1939
Creator: French, Helen D., 1900-1994
flat-file-drawer W 18.10, Flat-File 41
Sciaroni Kent Woodlands, Kentfield CA
1955
Creator: French, Helen D., 1900-1994
flat-file-drawer W 18.10, Flat-File 42
Smith, Ed Los Altos CA
1965
Creator: French, Prentiss, 1894-1989
flat-file-drawer W 18.8, Flat-File 1
Taylor, R.C. Menlo Park CA
1949
Creator: French, Helen D., 1900-1994
Creator: French, Prentiss, 1894-1989
flat-file-drawer W 18.10, Flat-File 43
Thiele, Martha F unknown
1957
Creator: French, Helen D., 1900-1994
flat-file-drawer W 18.8, Flat-File 1
Tuttle, John M. Bay Island, Sarasota FL
1936-1937
Creator: French, Helen D., 1900-1994
Creator: Martin, Clarence
flat-file-drawer W 18.10, Flat-File 44
Unidentified
Creator: French, Helen D., 1900-1994
flat-file-drawer W 18.10, Flat-File 45
University of Alaska Fairbanks AK
1951
Creator: French, Prentiss, 1894-1989
flat-file-drawer W 18.8, Flat-File 1
Verling, Kenneth Kent Woodlands, Kentfield CA
1953
Creator: French, Helen D., 1900-1994
Creator: French, Prentiss, 1894-1989
flat-file-drawer W 18.10, Flat-File 46
Waner, Paul Bay Point Park, Sarasota FL
1932-1940
Creator: French, Helen D., 1900-1994
Creator: French, Prentiss, 1894-1989
flat-file-drawer W 18.10, Flat-File 47
Whitney, Elizabeth Fay Siesta Key, Sarasota FL
1936 -39
Creator: French, Helen D., 1900-1994
flat-file-drawer W 18.10, Flat-File 48-49
Williams, Frank Carmel Meadows CA
1952
Creator: French, Helen D., 1900-1994
flat-file-drawer W 18.10, Flat-File 49
Wright, Mrs. Allen G. San Francisco CA
1958
Creator: French, Helen D., 1900-1994
flat-file-drawer W 18.8, Flat-File 1
Wyatt, Eve Byron Mill Valley CA
1954
Creator: French, Helen D., 1900-1994
flat-file-drawer W 18.10, Flat-File 50
Wyatt, Eve Byron Sausalito CA
1956-1960
Creator: French, Helen D., 1900-1994
flat-file-drawer W 18.10, Flat-File 50
unk developer Carmel Meadows CA
1954
Creator: French, Helen D., 1900-1994
