The Walter L. Reichardt papers span 24 linear feet and date from circa 1930 to circa 1989. The collection contains more than 50 watercolor drawings done while Reichardt was a student at the University of Pennsylvania (1927-1930), and when he was at the American Academy in Rome (1931-1933). Other architectural drawings, and designs for wallpaper, date from circa 1935-circa 1989, during the period when Reichardt was working in the offices of other architects in Los Angeles, and on his own (1945-circa 1990). Some photographs and specifications related to architectural commissions are part of the archive, but drawings form the bulk of the collection.

Walter L. Reichardt was born on June 4, 1908 in Los Angeles, California. He attended the University of Pennsylvania and graduated in 1930. From 1930 to 1933 Reichardt attended the American Academy in Rome, after winning the Rome Prize in 1930. His training in the beaux-art methods, which was the pedagogical emphasis in architecture schools in the United States when he was a student, is evident in his skillful student drawings and their subjects, more than 50 of which are part of his archive.

12.0 Linear feet (1 box of drawings, 2 flat file drawers, 1 box of rolls)

On deposit from Thomas Reichardt.

Open for use by qualified researchers.