Frey (Albert) Collection, 1940’s to 1990’s (Bulk 1950-1970)

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Summary

Title:
Albert Frey Collection
Dates:
1940’s to 1990’s (Bulk 1950-1970)
Creators:
Albert Frey
Abstract:
Albert Frey FAIA (1903-1998) was a prolific American architect who established a style of modern architecture centered on Palm Springs, California, that came to be known as "desert modernism". Upon his death Albert Frey donated to the Palm Springs Art Museum his second residence in Palm Springs, 686 Palisades Drive, and the contents of the residence. The Albert Frey Collection (55-1999.2) was acquired in 1999 at the bequest of Albert Frey. Materials came from the Frey House II property.
Extent:
105 linear feet plus flat file drawers
Language:
Preferred citation:

Albert Frey Collection. Palm Springs Art Museum

Background

Scope and content:

The collection contains drawings, slides, photographs, negatives, scrapbooks, photo albums, books, magazines, codes, standards, professional association materials, artifacts and vendor samples and catalogs, correspondence, and household items. The collection is organized into 15 series each of which is described below: Series I: Correspondence - Active Series II: Correspondence – Inactive Series III: Finances - CONFIDENTIAL Series IV: Personal Files, Miscellaneous Series V: Architectural Files, Miscellaneous Series VI: Architectural Projects Series VII: Personal and Architectural Photographs Series VIII: Blueprints, Drawings, and Maps Series IX: Books Series X: Magazines /Periodicals and Clippings Series XI: Vendor Catalogs and Codes, Standards, etc. Series XII: Memorabilia + Artifacts Series XIII: Household Items Series XIV: Frey House II Series XV: The Jean Farrar Collection

Acquisition information:
At the bequest of Albert Frey upon his death, his second residence in Palm Springs, 686 Palisades Drive (Frey House II), and the contents of the residence were donated to the museum. The Jean Farrar Collection (S2020.1) was added in January 2022.

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid created by Palm Springs Art Museum staff.
Date Prepared:
July 14, 2025, 2:54 p.m.
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using Record Express for OAC5 on July 14, 2025, 2:54 p.m.

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open to qualified researchers by appointment only.

Terms of access:

No interpretive restriction is placed on material. Separate permissions to be obtained for publishing material. Property rights to the physical object belong to the Palm Springs Art Museum. Literary rights, including copyright, are retained by the creators and their heirs. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine who holds the copyright and pursue the copyright owner or his or her heir for permission to publish where Palm Springs Art Museum does not hold the copyright.

Preferred citation:

Albert Frey Collection. Palm Springs Art Museum

Location of this collection:
101 Museum Dr.
Palm Springs, CA 92263, US
Contact:
Website