Finding Aid to the Elizabeth Kendall Thompson Papers
Waverly Lowell
The Bancroft Library
2017
The Bancroft Library
University of California
Berkeley, CA 94720-6000
bancref@library.berkeley.edu
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
The Bancroft Library
Title: Elizabeth Kendall Thompson papers
Creator:
Thompson, Elizabeth Kendall
Identifier/Call Number: BANC MSS 78/178 c
Physical Description:
7 linear feet
(5 cartons, 2 boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1948-1977
Date (bulk): 1965-1974
Abstract: The Elizabeth Kendall Thompson Papers contain records related to the professional career of author/editor E.K. Thompson (1910-1998)
and the journal Architectural Record. These records include manuscript materials, photographs and clippings. They reflect
Thompson’s role as West Coast Editor for Architectural Record including files related to articles in Architectural Record
and research material collected for her articles as well as her involvement with professional organizations.
Physical Location: Many of the Bancroft Library collections are stored offsite and advance notice may be required for use. For current information
on the location of these materials, please consult the library's online catalog.
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research.
Accruals
No additions are expected.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The Elizabeth Kendall Thompson papers were gifted to the Bancroft Library by an unknown source in 1978.
Biography
One of the leading architectural journalists in the country, Thompson was born in New Orleans on July 23, 1910. Her father
John Smith Kendall was a writer and literary editor of the New Orleans Picayune and later a professor of Spanish at Tulane
University, her mother, Isoline Rodd taught high school Latin. Thompson graduated with a bachelor's degree in Latin and Greek
from Tulane University in 1929 and received a Master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin in French and Spanish literature
a year later. She then studied architecture, first at Tulane for two years, and afterward, until 1934, at the University of
California at Berkeley.
Graduating during the Great Depression, she worked as a draftsman and designer for a house- building company in the South.
In 1937 she became a writer and editor for
Architectural Record, a McGraw-Hill publication remaining on the New York staff until 1941, when she married architect Frank Hofmann Thompson,
who had been a fellow student at Berkeley.
Together they returned to Berkeley, and in 1947, she established a Berkeley and later San Francisco office of
Architectural Record, where she served as the editor for the West Coast until her retirement in 1975. Among her many honors, she was elected a
Fellow of the American Institute of Architects in 1967, only the ninth woman at the time to be so honored. Her nomination
to the AIA Jury of Fellows recognizing her achievement in literature and service to the profession stated, "Through literary
channels the nominee has awakened the public to the need for good design in the environment; AIA chapters have sought her
out to jury honor awards programs because of her known sensitivity to design……feels that her very considerable influence through
her writing bears witness to the design awareness for which this section [of membership - architectural literature] is intended."
In addition to teaching courses at the California College of the Arts, Thompson chaired an AIA committee that prepared material
for use in public schools to increase awareness of the environment. During her career, Thompson promoted the humanism of the
Bay Regionalists. Her writings, museum catalogs, and talks at professional meetings helped to establish the international
reputations of designers such as William Wilson Wurster, Joseph Esherick, and Charles Moore.
She participated in public service in both the American Institute of Architects and the city of Berkeley, as an art commissioner
and civic activist, advocating better design for public buildings and parks. She was also active in the Town and Gown Club
in Berkeley, and before her final illness had completed writing a history of the club for its centennial celebration. She
passed away in March, 1998.
Sources:
AIA-Northern California Chapter Records, membership files. Environmental Design Archives, U.C. Berkeley
Temko, Allan. Accessed 4/6/2016 http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/OBITUARY-Elizabeth-Thompson-3008458.php
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Elizabeth Kendall Thompson Papers, BANC MSS 78/178c, The Bancroft Library, University of California,
Berkeley.
Processing Information
Processed by Waverly Lowell in 2017.
Scope and Content
The Elizabeth Kendall Thompson Papers contain records related to the professional career of author/editor E.K. Thompson (1910-1998)
and the journal
Architectural Record (AR). These records include manuscript materials, photographs, ephemera, and clippings.They reflect Thompson’s role as West
Coast Editor for
Architectural Record including research material collected for her articles as well as her involvement with professional organizations.
The Elizabeth Kendall Thompson Papers are organized by into two series: Records of
Architectural Record; and Subject files.
The Records of
Architectural Record (boxes 1-2) are limited in scope and contain correspondence, clippings and photographs related to the
Architectural Record Houses Issue (1971 and 1973); correspondence with photographers and contributors; and material related to published articles. Subject
files consist primarily of correspondence, clippings, photographs, notes, and ephemera related to an assortment of topics.
These contain material Thompson was likely gathering for future articles. Topics include Architectural License Examinations,
AIA awards, the Organization of Architectural Employees, competitions for the California Governor’s Mansion and the Lawrence
Hall of Science, projects such as development in Hawaii, Ghirardelli Square, parks, transportation, redevelopment, U.S. State
Dept. Designs for foreign offices, and land use. There are extensive files on New Towns, and biographical information related
primarily to architects but also to a few related artists, planners, politicians, etc.
Conditions Governing Use
Materials in this collection may be protected by the U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.). In addition, the reproduction
of some materials may be restricted by terms of University of California gift or purchase agreements, donor restrictions,
privacy and publicity rights, licensing and trademarks. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by copyright beyond
that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of without permission of the copyright owner. Responsibility for
any use rests exclusively with the user.
All requests to reproduce, publish, quote from, or otherwise use collection materials must be submitted in writing to the
Head of Public Services, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley 94720-6000. Requests to reproduce images
from photographer Gabriel Moulin should be submitted to Moulin Studios.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Thompson, Elizabeth Kendall
Architects -- California -- San Francisco Bay Area
Architectural firms--California--San Francisco Bay Area--20th century
Architecture -- Competitions
Architecture -- United States -- History
Architecture -- Pictorial works
Embassy buildings -- Design and construction
Public buildings
San Francisco (Calif.)--Buildings, structures, etc.
Series 1:
Records related to
Architectural Record
1965-1973
box 1, folder 1
Architectural Record Houses: Correspondence
1971
box 1, folder 2
Architectural Record Houses Issue 1972
1971
box 1, folder 3
Architectural Record Houses: Correspondence
1973
box 1, folder 6
Correspondence: Annette Netburn
1972
box 1, folder 9
Correspondence: S, W-Z
1972
box 1, folder 10
Corresponence: Return of materials
1971
box 1, folder 11
Corresponence: Return of materials
1972
box 1, folder 12
Corresponence: Return of materials
1973
box 2, folder 1
Colorado College: Olin Hall of Science
1965
Scope and Contents
Caudill, Rowlett, Scott
box 2, folder 2
Redwood National Bank, Napa, CA
1965
Scope and Contents
Smith, Neil
box 2, folder 3
College of the Desert, Palm Desert, CA
1965
Scope and Contents
Warnecke, John Carl
box 2, folder 4
Upgrading Downtown, Fresno, CA
1965
Scope and Contents
Fresno Mall; Gruen, Victor & Assoc
box 2, folder 5
Sea World, Mission Bay
1965
Scope and Contents
Gruen, Victor & Assoc
box 2, folder 6
Medical Office Group, Mountain View, CA
1965
Scope and Contents
Garwood, William Guy
box 2, folder 7
University of Colorado, Kittridge Residences
1965
Scope and Contents
Wagener, H.D. & Assoc
box 2, folder 8
Lloyd Plaza, Portland OR
1965
box 2, folder 9
Waiohai Resort, Poipu, HI
1966
Scope and Contents
Ossipoff, Vladimir
box 2, folder 10
Century Plaza Hotel, Los Angeles, CA
1966
Scope and Contents
Yamasaki, Minoru
box 2, folder 11
Colleges Universities: Architecture School Buildings
1970-71
Series 2:
Subject Files
1959-1975
carton 1, folder 1-5
National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB)
1971
carton 1, folder 6
California State Board of Architectural Examiners
1971-1972
carton 1, folder 7
Architectural License Seminar Examination Handbook
undated
carton 1, folder 13-14
American Advancement for the Advancement of Science: Meeting
1974
carton 1, folder 15
Architectural Education
undated
carton 1, folder 16
Bay Area Urban Growth
1975
carton 1, folder 17
CA: State Capital Restoration
1977
carton 1, folder 18-20
CA Governor's Mansion Competition
1962-1975
carton 2, folder 2-3
East Bay Regional Park District
1965-1968
carton 2, folder 4
Educational Facilities
undated
carton 2, folder 5
Hawaii: Development
1966-1970
carton 2, folder 6
Hawaii (photographs)
undated
carton 2, folder 8
International Architectural Foundation: International Design Competition - Manila
1975
carton 2, folder 9-10
International Architectural Foundation: International Design Competition for urban settlement in developing countries
1974
carton 2, folder 15-21
Organization of Architectural Employees
1968-1974
carton 2, folder 23
20/20 Vision for San Francisco
1962
carton 2, folder 24
San Francisco Community Renewal Program
1965
carton 2, folder 25
S.F. Bay Area Bridges
undated
carton 2, folder 26
S.F. Ghirardelli Square
1965-1975
carton 2, folder 27
S.F. Jackie Robinson Square, Hunters Point, SF
1971
carton 2, folder 28
San Francisco: Public Transit
1948-1956
carton 2, folder 29
San Francisco Planning and Urban Renewal (SPUR)
1972-1975
carton 2, folder 30
San Francisco Planning and Urban Renewal (SPUR)
undated
carton 3, folder 2-3
Seattle, WA: Pioneer Square,
1959-1972
carton 3, folder 4
Seattle, WA: projects
1965, 1972
carton 3, folder 5
Seattle, WA: Freeway
1970-1974
carton 3, folder 6-7
UC Berkeley, Lawrence Hall of Science competition
1962
carton 3, folder 8
UC Berkeley, Lawrence Hall of Science competition
1962-1965
carton 3, folder 9
U.C. Santa Cruz: Long Range Development Plan
1963
carton 3, folder 10
U.S. Deptof State. Designs for Foreign Offices
1958
carton 3, folder 11
U.S. Forest Service: three facilities
1967
carton 3, folder 12
U.S. Navy: Barracks, San Diego, CA
1969
Scope and Contents
Delawie, Macy & Herderson; Shulman, Julius
carton 3, folder 13
Western Wood Products: Urban Projection Plan
1966
carton 3, folder 14
Misc Projects Developments
undated
carton 3, folder 15
Misc Reports: Parks, Development
undated
carton 3, folder 20
New Towns - Correspondence
1973
carton 3, folder 21
New Towns: Theory
undated
carton 3, folder 24
New Towns Northern California
undated
carton 3, folder 25
New Towns Foster City
undated
carton 3, folder 26
New Towns Redwood Shores
undated
carton 3, folder 27
New Towns: Westlake Village
1966
carton 3, folder 28
New Towns: Westlake Village
1966
carton 3, folder 29
New Towns Southern California
undated
carton 3, folder 30
New Towns Calabassas Park
undated
carton 3, folder 31
New Towns Capistrano
undated
carton 4, folder 1
New Towns: Century City, CA
1973
carton 4, folder 2
New Towns "The City", Los Angeles
undated
carton 4, folder 3
New Towns El Dorado Hills
undated
carton 4, folder 4
New Towns: Huntington Harbor
1963
carton 4, folder 5-9
New Towns: Irvine
undated
carton 4, folder 10-11
University Town Center, Irvine
undated
carton 4, folder 12
New Towns: Janss/Conejoi
1966
carton 4, folder 13
New Towns: Laguna Niguel, CA
1961-1971
carton 4, folder 14
New Towns: Mission Viejo
1965
carton 4, folder 15
New Towns Moreno Valley
undated
carton 4, folder 16
New Towns: Rancho Bernardo
1965
carton 4, folder 17
New Towns: Rancho California
1967
carton 4, folder 18-20
New Towns: Valencia, CA
1968-1972
carton 4, folder 21
Woodbridge Village Plan
1973
Scope and Contents
Sasaki Walker
carton 4, folder 22
New Towns: Hawaii
1959-1971
carton 4, folder 23
New Towns:Wailea, HI
1969
carton 4, folder 24
New Towns Southwest
undated
carton 4, folder 25
New Towns: Litchfield Park, AZ
1966
Scope and Contents
Victor Gruen Assoc
carton 4, folder 26
New Towns Northwest
undated
carton 4, folder 27
New Towns Mountain States
undated
carton 4, folder 28
New Town Jonathan, MN
undated
carton 4, folder 29
New Towns: Columbia, MD
1966-1968
Scope and Contents
Rouse Inc
carton 4, folder 30
New Towns: Reston, VA
1964-71
carton 4, folder 31
New Towns: Reston, VA
undated
Scope and Contents
Goodman, Charles M. FAIA
carton 4, folder 32
New Towns Foreign
undated
carton 4, folder 33
New Towns Britain
undated
carton 4, folder 34
New Town Other Areas
undated
carton 5, folder 1
Biographies (architects, planners, artists, etcetera), A
1959-1975
carton 5, folder 2
Biographies (architects, planners, artists, etcetera), B
1959-1975
carton 5, folder 3
Biographies (architects, planners, artists, etcetera), C
1959-1975
carton 5, folder 4
Biographies (architects, planners, artists, etcetera), D
1959-1975
carton 5, folder 5
Biographies (architects, planners, artists, etcetera), E
1959-1975
carton 5, folder 6
Biographies (architects, planners, artists, etcetera), F
1959-1975
carton 5, folder 7
Biographies (architects, planners, artists, etcetera), G
1959-1975
carton 5, folder 8
Biographies (architects, planners, artists, etcetera), H
1959-1975
carton 5, folder 9
Biographies (architects, planners, artists, etcetera), J
1959-1975
carton 5, folder 10
Biographies (architects, planners, artists, etcetera), K
1959-1975
carton 5, folder 11
Biographies (architects, planners, artists, etcetera), L
1959-1975
carton 5, folder 12
Biographies (architects, planners, artists, etcetera), M
1959-1975
carton 5, folder 13
Biographies (architects, planners, artists, etcetera), N
1959-1975
carton 5, folder 14
Biographies (architects, planners, artists, etcetera), O
1959-1975
carton 5, folder 15
Biographies (architects, planners, artists, etcetera), P
1959-1975
carton 5, folder 16
Biographies (architects, planners, artists, etcetera), Q
1959-1975
carton 5, folder 17
Biographies (architects, planners, artists, etcetera), R
1959-1975
carton 5, folder 18
Biographies (architects, planners, artists, etcetera), S
1959-1975
carton 5, folder 19
Biographies (architects, planners, artists, etcetera), T
1959-1975
carton 5, folder 20
Biographies (architects, planners, artists, etcetera), U
1959-1975
carton 5, folder 21
Biographies (architects, planners, artists, etcetera), V
1959-1975
carton 5, folder 22
Biographies (architects, planners, artists, etcetera), W
1959-1975
carton 5, folder 23
Biographies (architects, planners, artists, etcetera), X-Z
1959-1975
