The Herbert J. Powell papers span 8 linear feet and date from circa 1920 to circa 1960. Boxes 1 through 5 of collection contain Powell’s postcard collection of art and architecture around the world (primarily Europe) organized by region; as well as 11 volumes of a series entitled El Arte En Espana, where each volume is devoted to one Spanish architectural monument (for example The Cathedral of Burgos); letters; ticket stubs; and the Liverpool Cathedral official handbook (1924). The collection also includes one flat file drawer that contains oversize black-and-white photographs of high schools designed by the firm Marsh, Smith and Powell, as well as architectural drawings, reprographic copies, and Powell’s student work from his time at Harvard University.

Herbert J. Powell was born on January 30, 1898 in Chicago, Illinois. In 1920, he graduated from the University of Redlands from which he received an A.B. degree. Four years later, Powell graduated from Harvard University with an A.M. degree in architecture. After school he went to work in the office of McKim, Mead & White. From 1925 to 1926 Powell worked in the office of Thomas H. Ellet in New York, before coming to Los Angeles to work for the firm of Marston, Van Pelt & Maybury in Pasadena. In 1929, Powell became a partner in the firm of Marsh, Smith and Powell. Powell’s more notable projects include: the Memorial Chapel and Currier Gymnasium at Redlands University, Hollywood High School, Newport Harbor Union High School, and many other schools across southern California. Herbert J. Powell died in 1996.

8.0 Linear feet (5 record storage boxes and 1 flat file drawer)

Partially processed collection, open for use by qualified researchers.