Description
Contains records related to the life and career of landscape architect Robert N. Royston. The vast majority of this collection
documents the projects of Royston's various firms, with a much smaller representation of Royston's work outside the firm in
the professional or academic context. Of particular interest is Royston's participation in the landscape design for various
sub-divisions and individual houses built by Eichler Homes and T. Jack Foster and Sons (Foster City). In addition, the many
projects funded by FHA and HUD reflect both these organizations' involvement in design and development.
Background
Robert N. Royston (1918- ) began his career working weekends in the office of Thomas D. Church while he was a student in
the landscape architecture program at the University of California, Berkeley. He continued to work for Church for two years
following his graduation in 1940. However, after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Royston enlisted and served in the Pacific
Theater during World War II. Reaching the rank of Navy 1st Lieutenant, Royston returned to civilian life in California in
1945. In a 1998 interview he remarked that, "the War gave you a chance to think" and "I used to go into my cabin on the ship
and design jewelry, houses, and gardens -- it kept me sane."
Extent
1 manuscript box, 95 cartons, 24 cartons (folded drawings), 17 Flat File drawers
Restrictions
All requests for permission to publish, reproduce, or quote from materials in the collection should be discussed with the
Curator.
Availability
Collection open for research.