George Matsumoto Papers 1945-1991
- Creator
- Matsumoto, George, 1922-
- Size
- 15 linear feet
- Call number
- MC 00042
The bulk of these papers and drawings document the architectural practice of George Matsumoto between 1948 and 1961. The collection includes correspondence, photographs, blueprints, scrapbooks, and architectural drawings that pertain to his modern residential and commercial designs.
Architect George Matsumoto served on the faculty of the School (now College) of Design of North Carolina State College of Agriculture and Engineering (later North Carolina State University) from 1948 to 1961. During his tenure at the School of Design, Matsumoto won more than thirty awards for his residential work and his achievements in design were widely published.
Biographical/historical note
Scope/content
The bulk of these papers and drawings document the architectural practice of George Matsumoto and Associates between 1948 and 1961. These years correspond to his residence in Raleigh, North Carolina, and his tenure on the faculty of North Carolina State College (later North Carolina State University). The collection relates solely to Matsumoto's architectural practice, and there is limited information regarding Matsumoto's personal life and teaching career. Projects in the collection include residential work chiefly in Raleigh, but also in Chapel Hill, Sedgefield (Greensboro), and Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, and Richmond, Virginia. Formats include correspondence, publications, scrapbooks, photographs, architectural drawings, blueprints, specifications, and sketches.
Arrangement
The collection is divided into seven series. The first of these series is the Correspondence series, which provides information on Matsumoto's relationship with his clients and the larger triangular relationship of the architect, client, and builder. Photographs by architectural photographer Joseph Molitor document completed projects and were used by Matsumoto for publications of his own projects. Tear sheets and photographs for most of Matsumoto's North Carolina projects comprise the second series, the Publications and Photographs Series. The third series includes Mounted Photographs used for presentations. The fourth series, Reduced Blueprints is a small sample of major commercial projects completed in California by the firm between 1964 and 1991, including the Bechtel Engineering Center at the University of California at Berkeley. Finally, the bulk of the collection lies in the Drawings and Sketches series, which includes much of his North Carolina work. The sixth series is the architectural model, and the seventh is honors and awards.
Use of these materials
North Carolina State University does not own copyright to this collection. Individuals obtaining materials from the NCSU Libraries' Special Collections Research Center are responsible for using the works in conformance with United States copyright law as well as any donor restrictions accompanying the materials.
This collection may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable living individuals represented in this collection without the consent of those individuals may have legal ramifications (e.g., a cause of action under common law for invasion of privacy may arise if facts concerning an individual's private life are published that would be deemed highly offensive to a reasonable person) for which North Carolina State University assumes no responsibility.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], George Matsumoto Papers, MC 00042, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC
Related material
North Carolina Buildings Collection, MC 00225
Architectural Models of Buildings Designed by George Matsumoto, MC 00447
Source of acquisition
Gift of George Matsumoto, 1996 June 6; 1997 July 23; Accession 2017.0072; Accession 2017.0207; Accession 2017.0250; Gift of Matsumoto Family, 2017.
The collection is organized into seven principal series:
Correspondence includes letters, contracts, invoices, statements, sketches, and other materials that document the professional relationship between Matsumoto, his client, and the builder on the project. The content of this material ranges from routine exchanges to in-depth discussions regarding the design process and client needs. The projects in this series are chiefly residential, however, several unbuilt commercial projects are represented. The series is arranged chronologically by client.
4.5 archival boxes
The majority of this series contains tear sheets form various publications, chiefly from Pencil Point magazine, of the bulk of Matsumoto's North Carolina and Virginia residential work. It includes photographs taken by Joseph Molitor and used by Matsumoto to enhance the presentation of publications and articles on his projects. Generally the photographs in the series have been cut up or altered to match the relevant published photographs. The series is arranged chronologically by project.
3.5 archival boxes
This series contains black and white photographs from selected Matsumoto projects mounted on 12 x 15 presentation boards for use in lectures and presentations. All photographs in this series were taken by Joseph Molitor, a prominent architectural photographer. Series is arranged chronologically by project.
1 archival box
5 presentation boards
10 presentation boards
5 presentation boards
11 presentation boards
Series includes a sample of four major projects from the firm of George Matsumoto and Associates between 1964 and 1991. These commercial works represent the major projects from Matsumoto's practice in California. Series is arranged chronologically by project.
1 archival box
The bulk of the collection is represented by this group of drawings. Chiefly North Carolina projects, the drawings represent Matsumoto's award-winning residential work. Several unbuilt projects are represented and generally preliminary studies as well as completed working drawings are present. There are a limited number of design sketches and renderings, however several preliminary plans and studies with each project reflect the considerable time Matsumoto spent working closely with his clients. Series is arranged chronologically by project.
- Drawings
- Blueprints
- Photographs
- San Francisco (Calif.) -- Buildings, structures, etc.
- Architecture
- Letters (correspondence)
- Raleigh (N.C.) -- Buildings, structures, etc.
- Architects -- North Carolina
- Architecture -- United States -- History -- 20th century
- Architectural drawing -- North Carolina -- 20th century
- Architectural practice -- North Carolina -- 20th century
Access to the collection
This collection is open for research; access requires at least 48 hours advance notice. Because of the nature of certain archival formats, including digital and audio-visual materials, access to digital files may require additional advanced notice.
For more information contact us via mail, phone, or our web form.
Mailing address:
Special Collections Research Center
Box 7111
Raleigh, NC, 27695-7111
Phone: (919) 515-2273
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], George Matsumoto Papers, MC 00042, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC
Use of these materials
North Carolina State University does not own copyright to this collection. Individuals obtaining materials from the NCSU Libraries' Special Collections Research Center are responsible for using the works in conformance with United States copyright law as well as any donor restrictions accompanying the materials.
This collection may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable living individuals represented in this collection without the consent of those individuals may have legal ramifications (e.g., a cause of action under common law for invasion of privacy may arise if facts concerning an individual's private life are published that would be deemed highly offensive to a reasonable person) for which North Carolina State University assumes no responsibility.