Richard C. Bell Drawings and Other Materials 1924-2017

Summary
Contents
Names/subjects
Using these materials
Please note that some historical materials may contain harmful content and/or descriptions. Learn how we’re addressing it.
Creator
Bell, Richard C., 1928-
Size
224.25 linear feet (890 tubes, 147 flat folders, 5 boxes, 1 half box.); 1 website
Call number
MC 00084
Access to materials

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 will require additional advanced notice. Copies of digital files will be provided for use in the SCRC Reading Room upon request.

The Richard C. Bell Drawings and Other Materials, 1924-2017, document the professional activities of landscape architect Richard C. Bell. The collection consists of landscape plans and planting details, prospective elevations, technical drawings, and web content, as well as associated architecture plans created by partnering architectural firms. A small number of project files, which document both residential and public spaces, are also found in the collection. Bell’s projects include private residences, subdivision developments, municipal and civic structures, various businesses, and some two dozen college and universities.

Richard C. (Richard Chevalier) Bell (1928- ), a native of Manteo, N.C., received a degree in landscape architecture from North Carolina State University's College of Design (then, the North Carolina State College School of Design) in 1950. Afterwards, he apprenticed under Simonds & Simonds of Pittsburgh, Pa., and Frederick B. Stresau of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. At the age of 21, he became the youngest designer to receive the Prix de Rome, allowing him to study in Europe for two years. He became a Fellow of the American Academy in Rome. In 1954, Bell became a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) and he was elected to Fellowship in the organization in 1980. In 1955, Bell founded his first firm in Raleigh, N.C., and for many years operated the business from its award-winning office space, Water Garden Office Park. His son-in-law Dennis Glazener worked for the firm, and eventually became a partner. Bell retired in 2007.

Biographical/historical note

Richard C. (Richard Chevalier) Bell (1928- ), a native of Manteo, N.C., received a degree in landscape architecture from North Carolina State University’s College of Design (then, the North Carolina State College School of Design) in 1950. Afterwards, he apprenticed under Simonds & Simonds of Pittsburgh, Pa., and Frederick B. Stresau of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. At the age of 21, he became the youngest designer to receive the Prix de Rome, allowing him to study in Europe for two years. He became a Fellow of the American Academy in Rome. In 1954, Bell became a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) and he was elected to Fellowship in the organization in 1980.

In 1955, Bell founded his first firm in Raleigh, N.C., and continued to operate the business under various names from its award-winning office space, Water Garden Office Park, until his retirement in 2007. Upon Bell’s retirement, the firm was handed over to his longtime partner and son-in-law, Dennis Glazener (1955-2010). Over the course of his career, Bell completed over 2,000 landscape architecture projects, received honor awards from 27 national groups, including the American Association of Nurserymen, lectured on environmental design at universities and professional organizations, and served as a member of Raleigh’s Planning Commission. In 2008, in recognition of his contributions to the City of Raleigh, Bell was inducted into the Raleigh Hall of Fame.

Adapted from: Bell, Richard C. “About.” Pebbles in the Pond: News and Musings by Landscape Architect Dick Bell. 29 June 2009. 18 May 2011 http://dickbell.wordpress.com/about/.

Scope/content

The Richard C. Bell Papers, 1924-2017, document the professional activities of landscape architect Richard C. Bell. The collection consists of landscape plans and planting details, prospective elevations and technical drawings, as well as associated architecture plans created by partnering architectural firms. Archived web content and a small number of project files are also found in the collection. Works are concentrated in North Carolina, but projects from Virginia and South Carolina constitute a noticeable minority in the collection. A limited number of projects, typically entries to design competitions, are from other states.

The collection includes Bell’s projects at private residences, subdivision developments, municipal and civic structures, various businesses, and some two dozen college and universities. Well-known educational facilities projects include North Carolina State University’s University Plaza (the Brickyard), master plans for St. Mary’s College (now St. Mary’s School) and Appalachian State University, the Amphitheater and Lake at Meredith College, and various campus enhancements at East Carolina University and Duke University. Other prominent works include Fearrington Village in Chatham County, redevelopment of Raleigh’s Pullen Park, and Bicentennial Plaza in Raleigh, which includes North Carolina’s Legislature Building and the state’s science and history museums.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged into three series:

  • Drawings
  • Project Files
  • Web Content

Use of these materials

The nature of the NC State University Libraries' Special Collections means that copyright or other information about restrictions may be difficult or even impossible to determine despite reasonable efforts. The NC State University Libraries claims only physical ownership of most Special Collections materials.

The materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source.

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], Richard C. Bell Drawings and Other Materials, MC 00084, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC

Related material

Source of acquisition

Gift of Richard C. Bell, 2007 (Accession no. 2007.0343); Bell-Glazener Design Group, 2016-2018 (Accession no. 2016.0182, 2017.0128, 2017.0303, 2018.0161, 2018.0195); and Bell-Glazener-Jenkins Planning, 2017 (Accession no. 2017.0082). Web content harvested using the Internet Archive's Archive-It services, one time in 2017.

Processing information

Processed by: Aaron Cusick and Matisha Wiggs; machine-readable finding aid created by: Aaron Cusick, Matisha Wiggs, and Emily Walters, August 2011. Archived web content processed by Liz Bell, 2019 October; addition processed and finding aid updated by Shima Hosseininasab, 2021 May.

Sponsor

This collection was processed with support from the Council on Library and Information Resources Cataloging Hidden Special Collections and Archives program.

Please note that some historical materials may contain harmful content and/or descriptions. Learn how we’re addressing it.

The collection is organized into two principal series:

Please note that some historical materials may contain harmful content and/or descriptions. Learn how we’re addressing it.

Access to the collection

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 will require additional advanced notice. Copies of digital files will be provided for use in the SCRC Reading Room upon request.

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], Richard C. Bell Drawings and Other Materials, MC 00084, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC

Use of these materials

The nature of the NC State University Libraries' Special Collections means that copyright or other information about restrictions may be difficult or even impossible to determine despite reasonable efforts. The NC State University Libraries claims only physical ownership of most Special Collections materials.

The materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source.

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.