Collection is open for research; access requires at least 48 hours advance notice.
The Edwin F. Harris Papers, 1957-2014, collection contains drawings, blueprints, maps, correspondence, photographs, and other documents related to the professional career of Edwin F. Harris. The collection reflects Harris’ work as an architect on a number of university campus planning projects and commercial building projects. During his more than two decades of employment with North Carolina State University, Harris contributed to the design and construction of many portions of the university, including Centennial Campus and the College of Veterinary Medicine. Harris also contributed to the design of several commercial buildings in North Carolina’s Research Triangle and buildings on other North Carolina university campuses. These projects include The Carolina Theatre and the North Carolina Biotechnology Center in Durham, the Worrell Professional Center at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, and the YMCA at Guilford College in Greensboro.
Edwin F. Harris, nicknamed "Abie," was born January 7, 1934, in Elkin, North Carolina. He graduated from Elkin High School in 1952 and enrolled at the North Carolina State College, School of Design (later North Carolina State University, College of Design) to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in architecture. He graduated with honors in 1957. Harris was awarded the 45th Paris Prize in Architecture in 1958 which he used to travel to Paris, after a period of Army service. After returning from Paris, he became a lecturer at the NC State University School of Design and joined Leif Valand and Associates as an Architect-in-Training. In 1966 he was a co-founder and partner of Harris & Burns, Architects (1966-1968) and then a co-founder and principle for Envirotek, Inc. (1969-1974). In 1966, Harris also joined the campus planning department at NC State University. In 1970 he became Director of Facilities Planning and in 1980 University Architect. In addition to being an avid runner, Edwin F. Harris spent much of his spare time participating in design competitions and serving as a consultant on various projects. His honors include the grand prize in a planning competition for the University of Miami in 1986, his election as an American Institute of Architects Fellow in 1987, and the 9th Annual Frank B. Turner Award in 1991.
Edwin F. Harris, nicknamed "Abie," was born January 7, 1934, in Elkin, North Carolina. He graduated from Elkin High School in 1952 and enrolled at the North Carolina State College, School of Design (later North Carolina State University, College of Design) to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in architecture. He graduated with honors in 1957. Harris was awarded the 45th Paris Prize in Architecture in 1958 which he used to travel to Paris, after a period of Army service. After returning from Paris, he became a lecturer at the NC State University School of Design and joined Leif Valand and Associates as an Architect-in-Training. In 1966 he was a co-founder and partner of Harris & Burns, Architects (1966-1968) and then a co-founder and principle for Envirotek, Inc. (1969-1974). In 1966, Harris also joined the campus planning department at NC State University. In 1970 he became Director of Facilities Planning and in 1980 University Architect. In addition to being an avid runner, Edwin F. Harris spent much of his spare time participating in design competitions and serving as a consultant on various projects. His honors include the grand prize in a planning competition for the University of Miami in 1986, his election as an American Institute of Architects Fellow in 1987, and the 9th Annual Frank B. Turner Award in 1991.
The Edwin F. Harris Papers, 1957-2014, collection contains drawings, blueprints, maps, correspondence, photographs, and other documents related to the professional career of Edwin F. Harris. The collection reflects Harris’ work as an architect on a number of university campus planning projects and commercial building projects. During his more than two decades of employment with North Carolina State University, Harris contributed to the design and construction of many portions of the university, including Centennial Campus and the College of Veterinary Medicine. Harris also contributed to the design of several commercial buildings in North Carolina’s Research Triangle and buildings on other North Carolina university campuses. These projects include The Carolina Theatre and the North Carolina Biotechnology Center in Durham, the Worrell Professional Center at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, and the YMCA at Guilford College in Greensboro.
This collection is organized into 4 series: Professional Papers and Related Materials, North Carolina State University, Consulting Work, and Oversized Materials.
The NC State University Libraries generally claims only physical ownership of most Special Collections materials. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. Libraries staff are unable to advise on copyright and other legal matters; the user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Helpful resources for assessing copyright include Cornell Libraries' "Copyright Services: Copyright Term and the Public Domain" and copyright.gov. This collection may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information about identifiable living individuals, which may be protected under federal or state laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that there may be legal ramifications for disclosing this information.
The University Archives operates in accordance with the State Public Records Act, with unrestricted access to records not covered by state and federal statutes and regulations.
[Identification of item], Edwin F. Harris Papers, MC 00258, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC
Donated by Edwin F. Harris, Jr., 1999 and 2015 (Accession nos. 1999.0006 and 2015.0040)
Processed by Kellie Strickland, 2008 March Encoded by Kellie Strickland, 2008 March Revised by Gwynn Thayer, 2015 March; Fully processed by Jennifer Baker with assistance from Austin Robinson and Leah Bullard, August 2017.
The collection is organized into five principal series:
The Professional Papers and Related Materials series, 1957-2014, contains documentation on the professional organizations Harris was involved with, including the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the North Carolina Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (NCAIA) and the Association of University Architects (AUA). This series also includes exhibitions, publications, presentations, competitions, job applications, mementos and sketches.
This series is arranged in alphabetical order by title.
The North Carolina State University series contains materials related to Edwin F. "Abie" Harris' work as a lecturer, campus planning consultant, Director of Facilities Planning and University Architect at North Carolina State University from 1961 to 1987.
Most of this series is arranged in alphabetical order by building or project title with teaching materials filed alphabetically at the end of the series.
The Consulting Work series includes administrative records, proposals, sketches, and correspondence for projects that Edwin F. "Abie" Harris worked on outside of North Carolina State University. These projects were undertaken both while he was employed at NC State University and following his retirement from the university.
This series is arranged alphabetically by project.
The Oversized Materials series contains blueprints, oversize drawings, topographical maps, display boards, and student work of Edwin F. "Abie" Harris.
Access to physical material and digital files not available online may be provided for use in the SCRC Reading Room after staff review.
Some materials may not have been digitized or made available online.
Access to physical material and digital files not available online may be provided for use in the SCRC Reading Room after staff review.
Some materials may not have been digitized or made available online.
Correspondence, publications, awards and nominations, personal cards, resumes and biographies, and designs and blueprints.
Correspondence, resumes, biographies, financial papers, awards and nominiations, publications, pamphlets, drawings and sketches, designs and photos.
Collection is open for research; access requires at least 48 hours advance 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
[Identification of item], Edwin F. Harris Papers, MC 00258, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC
The NC State University Libraries generally claims only physical ownership of most Special Collections materials. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. Libraries staff are unable to advise on copyright and other legal matters; the user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Helpful resources for assessing copyright include Cornell Libraries' "Copyright Services: Copyright Term and the Public Domain" and copyright.gov. This collection may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information about identifiable living individuals, which may be protected under federal or state laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that there may be legal ramifications for disclosing this information.
The University Archives operates in accordance with the State Public Records Act, with unrestricted access to records not covered by state and federal statutes and regulations.