Alden B. Dow Architecture Study Collection 1932-1951

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.
Creators
Alden B. Dow Associates; Dow, Alden B., 1904-1983
Size
0.3 linear feet (1 flat folder)
Call number
MC 00562
Access to materials

This collection is open for research; access requires at least 48 hours advance notice.

The Alden B. Dow Architecture Study Collection contains architectural drawings and blueprints for eight of Alden B. Dow's architectural works in Michigan. These items relate to a visit to NC State University's School of Design in 1951. The collection also includes a letter from Dean Henry Kamphoefner to Dow highlighting Dow's visit.

Alden B. Dow (1904-1983) was a Modernist architect. The son of Grace and Herbert Dow, of Dow Chemical Company, he graduated from Midland High School and in 1923 attended the University of Michigan for engineering. After three years, he left to study architecture at Columbia University, graduating in 1931. In the summer of 1933, he and his wife Vada Bennett studied under Frank Lloyd Wright. Dow opened his own firm, Alden B. Dow Associates, in 1934. He was known for the many homes he designed in the modernist style, mostly in Michigan. His structures in North Carolina include the 1934 Ethyl-Dow House Prototypes designed as residences at Kure Beach for the bromine factory run jointly by Dow Chemical Company and Ethyl Corporation from 1934 to 1946, and the 1963 Duke University President's House in Durham. Dow was awarded the Diplome de Grand Prix at the 1937 Paris International Exposition. In 1983, shortly before his death, he was named the architect laureate of Michigan.

Biographical/historical note

Alden B. Dow (1904-1983) was a Modernist architect. The son of Grace and Herbert Dow, of Dow Chemical Company, he graduated from Midland High School and in 1923 attended the University of Michigan for engineering. After three years, he left to study architecture at Columbia University, graduating in 1931. In the summer of 1933, he and his wife Vada Bennett studied under Frank Lloyd Wright. Dow opened his own firm, Alden B. Dow Associates, in 1934. He was known for the many homes he designed in the modernist style, mostly in Michigan. His structures in North Carolina include the 1934 Ethyl-Dow House Prototypes designed as residences at Kure Beach for the bromine factory run jointly by Dow Chemical Company and Ethyl Corporation from 1934 to 1946, and the 1963 Duke University President's House in Durham. Dow was awarded the Diplome de Grand Prix at the 1937 Paris International Exposition. In 1983, shortly before his death, he was named the architect laureate of Michigan.

Scope/content

The Alden B. Dow Architecture Study Collection contains architectural drawings and blueprints for eight of Alden B. Dow's architectural works in Michigan. These items relate to a visit to NC State University's School of Design in 1951. The collection also includes a letter from Dean Henry Kamphoefner to Dow highlighting Dow's visit.

Arrangement

This collection has not yet received full archival processing. Materials are arranged in the order received.

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], Alden B. Dow Architecture Study Collection, MC 00562, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC

Source of acquisition

Transferred by North Carolina State University, College of Design, 2015 June (Accession 2015.0137)

Processing information

Processed by: Gwynn Thayer and Jessica Serrao, June 2015; machine-readable finding aid by: Jessica Serrao, June 2015.

Please note that some historical materials may contain harmful content and/or descriptions. Learn how we’re addressing it.
Josephine Ashmun House (Dow, Architect), Midland, Michigan July 27, 1951 (2015.0137)
Flat folder 1
R. B. Bennett House (Dow, Architect), Midland, Michigan March 5, 1951 (2015.0137)
Flat folder 1
Parker Frisselle House (Dow, Architect), Midland, Michigan August 14, 1950 (2015.0137)
Flat folder 1
Robert S. Ballmer House (Dow, Architect), Midland, Michigan (2015.0137)
Flat folder 1
Thomas Defoe House (Dow, Architect), Bay City, Michigan October 15, 1948 (2015.0137)
Flat folder 1
Residence - Owner's name withheld (Robert B. Frantz & James A. Spence, Architects; Alden B. Dow, Associate Designer), Saginaw, Michigan June 1932 (2015.0137)
Flat folder 1
The Cavanagh House (Dow, Architect), Midland, Michigan 1934 (2015.0137)
Flat folder 1
Mr. and Mrs. M. F. Saxton House (Dow, Architect), Midland, Michigan 1947 (2015.0137)
Flat folder 1
Letter to Mr. Alden B. Dow from Dean Henry L. Kamphoefner October 18, 1951 (2015.0137)
Flat folder 1
Please note that some historical materials may contain harmful content and/or descriptions. Learn how we’re addressing it.
Please note that some historical materials may contain harmful content and/or descriptions. Learn how we’re addressing it.

Access to the collection

This 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

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Alden B. Dow Architecture Study Collection, MC 00562, 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.