Architecture University of Texas

Blake Alexander began what has been known because the Alexander Architectural Archive in 1958, after he directed a group of student designers recording historic structures in Pennsylvania for that Historic American Structures Survey. Professor Alexander modified the HABS format to their own course at UT, needing students in the architectural history class to determine and draw historic Texas structures among their projects. Referred to as Texas Architecture Archive, this quickly growing collection soon outgrew his office and it was moved right into a small storage room, also known as "Alexander's closet."

Within the mid-sixties, certainly one of Professor Alexander's students showed up with large paper sacks full of tattered, water-broken sketches. As Professor Alexander examined them, it grew to become apparent that they actually experienced a ton - the truly amazing Galveston hurricane of 1900. These sketches, through the well-known Galveston architect Nicholas Clayton, had been administered towards the student by Clayton's daughter and grew to become the very first professional records to become deposited in the collection.

The Clayton sketches opened up up the possibilities of seeking original sketches of other important Texas designers whose records must be maintained. In 1979, the overall Libraries (the College of Texas Libraries) grew to become the repository from the records, also it was gone to live in the Architecture and Planning Library and named "The Architectural Sketches Collection."

Other collections grew to become like word spread of the new resource. The household of Robert Ayres generously contributed the records from the Dallas firm of Ayres and Ayres. Comparable time, Professor Alexander approached a descendant of James Riely Gordon, among the premier designers of Texas courthouses to acquire his huge assortment of documents. Professor Alexander also assisted secure the purchase from the original design sketches for that College of Texas campus by Paul Philippe Cret.

Today, the Alexander Architectural Archive may be the biggest such resource in Texas, representing 1000's of projects in Texas in addition to New You are able to, Chicago, California, and The Uk. Holdings include: over 280Thousand sketches, 1, 150 linear ft of papers, photo taking material (56Thousand prints, 22, 700 disadvantages, 214, 600 35mm slides), models and ephemera. Professor Alexander would be a pioneer in realizing the significance of protecting architectural records. The assets he collected have performed a huge role within the restoration of numerous of Texas' most significant structures and remains required for study regarding American architectural history.

In 1997, the Texas Chapter from the Society of Architectural Historians backed an offer to title this unique archive after its founder. The College, in support, recognized that without Alexander's initiative, records in our architectural heritage might have perished from neglect. It's with great appreciation and celebration the collection he founded is known as the Alexander Architectural Archive.

Drury Blakeley Alexander would be a champion for that education, documentation, and upkeep of Texas' architectural heritage. He seemed to be an innovator in realizing the significance of archiving architectural records. The Alexander Architectural Archive increased from his personal collection and stewardship. The assets he collected still play a huge role within the restoration of numerous of Texas' most significant structures and is constantly on the offer the education and scholarship of yankee architectural history.

The College of Texas Libraries and also the School of Architecture celebrated Blake's lengthy existence and achievements inside a memorial gathering locked in the Fight Hall Reading through Room from the Architecture &lifier Planning Library on Saturday, April 28, 2012 from three-5pm. Please consider offering your remembrance of Blake or notice a recording from the service. For more inquiry please contact at 512-495-4621.

To understand more about Blake's existence and legacy, please visit:

Blake Alexander Architectural Library Endowment

Throughout his lengthy career, Blake found great value in the Architecture &lifier Planning Library. He once boasted he personally understood each librarian in the history, from the early years like a retail library until it became a member of the College of Texas Libraries system. The standard from the students' experience seemed to be vital that you Blake. He used the library throughout his school days not to mention ongoing as faculty in teaching and the own research. He understood the library and archive play a huge role in supporting research and scholarship in the School of Architecture through its expertise, services and collections. He backed this using the donation of his personal library, archival collections, and faculty support. It had been with great pride he could continue his stewardship with the gift of the endowment.

"Blake Alexander resided an effective existence like a scholar’s scholar, and that he left us by having an long lasting legacy, " states College of Texas Libraries’ director Dr. Fred Heath. "The Alexander endowment will permanently enrich an excellent library’s contribution to learning and teaching with respect to every student and faculty member it serves.”