Harris Armstrong Collection, 1924-1972 | WUA University Archives

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Collection Overview

Title: Harris Armstrong Collection, 1924-1972

ID: WUA/06/wua00372

Primary Creator: Armstrong, Harris

Extent: 33.0 Linear Feet

Arrangement:

This collection is divided into twelve (12) series as follows:

Series 1: Personal and Professional Development (arranged alphabetically)

Series 2: Publications Featuring Prominent Architects and Contemporary Architectural Subjects (arranged alphabetically)

Series 3: Specifications and Correspondence for Commercial Architectural Projects (arranged alphabetically)

Series 4: Specifications and Correspondence for Residential Architectural Projects (arranged alphabetically)

Series 5: Oversized Plans for Commercial Architectural Projects (arranged alphabetically)

Series 6: Oversized Plans for Residential Architectural Projects (arranged alphabetically)

Series 7: Oversized Plans for Residential Furnishing Projects (arranged alphabetically by project name)

Series 8: Oversized Renderings, Photographs, and Miscellany for Unidentified Architectural Projects (arranged by size)

Series 9: Oversized Renderings, Photographs, and Miscellany for Various Architectural Projects (arranged by size)

Series 10: Oversized Education, Professional Qualifications, and Miscellany

Series 11: Supplemental Information for Commercial and Architectural Projects (includes photographs and documents) (arranged alphabetically)

Series 12: Photographs of Various Projects (arranged by size, then alphabetically) This series includes photographs from at least one exhibit of Armstrong’s work, “Midwest Modern”, based on the label on the back of most photographs. See the text explaining this exhibit in Box 4. Posters from another exhibit are also included in Box 4, which may have included these photographs.

When given, project numbers generally indicate that a contract was signed, bids secured, and the project completed. Armstrong assigned the year and project order. For example 57-6 would indicate the initial planning was in 1957 and was the sixth project of that year.

Languages: English

Scope and Contents of the Materials

This collection documents the career of St. Louis architect Harris Armstrong. Materials include specifications, plans, and architectural drawings for residential, commercial, and furnishing projects; photographs of projects; and professional publications and correspondence.

Collection Historical Note

Harris Armstrong (April 6, 1899 – December 15, 1973) was a well-read and largely self-taught modern architect revered for his masterful application of strikingly colorful, innovative, and spacious structures for every use conceivable. Especially popular in America's Middle West from the 1930's to 1960's, Armstrong's favored designs quietly echoed the Scandinavian and Asian tendency of observing economic resourcefulness of material and elegant simplicity of form, coupled with his self-defined brash interpretation of Frank Lloyd Wright's work.

After serving in the United States Army Air Corps as a private during the First World War, Armstrong studied architecture at both Ohio State University and Washington University, though he never graduated from either institution. From 1924 to the early 1930's Armstrong served as a draftsman in several firms in New York and St. Louis. It was when Armstrong worked as a landscape gardener during the Depression that his novel architectural vision of combining flavorful interior and exterior design elements began to mature. In the mid 1930's, Armstrong formally started his own practice in Kirkwood, Missouri.

Highly sought after for his daring designs and known for his flamboyant and engaging disposition, Armstrong was equally successful in procuring scores of residential and commercial contracts. In St. Louis, some of his residential clients included Doctors Carl and Gerty Cori (Nobel Peace Prize recipients) and Dr. Henry Hampton. His notable commercial projects and clients in St. Louis included Washington University, McDonnell Aircraft Corporation, American Stove Company, Scruggs-Vandervoort-Barney, the St. Louis Ethical Society, the Kirkwood Community Center, the Lutheran Church of the Atonement, and various Y.W.C.A. branches. Additionally, Armstrong was the only solo-finalist in the design competition for the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial in St. Louis.

Administrative Information

Repository: WUA University Archives

Accruals: Accruals have been added to form Series 11 at the end of the collection.

Access Restrictions: Open

Use Restrictions:

Users of the collection must read and agree to abide by the rules and procedures set forth in the Materials Use Policies.

Providing access to materials does not constitute permission to publish or otherwise authorize use. All publication not covered by fair use or other exceptions is restricted to those who have permission of the copyright holder, which may or may not be Washington University.

If you wish to publish or license Special Collections materials, please contact Special Collections to inquire about copyright status at (314) 935-5495 or spec@wumail.wustl.edu. (Publish means quotation in whole or in part in seminar or term papers, theses or dissertations, journal articles, monographs, books, digital forms, photographs, images, dramatic presentations, transcriptions, or any other form prepared for a limited or general public.)

Acquisition Method: Harris Armstrong’s wife, Louise McClelland Armstrong, donated the material to Washington University’s School of Architecture in 1974-1975 when Constantine Michaelides was Dean of the School of Architecture. In 1997, Cynthia Weese, then Dean of the School of Architecture, worked with Carole Prietto, then University Archivist, to transfer the material from the School of Architecture to University Archives.

Preferred Citation: [Item description]. From the [collection title, series, box, folder]. University Archives, Washington University in St. Louis.

Processing Information: Processed by Jay Kempen in August 1999. Revised by Sarah Pabarcus in November 2006. Revised by Jane Fiegen in August 2009.

Finding Aid Revision History: This finding aid was entered into Archon by Hannah Barg in July 2012.

Other Note: When given, project numbers generally indicate that a contract was signed, bids secured, and the project completed. Armstrong assigned the year and project order. For example 57-6 would indicate the initial planning was in 1957 and was the sixth project of that year.

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Personal and Professional Development],
[Series 2: Publications Featuring Prominent Architects and Contemporary Architectural Subjects],
[Series 3: Specifications and Correspondence for Commercial Architectural Projects],
[Series 4: Specifications and Correspondence for Residential Architectural Projects],
[Series 5: Oversized Plans for Commercial Architectural Projects],
[Series 6: Oversized Plans for Residential Architectural Projects],
[Series 7: Oversized Plans for Residential Furnishing Projects],
[Series 8: Oversized Renderings, Photographs, and Miscellany for Unidentified Architectural Projects],
[Series 9: Oversized Renderings, Photographs, and Miscellany for Various Architectural Projects],
[Series 10: Oversized Education, Professional Qualifications, and Miscellany],
[Series 11: Supplemental Information for Commercial and Architectural Projects],
[Series 12: Photographs of Various Projects],
[All]

Series 3: Specifications and Correspondence for Commercial Architectural Projects

(arranged alphabetically)

Box 1

Folder 1: Alcorn
Folder 2: American Stove Company (Magic Chef Building [46-5]): [Folder 1 of 2]
Folder 3: American Stove Company (Magic Chef Building [46-5]): [Folder 2 of 2]
Folder 4: American Stove Company - Architectural Forum Magazine
Folder 5: Belt and Given Office Building
Folder 6: Charbonier Methodist Church
Folder 7: Continental Cars Distributing Company
Folder 8: Delta Petroleum Corporation (57-4)
Folder 9: Epiphany Episcopal Church (57-5)
Folder 10: Epiphany Episcopal Church (60-5)
Folder 11: Ethical Society of St. Louis (62-2)
Folder 12: Federal Office Building (Kansas City, MO)
Folder 13: Four Oaks Nursing Home (69-2)
Folder 14: Goldenhersh and Goldenhersch Attorneys at Law (68-2)
Folder 15: Grant, Medical Clinic (38-2)
Folder 16: Grant, Samuel Medical Clinic (59-6)
Folder 17: Group Hospital Services
Folder 18: Hammond Organ Studios (57-3)
Folder 19: Hampton, Henry E. Medical Offices (61-1)
Folder 20: Hancock, O.C. Dental Building (41-7)
Folder 21: Herrin Hospital (59-3)
Folder 22: Income Investment Company (37-7)
Folder 23: Jefferson National Expansion Memorial (General)
Folder 24: Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, 1948 (Stage 1)
Folder 25: Jefferson National Expansion Memorial (Stage 2)
Folder 26: Joint Council of Teamsters Number 13
Folder 27: Kappa Psi Fraternity
Folder 28: Kirkwood Civic Plaza
Folder 29: Kirkwood Community Center (65-4): [Folder 1 of 4]
Folder 30: Kirkwood Community Center (65-4): [Folder 2 of 4]
Folder 31: Kirkwood Community Center (65-4): [Folder 3 of 4]
Folder 32: Kirkwood Community Center (65-4): [Folder 4 of 4]
Folder 33: Kirkwood Historical Society
Folder 34: Kirkwood Medical and Dental Building (41-3)
Folder 35: Kirkwood Park Amphitheater (63-1)

Box 2

Folder 1: Libbey, Owens and Ford Glass Company (Solar House) (47-1)
Folder 2: Loge, Philip Medical Building (50-7)
Folder 3: Lutheran Church of the Atonement (52-3)
Folder 4: Lutheran Church of the Atonement (55-1)
Folder 5: Lutheran Church of the Atonement (59-4)
Folder 6: Lutheran Atonement
Folder 7: Main Officer's Open Mess (MOOM [59-8]): [Folder 1 of 2]
Folder 8: Main Officer's Open Mess (MOOM [59-8]): [Folder 2 of 2]
Folder 9: Mark Andy Incorporated (52-1)
Folder 10: Marshall Berry Store (58-3)
Folder 11: Marshall County Courthouse (Iowa [54-5])
Folder 12: Mary Potter Love Incorporated (59-7)
Folder 13: McDonnell Aircraft Corporation (Bomb Shelter [55-7])
Folder 14: McDonnell Aircraft Corporation (Building 32 [55-7]): [Folder 1 of 3]
Folder 15: McDonnell Aircraft Corporation (Building 32 [55-7]): [Folder 2 of 3]
Folder 16: McDonnell Aircraft Corporation (Building 32 [55-7]): [Folder 3 of 3]
Folder 17: McDonnell Aircraft Corporation (Building 33 [55-7])
Folder 18: McDonnell Aircraft Corporation (Buildings 33 and 34 [55-7])
Folder 19: McDonnell Aircraft Corporation (Building 34 [55-7]): [Folder 1 of 8]
Folder 20: McDonnell Aircraft Corporation (Building 34 [55-7]): [Folder 2 of 8]
Folder 21: McDonnell Aircraft Corporation (Building 34 [55-7]): [Folder 3 of 8]
Folder 22: McDonnell Aircraft Corporation (Building 34 [55-7]): [Folder 4 of 8]

Box 3

Folder 1: McDonnell Aircraft Corporation (Building 34 [55-7]): [Folder 5 of 8]
Folder 2: McDonnell Aircraft Corporation (Building 34 [55-7]): [Folder 6 of 8]
Folder 3: McDonnell Aircraft Corporation (Building 34 [55-7]): [Folder 7 of 8]
Folder 4: McDonnell Aircraft Corporation (Building 34 [55-7]): [Folder 8 of 8]
Folder 5: McDonnell Aircraft Corporation (Buildings 102 and 103 [56-3])
Folder 6: McDonnell Aircraft Corporation (Building 101 and Max Tract [65-3])
Folder 7: McDonnell Aircraft Corporation (Building 105 [65-3])
Folder 8: McDonnell Aircraft Corporation (Building 106 [65-3])
Folder 9: McDonnell Aircraft Corporation (Building 107 [65-3])
Folder 10: Medical Institute of Local 88 (57-6)
Folder 11: Mermod Jaccard King (Clayton Branch [49-6])
Folder 12: Methodist Children's Home (50-2)
Folder 13: Meyer, Adam Office Building (50-1)
Folder 14: Misc. Projects "C,D"
Folder 15: Misc. Projects "G,H,M"
Folder 16: Misc. Projects "P,Q"
Folder 17: Misc. Projects "R,S,T"
Folder 18: Misc. Projects "U,V,W"
Folder 19: Missouri Botanical Garden
Folder 20: Missouri Lead Smelting Company (67-1): [Folder 1 of 2]
Folder 21: Missouri Lead Smelting Company (67-1): [Folder 2 of 2]
Folder 22: Moog Incorporated (Misc.)
Folder 23: Moog Incorporated (Phase I [65-6]): [Folder 1 of 8]
Folder 24: Moog Incorporated (Phase I [65-6]): [Folder 2 of 8]

Box 4

Folder 1: Moog Incorporated (Phase I [65-6]): [Folder 3 of 8]
Folder 2: Moog Incorporated (Phase I [65-6]): [Folder 4 of 8]
Folder 3: Moog Incorporated (Phase I [65-6]): [Folder 5 of 8]
Folder 4: Moog Incorporated (Phase I [65-6]): [Folder 6 of 8]
Folder 5: Moog Incorporated (Phase I [65-6]): [Folder 7 of 8]
Folder 6: Moog Incorporated (Phase I [65-6]): [Folder 8 of 8]
Folder 7: Moog Incorporated (Phase II [67-3])
Folder 8: Moog Servocontrols (Assembly Test Building 10 [62-3]): [Folder 1of 3]
Folder 9: Moog Servocontrols (Assembly Test Building 10 [62-3]): [Folder 2 of 3]
Folder 10: Moog Servocontrols (Assembly Test Building 10 [62-3]): [Folder 3 of 3]
Folder 11: Motion Picture House in Normandy (36-2)
Folder 12: O.A. Knell (45-1)
Folder 13: Petrolite Corporation
Folder 14: Rose Acre Gardens (52-4)
Folder 15: Scruggs, Vandervoort and Barney Department Store (Clayton Branch [50-5]): [Folder 1 of 12]
Folder 16: Scruggs, Vandervoort and Barney Department Store (Clayton Branch [50-5]): [Folder 2 of 12]
Folder 17: Scruggs, Vandervoort and Barney Department Store (Clayton Branch [50-5]): [Folder 3 of 12]
Folder 18: Scruggs, Vandervoort and Barney Department Store (Clayton Branch [50-5]): [Folder 4 of 12]
Folder 19: Scruggs, Vandervoort and Barney Department Store (Clayton Branch [50-5]): [Folder 5 of 12]

Box 5

Folder 1: Scruggs, Vandervoort and Barney Department Store (Clayton Branch [50-5]): [Folder 6 of 12]
Folder 2: Scruggs, Vandervoort and Barney Department Store (Clayton Branch [50-5]): [Folder 7 of 12]
Folder 3: Scruggs, Vandervoort and Barney Department Store (Clayton Branch [50-5]): [Folder 8 of 12]
Folder 4: Scruggs, Vandervoort and Barney Department Store (Clayton Branch [50-5]): [Folder 9 of 12]
Folder 5: Scruggs, Vandervoort and Barney Department Store (Clayton Branch [50-5]): [Folder 10 of 12]
Folder 6: Scruggs, Vandervoort and Barney Department Store (Clayton Branch [50-5]): [Folder 11 of 12]
Folder 7: Scruggs, Vandervoort and Barney Department Store (Clayton Branch [50-5]): [Folder 12 of 12]
Folder 8: Scruggs, Vandervoort and Barney Department Store (Downtown Branch [44-1])
Folder 9: Scruggs, Vandervoort and Barney Department Store (Downtown?) - Progressive Architecture article
Folder 10: SUB, Shanley, Leo Office
Folder 11: Semple Developments (45-3)
Folder 12: Silverstone Health Retreat
Folder 13: Sopiha Beauty Salon at Scruggs, Vandervoort and Barney Department Store (Downtown Branch [46-4])
Folder 14: Southern Illinois University at Carbondale (Student Christian Foundation [60-2])
Folder 15: Sprenger, Lucille Clinic (60-4)
Folder 16: St. Andrews Presbyterian Church (58-1)
Folder 17: St. Louis County County Historic Parks (Historical Building Committee)
Folder 18: St. Louis Ethical Society (Library Addition)
Folder 19: St. Louis Human Development Corporation
Folder 20: St. Louis Plaza Square Apartments
Folder 21: State Hospital No. 4 at Farmington (58-2): [Folder 1 of 3]
Folder 22: State Hospital No. 4 at Farmington (58-2): [Folder 2 of 3]
Folder 23: State Hospital No. 4 at Farmington (58-2): [Folder 3 of 3]
Folder 24: State Hospital No. 4 at Farmington (58-2) Specifications Report (6/10/1960)
Folder 25: Tandy Development of Row Houses for St. Louis
Folder 26: Taylor Avenue Medical Clinic (45-6)
Folder 27: Thomas Jefferson School (50-3)
Folder 28: Thompson and Robinson Dental Office (46-2)

Box 6

Folder 1: Tile Council of America (61-4)
Folder 2: Trinity Episcopal Church (60-1)
Folder 3: Urban Redevelopment Corporation (St. Louis Inner-Plaza Project): [Folder 1 of 3]
Folder 4: Urban Redevelopment Corporation (St. Louis Inner-Plaza Project): [Folder 2 of 3]
Folder 5: Urban Redevelopment Corporation (St. Louis Inner-Plaza Project): [Folder 3 of 3]
Folder 6: Washington University (Cancer Research Laboratory [48-5]): [Folder 1 of 4]
Folder 7: Washington University (Cancer Research Laboratory [48-5]): [Folder 2 of 4]
Folder 8: Washington University (Cancer Research Laboratory [48-5]): [Folder 3 of 4]
Folder 9: Washington University (Cancer Research Laboratory [48-5]): [Folder 4 of 4]
Folder 10: Webster Groves Chamber of Commerce (59-1)
Folder 11: Western Textile Products Company (65-2): [Folder 1 of 2]
Folder 12: Western Textile Products Company (65-2): [Folder 2 of 2]
Folder 13: White, Thomas J. (Executive City)
Folder 14: White, Thomas J. (Office Building [64-1])
Folder 15: White, Thomas J. (Towne and Country Mall [Singer Company {67-2}])
Folder 16: White, Thomas J. (Westport Campus [68-4]): [Folder 1 of 2]
Folder 17: White, Thomas J. (Westport Campus [68-4]): [Folder 1 of 2]
Folder 18: Wilson, James P. Office Building (49-11)
Folder 19: Y.W.C.A. (All Branches [51-4])
Folder 20: Y.W.C.A. (Carondelet Branch [51-4])
Folder 21: Y.W.C.A. (Central Branch - Downtown, 54-10)
Folder 22: Y.W.C.A. (Clayton Branch) (51-4)
Folder 23: Y.W.C.A. (Kinloch Branch [51-4])
Folder 24: Y.W.C.A. (Wheatley Branch [51-4])