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Laurence Hall Fowler papers

 Collection
Identifier: MS-0413

Scope and Contents

This collection contains most of the working papers from Fowler's architectural practice (1906-1945) as well as photographs documenting other architects' work in the area. These plans, photographs and documents represent one of the most important archives on the built environment of Baltimore.

Dates

  • Creation: 1892 - 1948

Creator

Conditions Governing Use

Single copies may be made for research purposes. Researchers are responsible for determining any copyright questions. It is not necessary to seek our permission as the owner of the physical work to publish or otherwise use public domain materials that we have made available for use, unless Johns Hopkins University holds the copyright.

Biographical Note

Laurence Hall Fowler, Baltimore architect, was born in Catonsville MD, Sept. 5, 1876. He received the AB degree from The Johns Hopkins University in 1898 and the BS degree in architecture from Columbia in 1902. Following a tour in Italy in 1904, Fowler was admitted to the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris. He returned to Baltimore, and in 1907, opened his own architectural firm. Fowler's designs were chosen for several public buildings including the War Memorial building (1921, Baltimore) and the Hall of Records building, (1932, Annapolis, MD). Fowler's most distinguished work emerged after 1911 when he began designing private residences. His association with the Roland Park Company and other builders in the city afforded him the opportunity to design houses and cottages, many of which are still standing. One of his lasting works is the re-design and renovation of parts of Evergreen House, the residence of Alice and John Work Garrett. Laurence Hall Fowler died in Baltimore in 1971.

Extent

33.91 Cubic Feet (1 letter size document box, 57 legal size document boxes, 3 legal half-size document boxes, 3 flat boxes (20.5 x 14.5 x 1.5 inches), 3 flat boxes (15.5 x 12 x 3 inches), 7 flat boxes (15.5 x 10.5 x 3 inches), 7 pamphlet boxes (7.25 x 4 x 10 inches), 1 cardfile box (12.5 x 8.5 x 5.25 inches), 3 cardfile boxes (12.5 x 6.5 x 4.5 inches), 1 oversize box (19 x 13 x 6 inches), 4 flat boxes (11 x 3 x 9 inches), 1 record center carton)

Language of Materials

English

Scope and Content Note

This collection contains most of the working papers from Fowler's architectural practice (1906-1945) as well as photographs documenting other architects' work in the area. These plans, photographs and documents represent one of the most important archives on the built environment of Baltimore.

Provenance

The collection was given to The Johns Hopkins University in 1945 by Laurence Hall Fowler.

Existence and Location of Copies

Negatives from this collection were digitized and are available to browse and download from the "Laurence Hall Fowler architectural image collection," accessible via the "Digital Material" section of this guide. The original negatieves are in Series IX: Photographs and Engravings.

Related Materials

A catalog describing the collection, edited by Egon Verheyen, and published in 1984, is available in Special Collections.

The collections of the Maryland Historical Society, Baltimore MD include a collection of Laurence Hall Fowler's student notebooks and personal correspondence. Papers of the Roland Park Company are available at Cornell University, Collection of Regional History and University Archives. A collection of plans from the Roland Park Maintenance Company is available at The University of Baltimore, Langsdale Library.

Processing Information

Finding aid prepared by Margaret Burri on August 2, 2013.

Title
Fowler (Laurence Hall) 1876-Papers 1905-1948MS 413
Author
Margaret Burri
Date
February 11, 2009
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections Repository

Contact:
The Sheridan Libraries
Special Collections
3400 N Charles St
Baltimore MD 21218 USA