A. Jane Duncombe Architectural Papers

Access and use

Location of collection:
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Special Collections, University Libraries (0434)
Newman Library
Virginia Tech
P.O. Box 90001
560 Drillfield Drive
Blacksburg, VA 24062-9001
Contact for questions and access:
Phone: (540) 231-6308
Fax: (540) 231-3694
Restrictions:

Collection is open to research.

Terms of access:

The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials. Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction. Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.

Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], A. Jane Duncombe Architectural Papers, Ms2002-004, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Summary

Extent:
2 Cubic Feet
Creator:
Duncombe, A. Jane, 1925-
Language:
The materials in the collection are in English.
Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], A. Jane Duncombe Architectural Papers, Ms2002-004, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Background

Scope and content:

The A. Jane Duncombe Architectural Papers span the years 1952 to 2002. The papers consist primarily of architectural drawings, as well as some printed material including plan sheets, articles, and printouts of digital images. The collection documents various residential and other projects upon which Duncombe worked, one in Illinois and the rest in California.

Biographical / historical:

A. Jane Duncombe, born in 1925 in Ontario, Canada, graduated from the Art Institute of Chicago's School of Industrial Design where she studied under Marya Lilien. During World War II Lilien was the first woman to receive an architectural degree in Poland and was a Charter Apprentice at Taliesin. Lilien told Duncombe early in her studies, "You must be an architect, you have it!" Lilien's insight predicted Duncombe's apprenticeship under Frank Lloyd Wright at Taliesin from 1948-1949. After working for a year in the Chicago area and in Canada, Duncombe moved to San Francisco to work with Lois Davidson Gottlieb, also a graduate of Taliesin. As part of the design team Duncombe-Davidson, based in Sausalito, she designed residences in Marin County starting with the Val Goeschen house, a one-room unit with 576 square feet, in Inverness, CA. This partnership spanned the years 1951 to 1956. Duncombe continued to practice in the San Francisco Bay area for forty years where she completed a broad range of projects.

Acquisition information:
Architect A. Jane Duncombe donated her papers to the International Archive of Women in Architecture (IAWA) at Virginia Tech during the period spanning 1991-2003.
Arrangement:

The collection is arranged into two series of drawings and biographical material. Drawings are arranged chronologically according to project.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard