Singleton P. Moorehead Papers, 1923-1972

Access and use

Location of collection:
Colonial Williamsburg
John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
P.O. Box 1776
Williamsburg, VA 23187
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Douglas Mayo
Phone: (757) 565-8521
Phone: (757) 565-8520
Fax: (757) 565-8528

Summary

Extent:
7 cubic ft.
Creator:
Moorehead, Singleton P. (Singleton Peabody) (1900-1964)
Abstract:
This collection was gathered during the career of Colonial Williamsburg architect, Singleton P. Moorehead (1900-1964), starting from his days as a student at Harvard. It contains architectural drawings, notebooks, notes, sketches, and other illustrations in ten boxes.
Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

This collection was gathered during the career of Colonial Williamsburg architect, Singleton P. Moorehead (1900-1964). Included are finished drawings, sketches, reproductions, artwork, postcards, correspondence, printed material and oversized architectural drawings. Much of the material relates to Williamsburg or Virginia buildings. The bulk of the collection is reference and research material from the reconstruction of Colonial Williamsburg. Also included are materials from when Singleton P. Moorehead (1900-1964) was a student at Harvard, and his time spent studying in Europe, including reproductions of European art and personal original art. There is one item in the collection from after Moorehead's death, a letter sent to a family member located in box six. The majority of the collection is not dated.

Biographical / historical:

Singleton P. Moorehead (1900-1964) was a prominent Architect involved in the restoration of Colonial Williamsburg. He graduated from Harvard School of Architecture and was a member of the Boston firm Perry, Shaw, and Hepburn when they were involved in the early stages of the restoration project. He was hired directly and worked on the restoration in the town for 35 years, partnering with archeologists to conduct research on historical architecture all around Virginia. He authored multiple reports on the various historic buildings in Williamsburg. In 1944 he became the Head of Architecture and moved to a consulting position in 1948. In 1963 he retired citing poor heath and died a year later.

Arrangement:

Collection is arranged in ten boxes, the first five of which are oversized materials. Boxes 1 and 2 are research and reference drawings organized by location name. Box 3 contains his notebooks. Boxes 4 and 5 primarily contain materials from when Moorehead was a student. Box 6 contains correspondence and other miscellaneous reference material. Boxes 7-10 contain reference index cards.