Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech
Judith Edelman Architectural Papers
Edelman, Judith, 1923-2014
Ms.1997.010
1.5 Cubic Feet
3 boxes
1947-2009
Judith Edelman, FAIA, was a partner at The Edelman Partnership/Architects of New York City and a founding member of the Alliance of Women in Architecture (AWA). Edelman chaired the American Institute of Architect's first task force on women. Her papers comprise correspondence, photographs, lecture materials, newspaper clippings, publications, project files, and ephemera relating to Edelman's work in architecture and urban development as well as her advocacy on behalf of women professionals.
The materials in the collection are in English.
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open to research.
Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use
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], Judith Edelman Architectural Papers, Ms1997-010, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.
Source of Acquisition
The Judith Edelman Architectural Papers were donated to the International Archive of Women in Architecture by their creator in January 1997. Additional materials were donated by the creator in June 1997 and by Edelman's estate in March 2015.
Processing Information
The initial processing, arrangement and description of the Judith Edelman Architectural Papers was completed in July 1997 by Danielle Morrison, Student Assistant, and Laura Katz Smith, Manuscripts Curator. Additions were processed incorporated in November 2017 by Samantha Winn, Collections Archivist.
Biographical Note
Judith Edelman (nee Hochberg), FAIA, was born on September 16, 1923, in Brooklyn, New York and passed away on October 4, 2014 in her Manhattan home. She was educated at Connecticut College (1940-41), New York University (1941-42), and Columbia University School of Architecture (1942-46) where she received her B. Arch. in 1946. She apprenticed with architect Huson Jackson from 1948 to 1958, then worked for architect Harold Edelman from 1958 to 1960 and as a designer for Edelman & Salzman from 1960 to 1964. She was a partner in Edelman & Salzman, Architects, from 1964 to 1978, and The Edelman Partnership/Architects in New York City from 1979 to 2014. She was a registered architect in New York state, where she conducted renovations and designed residential and commercial structures.
Edelman was elected to the executive committee of AIA's New York chapter in 1971. Edelman served as chairwoman of the Task Force on Women in Architecture for the American Institute of Architects (AIA) from 1974 to 1975, overseeing the development of landmark reports and affirmative action plans on the status of women in the field. In 1974, she served as a model and inspiration for a children's book by Gloria and Esther Goldreich, What Can She Be? An Architect. She was awarded a fellowship in the AIA in 1981. In 1989, the National Organization for Women's New York Chapter designated Edelman a "Woman of Vision." Edelman was a founding member of the Alliance of Women in Architecture and a member of the International Union of Women Architects (UIFA).
External Source: Martin, D. (2014, October 18). "Judith Edelman, Architect, 91, Is Dead; Firebrand in a Male-Dominated Field." New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/19/business/judith-edelman-architect-91-is-dead-firebrand-in-a-male-dominated-field.html
Scope and Content
The Judith Edelman papers comprise correspondence, photographs, lecture materials, newspaper clippings, publications, and ephemera relating to Edelman's work in architecture and urban development as well as her advocacy on behalf of women professionals. Materials include writings by Edelman and about her work, as well as correspondence relating to several traveling exhibits on women in architecture. The collection also includes reference materials, drawings, and photographs for ten architectural projects conducted between 1965 and 1992.
Arrangement
The collection is divided into three series:
Series I: Personal, (1947-1998, n.d.) contains biographical information, published profiles, personal correpsondence, and photographs.
Series II: Professional (1952-2009, n.d.) includes publications and handwritten speech drafts, ephemera for various lecture series, documentation of Edelman's professional contributions to various associations, records of significant professional fellowship and conferences, correspondence relating to various exhibitions, and reference files on New York architecture and the history of women architects. This series comprises Subseries A: Writings; Subseries B: Presentations and Lectures; Subseries C: Associations and Committees; Subseries D: Conferences and Travel; Subseries E: Exhibitions; and Subseries F: Reference files.
Series III: Projects (1965-1992, n.d.) includes photographs, catalogs, drawings, project proposal documents, and files on ten projects to which Edelman contributed.
Rights Statement for Archival Description
The guide to the Judith Edelman Architectural Papers by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 (https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/).
History of Women in Architecture
International Archive of Women in Architecture (IAWA)
Women -- History
Women architects -- New York
Women-owned architectural firms
Series I: Personal1947-1998, n.d.Biographical Information1997-1998, n.d.11Profiles and interviews with Edelman1973-1982, n.d.12Personal correspondence1947, 1973, n.d.13Photographsn.d.14Scope and ContentFamily portrait (color); black and white photographs, c. 1970s, probably taken by Robert Ipcar for "What Can She Be? An Architect."
Series II: Professional1952-2009, n.d.Subseries A: Writings1980, 1985, n.d.Review of 'Housing Messages,' Journal of architectural research (vol 7 No 3)August 198015"Barriers to Architectural Innovation: The Case of Two Bridges," by Edelman, published as a chapter in The Unsheltered Woman , edited by Eugenie Ladner Birch198516Memo, women in architectural program at Columbia University17Subseries B: Presentations and Lectures1977-1983Speech draft, SHF Annual Meeting9 June 198318Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Lecture Series (poster)1977-197819Claire Watsun Forrest Memorial Lecture Series at the School of Architecture and Allied Arts at the University of Oregon, with two interviews with Edelman1981-1982110Hunter College, Women and Housing Seminar1981-1983111Subseries C: Associations and Committees1971-1989, 2008-2009American Institute of Architects, women in architecture1973-1989112Scope and ContentIncludes copy of the 1975 AIA Affirmative Action Plan and documents from the Task Force on Women in Architecture, chaired by Edelman.
Organization of Women Architects and Design Professionals1982113New York State Association of Architects, 1973 Convention1973114American Institute of Architects, New York Chapter (Honors Committee)1971-1979, 2009115National Organization for Women, New York Chapter1989, 2008116Scope and ContentIncludes correspondence and acceptance speech draft 1989 Women of Vision Award.
Subseries D: Conferences and Travel1974-1975, 1977, 1979, 1990-1991, 2000-2004Women in Architecture Symposium, Washington University29 March 1974117West Coast Women's Design Conference, University of Oregon18-20 April 1974118Conference for Women in Design and Planning, Boston Architectural Center7-9 November 197521China Study Group on Environmental Issues197722Urban Poverty and Distributive Justice, New York, NY197923American Academy of Rome, Rome Prize Fellowship Application1990-199124Preservation League of NYC, Cuba200025Cuba2001-200426American Academy of Rome27 October - 10 November 200327Subseries E: Exhibitions1974, 1982, 1996NYC-AIA Exhibition, 'Women in Architecture'197428'Alliance of Women in Architecture, 1972-1982'198229Correspondence Re: American Institute of Architects,'That Exceptional One,1987-1988'210AIA/NY Chapter, 'Projections: A Celebration of Work by Women'1996211Subseries F: Reference Files1952, ca. 1963, 1972, 1981'Women in Architecture,' Architectural ForumSeptember 1972212Making Room: Women and Architecture,' Heresies: A Feminist Publication on Art & Politics, Issue 11 (Vol 3, No 3)1981213Photocopy of Huron Jackson's 'A Guide to New York Architecture, 1660-1952,' Reinhold Publishing Corporation195232Series III: Projects1965-1992, n.d.Stablen.d.33Gansevoort Market Area Study, NY196534Fleming-Joffe Ltd., New York and St. Louis196735Nine-G Cooperative, New York196936Rudolph House, Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts196937Claremont Gardens, Ossining, NYca. 1970s38Jenings Hall Senior Citizen's Housing, Brooklyn, New York198139New Goddard-Riverside Apartments, New York1984310Columbus Green Apartments, New York1987311Chung Pak/Everlasting Pine, New York1992312