CA-MS-00104
The Buildings records focus on the College's buildings, both extant and demolished. The vast majority of information in the collection falls between 1875 and the present, though there are a few scattered items from before 1875. This collection interprets the term "building" loosely, and includes information not only about the buildings themselves, but also about what occurred / occurs in the buildings, especially where student residences are concerned. The collection interprets "Smith building" loosely as well, containing limited information on a number of privately-owned, off-campus boarding-houses.
For additional information, check out the "House Histories" guide listed on the FAQs & Quick Start Guide page of the Smith College Archives research resources guide.
CA-MS-00137
The Grounds subject files contain materials describing the history of the campus as a botanic garden and the changes to the master plan, lists of plantings and specimen placement, as well as information regarding the physical features of the campus, such as Paradise Pond, and structures and memorial pieces such as the Grecourt Gates and Lanning fountain. Types of materials include photographs, color plate plant illustrations, newspaper clippings, maps, pamphlets, plant lists, and letters to institutions about plant and seed exchanges and other matters.
CA-MS-00082
The development of the Smith College campus has been closely tied to the Botany Department. The campus itself was used by the Botany Department as a laboratory and classroom for the study of both woody and exotic plants as the landscape plan developed. The college hired the Brookline firm of Olmsted, Olmsted and Eliot to develop a comprehensive landscape scheme. Frederick Law Olmsted, best remembered for designing Central Park in New York City and the Boston park system created a plan in 1893 included curving drives and walkways, open spaces with specimen trees, and vistas over Paradise Pond through wooded groves.
The Presidents Reports are publications from the president of the college about the state of the college and happenings on campus, including updates about building projects.
CA-MS-00374
Beginning in 1935, Dorothy May Anderson taught landscape design at Smith College and contributed to the redesign of the Smith campus prior to joining the war effort in 1943. Her papers contains questionnaires, course material, photographs, newspaper clippings, and correspondence related to Anderson's professional and personal life.
CA-MS-00347
Karl Scott Putnam was a professor of Architecture at Smith College, beginning his tenure at Smith College in 1929 until his retirement in 1952. He held the title of Professor Emeritus until his death in 1965. Putnam also taught at the Cambridge School of Architecture, which was purchased by the college under President William Allan Neilson. During his professorship at Smith, Putnam was contracted by the college to design many buildings throughout campus. Included in the buildings he designed for the college are the Quadrangle, the Crew House, the Field House, and Scott Gymnasium.
CA-MS-01137
William L. MacDonald became a member of the Smith College faculty in 1965, where he remained until his retirement in 1981. At Smith, MacDonald lectured on Classical Architecture. He became head of the department in 1974. His papers contain news clippings and photographs documenting his professional life as Professor of Art at Smith.