A Guide to the Davis & Associates Architectural Drawings, 1925-1986 SC 0210

A Guide to the Davis & Associates Architectural Drawings, 1925-1986 SC 0210


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James Madison University Libraries Special Collections

820 Madison Drive
MSC 1706
Harrisonburg, Virginia 22807
Telephone: (540) 568-3612
library-special@jmu.edu
URL: https://www.lib.jmu.edu/special/

Cecelia Parks

Repository
James Madison University Libraries Special Collections
Identification
SC 0210
Title
Davis & Associates architectural drawings 1925-1986
Quantity
93.86 cubic feet, 1 box, 45 rolled storage containers, 45 flat files
Creator
Davis & Associates (firm)
source
Massanutten Regional Library
Language
English .
Abstract
The Davis & Associates Architectural Drawings consist of approximately 9,580 architectural drawings and project records pertaining to the design and construction of structures for James Madison University and other buildings located in Harrisonburg, as well as Rockingham, Augusta, Shenandoah, and Page counties.

Administrative Information

Use Restrictions

The copyright interests in this collection have been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collection Library. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu).

Conditions Governing Access

Collection open to research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the James Madison University Special Collections Library to use this collection.

Access Restrictions

Series 2-6 restricted from access for the entirety of the Carrier Library renovation and expansion project. (2023-2026)

Preferred Citation

[identification of item], [box #, folder #], Davis & Associates Architectural Drawings, 1925-1986, SC 0210, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA

Acquisition Information

Donated by Massanutten Regional Library in March 2012.

Processing Information

The original donation consisted of approximately 13,500 sheets in no discernible order, and contained drawings for projects from throughout western Virginia and West Virginia. The drawings were sorted by location and materials not related to James Madison University or the surrounding areas of Harrisonburg, or Augusta, Page, Rockingham, and Shenandoah counties were discarded.

In order to streamline the process of applying collection numbers, Special Collections staff completed a large-scale renumbering campaign in 2017-2018. This collection was previously cataloged as SC 5034.

Administrative History

Davis & Associates, AIA, was founded in 1955 in Harrisonburg, Virginia. At the time, the firm's founder, D'Earcy P. Davis Jr., was working for Nielsen Construction Company. Before Davis retired in 1985, the firm had grown to provide architectural services for over thirty counties and cities in Virginia and West Virginia. They also completed work for a number of educational institutions, including James Madison University, Bridgewater College, Eastern Mennonite University, and Blue Ridge Community College. Throughout the years, the firm completed work for a number of prominent members of the community, including Governor Mark O. Hatfield, Fred Funkhouser, and Irving Ney. Clyde E. McClintock took over the firm in 1985, and remained as its head until 2003, when he also retired. Both Davis and McClintlock were members emeriti of the American Institute of Architecture.

D'Earcy Davis Jr. was born in 1917 and went on to earn a degree in structural engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute in 1940. He moved to Harrisonburg with his wife Frances to work for Nielsen Construction and architect Clarence Wenger. D'Earcy took his architecture-licensing exam at the University of Virginia in 1943. He continued to work for Nielsen Construction until 1955, at which point he left to found Davis & Associates. He remained as the leader of that firm for thirty years until he retired in 1985. In retirement, Davis served as president of the Rockingham Development Corporation from 1988 until his death in 1990.

Clyde McClintock was born in 1929 in Maidens, Virginia. He graduated from the University of Virginia's School of Architecture in 1951 and moved to Harrisonburg with his wife Eleanor to join Davis & Associates in 1961. After his retirement in 2003, he served on various community boards until his death in 2012.

Scope and Content

The Davis & Associates Architectural Drawings, 1925-1986, consist of 9,580 sheets of records from approximately 695 different projects. The materials relate to the design and construction of a number of buildings in Harrisonburg and the surrounding areas. The types of structures represented include schools, public buildings, private residences, and businesses. The collection consists primarily of original pencil drawings on paper and vellum, sketches in a variety of media on tracing paper, and diazo and sepia diazo prints on vellum, paper, and drafting film (Mylar or frosted polyester). Several blueprints are also included, as are a few "stickybacks."

Arrangement

The collection is arranged into seven series:

James Madison University, 1949-1986 Harrisonburg, 1925-1984 Rockingham County, 1955-1983 Augusta County, 1928-1983 Page County, 1957-1974 Shenandoah County, 1958-1985 Photographs, 1959-1981

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Bibliography

Davis, D'Earcy P., Jr. "Application for Membership to the American Institute of Architects." American Institute of Architects, 1957.
Gane, John F., and George S. Koyl, ed. American Architects Directory, Third Edition . New York: R. R. Bowker Co, 1970.
Harrisonburg City Directory . Harrisonburg, VA: R. L. Polk & Co, 1952-2004.
Lowell, Waverly B., and Tawny Ryan Nelb. Architectural Records: Managing Design and Construction Records . Chicago: Society of American Archivists, 2006.
"Newsmakers-Manufacturing." The Washington Post , October 26, 1981, Business section.
Pezzoni, J. Daniel. "National Register of Historic Places Registration Form for Harrisonburg Downtown Historic District." Department of Historic Resources, 2004.
Price, Lois Alcott. Line, Shade, and Shadow: The Fabrication and Preservation of Architectural Drawings . Newcastle, DE: Oak Knoll Press, 2010.

Significant Places Associated With the Collection

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Container List

1
James Madison University
1949-1986
Scope and Content

Series 1: James Madison University, 1949-1986, includes approximately 1,200 sheets of architectural drawings, sketches, and other documents regarding original designs for James Madison University, as well as structures the university acquired after their construction. Notable projects include Rockingham Memorial Hospital, the School of Education's Memorial Hall (formerly Harrisonburg High School), and the JMU football stadium. This series is arranged in roughly the order in which it was received.

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2
Harrisonburg
1925-1984
Scope and Content

Series 2: Harrisonburg, 1925-1984, includes approximately 4,000 sheets of architectural drawings, sketches, and other material related to the planning and execution of designs for numerous structures in the city of Harrisonburg. Notable projects include the Rockingham National Bank, the housing projects at Franklin Heights and Harrison Heights, and several buildings for Eastern Mennonite University. This series is arranged in roughly the order in which it was received.

Access Restrictions

Materials from this series housed in rolled storage containers are restricted from access for the entirety of the Carrier Library renovation and expansion project. (2023-2026)

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3
Rockingham County
1955-1983
Scope and Content

Series 3: Rockingham County, 1955-1983, consists of approximately 1,500 sheets of architectural drawings and other project records related to the design of buildings in Rockingham County. Numerous plans for Bridgewater College are included. Other notable projects include the Dayton Mennonite Church, Metro Pants Manufacturing Center in Bridgewater, and many buildings for Rockingham County Public Schools, such as Spotswood High School and Massanutten Vocational Technical Center. This series is arranged in roughly the order in which it was received.

Access Restrictions

Materials from this series housed in rolled storage containers are restricted from access for the entirety of the Carrier Library renovation and expansion project. (2023-2026)

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4
Augusta County
1928-1983
Scope and Content

Series 4: Augusta County, 1928-1983, includes approximately 1,200 sheets of architectural drawings and records for projects in Augusta County. Major projects include an addition to Dawbarn Division, W. R. Grace & Co; Western State Hospital; and an office building for Degesch America, Inc. This series is arranged in roughly the order in which it was received.

Access Restrictions

Materials from this series housed in rolled storage containers are restricted from access for the entirety of the Carrier Library renovation and expansion project. (2023-2026)

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5
Page County
1957-1974
Scope and Content

Series 5: Page County, 1957-1974, includes approximately 65 sheets of architectural drawings and project records for contracts in Page County. Notable structures include Leggett's Department Store and several schools for Page County Public Schools, including Luray High School and Page County High School. This series is arranged in roughly the order in which it was received.

Access Restrictions

Materials from this series housed in rolled storage containers are restricted from access for the entirety of the Carrier Library renovation and expansion project. (2023-2026)

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6
Shenandoah County
1958-1985
Scope and Content

Series 6: Shenandoah County, 1958-1985, includes approximately 850 sheets of architectural drawings and project records for buildings in Shenandoah County. Notable projects include additions to Shenvalee Lodge, Shenandoah County Memorial Hospital, and a remodeling of the Bushong House at the New Market Civil War Battlefield Memorial. This series is arranged in roughly the order in which it was received.

Access Restrictions

Materials from this series housed in rolled storage containers are restricted from access for the entirety of the Carrier Library renovation and expansion project. (2023-2026)

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7
Photographs
1959-1981
Scope and Content

Series 7: Photographs, 1959-1981, consists of various photographs relating to projects completed by Davis & Associates. They were taken in Harrisonburg, Rockingham County, Augusta County, and Shenandoah County. Some are photographs of the construction process; others are photographs of the site or the finished project. Notable photographs include two aerial photographs of Augusta County, Grace Memorial Church in Shenandoah County, and the Municipal Building in downtown Harrisonburg. This series is arranged by location.

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