Alex, Iris, Collection Iris Alex Collection 1959-2002 Ms.2002.026

Iris Alex Collection 1959-2002 Ms.2002.026


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Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech

Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries (0434)
560 Drillfield Drive
Newman Library, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia 24061
Business Number: 540-231-6308
specref@vt.edu
URL: http://spec.lib.vt.edu

Amy Shaffer, Archivist

Repository
Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech
Identification
Ms.2002.026
Title
Iris Alex Collection 1959-2002
Quantity
0.5 Cubic Feet, 1 box
Creator
Alex, Iris
Language
The materials in the collection are in English.
Abstract
Iris Alex was the Development Administrator for Facilities Development Corporation of the State of New York, building consultant for the Young Women's Christian Association, and Fellow of the American Institute of Architects. Active from the 1950s until 1991. The collection includes both volumes of A Building Manual for the YWCA, written by Alex as well as some biographical information and articles about her work. Also contains correspondence between Alex and other architects about Julia Morgan.

Administrative Information

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.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Iris Alex Collection, Ms2002-026, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Source of Acquisition

The Iris Alex Collection was donated to the International Archives of Women in Architecture at Special Collections in 2000, with two additional donations in 2002.

Processing Information

The processing and arrangement of the Iris Alex Collection was completed in September 2002. The description description September 2004.


Biographical Note

Architect Iris S. Alex (b. 1926) studied at the Institute of Design at the Illinois Institute of Technology. She spent 13 years working for the architectural firm of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill. In the 1970s, Alex worked part-time at Related Designs, Inc. Her main employment was with the National Board of the Young Women's Christian Association where she served as the National Architect starting in 1970. While with the YWCA, she developed and oversaw its building advisory service and wrote a two-volume Building Manual for the YWCA. In 1981 she began working as the Development Administrator for Facilities Development Corporation of the State of New York, a position she held until her retirement in 1991.

Scope and Content

The Iris Alex Collection contains material about Alex's career, including a resume, magazine articles, blueprints and a two-volume building manual. It also contains her correspondence with other architects about the career of architect Julia Morgan. There is also correspondence with Morgan's biographer, Sara Boutelle.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged into two series, one containing information about Iris Alex's professional career, and one containing information that Alex collected about architect Julia Morgan.

Series I: Professional Information, 1959-2002, includes a resume, copies of three building plans, articles and photographs showing projects Alex worked on, and both volumes of the YWCA building handbook that she wrote.

Series II: Julia Morgan Information, 1976-1991, consists of clippings about Julia Morgan, correspondence with other architects and historians about Morgan's work, and correspondence with Morgan's biographer, Sara Boutelle.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

  • International Archive of Women in Architecture (IAWA)
  • Morgan, Julia
  • Women -- History
  • Women architects -- New York

Rights Statement for Archival Description

The guide to the Iris Alex Collection by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 ( https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/ ).

Container List

Series I: Professional Information
1959-2002
  • box-folder 1 folder: 1
    Biographical Information
    1998-2002
  • box-folder 1 folder: 2
    Plan for a House Addition
    1959
  • box-folder 1 folder: 3
    Blueprints for a Skidmore, Owings and Merrill Project
    1962
  • box-folder 1 folder: 4
    Article and Photographs about Bassett Hospital Project in Cooperstown, NY for Skidmore, Owings and Merrill
    1968-1971
  • box-folder 1 folder: 5
    Articles on Projects for Related Designs
    19721974
  • box-folder 1 folder: 6
    A Building Manual for the YWCA , Volumes 1 and 2, by Iris Alex
    1978, 1981
  • box-folder 1 folder: 7
    Correspondence About Work for the State of New York Facilities Development Corporation
    1981-1992
Series II: Julia Morgan Information
1976-1991
  • box-folder 1 folder: 8
    Clippings and Photographs of Julia Morgan and Her Work
    1976-1988
  • box-folder 1 folder: 9
    Correspondence about Julia Morgan
    1976-1981
  • box-folder 1 folder: 10
    Correspondence about Julia Morgan with Sara Boutelle
    1976-1991
  • box-folder 1 folder: 11
    Information about Sara Boutelle
    1990