Charles Marshall collection
Overview
This collection contains architectural drawings, tracings, contracts, specifications, and various documents relating to architecture designed by Charles L. Marshall. Most records pertain to his time in private practice, but there is also some documentation and drawings from when he was Assistant and State Architect for the state of Kansas. The collection also includes a vast number of watercolor paintings, sketchbooks, and art reference materials that attest to Marshall's lifelong interest in the fine arts.
Dates
- Creation: 1908 - 1992
Creator
- Marshall, Charles L., 1905-1992 (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
All materials in this collection except for those located at RH AD 16, RH MS R539, and RH MS-P 547 are stored in the KU Annex off-site storage area.
All researchers interested in reviewing this material must consult Spencer Research Library Public Services staff (785-864-4334 or ksrlref@ku.edu, 9-5 M-F CST) no less than three days in advance of a planned visit. Be advised that drop-in requests for this material cannot be accommodated.
Materials related to projects Marshall worked on while with the Kansas State Architect's Office may be closed under the Kansas Open Records Act, KSA 45-221(a)(12): "...plans, drawings, specifications or related information for any building or facility that is used for purposes requiring security measures in or around the building or facility or that is used for the generation or transmission of power, water, fuels or communications, if disclosure would jeopardize security of the public agency, building or facility." This may include materials related to college and university buildings, state agency buildings, and National Guard armories.
Conditions Governing Use
Spencer Library staff may determine use restrictions dependent on the physical condition of manuscript materials.
Biography of Charles Marshall
Charles L. Marshall was born August 31, 1905 in Atchison, Kansas. He graduated from Kansas State University with an architecture degree in 1927, becoming a professionally licensed architect in 1931.
Marshall worked in Nebraska, Missouri, New York, and for the U.S. War Department in Washington, D.C. before coming back to Kansas in 1934. Before becoming the State Architect of Kansas from 1945-1952 he was Assistant State Architect, starting in 1935. During his years as state architect, John Steuart Curry was hired to paint the murals on the walls of the Kansas State Capitol building in Topeka. After he was no longer the state architect, Marshall opened his own private practice in Topeka, working there until he retired in 1982.
Throughout Marshall’s life he would sketch anything and everything he could; several of his drawings and watercolors were of Kansas landscapes. He started to watercolor in college and won many contests with his art. In 1983 he was named Kansas Governors Artist. Charles Marshall died November 14, 1992 in Topeka, KS.
Extent
106.5 Linear Feet (115 boxes + 374 tubes of architectural drawings, 50 oversize boxes, 28 oversize folders)
Language of Materials
English
Scope and Contents
This collection includes architectural drawings by Marshall from throughout his career as an architect; some architectural drawings by other architects; Marshall's papers, both personal and professional, including several works of art by Marshall; and photographs showing construction on several of Marshall's architectural projects. Marshall's architectural projects included public school buildings, college and university buildings, commercial buildings, hospitals, National Guard armories, churches, shopping centers, and private residences.
Physical Location
RH AD 8
Physical Location
RH MS 547
Physical Location
RH MS-P 547
Physical Location
RH MS Q448
Physical Location
RH MS R535, RH MS R539
Physical Location
RH AD 16
Physical Location
RH MS S88
Physical Location
Annex (Contact Spencer Library Public Services)
Other Finding Aids
See ksrl.kc.marshallcharles.pdf for an inventory of the photographs in the collection.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gifts, Charles Marshall, 1986, 1992; Estate of Charles Marshall, 1993, 1999, 2013, 2014; Maybelle Scheetz, 2018.
Source
- Marshall, Charles L., 1905-1992 (Donor, Person)
- Scheetz, Maybelle (Donor, Person)
- Title
- Guide to the Charles Marshall Collection
- Subtitle
- Charles Marshall collection
- Author
- Finding aid prepared by rcr. Finding aid encoded by rcr. Finding aid revised by mwh, 2017; vej, 2019; mab, dsw, 2020; mwh, 2022; erm and cmp, 2023.
- Date
- 2016
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Finding aid written in English.
- Finding aid permalink
- http://hdl.handle.net/10407/1774744042
- Preferred citation
-
Charles Marshall Collection, RH AD 8, Kenneth Spencer Research Library, University of Kansas.
Repository Details
Part of the University of Kansas. Kenneth Spencer Research Library Repository