Thomas Ellerbe papers
Scope and Content Note
The collection consists of several manuscript drafts by four successive authors for a book-length history of Ellerbe & Company, published in 1980 as The Ellerbe Tradition, edited by Bonnie Richter. There are also personal office files kept by Mr. Ellerbe from 1959 to 1986 relating to the design and construction of several projects by Ellerbe & Co., his own residences, correspondence with friends, tributes, awards, and memorabilia, and copies of his writings.
Dates
- 1966-1986
Creator
- Ellerbe, Thomas Farr (Person)
Language of Materials
English
Restrictions on Access
Available for use in the Manuscripts Division reading room. Advance notice is requested.
Restrictions on Use
There are no restrictions on the use of materials in this collection. Copies can be requested if the condition of the originals warrants it.
Biographical Note
Thomas Ellerbe, the son of architect Franklin Ellerbe, was born in St. Paul in 1892. Nothing is known about his education. He entered his father's firm following military duty before and during World War I with the Minnesota National Guard. After his father's death in 1921, Ellerbe led his company in an expansion that resulted in the creation of the largest architectural practice in Minnesota. The firm specialized in the design of medical facilities, educational, industrial, and commercial structures. Among them are the Plummer Building of the Mayo Clinic (1922–1928); St. Paul City Hall and Ramsey County Court House (1931–1932); Cardozo Building (St. Paul) (1931); College of St. Thomas (St. Paul) (1928–1946); the Northwest Airlines hanger at Holman Field (St. Paul) (1942–1943); Cleveland (OH) Clinic and Hospital (1922); Mayo Clinic Diagnostic Building (1953–1969); and Sacred Heart Church (St. Paul) (1949). The firm also completed a number of buildings for the University of Notre Dame (South Bend, IN) and for State Farm Insurance Company. Thomas Ellerbe retired in 1966 and died in St. Paul on November 5, 1987.
Extent
6.5 Cubic Feet
Abstract
Collection consists of the papers of Thomas Ellerbe, architect in St. Paul, Minnesota and the director of Ellerbe Architects.
Physical Location
Mezzanine
Additional Finding Aid
An unpublished finding aid with detailed contents is available in the Manuscripts Division.
- Architects -- Minnesota -- Saint Paul Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Title
- Thomas Ellerbe papers
- Author
- Archives Staff
- Date
- undated
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- English
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Collecting Area Details
Contact The Northwest Architectural Archives Collecting Area
