Foster Dunwiddie papers
Scope and Content Note
The collection contains reports, papers, and lectures from Dunwiddie's historic preservation classes at the University of Minnesota; reports, photographs, and plans of Minneapolis flour mills and other historic structures for the Historic American Buildings Survey; drawings, specifications, and job files of buildings designed by Dunwiddie, including Metropolitan Stadium and the Sheraton Hotel; and appointment books, slides, and photographs of projects and historic buildings from Dunwiddie's personal collection.
Dates
- Creation: 1882-1989
Creator
- Dunwiddie, Foster Wilfred, 1925- (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
Foster W. Dunwiddie was born in Fox Lake, Wisconsin on January 29, 1925. He graduated from high school in Port Washington, WI, in 1942 and served in the 14th Armored Division of the U.S. Army from 1943 to 1945. After the war, he graduated with honors from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, earning a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering in 1948. Dunwiddie was granted a bachelor's degree in architecture in 1951 and a master's degree in architecture in historic preservation in 1979, both from the University of Minnesota. He joined Thorshov & Cerny, Inc., in 1950 as a draftsman and rose to become an associate in the firm. In 1960, when Robert Cerny left to form his own firm, Cerny Associates, Dunwiddie went along as a partner and later became vice president. In 1963, he, along with colleagues from Thorshov & Cerny and Cerny Associates, formed Miller, Whitehead, Dunwiddie Inc. Four years later the firm became Miller-Dunwiddie Associates Inc. and continues to the present time. Dunwiddie taught historic preservation classes at the University of Minnesota from 1979 until his retirement in 1989. He retired from architectural practice in 1997.
Principal works by Dunwiddie include: Metropolitan Stadium (razed)(Bloomington, MN, 1955-64); Minnesota Centennial Building (St. Paul, 1960); Sheraton Hotel (razed)(Minneapolis, 1959-63); restoration of the Commandant's House and Officers' Quarters, Ft. Snelling (St. Paul, 1975); restoration of the Minneapolis City Hall (1983); restoration of the Minnesota State Capitol (St. Paul); and several facilities at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (1960s-1980s).
Extent
60 Cubic Feet
Abstract
Collection contains reports, papers, and lectures from Foster Dunwiddie's historic preservation classes at the University of Minnesota and materials from his personal collection.
Arrangement
The collection is organized into 2 main series: Class Records and Project Files; the following is a list of the sub-series for these:
- Cedar - Riverside
- Historic Architects
- Jackson Street Shops
- Material Industries & Companies
- Materials
- Minnesota Courthouses
- Non-University Buildings
- Pillsbury Milling Complex
- University Buildings
- Warehouse District
- Washburn-Crosby Milling Complex
- Willey House
- Appointment Books
- Audio Tapes
- Desk Calendar
- Lectures
- Miscellaneous
- Project Folders
- Resources
- Slide Binders
- Slide Boxes
- U of M
- U of M Classes
- Artifacts
- Business Files
- Job Files Met Stadium
- 2012 Accession
Physical Location
Mezzanine; High Bay
Additional Finding Aid
An unpublished finding aid with detailed contents is available in the Manuscripts Division.
- Title
- Foster Dunwiddie papers
- Author
- Archives Staff, Edits by Jemma Kloss in 2023
- Date
- undated
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- English
Collecting Area Details
Contact The Northwest Architectural Archives Collecting Area