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Foster Dunwiddie papers

 Collection
Identifier: N142

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

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:

  1. Cedar - Riverside
  2. Historic Architects
  3. Jackson Street Shops
  4. Material Industries & Companies
  5. Materials
  6. Minnesota Courthouses
  7. Non-University Buildings
  8. Pillsbury Milling Complex
  9. University Buildings
  10. Warehouse District
  11. Washburn-Crosby Milling Complex
  12. Willey House
  13. Appointment Books
  14. Audio Tapes
  15. Desk Calendar
  16. Lectures
  17. Miscellaneous
  18. Project Folders
  19. Resources
  20. Slide Binders
  21. Slide Boxes
  22. U of M
  23. U of M Classes
  24. Artifacts
  25. Business Files
  26. Job Files Met Stadium
  27. 2012 Accession

Physical Location

Mezzanine; High Bay

Additional Finding Aid

An unpublished finding aid with detailed contents is available in the Manuscripts Division.

Related Material in the Northwest Architectural Archives

Cerny Associates papers (N 29)

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

Contact:

612-625-3550