Scope and Contents
The papers of Norman Morrison Isham pertain to his career as an architect, particularly his work in restoring old houses in Connecticut. The largest portion of the correspondence, which has been arranged chronologically, is between Isham and George Dudley Seymour, and relates to the birthplace of Nathan Hale in Coventry, Connecticut, as well as to other architectural projects. Letters exchanged between Isham and Oliver Gould Jennings concern the Fairfield Memorial Library; those of Annie Burr Jennings, Bishop Edward Campion Acheson, and Henry Watson Kent concern the Glebe House in Woodbury. Correspondence from Caroline B. Knous, Eva B. Leete, George W. Seward, and Henry S. Davis pertains to several buildings in Guilford; there are also letters from Morgan Bulkeley Brainard, Arthur Kingsley Porter, John Frederick Kelly, and Alfred H. Pratt.
Aside from correspondence, this collection contains a small selection of short writings on architecture by Isham, Seymour, and others. The bulk of the collection, however, consists of architectural drawings, blueprints, photographs, maps, printed matter, notes, and other materials arranged by geographical location. The largest sections are those devoted to the Fairfield Memorial Library, the Nathan Hale birthplace in Coventry, buildings in Guilford and Wethersfield, the Glebe House in Woodbury, and the first Yale College house. A number of large drawings, plans, and maps have been separately foldered in an oversize box; cross-references are provided in the box list which follows.
These papers were given to Yale University in 1948 by W.D. Miller. Related materials can be found in the George Dudley Seymour Papers, Ms. Gr. No. 442.
Dates
- 1848-1937
Creator
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of W.D. Miller in 1948.
Extent
4.5 Linear Feet (5 boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Catalog Record
A record for this collection is available in Orbis, the Yale University Library catalog
Persistent URL
Abstract
Correspondence, writings, architectural drawings, blueprints, photographs, and miscellanea relating to Isham's career as an architect, particularly in the restoration of old houses.
Biographical / Historical
Architect; A.B., Brown, 1886, A.M. 1890; in practice as an architect, 1892-1943; instructor in architecture, Brown, 1894-1898; head of architectural dept., R.I. School of Design, 1912-1920 and 1923-1933, lecturer in architectural history, 1920-1923 and 1933-1943; consultant on colonial rooms Am. Wing, Met. Museum, 1923-1924; consulting architect on Delaware State House, 1930-1933.
- Acheson, Edward, 1902-1966
- Architects
- Architecture -- Conservation and restoration
- Bainard, Morgan Bulkeley
- Blueprints
- Connecticut
- Coventry (Conn.)
- Davis, Henry S., 1876-1971
- Guilford (Conn.)
- Hale, Nathan, 1755-1776
- Housing
- Isham, Norman Morrison, 1864-1943
- Jennings, Annie Burr, 1855-1939
- Jennings, Oliver Gould, 1865-1936
- Kelly, J. Frederick (John Frederick), 1888-1947
- Kent, Henry Watson, 1866-1948
- Knous, Caroline B.
- Leete, Eva Bishop, 1859-1955
- Porter, Arthur Kingsley, 1883-1933
- Pratt, Alfred H.
- Seward, George W.
- Seymour, George Dudley, 1859-1945
- Woodbury (Conn.)
- Title
- Guide to the Norman Morrison Isham Papers
- Status
- Under Revision
- Author
- compiled by Janet Elaine Gertz
- Date
- August 1983
- Description rules
- Finding Aid Created In Accordance With Manuscripts And Archives Processing Manual
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English.
Part of the Manuscripts and Archives Repository
Yale University Library
P.O. Box 208240
New Haven CT 06520-8240 US
(203) 432-1735
(203) 432-7441 (Fax)
beinecke.library@yale.edu
Location
Sterling Memorial Library
Room 147
120 High Street
New Haven, CT 06511