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John Gaw Meem Photograph Collection of Meem Buildings

 Collection
Identifier: PICT-000-675

Scope and Content

The John Gaw Meem photo collection contains photographs of buildings designed and built by John Gaw Meem, architect. The collection consists of photos of buildings, architectural elements, and details of buildings in the small towns, cities, and pueblos of New Mexico. Photographers represented include Ansel Adams, Laura Gilpin, Tyler Dingee, and Ernest Knee. There is a small number of original negatives, some unprinted. Ask the Pictorial Collections Archivist to see the database of unprinted negatives. Two albums contain renderings by John Gaw Meem of various buildings - see contents list for the job numbers found in each album. The John Gaw Meem Non-Job Specific photograph (000-675 NJS) collection contains photos collected by Meem of structures and architechural details not of his design.

Dates

  • 1925-1963

Language of Materials

English

Copy Restrictions

Duplication of print and photographic material is allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for copyright compliance. For more information see the Photographs and Images Research Guide and contact the Pictorial Archivist.

®JOHN GAW MEEM

The United States Patent and Trademark office registered JOHN GAW MEEM as a trademark for any commercial use of the name related to John Gaw Meem's "archtiectural plans and drawings of architectural works and architectural details." Trademark number 2,225,118.

Biography

John Gaw Meem, 1894-1983, is one of New Mexico's most renowned architects. Perhaps more than any other individual, John Gaw Meem is responsible for the conservation, development and propagation of the Southwestern regional architectural style. He was born in Pelota, Brazil of American parents. He graduated from the Virginia Military Institute in 1915 with a Bachelor of Science. In 1920, he contracted tuberculosis and moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico in order to recover. While bedridden at Sunmount Sanatorium, he developed an interest in architecture. When he was sufficiently recovered, he went to Denver where he worked in the office of Fisher & Fisher and studied at the Beaux Arts Institute of Design Atelier. In 1924 he opened an office in Santa Fe and practiced architecture continuously until his retirement in 1960.

Meem was a leading advocate of Spanish-Pueblo style architecture and designed new buildings in a soft adobe style that reflected New Mexico's rich cultural heritage. He was involved in historic preservation throughout his life, collecting a significant number of Historic American Building Society photographs, now housed in the pictorial collection at Zimmerman Library. John Gaw Meem was the leading architect for the University of New Mexico from 1933 to 1959, designing some 40 buildings on the campus that lend to its Southwestern atmosphere.

In 1975, Meem donated his collection of plans, drawings, models, photographs, and office papers to the University of New Mexico library. These formed the basis of the John Gaw Meem Archives of Southwestern Architecture, which houses collections of records from a number of New Mexico architects and their firms.

Meem died in Santa Fe on August 4, 1983.

Extent

1830 plus items (28 boxes) : 1828 photographic prints, 2 photograph albums, negatives, 1 unprocessed box

Additional Description

Abstract

This collection contains photographs of buildings designed and built by architect, John Gaw Meem.

Arrangement

Photographs are filed by job number.

Physical Location

B2. Shelved in High Security by Pictorial Number.

Related Archival Material

Center for Regional Studies and the Center for Southwest Research Fellows presentation, Mike Shively.

John Gaw Meem Collection: Non-Job Specific Photos, Center for Southwest Research, University Libraries. University of New Mexico. John Gaw Meem Job Files, Center for Southwest Research, University Libraries, University of New Mexico. John Gaw Meem Drawings and Plans, Center for Southwest Research, University Libraries, University of New Mexico. John Gaw Meem Papers, Center for Southwest Research, University Libraries, University of New Mexico. Emory Stedman Photograph Album and Loose Material University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research and Special Collections

Index to Job Numbers

Job Number Job Title Location Date
257 Albuquerque Little Theater Albuquerque, NM 1935, 1936, 1938, 1939
464 Alvord School- Additions and Alterations Santa Fe, NM 1945, 1947, 1949
240 Archbishop of Santa Fe Old Residence (Remodeling of Vault) Santa Fe, NM 1934
420 Art Museum/Palace of the Govenors Santa Fe, NM 1949, 1952, 1957, 1958
029 Austin, T. Ranch House Pecos River near Rowe, NM 1937
569 Bataan Memorial Methodist Hospital Albuquerque, NM 1949-1952
523 Batts and Wright Store Building Collection Santa Fe, NM 1945, 1947-1949, 1955, 1956
553 Batts and Wright Store Building Collection Santa Fe, NM
320 Boy's Club of Santa Fe Santa Fe, NM 1939, 1940-1941, 1945, 1951, 1952, 1956
567 Broome Furniture Company (Remodel) Albuquerque, NM 1950
136 Brownell-Howland Residence Santa Fe, NM 1930
286 Brownell-Howland Residence Near Santa Fe, NM 1937, 1940, 1941, 1946
584 Chapel of the Good Shepherd Mission Fort Defiance, AZ 1952-1956, 1958, 1960, 1961
133 Chase, F. Residence Santa Fe, NM 1930
248 Church at Abiquiu/ Ranchos De Taos School/ Proposed Church for the Franciscan Santa Fe, Abiquiu, Shiprock, NM 1935
200 Church at Acomita Acomita, NM 1932
012 Church of Holy Faith Santa Fe, NM
090 Clarkson Residence Tesuque, NM 1928
179 Clovis Armory Clovis, NM 1931, 1934
358 Clovis Episcopal Rectory for Bishop Bartlett Clovis, NM 1941, 1945, 1951
623 Coates, F. G. Residence Santa Fe, NM 1955
177 Coburn Library at Colorado College Colorado Springs, CO 1931, 1932, 1933, 1939, 1940
509 Cole, J. R. Guest House and Residence Santa Fe, NM 1942, 1944, 1947, 1949
183 Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center Colorado Springs, CO 1934, 1935
092 Conkey, M. Residence Santa Fe, NM 1929
315 Cristo Rey Church Santa Fe, NM 1939, 1969, 1971
185 Cutting, Sentaor Bronson Residence Santa Fe, NM 1931
137 Dempsy, J. Residence Santa Fe, NM 1930
444 Dendahl's Store Santa Fe, NM 1945-1947, 1949
088 Douglas Avenue School East Las Vegas, NM
649 First Baptist Church Santa Fe, NM 1957-1960
499 First National Bank of Belen (Additions and Alterations) Belen, NM 1947-1951
300 First National Bank of Santa Fe Santa Fe, NM 1926, 1927, 1938, 1941, 1945-1947, 1951-1956
462 First National Bank of Santa Fe Santa Fe, NM 1926, 1927, 1938, 1941, 1945-1947, 1951-1956
297 First Presbyterian Church Santa Fe, NM 1928, 1938, 1939, 1941, 1947, 1948, 1950, 1952, 1955, 1956, 1958
371 First Presbyterian Church Taos, NM 1941, 1951, 1952
164 Fountain Valley School Colorado Springs, CO 1930, 1937, 1938, 1940
307 Fountain Valley School Colorado Springs, CO 1930, 1937-1938, 1940
323 Gregg, E. Residence Santa Fe, NM 1971
210A Highlands University Las Vegas, NM 1929, 1933, 1935, 1936, 1946, 1949, 1950-1959
210B Highlands University Las Vegas, NM 1929, 1933, 1935, 1936, 1946, 1949, 1950-1959
210D Highlands University Las Vegas, NM 1929, 1933, 1935, 1936, 1946, 1949, 1950-1959
568 Hinkel, Allen W. Residence Santa Fe, NM 1949-1951
148 Hollenbeck, A. Residence Santa Fe, NM
490 Immanuel Lutheran Church Santa Fe, NM 1948
557 Immanuel Presbyterian Church Albuquerque, NM 1948-1951, 1955, 1956
055 La Fonda Hotel Santa Fe, NM
048 Los Alamos Ranch School, Fuller Lodge Otowi, NM 1927
048 Los Alamos Ranch School, Fuller Lodge Otowi, NM 1927
191 Los Poblano, Ranch House Albuquerque, NM 1931, 1932, 1934, 1935
237 Los Poblanos Ranch (Simms, A. G. Owner)/ La Quinta Albuquerque, NM 1935
494 Lovelace Foundation for Medical Education and Research/ Clinic Santa Fe, NM 1941, 1946-1950
043 MacMillian, J. Residence Santa Fe, NM 1927
654 MacNaughton Lewis Residence Rociada, NM 1959,1960
166 Masonic Lodge Santa Fe, NM 1931
130 McCormick, C. Residence/Ranch Nambe, NM 1930-1945
496 McKee Construction Company/ Zia addition Santa Fe, NM 1946-1948
570 Museum of International Folk Art Santa Fe, NM 1932
570 Museum of International Folk Art Santa Fe, NM 1932
138 Museum of New Mexico Laboratory of Anthropology Santa Fe, NM 1930, 1969
460 New Mexico Solar House New Mexico 1946
580 Norcross, Fred S. (Filling Station) Santa Fe, NM 1949, 1950
572A O'Brien, Lincoln Residence (Additions and Alterations) Santa Fe, NM 1949, 1951, 1953
441H Part of Southern Gas Station, Perspective Drawing
214 Phillips Petroleum Filling Station Santa Fe, NM 1933, 1934
367 Plot of Permanent Buildings for Roswell Airfield Roswell, NM
468 Presbyterian Hospital Albuquerque, NM 1946-1949, 1952
109 Proctor, F. Residence Santa Fe, NM 1929
503 Renehan Building Santa Fe, NM 1946
404 Santa Fe Builder's Supply (Houses) Santa Fe, NM 1943, 1950, 1951
305 Santa Fe County Courthouse Santa Fe, NM 1938, 1939, 1953
205 Santa Fe Indian School Santa Fe, NM 1931
205 Santa Fe Indian School Santa Fe, NM 1931
290 Santa Fe Inn (Alterations and Additions) Santa Fe, NM 1938-1939
597 Santa Fe Jewish Temple and House of Worship Santa Fe, NM 1951, 1952, 1959
657 Santa Fe Post Office (Remodel) Santa Fe, NM 1944
548 St. Andrew's church (Proposed Additions and Alterations) Roswell, NM 1949, 1951
613 St. Andrew's Episcolpal Church Las Cruces, NM 1952, 1954
251 St. Francis Catherdral and School Santa Fe, NM 1932, 1935, 1940, 1947-1949, 1959
615 St. John the Baptist Church Santa Fe, NM 1953
114 St. John's Cathedral Albuquerque, NM 1928, 1930, 1939, 1946-1955
318 St. John's Cathedral Albuquerque, NM 1928, 1930, 1939, 1946-1955
640 St. Matthew's Episcopal Church Albuquerque, NM 1956, 1957, 1960
419 St. Michael's College Santa Fe, NM 1945
440 St. Vincent's, Hospital Santa Fe, NM 1946, 1948, 1950, 1951, 1954, 1955
018 Stedman, Residence and Guest House Santa Fe, NM 1926, 1929
018 Stedman, Residence and Guest House Santa Fe, NM 1926, 1929
101 Sunmount Sanatorium Santa Fe, NM
189 Taos Armory Taos, NM 1932, 1934
108 Taylor Residence Colorado Springs, CO
255 The Sandia School Albuquerque, NM 1936, 1938, 1939
190 The Shipley School Bryn Mawr, PA 1933
123 Thompson, F. Residence Nambe, NM 1929
117 Tilney/Harvey Residence Santa Fe, NM 1929
439 U.S. Potash Company Carlsbad, NM 1948, 1950-1952
472D United Brethren Church Albuquerque, NM 1951, 1953
472 United Brethren Church/ McCurdy School Santa Cruz, NM 1949, 1952-1954
215A University fo New Mexico Heating Plant and Laboratory Albuquerque, NM 1935, 1936, 1937, 1941, 1946, 1947, 1959, 1960
582 University of New Mexico - Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority House Albuquerque, NM 1945, 1950, 1951
217 University of New Mexico Administration Building and Laboratories Albuquerque, NM 1933, 1934, 1935, 1943
375Y University of New Mexico Biology Building, Castetter Hall Albuquerque, NM 1949-1951, 1953, 1954
375E University of New Mexico Chemistry Building, Clark Hall Albuquerque, NM 1941,1946, 1947, 1949-1953
375X University of New Mexico Chemistry Building, Clark Hall Albuquerque, NM 1941, 1946, 1947, 1949-1954
375K University of New Mexico College of Law and Auditorium Albuquerque, NM 1948, 1950-1952, 1954
375V University of New Mexico College of Law and Auditorium Albuquerque, NM 1948, 1950-1952, 1954
375J University of New Mexico College of Pharmacy Albuquerque, NM 1947-1948
357AA University of New Mexico Geology Building Albuquerque, NM 1951, 1952, 1954
375Z University of New Mexico Golf Clubhouse Albuquerque, NM 1941, 1942, 1950, 1951
215A University of New Mexico Heating Plant and Laboratory Albuquerque, NM 1936, 1940, 1948, 1949
375EE University of New Mexico Johnson Gymnasium Albuquerque, NM 1955
375P University of New Mexico Journalism Building Albuquerque, NM 1948, 1949, 1954, 1959
215B University of New Mexico Library Building Albuquerque, NM 1935, 1936, 1938, 1948, 1949, 1952
375M University of New Mexico Memorial Chapel Albuquerque, NM 1954
375A University of New Mexico Men's Dormitory Albuquerque, NM 1946, 1950, 1952, 1955
375C University of New Mexico Physics and Meteoritics Building Albuquerque, NM 1950-1952
215C University of New Mexico Student Union Building Albuquerque, NM 1935, 1936, 1937, 1941, 1946, 1947, 1959, 1960
375F University of New Mexico Student Union Building Albuquerque, NM 1950, 1956-1958
375R University of New Mexico Women's Dormitory Albuquerque, NM 1953-1957
352 University of New Mexico, Enclosure for N.Y.A. Building Albuquerque, NM 1941
375W Universtiy of New Mexico Classroom Building Albuquerque, NM 1949, 1950
019 Wyles, T. R., Wyles, E. R., Remodel La Cueva on the Pecos River near Valley Ranch, NM 1925-1946
528 Zook's and Kaune Stores Santa Fe, NM 1947
549 Santa Fe, NM 1932, 1935, 1940, 1947-1949, 1959

Processing Information

An item level database of photos in this collection is available in-house. Contact CSWR reference staff for access information.

Subjects

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title
Finding Aid of the John Gaw Meem Photograph Collection of Meem Buildings, 1925-1963
Status
Approved
Author
Processed by CSWR Staff
Date
©2005
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid is in English

Revision Statements

  • Monday, 20210524: Attribute normal is missing or blank.

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the UNM Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections Repository

https://library.unm.edu/cswr/index.php
Contact:
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451

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