John Gaw Meem Collection of Non-Job-Specific Photos
Collection
Identifier: PICT-000-675NJS
Scope and Content
The John Gaw Meem Non-Job-Specific Photo Collection contains photographs compiled by architect John Gaw Meem. The collection consists primarily of photos of buildings, architectural elements, and details of buildings located in small towns, cities, and Pueblos of New Mexico. These photos made up Meem's "idea files." Others are projects proposed by Meem but never built. Photographs include those taken by photographers Laura Gilpin, Tyler Dingee, and Dick Kent. Many photos were taken as a part of the Historic American Buildings Survey (H.A.B.S.). One album is included and contains photocopies of historic (1855-1880s) photos of old Santa Fe. Oversized prints include portraits of John Gaw Meem and his wife, Faith, and two Meem exhibit posters from 1976.
Included is The Carlos Vierra Collection of New Mexican Architecture, 6 photograph albums of Indian Pueblos, Mexican Houses, and Old Santa Fe Houses. The 6 albums are also available on 2 rolls of microfilm.
Included is The Carlos Vierra Collection of New Mexican Architecture, 6 photograph albums of Indian Pueblos, Mexican Houses, and Old Santa Fe Houses. The 6 albums are also available on 2 rolls of microfilm.
Dates
- 1859-1980
Language of Materials
English
Access Restrictions
The collection is open for research.
Copy Restrictions
Duplication of print and photographic material is allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for copyright compliance. For more information see Photographs and Images Research Guide and contact the Pictorial Archivist.
®<emph render="italic">JOHN GAW MEEM</emph>
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 Atelier Denver, a Beaux Arts Institute studio. 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 Survey photographs, now housed in the pictorial collections at the Center for Southwest Research, 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.
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 Survey photographs, now housed in the pictorial collections at the Center for Southwest Research, 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
1867 items (13 boxes) : 1850 photographic prints and postcards, 7 negatives, 6 photograph albums, 2 posters, 2 rolls of microfilm
Abstract
The John Gaw Meem Non-Job-Specific Photo Collection contains photographs compiled by architect John Gaw Meem.
Physical Location
High Security Area. Microfilm in Pictorial Collections microfilm drawers.
Images available online
Selections of the John Gaw Meem Collection of Non-Job-Specific Photos are available online via the New Mexico Digital Collections.
Carlos Vierra Collection of New Mexico Architecture Available on Microfilm
The Carlos Vierra Collection of New Mexico Architecture is available on microfilm
Separated Material
These photos were separated from the John Gaw Meem Papers.
- Abo (N.M.) -- 1910-1940 -- Pictorial works
- Acoma (N.M.) -- 1910-1950 -- Pictorial works
- Alamo (San Antonio, Tex.) -- 1910-1975 -- Pictorial works
- Albuquerque (N.M.) -- 1928-1975 -- Pictorial works
- Alcalde (N.M.) -- 1910-1975 -- Pictorial works
- Algeria -- 1910-1975 -- Pictorial works
- Algodones (N.M.) -- 1910-1975 -- Pictorial works
- Architectural elements -- New Mexico -- 1910-1975 -- Pictorial works
- Architecture -- New Mexico--1925-1963 -- Pictorial works
- Architecture, Domestic -- New Mexico -- 1910-1975 -- Pictorial works
- Architecture, Domestic -- New Mexico -- Pictorial works
- Bandelier National Monument (N.M.) -- 1930-1940 -- Pictorial works
- Brazil -- 1910-1975 -- Pictorial works
- Building, Adobe -- New Mexico -- 1910-1975 -- Pictorial works
- Cebolleta Grant (N.M.) -- 1910-1975 -- Pictorial works
- Central City (Colo.) -- 1910-1975 -- Pictorial works
- Chaco Canyon (N.M.) -- 1910-1975 -- Pictorial works
- Chimayo (N.M.) -- 1926-1975 -- Pictorial works
- Church buildings -- New Mexico -- 1925-1963 -- Pictorial works
- Churches -- Mexico -- 1910-1975 -- Pictorial works
- College building -- New Mexico -- 1925-1963 -- Pictorial works
- Colorado Springs (Colo.) -- 1910-1975 -- Pictorial works
- Cordova (N.M.) -- 1910-1975 -- Pictorial works
- Coyote (N.M.) -- 1910-1975 -- Pictorial works
- Cuchillo (N.M.) -- 1910-1975 -- Pictorial works
- Cuchillo (N.M.) -- 1910-1975 -- Pictorial works
- Dingee, Tyler
- Dwellings--New Mexico-1925-1963 -- Pictorial works
- Farmington (N.M.) -- 1950-1975 -- Pictorial works
- Gilpin, Laura, 1891-1979
- Historic American Buildings Survey
- Historic buildings--New Mexico--1910-1975 -- Pictorial works
- Hopi Indian Reservation (Ariz.) -- 1910-1975 -- Pictorial works
- Hovenweep National Monument (Utah and Colo.) -- 1910-1975 -- Pictorial works
- Indians of North America -- Pictorial works
- Isleta Pueblo (N.M.) -- 1910-1975 -- Pictorial works
- Laguna (N.M.) -- 1910-1975 -- Pictorial works
- Lamy (N.M.) -- 1910-1975 -- Pictorial works
- Las Vegas (N.M.) -- 1910-1975 -- Pictorial works
- Los Alamos (N.M.) -- 1967-1970 -- Pictorial works
- Loyola University, Chicago (Ill.) -- 1910-1975 -- Pictorial works
- Manzano (N.M.) -- 1910-1975 -- Pictorial works
- Meem, John Gaw, 1894-1983
- Mesa Verde National Park (Colo.) -- 1910-1975 -- Pictorial works
- Mexico Archaeology--1910-1975 -- Pictorial works
- Missions -- California -- 1910-1975 -- Pictorial works
- Missions--Texas--1910-1975 -- Pictorial works
- Morocco -- 1910-1975 -- Pictorial works
- Pasadena (Calif.) -- 1910-1975 -- Pictorial works
- Peralta (N.M.) -- 1910-1975 -- Pictorial works
- Photographs
- Pipe Spring Fort (Ariz.) -- 1910-1975 -- Pictorial works
- Pueblos -- New Mexico -- 1910-1975 -- Pictorial works
- Ranchos de Taos (N.M.) -- 1934-1950 -- Pictorial works
- San Felipi Pueblo (N.M.) -- 1910-1975 -- Pictorial works
- San Francisco (Calif.) -- 1910-1975 -- Pictorial works
- San Ildefonso Pueblo (N.M.) -- 1859-1950 -- Pictorial works
- Sandia Pueblo (N.M.) -- 1910-1975 -- Pictorial works
- Santa Fe (N.M.) -- 1859-1975 -- Pictorial works
- Santo Domingo (N.M.) -- 1910-1975 -- Pictorial works
- Spain--1910-1975 -- Pictorial works
- Talpa (N.M.) -- 1910-1975 -- Pictorial works
- Taos (N.M.) -- 1910-1975 -- Pictorial works
- Tecolote (N.M.) -- 1910-1975 -- Pictorial works
- Tijeras (N.M.) -- 1910-1975 -- Pictorial works
- Trampas (N.M.) -- 1910-1975 -- Pictorial works
- Vermejo Park (N.M.) -- 1910-1975 -- Pictorial works
- Vernacular Architecture -- New Mexico -- 1910-1975 -- Pictorial works
- Vierra, Carlos
- Zuni (N.M.) -- 1910-1975 -- Pictorial works
- Title
- Finding Aid of the John Gaw Meem Collection of Non-Job-Specific Photos, 1855-1980
- Status
- Completed
- 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
Part of the UNM Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections Repository
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
cswrref@unm.edu
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
cswrref@unm.edu