David Kammer Professional Papers
Collection
Identifier: MSS-942-BC
Scope and Content
“Research and Nominations" documents the bulk of David Kammer’s professional work surveying cultural landscapes and preparing State and National Register nominations. Properties he examined range from vernacular buildings of northern New Mexico to road sections and commercial buildings along Route 66. Kammer conducted the first statewide study of New Deal public works architecture and landscape projects in New Mexico. He surveyed historic acequias, bridges, theaters, neon, neighborhoods, schools and forts, Kammer’s work spans the geographic State of New Mexico, from Albuquerque to Colfax County, Corrales, Fort Bayard, Fort Marcy, Galisteo, Las Vegas, Mora, Ojo Caliente, Santa Fe, Truth or Consequences, and White Sands. He also worked in Costilla County, CO and Socorro/San Elizario (TX).
This series consists largely of accumulated photocopied research from a wide variety of sources and resultant historical narratives written by David Kammer. A collection of slides is also included. The collection provides a wealth of information related to New Mexico’s cultural and historic landscape.
Additional materials added to the collection in May 2019.
This series consists largely of accumulated photocopied research from a wide variety of sources and resultant historical narratives written by David Kammer. A collection of slides is also included. The collection provides a wealth of information related to New Mexico’s cultural and historic landscape.
Additional materials added to the collection in May 2019.
Dates
- 1934-2009
- Majority of material found within 1990-2008
Creator
- Kammer, David, Ph. D. (Person)
Language of Materials
English
Access Restrictions
The collection is open for research.
Copy Restrictions
Limited duplication of CSWR material is allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for compliance with all copyright, privacy, and libel laws. Permission is required for publication or distribution.
Biography / History
David J. Kammer, born on June 25, 1946 in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, grew up in Vineland, New Jersey and moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1975. He earned his B.S.F.S. from Georgetown University (1968), an M.A. in American Studies from CCNY (1975), and a Ph.D. in American Studies from the University of New Mexico (1982). His professional career was primarily as a cultural historian in the Southwest, surveying buildings and landscapes, and preparing state and national register nominations.
Kammer was on the Speaker’s Bureau for the New Mexico Endowment for the Humanities (New Mexico Humanities Council). This was one of the vehicles he used to share history with the general public. He was a faculty member for UNM’s Southwest Institute from 1991-2001. A longtime resident of Nob Hill (Albuquerque, NM), Kammer served on the Nob Hill Neighborhood Association Board of Directors and is one of the founders of reDiscover Nob Hill, a grassroots effort to raise awareness and appreciation of the historic neighborhood. Kammer and his wife, Jeanne Whitehouse Peterson were scholars for the NM tour of the Smithsonian Institution exhibit, "Journey Stories" (2011-2012). "Journey Stories" was developed as part of the Museum on Main Street program, with local programming coordinated by the New Mexico Humanities Council.
Kammer was awarded the Antoinette Forrester Downing Award as co-author of La Tierra Amarilla: Its History, Architecture and Culture Landscape in 1992. He received the State of New Mexico’s Historic Preservation Award in 1996, and the Albuquerque Conservation Association (TACA) award in 2002.
Kammer was on the Speaker’s Bureau for the New Mexico Endowment for the Humanities (New Mexico Humanities Council). This was one of the vehicles he used to share history with the general public. He was a faculty member for UNM’s Southwest Institute from 1991-2001. A longtime resident of Nob Hill (Albuquerque, NM), Kammer served on the Nob Hill Neighborhood Association Board of Directors and is one of the founders of reDiscover Nob Hill, a grassroots effort to raise awareness and appreciation of the historic neighborhood. Kammer and his wife, Jeanne Whitehouse Peterson were scholars for the NM tour of the Smithsonian Institution exhibit, "Journey Stories" (2011-2012). "Journey Stories" was developed as part of the Museum on Main Street program, with local programming coordinated by the New Mexico Humanities Council.
Kammer was awarded the Antoinette Forrester Downing Award as co-author of La Tierra Amarilla: Its History, Architecture and Culture Landscape in 1992. He received the State of New Mexico’s Historic Preservation Award in 1996, and the Albuquerque Conservation Association (TACA) award in 2002.
Extent
8 boxes (8 cu. ft.), one oversize folder
Abstract
The collection contains David Kammer’s accumulated research, notes, and writing pertaining to his work as a cultural and architectural historian. Most of the work relates to State and National Register nominations for properties and districts in New Mexico, and Route 66.
Separated Material
Several publications have been transferred to University Libraries for cataloguing. Searching “David Kammer Professional Papers" in the online catalog will provide access to these items.
Processing Information
Dates used in the contents list generally reflect dates that the material was accumulated, based on contracts and professional resume rather than original publication dates for photocopied materials. In 2019 addition dates are noted for copied materials.
Creator
- Kammer, David, Ph. D. (Person)
- Title
- Finding aid of the David Kammer Professional Papers, 1934-2009
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- B. Silbergleit
- Date
- © 2015
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid is in English
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
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