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Kathryn Bishop Eckert Sandstone Architecture Research Papers

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MS-754

Scope and Contents

Collection, circa 1890-2007, of research materials compiled by Kathryn Bishop Eckert (Kathryn Anne Bishop Omoto) in the process of writing The Sandstone Architecture of the Lake Superior Region (PhD. diss., Michigan State University, 1982; Wayne State University Press, 2000). Contents include research notes, correspondence, historical preservation site evaluations, photographs, historical newspaper articles, blueprints, building specifications, books and book excerpts, and articles.

Series I, Research Files, contains files on subjects relevant to Omoto’s research. Subjects include sandstone buildings, quarries and quarry companies, people involved with sandstone architecture, building materials, and architectural history. The sandstone building research files contain historical newspaper articles, books and book excerpts, blueprints, building specifications, maps, photographs, historical preservation site evaluations, research notes, and correspondence. Most materials are photocopies rather than originals. The quarries and quarry companies research files contain information sheets for quarry companies (noting the name of corporation, date of incorporation, location of quarry, description of stone, resulting buildings, etc.) and sources documenting the companies. The Milwaukee brick research files contain sources on Milwaukee brick, also known as Cream City brick. Eckert’s first draft of The Sandstone Architecture of the Lake Superior Region included a chapter on Milwaukee brick, which she juxtaposed with sandstone; a draft of this chapter is included here. The building personnel research files contain information about architects, builders, craftsmen, contractors, and investors involved with sandstone architecture in the Lake Superior region. The final set of research files contains research sources, notes, and correspondence.

Series II, Card Files, includes card files for building evaluations, quarries and quarry companies, building personnel, and research sources. The first set of card files contains building evaluations from historical preservation surveys conducted by Omoto, her department, and affiliates. Cards list buildings’ names and locations, and often additional information such as their architects, original and present usage, and citations for sources documenting their history. Some evaluations include photographs, and many are supported by additional cards containing research notes. The second set of card files documents quarries and quarry companies, including information such as their location, founding date, and resulting buildings. The third set of card files includes information about architects, carpenters/builders, engineers, and contractors/developers involved in sandstone architecture. The final set of card files includes citations and requests for research sources, notes, and some copies of sources.

Series III, Publication Materials, consists of materials documenting the publication of The Sandstone Architecture of the Lake Superior Region. Contents include correspondence, documents, and a copy of the original typeset manuscript of The Sandstone Architecture of the Lake Superior Region.

Dates

  • 1890-2007
  • Majority of material found within 1978-1982

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Available for use in the Michigan Technological University Archives and Copper Country Historical Collections.

Conditions Governing Use

Various copying restrictions apply. Guidelines are available from Michigan Technological University Archives & Copper Country Historical Collections.

Biographical Note

Known professionally as Kathryn Bishop Eckert, Kathryn Anne (Bishop) Omoto was born on August 4, 1935 in Detroit, Michigan to Azalia (Cook) and William Reaume Bishop. Eckert attended Mount Holyoke College, graduating with a BA in the history of religion in 1957. She later received a MA in art history (1970) and a Ph.D. in American studies (1982) from Michigan State University.

From 1970 to 1997, Eckert worked as an architectural historian and historical preservationist at the Michigan History Center and the Michigan State Historical Preservation Office (SHPO). She served as Michigan’s State Historic Preservation Officer from 1992-1997.

She was a founding member of the Keweenaw National Historical Park Commission, Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear, and Friends of the Michigan State Capitol. She also served as the Board Chair of the Fishtown Preservation Society, as a trustee of the Americana Foundation, and as an advisor to the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Eckert received many professional honors, including distinguished service awards from the American Institute of Architects, the President's Award from the Michigan Historic Preservation Network, and a fellowship from the Society of Architectural Historians.

Eckert authored Buildings of Michigan (Oxford University Press, 1993; University of Virginia Press, 2012), The Sandstone Architecture of the Lake Superior Region (Wayne State University Press, 2000), and The Campus Guide: Cranbrook (Princeton Architectural Press, 2001).

Kathryn married Ronald Charles Eckert in 1958, divorcing in 1978. She married a second time in 1986 to Sadayoshi Omoto. She and Sadayoshi lived in Okemos and Leland, MI. Sadayoshi passed away on March 4, 2013. Kathryn passed away in Leland on July 15, 2022.

Extent

8.2 cubic feet ( (6 Paige boxes, 6 card boxes, 1 manuscript box, and 1 oversize folder))

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Collection, circa 1890-2007, of research materials compiled by Kathryn Bishop Eckert (Kathryn Anne Bishop Omoto) in the process of writing The Sandstone Architecture of the Lake Superior Region (PhD. diss., Michigan State University, 1982; Wayne State University Press, 2000).

Arrangement

This collection is arranged in three series: Research Files, Card Files, and Publication Materials. The Research Files series and the Card Files series are further arranged in subseries by topic. Materials within each series are typically filed alphabetically, following Eckert’s original order.

Title
Kathryn Bishop Eckert Sandstone Architecture Research Papers
Status
In Progress
Author
Martin Kaehrle
Date
07/28/2023
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
English.

Repository Details

Part of the Michigan Technological University Archives and Copper Country Historical Collections Repository

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