Architecture and Civil Engineering Collections

Albert Mayer was an architect and city planner. After spending several years as an engineer, he switched to architecture when he became more interested in the social aspects of design. An advocate of large-scale planned housing projects, he believed that cities should not grow naturally. Mayer was involved in the planning and development of several new cities in the U.S. and abroad. Mayer's contributions to the field were recognized professionally; he was a fellow of the American Institute of Architects and won the Medal of Honor from the New York Chapter, earned the Certificate of Merit of the Municipal Art Society of New York, and the Honor Award from the American Society of Landscape Architects.

Gutheim became professionally acquainted with housing and planning policy while a staff member at the Brookings Institution. Between 1933 and 1947, he worked for federal agencies involved with housing and planning, serving the U.S. Army in the National Housing Agency during World War II. During this period, he also married Mary “Polly” Purdon, in 1935.

The Oscar Stonorov papers document Stonorov’s career as architect and city planner. Much of the material pertains to architectural and artistic projects including Stonorov’s home (Avon Lea), the Carl Mackley Housing Project, Philadelphia city planning projects, exhibits such as "Frank Lloyd Wright" and "Better Philadelphia," and sculptures.