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BURNHAM HOYT ARCHITECTURAL RECORDS

 Collection
Identifier: WH1188

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

The majority of the papers in this collection range from 1915 to 1960 (with a few 1982 and 1994 papers relating to alterations of one Hoyt-designed home). The bulk of the collection consists of architectural plans for private residences and institutions. Included are plans for some of Hoyt's important works. For example, the plans for Red Rocks, listed in the National Register of Historic Places, are included. From the drawings, it is apparent that Hoyt took into account the physical and acoustical qualities of this unique location to create the amphitheater. The detailed plans as well as specifications and correspondence for the Denver Public Library building are included. Most of the plans were created with pencil or pen on linen or tracing paper. The collection also contains numerous blueline or sepialine prints.

Of special note is Hoyt's attention to the details in the architectural plans. For example, Hoyt included designs of nursery characters for the walls of the kindergarten room of Steele Elementary School. Plans for many private residences contain the intricate patterns of bricks for the outside walls and ornate iron scroll work designs for screens and for railings for porches. A few original architectural plans drawn by other architects are included when the building was later renovated by Hoyt. Nine oversize photograph albums document numerous residential and commercial projects.

SERIES 1 PROJECTS 1928-1994 BOX 1-2

Arranged alphabetically by the name of the project or the customer, this series consists of specifications, correspondence and reports. Included are correspondence and reports that detail the construction of the Denver Public Library from 1948 to 1957.

SERIES 2 BUSINESS RECORDS 1915-1956 BOX 2

Papers generated by Hoyt's architectural business constitute this series. Arranged chronologically, the series includes correspondence, ledgers, forms and tax records.

SERIES 3 PERSONAL PAPERS 1918-1956 BOX 2

Arranged chronologically, correspondence, biographical sketches, obituaries, insurance papers and awards comprise this series.

SERIES 4 PHOTOGRAPHS 1948-1951, 1976 BOX 2

The series comprises various project photographs, which are arranged chronologically. The Red Rocks Amphitheater project forms the bulk of the material. Also included are four biographical photographs of Burnham Hoyt

SERIES 5 ARCHITECTURAL PLANS 1918-1956 OVFF 1-188

Original drawings, blueline and sepialine prints constitute this series. Architectural plans are arranged alphabetically by the name of the project, the building or the client. Each project includes the address of the building and the shelf location of the plans. The dimensions, formats, date and scales are contained in the listing of project plans.

SERIES 6 OVERSIZE - MEMORABILIA N.D., 1904, 1918 OVFOLIO 1

This series contains Hoyt's Denver High School diploma, a World War I award citation and a photograph of his portrait.

SERIES 7 OVERSIZE - PHOTOGRAPH ALBUMS 1924-1940 OVBOXES 1-8

Nine large-format photograph albums comprise the series. Previously separated and numbered C Photo Albums 171, 172 and 310 through 316, these albums have been reintegrated into this collection.

Former albums 171 and 172 document Denver Businessman Charles Alfred Johnson's Sedalia, Colorado residence, Charlford. Former album 171 depicts construction of the home, while former album 172 provides scenic vistas, views of the grounds, and exterior and interior images of the house. Each album includes 96 prints. For digitized images of similar subjects search: http://photoswest.org.

Former album 310 includes eight photographs, which provide interior and exterior perspectives of the John Barrows residence, located at 4000 S. Gilpin, Englewood, Colorado. Views include the entrance, the backyard, patio, dining room, library, kitchen, and a bedroom. For digitized images of similar subjects search: http://photoswest.org.

Former album 311 contains twenty photographic prints mounted on mat board. These prints depict interior and exterior views of the Boettcher School for Crippled Children, which was once located at 1900 Downing Street, Denver, Colorado. Prints include the entrance, lobby, hallways, auditorium, courtyard, registration desk, gym, library, classroom, cafeteria, and dormitory. For digitized images of similar subjects search: http://photoswest.org.

Four photographic views of a Denver, Colorado sewage disposal plant designed by Burnham Hoyt comprise former album 312. Images include settling ponds, the administration building, the chemical buildings and waste treatment facilities. For digitized images of similar subjects search: http://photoswest.org.

Former album 313 contains twelve photographic prints depicting interior and exterior perspectives of the Colorado Springs High School addition designed by Burnham Hoyt in Colorado Springs (El Paso County), Colorado. Views of the auditorium, a stairwell, a hallway, a trophy case, the cafeteria, the library, and a classroom are included. For digitized images of similar subjects search: http://photoswest.org.

Fourteen photographic prints mounted on mat board, depicting the Albany Hotel addition, 1720 Stout Street, Denver, Colorado comprise former album 314. Views include interior and exterior perspectives as well as the lobby, lounge, bar, cafeteria, bandstand, a hallway, hotel bedrooms, and a suite. For digitized images of similar subjects search: http://photoswest.org.

Former album 315 contains fourteen photographic prints on mat board . Views include exterior and interior perspectives of the Alfred J. Bromfield, Jr. residence, an art deco style house designed by Burnham Hoyt, at 4975 S. University Boulevard, Englewood (Arapahoe County), Colorado. For digitized images of similar subjects search: http://photoswest.org.

Former album 316 includes nineteen prints on mat board. Included are the Barry Sullivan residence, 45 Circle Drive, Denver, Colorado; the Mrs. Herbert Morton Thorpe residence,140 Cherry Street, Denver, Colorado; the Industrial Federal Savings and Loan Association, 1630 Stout Street, Denver, Colorado; and the Arthur E. Johnson residence, 515 Race Street, Denver, Colorado. Additional photographs of unidentified homes are also included. For digitized images of similar subjects search: http://photoswest.org.

Dates

  • TBD

ACCESS:

The collection is open for research. Floor plans of privately owned buildings may not be copied without the written consent of the building owner.

OWNERSHIP:

Literary and copyrights - as appropriate - have been assigned to the Denver Public Library.

PUBLICATION RIGHTS:

All requests for permission to publish, reproduce, or quote from material in the collection should be discussed with the appropriate librarian or archivist. Permission for publication may be given on behalf of the Denver Public Library as the owner of the physical item. It is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which also must be obtained by the customer. The Library does not assume any responsibility for infringement of copyright or publication rights of the manuscript held by the writer, heirs, donors, or executors. Reproduction restrictions are decided on a case-by-case basis.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE

Burnham Hoyt (1887-1960) was born in Denver, Colorado and graduated from Denver High School, North Side, in 1904. He began his architectural apprenticeship with the Denver firm of Kidder and Wieger. With the encouragement of his older brother, Merrill, Hoyt attended the Beaux Arts School of Design in New York City in 1908. He continued his apprenticeship in New York City at the firm of George Post and Bertram Goodhue. Hoyt then served for two years in the Army during World War I, designing camouflage. In 1919, Hoyt returned to Denver to join his brother in an architectural firm named M.H. and B. Hoyt, Architects.

The Hoyts designed a number of Denver buildings in various historical revival styles. Examples include Lake Junior High in the English Gothic style and the Park Hill Branch Library in the Spanish Baroque Revival style. They also designed a number of private residences for wealthy Denver clients.

In 1926, Hoyt accepted a commission to design the interior of The Riverside Church in New York City. Hoyt remained in New York City to join the faculty of the New York University School of Architecture. In 1930, Hoyt became dean of the School of Architecture. He taught at the university until his brother, Merrill, died suddenly in 1933. Hoyt eventually returned to Denver to fulfill the firm's commitments and to establish his own firm.

The Bromfield Residence of 1936 was Hoyt's first Denver design for his new firm. Upon completion, this structure received national attention and was included in surveys of modern architecture. Hoyt designed many private residences throughout Colorado for clients such as Adolph Coors and the Tammen family. Some of his most significant designs were for institutions. The Denver Children's Hospital (1936) and the Boettcher School for Crippled Children (1938) received national recognition.

Constructed in the 1930s with Civilian Conservation Corps labor, the Red Rocks Amphitheater was selected as one of the decade's 50 outstanding examples of American architecture by the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. Hoyt incorporated natural topographic features and rock formations in his design.

Collaborating with the Denver firm of Arthur and Alan Fisher, Hoyt designed the Denver Public Library.

In 1936, Hoyt married Mildred Fuller. Hoyt came down with Parkinson's disease in the early fifties, and by 1955 he was forced to close his practice. He died at his home in 1960.

Extent

2 Boxes

1 Oversize Folio

8 Oversize Photoboxes

188 oversize folders

Language of Materials

English

PROVENANCE:

Mildred Hoyt donated the bulk of the materials on December 31, 1976. Bill Winter donated materials on December 3, 1984. Peter L. Durante donated materials on May 13, 1993. Lua R. Blankenship, Jr., donated materials in 1993. Lorna C. Mason donated materials on August 28, 1997. Curt Fentriss also donated materials on February 20, 2002. This project was paid for in part by a State Historical Fund grant from the Colorado Historical Society.

SELECTION OF RELATED MATERIAL

Burnham Hoyt (C720.978883 H854zbur)

Denver Public Library; Construction, Branch Renovation C Photo Collection 99

Boettcher School Architectural Plans, 1940-1981 C MSS WH1810

SIZE:

Number of Boxes: 2

Oversize: 1 Oversize Folio

Oversize: 8 Oversize Photoboxes

Oversize: 188 Oversize Folders

LOCATION:

WH1188

PROCESSED BY:

Ann Brown

Dennis Hagen

2005

REVISED BY:

Dennis Hagen

May 2008, April 2011, September 2013

PROJECT MANAGER:

Ellen Zazzarino

Title
BURNHAM HOYT ARCHITECTURAL RECORDS
Date
September 2013
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script

Repository Details

Part of the Denver Public Library, Western History and Genealogy Repository

Contact:
10 W. 14th Ave. Pkwy
Denver CO 80204 United States