In 1986, Vada Bennett Dow, honoring the significance of her husband's work, established the Alden B. Dow Archives to preserve and document Mr. Dow’s architectural career and to make those records available for public research. In 2000, the collection became nationally recognized by Heritage Preservation and the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works as a recipient for Outstanding Commitment to the Preservation and Care of Collections.

Open to the public by appointment, the Archives welcomes students, scholars, architects, and anyone who has an interest in Alden Dow's philosophy and design. Researchers may come and study the original primary resource materials for over 560 residential, religious, educational, civic, and commercial structures, as well as Alden Dow's sketches, personal papers, speeches, writings and oral histories.

The collection holds approximately 22,000 drawings (see Architectural Drawings), 650 job files (see Job Files), 3,000 publications, 300 16mm motion picture films (see 16mm Films), photographs (see Photographs), personal papers (see Personal Papers), model trains, mechanical toys, furniture, and decorative arts. 

Trains, Toys & Arts at the Home & Studio

(For photography credits, see the photographer page.)