Open the world of the person behind the architecture. Alden Dow’s life-long correspondence, including his speeches and patents, opens ideas, feelings and a philosophy revealing a personal side to this Renaissance man. Exploration of these papers may compliment your research…ask if your research subject has related personal correspondence when making your appointment in the Archives.

In our electronic age, hand-written, dictated or typed correspondence is becoming a thing of the past.  During Alden Dow’s time this was the norm. Imagine how different writing a speech for the American Institute of Architects would have been for Alden Dow… no computers, only a manual typewriter…a small change becomes a “do over”. Nowadays, isn’t it special to receive a hand-written letter or note from a friend? It seems to mean more.

(For photography credits, see the photographer page.)