Barbara Lane correspondence with German architects ( )

Transcription

1 Barbara Lane correspondence with German architects ( ) M52 Finding aid prepared by Melody Brandston, Leo Dolenski, Melissa Torquato. Last updated on July 2, 204. Bryn Mawr College 2006

2 Table of Contents Summary Information...3 Biography/History...4 Scope and Contents... 5 Administrative Information... 5 Controlled Access Headings...6 Collection Inventory... 7 Research Correspondence...7 Other Correspondence Page 2 -

3 Summary Information Repository Bryn Mawr College Creator Lane, Barbara Miller Title Barbara Lane correspondence with German architects ( ) Call number M52 Date [inclusive] Extent.25 linear feet Language English Abstract Barbara Miller Lane is a former Professor at Bryn Mawr College who came in 962 to teach history and later helped to develop the college's Growth and Structure of Cities Program in 97. Lane is known for her research in 20th century German Architecture and Urban Planning. Her most notable published work is "Architecture and Politics in Germany, ," (first published in 968) which is considered the classic work on German architecture and planning in the early twentieth century. She was also a member of the "City Forum", an advisory group on planning Berlin after German unification. This collection includes of letters between Barbara Lane and various German architects written while she was researching her study on politics and architecture in Germany between the World Wars, and contains correspondence with notable German Architects such as Fritz Breuhaus de Groot, Albert Speer, and Walter Gropius. - Page 3 -

4 Cite as: Cite as: Barbara Lane correspondence with German Architects, Special Collections Department, Bryn Mawr College Library Biography/History Barbara Miller Lane, a graduate of the University of Chicago and Barnard College, and a PhD in history from Harvard University, came to Bryn Mawr in the fall of 962 to teach history. The recipient of more than a dozen major grants and fellowships throughout her career, Lane has been a visiting professor at the Columbia University School of Architecture, a fellow at the Center for Advanced Study in the Visual Arts in Washington DC, a fellow at the Institute for Advanced Study, Berlin, and a member of the "City Forum", an advisory group on planning Berlin after German unification. In 97, she helped to found the Growth and Structure of Cities Program, and served as its director from , and again in Within the Cities Program, she introduced courses in the history of urban form and the history of modern architecture. Her books include Architecture and Politics in Germany, (Harvard University Press, 968, revised edition 985, Italian edition 973, German edition 986), which is considered the classic work on German architecture and planning in the early twentieth century; a compilation on Nazi Ideology Before 933 (ed., with Leila Rupp, University of Texas Press, 978), and National Romanticism and Modern Architecture in Germany and the Scandinavian Countries (Cambridge University Press, 2000). Shorter publications deal with subjects such as political symbolism in 9th- and 20th-century public buildings, the late 9th-century streetscape, Expressionism and modern architecture, architecture and planning in 20th-century Berlin, and the career and significance of Albert Speer. Other research interests include the evolution of American and European domestic architecture, the development of Swedish design theory from the 890s through the 930s, the history of city planning in the later 20th century, and methods of research in architectural history. Since her retirement from full-time teaching in 999, she has returned to Bryn Mawr College to teach advanced undergraduate and graduate seminars on such subjects as "Medievalism and Modern Architecture," "The Bauhaus and Weimar Culture," and "Housing and Dwelling: Perspectives on Modern Domestic Architecture." - Page 4 -

5 Scope and Contents The collection consists of letters between Barbara Lane and various German architects written while she was researching her study on politics and architecture in Germany between the World Wars. The study, Architecture and Politics in Germany , was published by the Harvard University Press, Cambridge, Mass., in 968. This correspondence includes letters written by Barbara Lane to architects who worked in Germany between the wars requesting information on her area of interest, as well as many of their replies. In some cases the correspondence between Lane and an architect includes as many as six letters. Many of the architects discuss their difficulties constructing modern building after the Nazis came to power and the ways in which architecture was monitored by the government. The architects with whom Lane corresponded include Fritz Breuhaus de Groot, Richard Döcker, Johannes Göderitz, Erwin Redslob, and Paul Schmitthenner. There are also a number of letters to Lane from Walter Gropius, whose archives she used several times while researching her book. As well as allowing Lane the use of his archives, Gropius read a draft of her completed manuscript and sent her his notes and opinions. His "Notes on Mrs. Lane's Manuscript" are enclosed in his letter of 9 July, 966. A second group of letters deals with Lane's donation of her research correspondence to the Bryn Mawr Library. There is also a letter from Albert Speer, thanking Lane for a copy of her book and offering her a relevant portion of his own memoirs. The collection consists of two groups of correspondence. The greatest part is made up of Lane's requests for information and the responses to her letters. These are organized alphabetically by correspondent. The second group is a small number of letters concerning Lane's donation of these letters to the library. Administrative Information Bryn Mawr College 2006 Finding aid prepared by Melody Brandston, Leo Dolenski, Melissa Torquato. Access Restrictions This collection is open for research. - Page 5 -

6 Use Restrictions Barbara Lane correspondence with German architects ( ) The Barbara Lane correspondence with German architects ( ) is the physical property of the Special Collections Department, Bryn Mawr College Library. Literary rights, including copyright, belong to the authors or their legal heirs and assigns. Immediate Source of Acquisition note Gift of Barbara Lane. Controlled Access Headings Personal Name(s) Gropius, Walter, March, Werner, May, Ernst, Speer, Albert, Subject(s) Architecture, German--20th century - Page 6 -

7 Research Correspondence Collection Inventory Research Correspondence, Abel, Adolf, 2 Feb 960. ALS, Stuttgart Content: Is busy and unable to take the time to discuss his past, but hopes that others will be able to help. Breuhaus de Groot, F. A., Dec 959, 20 Dec 959. S carbon 5 Jan 960, 5 Jan 960. S, Koln Content: His school was shut down by Nazis after he refused to undertake a commission from the state. It was difficult to build private houses because construction authorizations were discontinued for lack of materials. (Undated). S carbon 26 Jan 960, 26 Jan Page 7 -

8 Bund Deutscher Architekten S, Koln p. Content: Repeats that in theory he could build private houses as he wished, but in reality the available materials were held back for war-related construction. 4 Mar 960, 4 Mar 960. Koln Bund Deutscher Architekten. (Undated). 2p. 28 Jan 960, 28 Jan 960. S Content: Gives Lane the names and addresses of architects who worked in who were still living. Döcker, Richard. 4 Jan 960, 4 Jan Page 8 -

9 Eckstein, Hans S Content: Says it was difficult to get permission to build modern architecture, not for political reasons, but because of a general trend towards conservatism. 4 Feb 960, 4 Feb 960. S 2p. 9 Feb 960, 9 Feb 960. S Content: Reiterates that there was opposition to modern buildings, but that the opposition did not come directly from political parties. Eckstein, Hans, 3 Apr 962. S Content: Is sending material to be photocopied by B.L. after previous material was stolen. Elsaesser, Martin, 9 Dec 959. S carbon Elsaesser, Ursula. S, Stuttgart 2p. Content: Informs Lane that her father, Martin Elsaesser, has died and adds that until 929, there were no restrictions placed on his work. After that, the - Page 9 -

10 Emmerich, Jurgen Nazis put a stop to the building of modern architecture, and Elsaesser was able to get little work. Emmerich, Jurgen, 9 Feb 960. S, Berlin Content: His father, Paul Emmerich, to whom Lane had written, died a year and a half ago. His memory does not reach as far back, but he knows that while the influence of the authorities became stronger after 933, the full extent of the changes did not become clear until 936. Gantner, Joseph. 27 Dec 959, 27 Dec 959. S, Thiersteinerrain Content: Says that Nazis fought against "functional" architecture, but not as much as they fought against modern painting and sculpture. 4 Feb 960, 4 Feb 960. Göderitz, Johannes. 7 Jan 960, 7 Jan 960. S, Braunschweig 2p. Content: Says his work was much admired until the Nazis came to power in 933 and demanded his dismissal from the municipal building council. - Page 0 -

11 Gropius, Walter 22 Jan 960, 22 Jan 960. S carbon 0 Mar 960, 0 Mar 960. S, Braunschweig (Undated). General note Postcard Gropius, Walter, Jun S, Cambridge MA Content: Thinks Lane's manuscript is "carefully done and to the point", but disagrees with her interpretation of the Bauhaus approach. Feb 957, Feb S, Cambridge MA Content: He has just returned from Cuba and asks Lane to call and make an appointment to visit him at the beginning of March. 29 Jan 959, 29 Jan Page -

12 Gropius, Walter S, Cambridge MA Content: He has just returned from Baghdad. He would be happy to let Lane look at his archives as soon as a German scholar who has been using them sends back the things he borrowed. 3 Mar 959, 3 Mar S, Cambridge MA Content: Informs Lane that the missing volumes from his archive have been returned. 6 Apr 959, 6 Apr S, Cambridge MA Content: Has just returned from a trip. Asks Lane to call Mrs. Gropius to make an appointment to look into his archives again. Jun 959, Jun S, Cambridge, MA Content: Discusses Lane's use of his archive and the possibility that he will have parts of it microfilmed. 25 Sep 96, 25 Sep S, Cambridge MA Content: Has just returned from a trip to Europe. Lane is welcome to come look at his archives again. 9 Jul 966, 9 Jul Page 2 -

13 Hempel, Oswin S, Cambridge MA Content: Praises Lane's manuscript and loans her a paper which may interest her. Enclosed is a three page typescript of Gropius' own notes and comments on Barbara Lane's manuscript. 27 Jul 966, 27 Jul S, Cambridge MA Content: Discusses the use of brick in the Fagus factory and in other buildings. Hempel, Oswin, 0 Feb 960. S, Dresden 2p. Content: During the time period Lane is interested in, he built only in the private sector. Modern architecture in the style of the Bauhaus was avoided by the authorities. 3 Klotz, Clemens. 27 Jan 960, 27 Jan S, Koln Personally felt no interference in his creative processes, but after intervening on behalf of Jewish colleagues, he was "removed from [his] duties as politically unsafe." 3 Feb 960, 3 Feb , N/A - Page 3 -

14 Lorey, Karl-Heinz Lorey, Karl-Heinz, 6 Jan 960. S, Hannover Content: He "was not hindered in the excercise of [his] profession", but he knows there were some of his colleagues "with whom things went badly, which especially among Jewish colleagues resulted in their being forbidden to practice their profession." 3 Luckhardt, Wassili. 9 Jan 960, 9 Jan S, Berlin Content: He was a part of the group that first used modern building ideas after WWI. After 933, his buildings were considered "degenerate art". 3 Feb 960, 3 Feb March, Werner. 29 Jan 960, 29 Jan , Berlin Content: The Wiemar government supported functionalism, but Hitler fancied himself an architect, and had his own style, which was copied by many architects. However, Hitler did not interfere with March's building for - Page 4 -

15 May, Ernst the 936 Olympics. The new highway system was another piece of good design carried out under Hitler. 3 Feb 960, 3 Feb , May, Ernst. 2 Jul 960, 2 Jul S, Hamburg Content: He is leaving in his apartment a briefcase full of material for her to examine 24 Dec 960, 24 Dec p. Content: Microfilms of materials that Lane had obtained from May were stolen in London. She asked if he would be willing to have the items microfilmed again. Enclosed is a sheet of instructions to be sent to a microfilming company in Steinstrasse. 5 Feb 962, 5 Feb S, Hamburg 5 Feb 962, 5 Feb Page 5 -

16 Mehrtens, Hans S, Hamburg Mehrtens, Hans. 28 Jan 960, 28 Jan S, Aachen 2p. Content: Had no trouble building "examples of a new spirit of objective industrial architecture" before 935. Later there were often objections to modern architecture, but not always. 3 Feb 960, 3 Feb Mar 960, 0 Mar S, Aachen Content: Plans to meet Lane when she comes to Aachen. Müller-Wulckow, Walter, 3 Mar 960. S, Oldenburg Content: His books featuring illustrations of works by Jewish architects were not allowed to appear after Page 6 -

17 Paul, Bruno Paul, Bruno, 2 Jan 960. S carbon p. 3 Rave, Paul Ortwin. 20 Dec 959, 20 Dec S carbon 28 Dec S, Berlin Redslob, Erwin. 9 Dec 959, 9 Dec S carbon 2 Jan 960, 2 Jan S, Berlin 2p. Content: The Wiemar Republic was supportive of modern architecture, and Nazis seldom served on the committees dealing with the arts. - Page 7 -

18 Rimpl, Herbert 2 Feb 960, 2 Feb p. 8 Feb 960, 8 Feb S, Berlin 4 Jun 960, 4 Jun Jun 960, 3 Jun TPcS, Berlin. N/A Rimpl, Herbert. 5 Feb 960, 5 Feb S, Weisbaden Content: "Historical architecture" was a national-socialist tendency, but other groups created this kind of influence long before Apr 960, 5 Apr Page 8 -

19 Rühl, Konrad S, Weisbaden p. 4 Jun 960, 4 Jun Rühl, Konrad, 9 Feb 960. S, Dusseldorf Content: There was no serious objection to modern architecture until 933, when Rühl was pensioned off for political reasons. 4 Schmitthenner, Paul. 23 Dec 959, 23 Dec S, Tübingen p. 0 Feb 960, 0 Feb S, Tübingen Content: He built according to his views after 933 just as before, which may have been why he was given no party comissions. 4 Mar 960, 4 Mar Page 9 -

20 Schulte-Frohlinde, Julius S, Tübingen Content: Awaits word from Lane about a visit from her in March or May. 4 Jun 960, 4 Jun Content: Arrangements made for a visit from Lane on July, Jun 960, 0 Jun S, Tübingen Schulte-Frohlinde, Julius. Feb 960, Feb ALS, Düsseldorf 3p. Content: "Political influence on construction was greater in the time between 933 and the beginning of the war than in the time from 99 to 933." He gives examples. 3 Feb 960, 3 Feb Feb Page 20 -

21 Schweizer, Otto Ernst S, Düsseldorf Schweizer, Otto Ernst. 9 Jan 960, 9 Jan S, Karlsruhe Content: Having never been in the National-Socialist party, Schweizer recieved no building commissions from 933 to 945, and he was not allowed to take up the teaching position he had been meant to have. 3 Feb 960, 3 Feb Speer, Albert. S Content: Thanks Lane for her book and sends parts of his memoir that he thinks will be of interest. 4 Stephan, Hans, 22 Jul 960. S, Berlin 2p. Content: In 937 "the Architect Speer" was named general building inspector for the region of Berlin, and all important projects had to be approved by him. Later, other regions were given similar inspectors, which allowed the Nazi party more control over architecture. 4 - Page 2 -

22 Other Correspondence Other Correspondence, 982. Dolenski, Leo, and Hahn, Peter. 27 Jul 982, 27 Jul Dolenski, Leo to Hahn, Peter, Enclosed is a four-page inventory of letters received by Barbara Lane 6 Sep 982, 6 Sep S Hahn, Peter to Dolenski, Leo, 4 Sep 982, 4 Sep AL photocopy Dolenski, Leo to Lane, Barbara, 2p. 29 Sep Dolenski, Leo to Hahn, Peter, - Page 22 -