Arthur Purdy (1908-1995) Papers, c.1933-1995

  • IdentificationPUBLIC "-//The Art Institute of Chicago::Ryerson and Burnham Art and Architecture Archives//TEXT(US::ICA::1995.7::ARTHUR C. PURDY (1908-1995) PAPERS, c.1933-1995)//EN" "ica199507.xml"
  • TitlePurdy, Arthur C. (1908-1995), Papers, c.1933-1995
  • PublisherArt Institute of Chicago Archives, Research Center, The Art Institute of Chicago,
  • Language
    • English.
    • English
  • Datec.1933-1995
  • Physical Description
    • 0.5 linear feet (1 box), 2 portfolios, and flatfile materials
    • Architectural reprographic prints, graphite drawings, printed papers, and black and white and color photographic prints.
  • RepositoryRyerson and Burnham Art and Architecture Archives, The Art Institute of Chicago 111 S. Michigan Ave. Chicago, IL 60603-6110 archives@artic.edu https://www.artic.edu/archival-collections
  • AbstractPapers, drawings, and ephemera documenting the career of Chicago-area architect Arthur C. Purdy.
  • OriginationPurdy, Arthur C. (1908-1995)
  • LocationThe collection is housed in the Art Institute of Chicago Archives’ on-site stacks.

Arthur C. Purdy was born Clarence Arthur Purdy in Princeton, Indiana, in 1908 and graduated from Princeton High School in 1926. He attended the University of Illinois College of Engineering and Architecture, graduating with a B.S. in 1931. In January, 1946, Purdy joined Paul B. Stevens to form the architectural firm Burgess, Stevens & Purdy, designing single-family residences for suburban and rural sites. Their fondness for "rolling land and rustic countryside" was the rationale behind choosing adjacent sites on a bend of an unimproved street at the edge of Saint Charles, Illinois. These houses, including Purdy's own residence, were located on the banks of the Fox River and had a full view of the Pottawatomie Golf Course. In May, 1958, the partnership was dissolved and Purdy established his own practice. Among Purdy's projects were R. Sidney Dickens's apartment and office at 13 W. Grand in Chicago, the P.F. Williams residence, Hines Lumber Co., and the Home Federal Building. In 1969, Purdy was awarded the Distinguished Building Award by the Chicago Chapter of the American Institute of Architects and the Chicago Association of Commerce and Industry. From 1971 to 1972 he was president of the Architects Club of Chicago. Purdy was a Noble of the Shrine at Medina Temple, and a member of the St. Charles Country Club. Purdy died in Saint Charles, Illinois, in 1995.

This collection includes architectural drawings and office materials for many of Purdy's residential designs in the suburbs of Chicago and residential and commercial buildings in Chicago. It also includes a small grouping of biogrpahical docuemnts and material about projects designed by others.

SERIES I: ARCHITECTURAL DRAWINGS. Original drawings and blueprints are organized alphabetically by project/client name.

SERIES II: PROJECT FILES. Photographs, articles and various printed matter organized alphabetically by project/client name.

SERIES III: PERSONAL PAPERS. Biographical information, a personal photograph, and several items relating to the Field Building in Chicago, Illinois.

  • Names
    • Purdy, Arthur C., (1908-1995)
    • Purdy, Arthur C., (1908-1995)--Archives.
  • Subject
    • Architecture--Illinois--Chicago--20th century--Sources.
    • Architecture, Domestic--Illinois--Chicago--20th century--Sources.
    • Architecture, Domestic--Illinois--Chicago suburban area--20th century--Sources.
    • Architects--Illinois--Chicago--Archives.

BOX.FF

c.

Flatf.

n.d.

Portf.

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The Art Institute of Chicago is providing access to the materials in the Archives’ collections solely for noncommercial educational and research purposes. The unauthorized use, including, but not limited to, publication of the materials without the prior written permission of the Art Institute is strictly prohibited. All inquiries regarding permission to publish should be submitted in writing to the Director, Art Institute of Chicago Archives. In addition to permission from the Art Institute, permission of the copyright owner (if not the Art Institute) and/or any holder of other rights (such as publicity and/or privacy rights) may also be required for reproduction, publication, distribution, and other uses. Responsibility for making an independent legal assessment of any item and securing any necessary permissions rests with the persons desiring to publish the item. The Art Institute makes no warranties as to the accuracy of the materials or their fitness for a particular purpose.

Arthur C. Purdy Papers, Ryerson and Burnham Art and Architecture Archives, The Art Institute of Chicago.

This collection was donated by Candace O. Purdy, Arthur Purdy's daughter, to the Ryerson and Burnham Archives in 1995.

The collection was processed by staff of the Ryerson and Burnham Archives in 2000. This finding aid was revised and expanded by Annemarie van Roessel in 2003.