Garlinghouse Home Collection, Ranch Home No. 9540, Built Project, c. 1950s - 2023, 1950/2023

Access and use

Location of collection:
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Special Collections, University Libraries (0434)
Newman Library
Virginia Tech
P.O. Box 90001
560 Drillfield Drive
Blacksburg, VA 24062-9001
Contact for questions and access:
Phone: (540) 231-6308
Fax: (540) 231-3694
Restrictions:

The collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.

Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction.

Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.

Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [folder], Garlinghouse Home Collection, Ranch Home No. 9540, Built Project, c. 1950s - 2023, Ms2024-080, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Summary

Extent:
0.55 Cubic Feet 1 oversize folder
Abstract:
This collection contains two sets of houseplans produced by Garlinghouse, an annotated issue of Garlinghouse Homes from which the plans were ordered, and a set of photographs of the as-built ranch-style home in Kentucky.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [folder], Garlinghouse Home Collection, Ranch Home No. 9540, Built Project, c. 1950s - 2023, Ms2024-080, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Background

Scope and content:

The Garlinghouse Home Collection contains two sets of architectural plan reproductions for Ranch Home No. 9540, an annotated edition of the Garlinghouse "Homes in Brick" publication from which the plans were ordered, and six as-built exterior photographs of the Purcell family home in Rockcastle County, Kentucky. The home was constructed in 1963 and the as-built photographs were taken in 2023.

Cover page annotated by previous owners.

Biographical / historical:

Administrative history:

Early 20th century designers in the US advertised their house plans by distributing catalogs to homebuilders, lending agents, and manufacturers. The Garlinghouse Company was founded around 1910 by homebuilder Lewis F. Garlinghouse of Topeka, Kansas. Advertising for decades under the tagline "America's Pioneer Home Planning Service," Garlinghouse Company was among the first and most prolific sellers of home plans in the US. Iva G. Lieurance was the company's principal house designer, and her plans appear in several catalogs through the 1950s. We know little about her work beyond what appears in the catalogs. She may have worked for the company as early as 1907, traveling around the country to document attractive homes and adapt their floor plans for customers in the midwest. An application with the Maryland Historical Trust calls Lieurance "the only known woman credited for design work associated with the mail-order house movement."

Source: Winn, Sam. "Ephemera as evidence: uncovering glimpses of women in design history." Special Collections and University Archives blog. August 8, 2016. [The above description is a lightly-edited version of Winn's description of the Garlinghouse Company and Iva Lieurance's working relationship with said company]

Acquisition information:
Materials were transferred to the archives in July 2024.
Processing information:

The processing, arrangement, and description of the Garlinghouse Home Collection was completed in August 2024.

Arrangement:

This collection is arranged at the item level into a single oversized folder.