Robert W. Stewart papers

Access and use

Location of collection:
Virginia Commonwealth University, Cabell Library
James Branch Cabell Library
Virginia Commonwealth University
P.O. Box 842003
901 Park Avenue
Richmond, VA 23284-2003
Contact for questions and access:
POC: SCA Staff
Phone: (804) 828-1108
Fax: (804) 828-0151
Restrictions:

No restrictions on access.

Terms of access:

No restrictions on use.

Preferred citation:

Box/folder, Robert W. Stewart, M 242, Special Collections and Archives, James Branch Cabell Library, Virginia Commonwealth University

Summary

Extent:
17 Linear Feet
Creator:
Stewart, Robert W. (Robert Welton), 1937-1994
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

Box/folder, Robert W. Stewart, M 242, Special Collections and Archives, James Branch Cabell Library, Virginia Commonwealth University

Background

Scope and content:

This collection consists of numerous architectural drawings, photographs, slides, correspondence and office files related to projects undertaken by Robert W. Stewart from the late 1970s to the early 1990s. Most of these materials are architectural drawings of Richmond, Va. area residences. Other materials in the collection help document Stewart's involvement with historic preservation.

"Various Found Negatives"was written on the paper sleeve in which the negatives were found. There is no distinction between the term "found negatives"and what the compiler has referred to as "miscellaneous negatives."Some negatives also included an architectural drawing number. These are referred to as "Job #s". The negatives in this collection were in great disarray but attribution has at least been attempted where there was some indication of the job.

The architectural drawings generated by Stewarts practice are located in map case drawers #40-67. The oversize planes are located above these map case drawers.

Biographical / historical:

Robert Welton Stewart was an architect based in Richmond, Virginia. Born in 1937 in Kansas, Stewart grew up in Minnesota and North Carolina, where he graduated from Duke University. He then received a master's degree from Yale University's School of Architecture. While working as a designer-draftsman with Baskerville & Son and during his employment at David Warren Hardwicke & Partners, Stewart gained the experience he needed to open his own architectural firm, Interplan, in 1972. He died in 1994. Embracing a modern style, Stewart focused on constructing and remodeling residences in Richmond. In 1992, the Historic Richmond Foundation honored Stewart with its Distinguished Preservation Award, which acknowledged his commitment to preserve Richmond's architectural heritage. Stewart's major projects include the Pavilion at Providence Hall for the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, Virginia Commonwealth University's Conference Center, the Master Plan of Stratford Hall in Westmoreland County, and Historic Christ Church in Lancaster County, and the north and south wings of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.

Acquisition information:
Robert Welton Stewart donated one box of materials in 1987. Robert J. Hermsen donated the remaining materials in October of 1995.
Arrangement:

Materials are arranged in alphabetical order. The collection is divided into three series. The first section consists of office files and correspondence relating to his architectural commissions. The second section, housed in the scrapbook area of the department, is comprised of slides, negatives and photographs of some of his commissions and of other buildings of interest to Stewart. Many of these slides are of architecturally historic buildings. The last section is made up of architectural drawings and blueprints generated by Stewart's practice. These drawings are located in map case drawers #40-67.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard