Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech
Rebecca Wood Watkin Architectural Drawings
Watkin, Rebecca Wood, 1913-2010
Ms.1995.009
6.6 Cubic Feet
2 boxes, 14 oversize folders
1940-1989, 2011
Rebecca Wood Watkin was born in 1913 in Portland, Oregon. She earned a B.A. from Bryn Mawr College in 1933, and a B. Arch. from the Architecture School of the University of Pennsylvania. She returned to the west coast, and worked in other architects' offices during the 1930s and 1940s. She earned her California Architectural license in 1944 and opened her own practice in 1951. The collection consists of architectural drawings of remodelings, alterations, additions, and new designs of buildings, mostly residences, that Watkin worked on from 1940 to 1989.
The materials in the collection are in English.
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open to research.
Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use
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], [box], [folder], Rebecca Wood Watkin Architectural Collection, Ms1995-009, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.
Source of Acquisition
The collection was donated by Rebecca Wood Watkin in April 1995 with the aid of Inge S. Horton of San Francisco, California. Additions to the collection were received in August 2002 and March 2011.
Processing Information
Processing of the collection was completed by J. Harlow, Student Assistant, under the supervision of L. K. Smith, Manuscripts Curator, in 1995; and by Jessica Caruthers, Student Assistant, under the supervision of Catherine G. OBrion, Manuscripts Archivist, in October 2002. The 2011 addition was processed by Kathryn Shackelford, Graduate Assistant.
Existence and Location of Copies
Some of this collection has been digitized and is available online.
Biographical Note
Rebecca Wood Watkin was born in 1913 in Portland, Oregon. She earned a B.A. from Bryn Mawr College in 1933, and a B. Arch. from the Architecture School of the University of Pennsylvania. She returned to the west coast, and worked in other architects' offices during the 1930s and 1940s. She earned her California Architectural license in 1944 and opened her own practice in 1951. She collaborated with architect Fred Coolidge from 1953 to 1970, and then practiced from her own office in Sausalito, California, from 1972 to 1989. She served on the Marin County Planning Commission from 1954 to 1958. She continued to design until her retirement in 1990.
Watkin married Joseph Esherick in 1938; they divorced in 1951. She married Harold Watkin in 1958; he died in 1981. She has three children. Her avocational activities include involvement in Democratic Party political campaigns on all levels of government and work with the Ecumenical Association for Housing in Marin County, California.
Watkin passed away on December 19, 2010, at the age of 97, in La Jolla, CA.
Scope and Content
The Rebecca Wood Watkin Architectural Collection consists of architectural drawings of remodelings, alterations, additions, and new designs of buildings, mostly residences, that Watkin worked on from 1940 to 1989. The locations, unless otherwise noted, are all in northern California.
Also in the collection are photographs of three projects: the Watkin residence in Kentfield, California; the Creek Apartments in San Anselmo, Marin County, California; and the Watkin residence in Placer County, California; and a 1956 article in Progressive Architecture on the Watkin residence in Kentfield.
Rights Statement for Archival Description
The guide to the Rebecca Wood Watkin Architectural Collection by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 (https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/).
International Archive of Women in Architecture (IAWA)
Women -- History
Women-owned architectural firms
Architectural drawings (visual works)
Architectural drawing -- 20th century
Architects
Personal Papers2011Obituary201127Project Records1940-1989ArrangementProject/Client Name/description (location, date) [Format - Ms=Manuscripts, Dr=Drawings, Ph=Photographs, PB=Presentation Boards]
Arequipa Sanitorium/addition (Fairfax, CA, 1950) [Dr]
1Bisceglia, Francois/Village Fair (Sausalito, CA, 1966) [Dr]
5Brumbaugh, Mr. and Mrs. Richard/alterations + additions to residence (Kentfield, CA, 1978) [Dr]
9Creek Garden Apartments/Watkin and Sibbald (San Anselmo, CA, 1964) [Dr,Ph, PB]
110-113Degenhardt, Mr. and Mrs./alterations + additions to residence (Ross, CA, 1959) [Dr]
2Denman, Mr. and Mrs. D.S. /residence (Kentfield, CA, 1975-1977) [Dr]
9Denman, Mr. and Mrs. D.S./alterations + additions to residence (Larkspur, CA, 1979) [Dr]
10Ecumenical Association for Housing/Anisa Turner House (Santa Vanetia, CA, 1971) [Dr]
6Ecumenical Association for Housing/various proposals for housing in different locations and years (Pole House in Fairfax; Apartments for Elderly, Christ Presbyterian Church, Terra Linda; Mixed income housing on McLeran Property) (Terra Linda, Larkspur, San Anselmo, CA, 1975) [Dr]
9Elderidge, Mr. and Mrs. Donald F./mountain residence (Donner Lake, CA, 1966) [Dr]
4Engel, Mr. and Mrs. A.R.A./addition to residence (Greenbrae, CA, 1983) [Dr]
11Erickson, Dr. Ralph/office and apartment (Larkspur, CA, 1952) [Dr]
2Erickson, Mr. and Mrs. Roger/addition to residence (San Anselmo, CA, 1966) [Dr]
5Escherick, Joseph and Rebecca/residence (Ross, CA, 1940) [Dr]
12Escherick, Joseph and Rebecca/residence (Kentfield, CA, 1949-1951) [Dr]
12Esherick, Mr. and Mrs. Peter/alterations + additions to residence (Albquerque, NM, 1985) [Dr]
12Ganter Jr., John/alterations to residence (Mill Valley, CA, 1957) [Dr]
2Ganter, Mrs. Florence/alterations to residence (San Francisco , CA, 1969) [Dr]
5Gatov, Mr. and Mrs. Albert/addition to residence (Kentfield, CA, 1972) [Dr]
8Griffin, Dr. and Mrs./Griffin Ski House (Placer County, CA, 1979) [Dr]
10H.B. Watkin Trust property/alterations to property (San Anselmo, CA, 1988) [Dr]
13Hawkins, Mr. and Mrs. Charlie/addition to residence (Cotati, CA, 1971) [Dr]
6Hewlitt, Mr. and Mrs./residence (1954) [Dr]
2Howell, Lillian/alterations to residence (Greenbrae, CA, n.d.) [ Dr]
14Howley, Mr. and Mrs. John/alterations + additions to residence (Healdsburg, CA, 1981) [Dr]
11Larry Livingston & Associates /remodeling of Office (Sausalito, CA, 1981) [Dr]
10Leones, Mr. and Mrs. John/addition to residence (Kentfield, CA, 1986) [Dr]
12Lewis , Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur/alterations to residence (Larkspur, CA, 1970) [Dr]
6Littman, Allan N./addition to property (Tiburon, CA, 1972) [Dr]
7Littman, Mr. and Mrs. Allan/mountain residence (Alpine Meadows, CA, 1965) [Dr]
4Littman, Mr. and Mrs. Allan/light fixture detail (Alpine Meadows, CA, 1968) [Dr]
5MacDonald, Mr. and Mrs. Murray/residence (not built) (Ross, CA, 1980) [Dr]
10Marin Fellowship of Unitarians /alteration [Dr]
14Matthews, Mr. and Mrs. Harry/alterations to residence (Tiburon, CA, 1971-1979 ) [Dr]
6Meyer, Mr.. and Mrs. Norton/residence (Sausalito, CA, 1964) [Dr]
3Miller, Mr. and Mrs. Anthony/alterations + additions to residence (Kentfield, CA, 1980) [Dr]
10Moore, Mr. and Mrs. Thaddeus/alterations + additions to residence (Mill Valley, CA, n.d.) [Dr]
2Odgers, Mr. and Mrs. Richard /alterations + additions to residence (Mill Valley, CA, 1969) [Dr]
5Office of National Emergency Services/39 Main Street (Tiburon, CA, 1979) [Dr]
10Reynolds, Mr. and Mrs. Joel/alterations to residence (not built) (Petaluma, CA, 1975) [Dr]
9Royson, Mr. and Mrs. Robert; and Mr. and Mrs. Harold Watkin/mountain cabin (Alpine Meadows, CA, 1965) [Dr]
4S.P. Presbyterian Orphanage/alteration of Sunnyhill Infirmary (San Anselmo, CA, 1950) [Dr]
2San Francisco Foundation/Marconi property feasibility study (Marshall, CA, 1981) [Dr] 35|10| 10
10San Franscisco Girl Scout Council/Bothin Youth Center Camp Facility (Fairfax, CA, 1986-1987) [Dr]
12Sausalito Yacht Club/service building and addition to yacht sales building (Sausalito, CA, 1963) [Dr]
3Scales, Mr. and Mrs. Garrett P./alterations + additions to residence (Ross, CA, 1980) [Dr]
10Sheridan Antique Shop/alterations + additions to building (Sausalito, CA) [Dr]
14Smith, Mrs. Elizabeth/residence (Kentfield, CA, 1962) [Dr]
3Spiller, Dr. and Mrs. E.B./alterations + additions to residence (Kentfield, CA, 1973) [Dr]
8Spiller, Dr. and Mrs. E.B., Duck Club additions (Grizzly Island, CA, 1973) [Dr]
8Spiller, Dr. and Mrs. E.B./Spiller Greenhouse (Kentfield, CA, 1982) [Dr]
11Sprang, Mr. and Mrs. R.W./addition to residence (Mill Valley, CA, 1965) [Dr]
4Stephenson, Mr. and Mrs. R.L./residence (Ross, CA, 1953) [Dr]
3Synanon Foundation Inc./Cliff House (Marin City, CA) [Dr]
1T&M Office Building/alterations to building (St. Helena, CA, 1977) [Dr]
9Tellone, Mr. and Mrs. E.S./alterations to residence (Woodside, CA,1971) [Dr]
6Thorner Residence/residence (Kentfield, CA) [Ph]
11-8Thorner, Mr. and Mrs. Thos/alterations to residence (Kentfield, CA, 1989) [Dr]
13Thorner, Mr. and Mrs. Tom/alterations to residence (Kentfield, CA, 1975) [Dr]
9True, Mr. and Mrs. John /alterations to residence (Kentfield, CA, 1987-1988) [Dr]
13Vaughan, Nicholas/addition to residence (Sonoma, CA, 1973) [Dr]
8Vaughan, Mrs. L.H./alterations to residence (Point Richmond, CA, 1974) [Dr]
8Volger, Mr. and Mrs. Lewis/carport for Vogler residence (Belvedere, CA , 1983) [Dr]
11Watkin Residence/residence (Kentfield, CA, 1956) [Ms]
19Watkin Residence/residence (Placer County, CA, 1965-1967 ) [Ph]
112-1521-6Watkin, Harold B./development plan for Cotati property (not built) (Cotati, CA, 1981) [Dr]
11Watkin, Mr. and Mrs./Watkin Cabins (Camp Sherman, OR, 1972) [Dr]
7Westberg, Mr. and Mrs. Robert/alterations to residence (Mill Valley, CA, 1969) [Dr]
5Westberg, Mr. and Mrs. Robert/alterations to residence (Belvedere, CA , 1987) [Dr]
13Weston, Mr. and Mrs. John/alterations + additions to residence (San Anselmo, CA, 1973) [Dr]
8Weston, John and Ann, deck and pergola (Belvedere, CA) [Dr]
8Wiper, Thomas/apartments (Sausalito, CA, 1963) [Dr]
3Wood Residence, Mr. and Mrs. Erksine/residence (Vancouver, WA, 1940) [Dr]
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