Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech
Carol O'Neale Culnan Architectural Collection
Ms.2025.037
5 Cubic Feet
1966-2016, undated
The Carol O'Neale Culnan Architectural Collection contains a mixture of personal and business records related to Culnan's personal life and her architectural practice. Her papers include student work, fiber art and woven textiles, and photographs. Her project records span a variety of projects in the Baltimore/Washington metro area and southwest Virginia, primarily residential projects, and include original drawings and other files documenting jobs and clients spanning the years from 1966 to 2016.
Materials are in English.
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open for 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], Carol O'Neale Culnan Architectural Collection, 1966-2016, Ms2025-037, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.
Source of Acquisition
Materials were donated to Special Collections and University Archives in May of 2025.
Processing Information
The processing, arrangement, and description of the Carol O'Neale Culnan Architectural Collection was completed in November 2025.
Biographical / Historical
Carol Ann O'Neale of Alexandria, Virginia, was born on June 14, 1947, to parents William Leroy O'Neale and Ada Esther Vandenberg. Attending Mount Vernon High School and later graduating from Fort Hunt High School in 1965, O'Neale participated in many extracurriculars, including art club, French club, class council, and majorettes. In 1970, she obtained a bachelor's degree from the College of Architecture at Virginia Tech. Shortly after graduation, on September 3, 1970, O'Neale married fellow Virginia Tech School of Architecture graduate Kenneth S. Culnan, and changed her name to Carol O'Neale Culnan.
In the early 1970s the couple moved into a row house on Swann Street NW near Dupont Circle in Washington, D.C., and performed a gut rehabilitation of the building. Carol Culnan's college roommate Kathleen Cruise got her a job working for Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill (SOM) on the Pennsylvania Avenue Commission, an urban renewal project based on Nathaniel Owings' proposed mixed-use development of the Avenue. Culnan worked for another firm (DNY&A) under contract with the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) to consult on architectural services for the Metrorail system then under construction (its first line would open in March 1976); she resigned from the firm in early 1975, citing lack of growth and variety in her work in her letter to her supervisors.
For the next nine years the Culnans continued to live in Washington, D.C.. Carol Culnan obtained her license in Washington, D.C., and Maryland, and she practiced architecture independently, working on a mixture of residential and commercial projects, both new build and rehabilitation. In 1984 the couple sold their row house and moved to a rural Virginia community in the Strasburg area, where they continued to practice architecture.
The Culnans were hobbyist antiquarians and collected antique tools, trains, and hurricane lamps. In 1996, Carol and Kenneth joined the Early American Industries Association, a society focused on the history of American tools, crafts, and trades. The couple remained active in the Association for the remainder of their lives. Additionally, Carol raised goats for a time, carded and dyed her own wool, and wove textiles; she also had a lifelong interest in photography. Carol O'Neale Culnan passed away on February 11th, 2025, nearly seven years after Kenneth, who died in April of 2018.
Scope and Content
This collection contains a mixture of personal and business records related to Carol O'Neale Culnan and her architectural practice. Her papers include student work, fiber art and woven textiles, and personal photographs. Project records span a variety of projects in the Baltimore/Washington metro area and southwest Virginia, primarily residential projects, and include original drawings and reproductions, client correspondence, notes, details, costing, and specifications. Her project documentation spans the period from 1975 to 2016, and some projects she collaborated on with her husband, Kenneth S. Culnan, under the practice named CONC. Also included is Kenneth Culnan's architectural license and he is featured as a subject in some of her photographic work.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged into the following series and sub-series:
I. Personal Papers
a. Student Work
II. Professional Papers
III. Project Records
a. Files
b. Drawings
Within these groupings files are organized chronologically.
Related Materials
"Space Structure Building Systems Applied to a Housing Complex and an Airport Terminal Facility," K. S. Culnan and C. A. O'Neale Typescript Book (undergraduate thesis), Ms1992-001, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.
Authored by Virginia Tech College of Architecture students K. S. [Kenneth S.] Culnan and C. A. [Carol A.] O'Neale, the book was presented on August 31, 1970, under the advisory of professors D. Ding, H. Elarth, and M. Sevely. The book consists of 14 leaves of text and 27 leaves of images.
Rights Statement for Archival Description
The guide to the Carol O'Neale Culnan 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 architects -- Virginia
Architectural drawings (visual works)
Culnan, Kenneth S.
Personal PapersStudent WorkScope and ContentsSubjects vary for photography assignments: architectural and design problems (models), street photography, found objects, industrial, landscape. Some student work is possibly intermixed with early career work.
Photo book, student workc. 1965-197011Painted portrait, acrylicc. 1960s11Small black-and-white photographic prints, architectural and design problemsFebruary 196611Black-and-white photography assignment, contact sheets and prints (1 of 2)c. 197012Black-and-white photography assignment, contact sheets and prints (2 of 2)c. 197013Black-and-white photography assignment, mounted photographs (1 of 4)c. 197014Black-and-white photography assignment, mounted photographs (2 of 4)c. 197015Black-and-white photography assignment, mounted photographs (3 of 4)c. 197016Black-and-white photography assignment, mounted photographs (4 of 4)c. 197017Photographic materials, negatives and prints, 1971-1973 (1 of 2)18Photographic materials, negatives and prints, 1971-1973 (2 of 2)19Commemorative Presidential Print of White House1996110Textile, fiber art, undated3Professional PapersCustomized pocket seal embosser, District of Columbiaundated1Business cards [Carol O'Neale Culnan, Registered Architect], undated111Color photographs, interiorsMarch 1972112Letter of resignationJanuary 1975113Architectural License for the District of Columbia [Carol O'Neale Culnan]March 197511Architectural License for the State of Maryland [Carol O'Neale Culnan]February 197611Architectural License for the District of Columbia [Kenneth Stuart Culnan]March 197611Project RecordsProject lists, undated114FilesFligsten Residence (Kenneth and Ann), 522 Bay Hills Dr., Arnold, MD [#112-75]1975-1976115Alvarez Residence, Glen Oban, MD [#113-76]1976-197721Hyde Remodel (William and Camille), 1760 Swann St. NW, Washington, DC [#115-77]1977227 Logan Circle, Washington, DC [#124-78]197823Robert Dreifuss Renovation, 211 King St., Alexandria, VA [#130-78]197824Hawthorne Hotel, 2134 G St. NW, Washington, DC [#133-79]197925Columbia Inn, 1844 Columbia Rd. NW, Washington, DC [#135-79]197926Tudor Hall, 926 Mass Ave. NW, Washington, DC [#139-80]198027Carol Ridker Renovation, 1611 21st St. NW, Washington, DC [#142-80]1980-198128Herbert Gerstenzang, 229 9th St. SE, Washington, DC [#145-81]1981-198329Anne Kobor Addition and Remodel, 4107 23rd St., North Arlington, VA [#146-81]1981210Ida Lee Park, 314 W King St., Strasburg, VA1988211Christovich Residence (David and Cathy), Lot 42, Fairview Subdivision, Woodstock, VA [#156-91]1991-1993212Fairknoll Addition and Remodel [#160-93]1993213Mount Jackson Firehouse, 5930 Main St., Mt. Jackson, VA [#162-94]1994-1995214Birdwood Residence, 467 North Main St., Woodstock, VA1995215McNamee Addition (Wally and Nikki), Deer Rapids, VA [#166-97]1997216Reynolds Addition (Floyd and Julia), 329 Miller Rd., Edinburg, VA [#167-97]1997217Kevin Frankovich, Peach Orchard Rd., Strasburg, VA [#168-98]1998218Stein Remodel (Carol and Paul), 235 Mallard Dr., Bayse, VA [#169-98]1998-1999219Clara Stiff Carport, 2305 Londonderry Rd., Alexandria, VA2006220Notes, unidentified project, undatedundated221DrawingsJoseph Jordan Residence, 338 8th Street NE, Washington, DC 19751Fligsten Residence (Kenneth and Ann), 1758 Swann St. NW, Washington, DC [#112]19761Alvarez Residence, Glen Oban, MD [#113-76]19761Heim Residence, Washington, DC, Metro Area [#114]19761Hyde Remodel (William and Camille), 1760 Swann St. NW, Washington, DC [#115-77]19772Wallace Residence, 6130 32nd St. NW, Washington, DC [#116]197722232 12th Place NW, Washington, DC [#117]197722208 12th Place NW, Washington, DC [#117]197722234 12th Place NW, Washington, DC [#117]19772Lawrence Mead, 1802 Kilbourne Place NW, Washington, DC [#118]19772Robert Novel, Hair Salon, 2909 M Street, Georgetown, Washington, DC [#119]197722351 Ashmead Place NW, Washington, DC [#120]19772Frances Jordan, 646 E. Street NE, Washington, DC [#121]19772Hancock Residence, Screened Porch, unidentified location19772Apartments, 1414 15th St. NW, Washington, DC [#122]19783Ruby Poirel Remodel, 1843 Calvert St. NW, Washington, DC [#123]197837 Logan Circle, Washington, DC [#124-78]19783Stearman Residence Addition and Remodel, Washington, DC [#125]19783Johnson Residence, 2119 12th St. NW, Washington, DC [#126]19783Krizek Remodel (Dr. and Mrs. George), 2111 Bancroft Place, NW, Washington, DC [#127]19783Vermont Avenue Joint Venture, 1633 Vermont Ave., NW, Washington, DC [#128]19783Capital Development Limited Partnership, West Cross Street, Baltimore, MD [#129]19783Roda Residence, Tappahannock, Essex County, VA1978, 19904Phiel Residence, Glen Oban, MD [#131]19793Carow Residence Addition, 4321 Chestnut Street, Bethesda, MD [#132]19794Hawthorne Hotel, 2134 G St. NW. [#133-79]19794Tschudy Residence, 4646 Greene Place NW, Washington, DC [#134-79]19794Columbia Inn, 1844 Columbia Rd., Washington, DC [#135-79]19794Apartments, 1842 15th St. NW, Washington, DC [#136-79]19793Ruby Poirel Remodel, 1845 Calvert St. NW, Washington, DC [#138-80]19804Tudor Hall Remodel, 926 Mass Ave. NW [#139-80]19804Greenberger Residence [Dormer Expansion], 3903 Jenifer St. NW [#140-80]19805Havens Residence [#141-80]19805Carol Ridker Renovation, 1611 21st St. NW, Washington, DC [#142-80]19805Herbert Gerstenzang, 229 9th St. SE, Washington, DC [#145-81]19815Anne Kobor Addition and Remodel, 4107 23rd St., North Arlington, VA [#146-81]19815George Tyler Residence (Addition and remodeling), 7500 Overlook Place, Annandale, VA [#148-83]19836Aurand Residence, Route 690, Purcellville, VA [#150-83]1985-19866Basement Apartment, 1919 Park Rd., NW, Washington, DC19866Log Cabin, Meade Brown, Cedar Creek Valley, VA19866Wallen Residence, unidentified location [#152-88]1988, 19966Carroll Estep Residence, unidentified location19896Apartment Building, Acton Place, Strasburg, VA [#154-89]19896O'Neale Residence at Wildwood on Lake Anna, VA19896Sager Associates, Stephens City Branch, Office Building, Route 647, Frederick Co., VA [#156-90]19906Carl Heishman Residence, Garage Addition, Lebanon Church, VA [#157-90]19907St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Wardensville, WV19927Lugar Residence Remodel, unidentified location [#158-92|159-93]1992-19937Christovich Residence (David and Cathy), Lot 42, Fairview Subdivision, Woodstock, VA [#158-93]19937Fairknoll Addition and Remodel [#160-93]19937Himelright Residence, Lot 2, Section 2, Farm Hill Estates [#161-94]19948Mount Jackson Firehouse, 5930 Main St., Mt. Jackson, VA [#162-94]19948Sager Residence Addition, 320 Hollingsworth Rd., Woodstock, VA [#163-95]19958Davis Residence Remodel (Jim and Mary), Stephenson, VA 1995222Ramsey Residence Addition, 671 Ramsey Rd., Fort Valley, VA [#164-95]19958Landon Furlong Addition, Old Factory Rd., Oranda, VA [#165-95]19958Proposed Shenandoah Neuro-Rehabilitation Center19958House-to-Apartment Conversion, 155 N Fort Street, unidentified city19968McNamee Addition (Wally and Nikki), 1486 Deer Rapids, VA [#166-97]19978Reynolds Addition (Floyd and Julia), 329 Miller Rd., Edinburg, VA [#167-97]19979Kevin Frankovich, Peach Orchard Rd., Strasburg, VA [#168-98]19989Frances Keegan Accessibility Ramp, 402 W Locust St., Woodstock, VA19989Stein Remodel (Carol and Paul), 235 Mallard Dr., Bayse, VA [#169-98]1998-199910Nancy Slye, Goat Barn (Tralfamadore Farm), 13050 North Mountain Rd., Broadway, VA19989Kleinschmidt Residence Additions, 763 Fairview Circle, Woodstock, VA [#171-99]19999Sager-Racey Residence, Strasburg, VA200010Clara Stiff Carport, 2305 Londonderry Rd., Alexandria, VA20069St. Stephen's Lutheran Church, Strasburg, VA20137Martin Residence, unidentified location201610Rhodes Residence, unidentified locationundated10Interior wall, decor design, unidentifiedundated10400 K Street NE, Washington, DCundated10Greeff Residence, unidentified locationundated101014 and 1016 10th Street NW, Washington, DCundated10Strasburg United Methodist Church, 114 West Washington St., Strasburg, VAundated7Vogel Residence, 1706 S Street NW, Washington, DCundated101206 R St NW, Washington, DCundated10Mount Jackson Post Office Apartment Conversion, 6000 Main St., Mt. Jackson, VAundated10219 Sharpe St., unidentified locationundated223446 Orchard St., unidentified locationundated9