The Agnes Selkirk Clark Landscape Architecture Collection (MS B91)

23 Pages·2011·0.19 MB·English

by  Dennis Barrow

Fairfield Museum and History Center Library
370 Beach Road
Fairfield, CT 06824

Manuscript Finding Aid

Title: Clark, Agnes Selkirk, 189-1983. Landscape Architecture Records

Collection #: Ms B91

Dates: 1925-1976

Size of Collection: 2 linear ft (1 box, 1 flat box, 6 oversize folders)

Accession Number: L1997.29 (L97 May 52)

Donor: Mrs. Cordelia Clark Rudkin; Cameron Clark, Jr.

Restrictions: None

Processed by: Barbara Austen

Date: August 1997

Biographical/ historical note:

Agnes Selkirk Clark was born in Janesville, Wisconsin in 1898. She attended the
Lowthorpe School of Landscape Architecture, 1915-1918, then worked in the Des
Moines office of Pearse & Robinson as a drafter and planting supervisor, 1918-1919. In
1920 she moved to New York and worked for well-known landscape architect and
teacher, Ellen Biddle Shipman for two years. After marrying architect Cameron Clark,
she opened her own office at 101 Park Avenue in New York and continued her practice
there until moving to Fairfield, Connecticut. Agnes was elected a fellow of the American
Society of Landscape Architects in 1952. Her work primarily includes residential
commissions at estates in Santa Barbara, Phoenix, New York, New Jersey and
Connecticut. Of her documented commissions, 72% were executed in Fairfield or Greens
Farms. In the 1960s, she and her husband retired and moved to the Caribbean and later,
in 1969, to Guatemala, where she died in 1983.
Scope and content note:

This collection came to the Society in two major donations: one in 1988 and a
second in 1997, both from her son, Cameron Clark, Jr. The earlier gift was included with
drawings and records of the work of her architect husband, Cameron Clark and was
processed as part of his collection. The extent of her drawings and the second donation
in 1997 led to the creation of a separate collection dedicated solely to Agnes’ own work.

The drawings (both blueline and original), photographs, specifications, notes and
correspondence are arranged alphabetically by the last name of the property owner for
whom she worked. Half of the collection (that donated in 1997) has been scanned onto a
CD-ROM that is available for research. Additional drawings and photographs are
included in the Landscape Architecture Collection at the Fairfield Historical Society.
Ms B91

CLARK, AGNES SELKIRK, 1898-1983
Landscape architecture records, 1925-1976

Series 1. Biographical information

Folder 1. Qualifications for fellowship, American Society of
Landscape Architects; membership directory, ASLA, 1979

Series 2. Albright, C. Monroe, 420 Greenfield Hill Road, Fairfield

Oversize folder 1. Preliminary plan, 25 August 1963 or 1968; scale 1”=20’
0”; blueline, 18” x 23”

Oversize folder 8. Preliminary plan, drawn by ASC, 25 August 1963; scale
1”=20’0”; tissue, 17-1/2” x 23-1/2”

Series 3. Aluminum Company of America, 2190 Post Road, Fairfield

Oversize folder 8. Border planting plan and elevation; scale 1” = 16’0”;
tissue, 16-1/2” x 43”

Series 4. Anderson, Mrs. Nils, 1100 Pequot Road, Southport

Oversize folder 1. General plan for garden terrace, n.d.; tracing paper, 18” x 25”

Series 5. Arms, John Taylor, 745 Old Academy Road, Fairfield

Oversize box 2. Black and white photographs of gardens by Kenneth
Clark, 1925

Oversize folder 8. Swimming pool, 1930; scale 1”=5’0”; charcoal on tissue,
20” x 22-1/4”; tissue, 21” x 21-3/4”

Sketch plan of the swimming pool, scheme B, 1930; scale
1”= 5’0”; tissue, 21-1/4” x 22-1/4”

Sketch plan of the swimming pool, scheme a, 1930; scale
1”=5’0”; tissue, 21-1/4” x 22-1/4”
Ms B91

CLARK, AGNES SELKIRK, 1898-1983
Landscape architecture records, 1925-1976

Series 6. Armstrong, Mr. & Mrs. Andrew, “Abbeville,” Lancaster, Penn

Oversize folder 8. General design, 1930; scale 1”=20’0”; tissue, 22” x 38”

Topographical planting plan; scale 1”=20’0”; tissue,
23-1/2” x 38-3/4”

Series 7. Baeckland, Mrs. George, 2644 Bronson Road, Fairfield

Oversize folder 1. Preliminary plan of the herb garden, plan A, 24 August
1963; scale 1/8”=1’ 0”; blueline, 20” x 16-1/2”

Area dimensions for plan, n.d. blueline, 22-1/2” x 16-1/2”;
scale 1/8”=1’ 0”

Oversize folder 8. Preliminary plan of the herb garden, plan B, drawn by
ASC, 24 August 1963; scale 1/8”=1’0”; vellum, 21” x
17-3/4”

Folder 2. Working sketch on lined yellow paper; list of plants, n.d.

Series 8. Barnes, A. Victor, Canoe Hill, New Canaan, Conn.

Oversize folder 1. Fountain design, with plan, elevation and section, n.d.;
tissue, 21” x 18”; scale 3/4”=1’ 0”

Series 9. Beirn, Mary Jane (Mrs. Kenneth), 137 Rose Hill Rd., Southport

Oversize folder 1. Resubdivision topographical survey, 19 October 1961; The Huntington
Co. Fairfield; scale 1”=50’; blueline, 24” x 25”

Additional topographical map, 24 October 1961; The
Huntington Co.; scale 1/8”=1’ 0”; blueline, 12” x 25” (2
copies)
Ms B91
CLARK, AGNES SELKIRK, 1898-1983
Landscape architecture records, 1925-1976

Series 9. Beirn (cont.)

Oversize box 2. Alterations to the residence, 26 October 1961; Livingstone
Elder & Gardiner Angell, NY City; scale 1/8”=1’; first
floor (1 copy) and second floor (3 copies); blueline, 9” x
14”

Alterations, elevations, 26 October 1961; Livingstone Elder
& Gardiner Angell, NY City; scale 1/8”=1’; blueline 10-
1/4” x 19-1/2” (2 copies)

[West and east elevations], n.d.; Livingstone Elder, NY
City; blueline, 9” x 14” (2 copies)

Front entrance elevation, n.d.; Livingston Elder, NY City;
blueline, 9” x 14”

Alterations, first and second floor layouts, 5 October 1961;
Livingstone Elder, NY City; scale 1 sq.=2’; blueline, 8-1/2”
x 11”

Series 10. Blossom, Mrs. Francis, 1488 Brookside Drive, Fairfield

Oversize folder 8. Layout of garden; scale 1/2”=1’0”; tissue, 29-3/4” x 37-
1/2”

Series 11. Brett, Philip M., Khakum Wood, Greenwich, Conn.

Oversize box 2. Black and white photographs by George Van Anda, NY

Series 12. Bull, Mrs. Sanford, “Endsleigh,” 470 South Street, Middlebury, Conn.

Oversize folder 3. Detail of lattice arbor, plan and elevation (2), n.d.; scale
3/4”=16’0”; tissue, 17” x 17”

Oversize folder 8. Shrub planting plan, 1930; no scale; tissue, 29-1/2”x36-
1/2”

Stone wall & steps, plan, sections and elevation; scale
3/4”=1’0”; tissue, 26-1/2” x 38

Oversize box 2. Black and white photographs by George Van Anda, NY
Ms B91
CLARK, AGNES SELKIRK, 1898-1983
Landscape architecture records, 1925-1976

Series 13. Bullard (unidentified)

Oversize box 2. Plot plan, n.d.; scale 1”=20’0”; tissue, 17” x 20”

Series 14. Bullard, Edward P., 151 Cherry Lane, Fairfield

Oversize folder 8. General plan, n.d.; scale 1”=10’0”; tissue, 27-1/2”x 27-1/4”

Series 15. Carpenter, Mrs. Donald F.

Oversize box 2. Study (A) for terrace, 18 June 1967; scale 1/8”=1’0”;
tissue, 11-1/2” x 11-1/2; blueline 11-1/2” x11-1/2”

Folder 3. [Plot plan], pencil on yellow lined paper, 8” x 11-7/8”

Series 16. Clark, Mr. & Mrs. Cameron, 533 Merwins Lane, Fairfield

Folder 4. black and white photographs

Oversize box 2. photograph album, including blueprints of house

Series 17. Clark, Mr. & Mrs. George E., 15 Verna Hill Road, Fairfield

Oversize folder 2. Plot plan, drawing No. 1A, Revision 5 August 1961, John
Breck, architect; scale 1/16”=1’0”; tissue, 21” x 33”;
blueline, 21” x 33”

Folder 5. Bill from Holink Construction, 1961

Series 18. Colin, Mr. & Mrs. Justin, West Lane, Ridgefield, Conn.

Oversize folder 2. Preliminary plan for driveway & service court, n.d.; scale
1”=20’0”; tissue, 18” x 22”; blueline, 18” x 22”

Rose garden, Spring 1975; scale 3/8”=1’0”; tissue, 16”x22”

Construction details for entrance walk, steps, wall & curb,
1975; various scales; original, 16” x 22” (2 copies)

Design plan for a rose garden, 1975; scale 1/4”=1’0”;
original, 16” x 22”; blueline, 16-1/2” x 22”
Ms B91
CLARK, AGNES SELKIRK, 1898-1983
Landscape architecture records, 1925-1976

Series 18. Colin (cont.)

Oversize folder 2. Revision to flower gardens, n.d.; scale 1/4 scale; original,
22” x 32” (2 versions); blueline, 22” x 32” (2 copies)

Rose Garden planting plan, revised Nov. 1975; scale
3/8”=1’0”; blueline, 16” x 21-1/2”

General plan for driveway & service court, n.d.; blueline,
15-1/2” x 21”

Construction details, entrance walk, steps, wall & curb (2
versions), n.d.; scale 1/4”=1’0”; blueline, 16” x 22”

[Sketch study of flower garden], n.d.; scale 1/4”=1’0”;
pencil on blueline paper, 24” x 36”

Series 19. Coogan, Mr. & Mrs. Henry, 840 Verna Hill Road, Fairfield

Oversize folder 3. Fence details, n.d., with elevations (6); scale 1/2”=1’0”;
blueline, 17” x 23”

Garden plan, July 30, 1965, rev. 23 August 1965, with plan
and elevations (5); scale 1/4”=1’0”; blueline, 23” x 35”

Terrace & entrance plan, n.d.; scale 1/4”=1’0”; blueline,
28” x 34” (in 2 pieces)

Oversize folder 8. Preliminary plan of swimming pool and garden, 22 July
1965; scale 1/8”=1’0”; vellum, 23” x 33-1/2”

Garden plan, with fence elevations, 30 July 1965, rev. 23
August 1965; scale 1/4”=1’0”; vellum, 23” x 34-1/2”

Series 20. Davis, William Hammett, 130 East 74th St., New York, NY

Folder 6. Black and white photographs by Mattie Edwards Hewitt, NY
Ms B91
CLARK, AGNES SELKIRK, 1898-1983
Landscape architecture records, 1925-1976

Series 21. Dawson, Mr. & Mrs. Northrop, 1101 Pequot Avenue, Southport

Oversize folder 3. Topographical survey map, 19 October 1962; scale
1”=16’0”; The Huntington Co., Fairfield; blueprint, 19” x 33” (2 copies)

Planting plan, 27 March 1964; scale 1/4”=1’0”; drawn by
ASC; original, 19” x 34”; blueline, 19” x 34”

General construction plan, 18 July 1963, rev. 24 July 1963;
scale 1/16”=1’0”; blueline, 33” x 21”

Porch & terrace details, with plan and elevation, 1 August
1963; scale 1/4”=1’0”; blueline, 21” x 29”

Oversize folder 8. Entrance planting plan, drawn by ASC 2 October 1963;
scale 1/4”=1’0”; blueline, 23-1/2” x 34-1/4”

Folder 7. Topographical map; blueline, 8” x 12-3/4” and photocopy

Series 22. DeLameter, Mr. & Mrs. Oakley R., 667 Burr Street, Fairfield

Oversize folder 3. Planting plan, terrace entrance planting areas, 1960; scale
1/4”=1’0”; blueline, 21” x 26”

Oversize folder 8. General plan, 14 July 1960; scale 1/16”=1’0”; tissue, 20-
1/2” x 17-1/4”

Topographical map, 10 June 1960, Huntington Co.,
Fairfield; scale 1”=16’0”; blackline, 20” x 16”

Scheme B, concrete terrace; scale 1/4”=1’0”; tissue, 11-1/4” x 25”

Scheme C, flagstone terrace, 25 July 1960; scale 1/4”=1’0”; tissue,
11-1/4” x 23-3/4”

Construction plan, terrace, entrance, planting areas, rev. 8
August 1960; scale 1/4”=1’0”; tissue, 21-1/2” x 26”
Ms B91
CLARK, AGNES SELKIRK, 1898-1983
Landscape architecture records, 1925-1976

Series 23. DeWitt, John R., 1488 Brookside Drive, Fairfield

Folder 7.5 Black and white photographs

Series 24. Dunn, Mr. & Mrs. Ervin S., 420 Morehouse Lane, Southport

Oversize folder 8. Terrace plan, 12 October 1968, rev. 16 October 1968; scale
1/4”=1’0”; vellum. 16-1/2” x 20”

Terrace, drawing #3; scale 1/8”=1’0”; vellum, 16-1/2” x
23-1/4”

Series 25. English, Mrs. Robert B., Hartford, Conn.

Oversize folder 8. Construction and pool plan, with section of pool, 1930;

various scales; tissue, 20-1/2” x 34”

Series 26. Fairman, Mr. & Mrs. Fred, 1681 Hillside Road, Fairfield

Oversize box 2. Swimming pool, grading & location details, n.d.; scale

1/8”=1’0”; blueline, 13” x 17” (2 copies)

Swimming pool, grading & location detail, 15 June 1961;

scale 1/8”=1’0”; blueline, 13” x 17”

Swimming pool, grading & location detail, drawing #3B;

scale 1/8”=1’; tissue, 13” x 17”

Plot plan, n.d.; William Henry Jackson; scale 1”=40’0”;

blueline, 12” x 9”

First floor plan, n.d.; William Henry Jackson; blueline,
16” x 11”

Folder 8. photocopies of the above

Oversize folder 3. [Swimming pool plan]; blueline, 20-1/2” x 25-1/4”
Ms B91
CLARK, AGNES SELKIRK, 1898-1983
Landscape architecture records, 1925-1976

Series 26. Fairman (cont.)

Oversize folder 8. Guest house terrace plan with elevation, drawing #5,
rev. 10 July 1961; scale 1/4”=1’0”; vellum, 21-1/4” x 28-3/4”

General plan, swimming pool & terrace, drawing #2, rev.
10 July 1961; scale 1/8”=1’; tissue, 21-1/4” x 28-3/4”

Sketch plan, drawing #1; scale 1/8”=1’0”; tissue, 21-1/2”
x 27”

Series 27. Finneran, Mr. John, 73 Clapboard Road, Greens Farms, Conn.

Oversize folder 8. Study for planting; no scale; tissue, 29-1/2” x 33”

Topographical sketch, 1938, Samuel W. Hoyt, Jr., Co.
Surveyors, S. Norwalk; scale 1”=20’0”; tissue, 29-3/4” x 33”

General design plan, January 1939; scale 1’=20”; tissue,
27” x 39-1/2”

Series 28. Fleming, Mrs. David, 80 Fleming Lane, Southport

Oversize folder 9. Detail plan of garden terrace walls; scale 1/4”=1’0”;
blueline with pencil revisions, 17-1/4” x 29”; tissue, 18”
x 30”

Planting plan, 10 September 1957; scale 1/4”=1’0”; tissue,
19” x 26”

Sketch for pool and pump house; no scale; tissue, 18-3/4”
x 24”

Plan for wall, end of south flagstone terrace; no scale;
blueprint, 13-1/2” x 18-1/2”

Planting plan (?); no scale; tissue, 18” x 25-1/2”