Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: Jane Hall Johnson Architectural Collection, Ms 2000-057, Special Collections, University Libraries, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

Acquisition Information

The Jane Hall Johnson Architectural Collection were donated to Special Collections at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in June 2001.

Processing Informatiom

The processing, arrangement and description of the Jane Hall Johnson Architectural Collection began in December 2001 and was completed in July 2002. The arrangement and description was updated March 2011.

Biographical Note

Jane Hall was born in Maryville, Missouri on October 11, 1911. She was the second of three daughters born to her parents, who were both school teachers. Shortly after her birth the family moved to St. Louis where Jane attended elementary and high school. In 1941, Hall graduated from the Missouri School of Mines with a degree in Civil Engineering. After graduation Hall worked at numerous firms as a structural engineer on highway design and airplane stress analysis. In 1949 Hall decided to go back to school to study architecture and graduated in 1955 with a Bachelor in Architecture, from Harvard University. In 1970 this degree was changed to a Master of Architecture.

From 1955-1959 Hall worked in Boston as an architect for several firms, generally on working drawings and drafting, before moving back to St. Louis. On October 11, 1969, she married Benjamin Johnson and in 1970 they opened their own firm in St. Louis. Some of their larger clients included: the St. Louis Redevelopment Authority, the Human Development Corporation, Montgomery Hyde-Park. Johnson also completed numerous residences in the St. Louis area. Johnson enjoyed photographing her own projects.

Jane Hall Johnson retired in 1997.

Scope and Content Information

Drawings, blueprints, photographs of Jane Hall Johnson's architectural projects.

Arrangement

The collection is divided into three series : Personal Papers; Professional Papers/Office Records; and Project Records.

PERSONAL PAPERS, 1955-1971. This series contains drawings, presentation boards, photographs of models, slides, negatives of work for Johnson's thesis, "An International Student Center." Also included is a drawing of a separate graduate school project for a small residence.

PROFESSIONAL PAPERS/OFFICE RECORDS, 1960-1994. This series contains materials relating to Johnson's professional life including school diplomas and continuing education certificates, office correspondence and brochures for Johnson's firm, awards, portfolios, and photographs of projects.

PROJECT RECORDS, 1955-1986. This series includes blueprints, drawings, and sketches of projects Johnson worked on while working for two firms, Anderson Nichols & Co, and Kilham, Hopkins, Greeley & Brodie after graduation, as well as, preliminary drawings, sketches, construction drawings, presentation boards, for projects completed by Johnson's own firm. There are a few drawings that have no noted firm affiliation, or date, but were done early in Johnson's career. These materials are organized under Miscellaneous Projects.

Index Terms

Genre and Form Terms:

• Architectural drawings.

Occupations:

• Architects.

Subjects:

• Architectural drawing--20th century.
• Women-owned architectural firms.

Local Subjects:

• International Archive of Women in Architecture (IAWA)