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.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open to research.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Martha J. Crawford Design Papers, Ms1994-016, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Source of Acquisition

The Martha J. Crawford Design Papers were donated to Special Collections in 1994.

Processing Information

The processing, arrangement, and description of the Martha J. Crawford Design Papers was completed in or prior to 2010.

Biographical Note

Martha J. Crawford (1925-1994) was an architectural interior designer of Waukesha, Wisconsin. She attended Vassar College (1943-1945), graduated from Parsons School of Design with an interior design degree (1948), and was an alumna of the Columbia School of Architecture (1953).

For 10 years Crawford worked in New York City with firms such as Eleanor Lemaire and Associates, Amos Parrish & Company, Beeston and Patterson, and Welton Becket and Associates holding titles including Assistant Interior Designer, Head of Color and Décor Department, Contract Interior Designer, and Construction Coordinator. In 1958, Crawford opened her own firm Martha Crawford and Associates specializing in the design of commercial interiors. Following 1966, she was a contract interior designer in Florida, Virginia, Washington, D.C, and Wisconsin. Her long and active career included design projects for many major American department stores: Neiman Marcus; B. Altman & Company; Macy's; Bamberger's; Kresge; and Heironimus in Roanoke, Virginia. In 1975, Crawford retired to Waukesha, Wisconsin.

She designed numerous residential interiors as well as interiors for offices, showrooms, restaurants, hotels, banks, schools, and hospitals. In addition, Martha Crawford was a writer, studied poetry, and completed at least two novels. She was also an artist and among her papers are numerous watercolors and pastels.

Scope and Content

The Martha J. Crawford Design Papers contains two scrapbooks (1961-1974)of photographs, clippings, and lists of accomplishments; a portfolio of biographical and career information; 12 folders containing watercolors, pastels, posters, diazo prints, and sketches produced by Crawford. The artwork features landscapes, portraits, watercolor studies, abstracts, furniture, room interiors, and utilitarian items (bowls, cups, coffee press). The artwork is undated.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• International Archive of Women in Architecture (IAWA)
• Women -- History

Rights Statement for Archival Description

The guide to the Martha J. Crawford Design Papers by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 ( https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/ ).