Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech
Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries (0434) 560 Drillfield Drive Newman Library, Virginia Tech Blacksburg, Virginia 24061 Business Number: 540-231-6308 specref@vt.edu URL: http://spec.lib.vt.edu
Emily Cook, Student Assistant
Repository
Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech
Identification
Ms.2008.071
Title
Betty L. Moss Architectural Collection 1950-2007
Quantity
56.5 Cubic Feet, 255 boxes, 6 oversize folders
Creator
Moss, Betty
Language
The materials in the collection are in English.
Abstract
The Betty L. Moss Architectural Collection contains the architectural renderings, business correspondence, and notes of Betty
Moss, an architect from New Orleans, Louisiana. Types of structures included in drawings are houses, apartment buildings,
condominiums, religious centers, businesses, antique shops, offices, hospitals, and centers for convalescence.
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 for research.
Preferred Citation
Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder],
Betty L. Moss Architectural Collection, Ms2008-071, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg,
Va.
Source of Acquisition
The Betty L. Moss Architectural Collection was donated to Special Collections in 2008.
Processing Information
The processing, arrangement, and description of the Betty L. Moss Architectural Collection commenced in May 2008 and was completed
in December 2008.
Betty Anne Lipper was born in 1921 in Houston, Texas, to Lawrence Lipper and Betty Silverman. Betty Lipper married Hartwig
Moss II and had two children. Moss attended Newcomb College and Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana, as well as the
University of Missouri School of Journalism in Colombia, Missouri, and received a bachelor's in journalism from Tulane in
1942. Moss later returned to Tulane in the 1950s and earned a bachelor's degree in Architecture in 1960. After over forty
years, Moss was awarded a master's degree in architecture from Tulane in 2004. Starting her practice in her 40s, Moss continued
to work for more than four decades and produced designs for many houses and small office buildings in New Orleans. An outspoken
defender of building preservation and conservation, Moss ardently defended against the demolition of the Rivergate (an exhibition
center) on Canal Street in New Orleans. The Rivergate was demolished; and, Moss and Abbye A. Gorin wrote a six-minute film
about the structure. After Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans in 2005, Moss composed plans for rebuilding and safety
guidelines for disaster prevention. Betty Moss died October 22, 2007.
The Betty L. Moss Architectural Collection contains the drawings, business correspondence, and notes of Betty L. Moss, an
architect from New Orleans, Louisiana, practicing largely in the second half of the twentieth century. Structures appearing
in drawings include: houses, apartment buildings, condominiums, religious centers, businesses, antique shops, offices, hospitals,
and centers for convalescence. The locations of most projects center around New Orleans, Louisiana; but, some structures were
designed for Texas, Mississippi, New Jersey, Tennessee, and Idaho. These drawings include projects that were constructed,
as well as others that may not have been built. Projects range from plans for the design of the Moss residence made in 1950
to proposals drafted after Hurricane Katrina's devastation of New Orleans in 2005. Architectural designs on illustration board,
some tinted, date from Moss's study at Tulane University. Correspondence includes letters to and from clients, professionals,
and tradesmen. Interoffice notes and pages from catalogs illustrating fixtures also appear.
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