Walter T. Rolfe collection
Scope and Content of the collection
Personal papers, correspondence, manuscripts, printed material, photographs, books, awards and medals, 9 paintings and 26 drawings make up this record group documenting portions of Walter T. Rolfe's life from 1920 to 1967. The papers, correspondence, manuscripts and printed material measure 1.25 linear feet.
The personal papers include biographical information, certificates, awards and quotes he collected to use in speeches. A memorial brochure, printed by his firm, Golemon & Rolfe gives one of the few overviews of his life.
Correspondence focuses on two major themes: the Order of the Sun of Peru and the memorial brochure printed by the firm. Letters and telegrams arrived at Rolfe's door when he won the award including congratulations from Peru's president, Fernando Belaúnde Terry, who was one of Rolfe's former students. The comments about the memorial brochure were sent to Rolfe's partner, Albert Golemon, or Rolfe's wife, Bessie Mae.
Manuscripts show that Rolfe was a prolific writer. The varied types of manuscripts included in this series were presented as speeches, articles, short fiction and poetry. Rolfe wrote a book in 1935 called Texas which he described as "a 32-page booklet illustrated in black and white, front page in color, treating the cultural background, history and opportunity of Texas." Several copies of the book are in with his papers.
Printed material is comprised of an assortment of articles about architecture.
The photographs are portraits of Rolfe and his wife. The paintings are watercolors by Rolfe and the drawings represent Rolfe's residence.
The series called awards and medals contains Rolfe's medals and awards. Highlights in this series are the Order of the Sun of Peru Plate (silver) and medal (gold) and his FAIA medal.
Dates
- Creation: 1920-1967
Creator
- Rolfe, Walter T., 1900-1967 (contributor, Person)
Policies Governing Use and Access
This collection is open for research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using archival materials. As all or portions of this collection may be housed off-site, advance notice of at least three working days is required for retrieval. Certain items may require additional time for flattening or humidifying before they can be viewed. Access is by appointment only. Please contact the archives' reference staff for further information.
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Biographical sketch of Walter Thomas Rolfe
Walter Thomas Rolfe was born on August 22, 1900 in Wetmore, Kansas. He grew up there and graduated from Wetmore High School in 1918. He received a bachelor of science degree in architecture from Kansas State College in 1922 and his masters in architectural design from MIT in 1923.
He started his teaching career as associate professor of architecture at Auburn University in 1923 where he met his future partner, Albert S. Golemon, who was one of his best students. Rolfe moved to North Dakota State College where he taught for four years before going to the University of Texas in 1924. He spent the next eighteen years at the University of Texas School of Architecture and was chair of the department from 1936 to 1946.
"In February of 1946, he and Albert Golemon... formed the nucleus of one of the largest and most experienced architectural firms in the Southwest [at that time].... A number of the Southwest's most modern hospitals, churches and schools were designed by them. They reflect individuality and functional efficiency. Golemon & Rolfe was one of the first architectural firms to research and recommended the compact type, year-round air conditioned school building for more efficient teacher and pupil performance; Walter Rolfe was greatly responsible for the concept. The idea was accepted and acclaimed nationally."
Rolfe was representative from the AIA to the US Commission to UNESCO from 1953 to 1955 and was active in other committee work in the AIA. He had a heart attack in 1957 which reduced his participation in the activities of the firm to the role of consultant. "He was acclaimed as one of the best public speakers in the architectural profession. On may occasions he spoke at conventions of the various segments of the AIA, at the local, state and national level. He made numerous talks for the engineering profession and for service organizations."
In 1965, Rolfe was awarded the Order of the Sun of Peru, for "outstanding contribution to the furtherance of architectural education and practice in Peru," through his having been the professional teacher of Peru's President Fernando Belaúnde Terry.
Rolfe was in Houston when he died of a heart attack in June 1967.
Sources: Memorial booklet printed by Golemon & Rolfe, Architects, 1967. [Obituary] Texas Architect (August 1967): p. 4.
Partial Extent
1.25 Linear Feet
Partial Extent
26 drawings
Partial Extent
94 photographs
Partial Extent
9 paintings
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Walter Rolfe (1900-1967) taught at The University of Texas School of Architecture and practiced architecture in Houston and Beaumont, Tex. The collection includes papers, correspondence, manuscripts, printed material, photographs, books, awards and medals, paintings and drawings that document Rolfe's life and work.
Other Finding Aids
Unpublished inventory in Archive.
References to works by or about Walter T. Rolfe (1900-1967)
- "AIA National Committeeman." Texas Architect (June 1951): p. 9.
- "The American Architectural Foundation." American Institute of Architects Journal 15 (May 1951): p. 214, 219.
- "The American Architectural Foundation, its opportunities and its needs." American Institute of Architects Journal 24 (September 1955): p. 111-5.
- "Architect and his community." Texas Architect (December 1956): p. 5.
- "At AIA Convention." Texas Architect (July 1954): p. 7.
- "Bellaire High School." Texas Architect (April 1958): p. 6 and cover.
- "Center Medical Building, Houston, Texas." Progressive Architecture 35 (January 1954): p. 90.
- "Elementary Schools." Progressive Architecture 29 (November 1948): p. 51-64.
- "Hospital: Alexandria, Louisiana." Progressive Architecture 32 (February 1951): p. 79-85.
- "Hospitals: trends in planning. Building types study 363." Architectural Record 140 (October 1966): p. 197-216.
- "Jack Tar Orange House." Texas Architect (May 1957): p. 7 and cover.
- Kohl, George S., ed. American Architects Directory. New York: R.R. Bowker, 1962.
- "Medical Towers." Texas Architect (July 1960): p. 11.
- "Medical Towers win AIA award." Texas Architect (April 1957): p. 9.
- "Memorial to Goldwin Goldsmith." Texas Architect (February 1962): p. 4.
- "Moderates TSA Seminar." Texas Architect (November 1955): p. 6.
- "Named to UNESCO Commission." Texas Architect (December 1952): p. 20.
- "Named to UNESCO Post." Texas Architect (January 1953): p. 11.
- [Obituary] Texas Architect (August 1967): p. 4.
- "Presides at TSA Seminar." Texas Architect (November 1953): p. 4.
- "Professional Offices, Houston, Texas." Progressive Architecture 36 (September 1955): p. 102-3.
- "Research and the Architect." Texas Architect (June 1961): p. 4.
- Rolfe, Walter Thomas. Texas. Austin: The Steck Company, 1935.
- "Speaks to Clay Products Institute." Texas Architect (January 1955): p. 9.
- "Twentieth Street Medical Plaza." Texas Architect (March 1961): p. 8.
- "Wins award from Peru." Texas Architect (December 1965): p. 20.
Collection Processors
Drawings processed by Lila Knight, Summer 1986; other material processed by Nancy Sparrow.
Subject
- Rolfe, Walter T., 1900-1967 (contributor, Person)
- Belaúnde Terry, Fernando, 1912 (contributor, Person)
- Title
- Walter T. Rolfe collection
- Author
- Inventory prepared by Lila Knight, Nancy Sparrow
- Date
- 1986, 1992
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Alexander Architectural Archives Repository
University of Texas Libraries
101 E. 21st Street
Austin Texas 78712 United States
(512) 495-4621
apl-aaa@lib.utexas.edu