Charles W. York collection
Scope and Content of the collection
Course resources, professional correspondence, and reference materials regarding the professional activity of Dr. Charles Weldon York comprise this collection. Items represented in this collection are notes taken by York as a student in the Interior Design and Home Economics department at The University of Texas at Austin and at the Attingham Summer School Trust Tour of Historic Houses of England (1973). Biographical information regarding York is documented through his curriculum vita and obituary. Printed material concerning York's professional career as a professor at the University of Texas at Austin and as an author on furniture finishes is concentrated to the years 1965 to 1985. Faculty papers included in the collection are course materials, syllabi, notes, and handouts on upholstery, window treatments, finishes and stains, and adhesives. Included in the reference materials are articles covering various interior decoration topics such as window treatments, women in design, and adhesives as well as postcards from York's travels to the United Kingdom; New Bern, North Carolina; Mount Vernon, Virginia; Natchez, Mississippi; and New Orleans, Louisiana.
Dates
- Creation: 1941-2004
Creator
- York, Charles W., 1924-2004 (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 Charles W. York
Dr. Charles Weldon York was born on July 26, 1924, to Dr. Orphus and Mrs. Bertha Richardson York of Panhandle, Texas. York attended The University of Texas at Austin from September of 1941 until November 1943 at which time he joined the United States Navy. Serving aboard several ships in the Amphibious forces in the Pacific Ocean, York received an Honorable Discharge in April 1946.
After readmittence to The University of Texas at Austin in September 1946, York majored in Interior Design and graduated in May of 1949 with a Bachelor of Science. York was the first male student to receive a degree in Interior Design and Home Economics at The University of Texas at Austin. In June 1950, York received a Masters Degree in Retailing from New York University. York later received his Ph.D. in Housing from Florida State University in June 1967.
York worked briefly at Neiman Marcus in Dallas in the Decorative Gallery and Gift Shop. In the fall of 1952, York became a faculty member in the Interior Design Division in the Department of Home Economics at The University of Texas at Austin. During his tenure at The University of Texas at Austin, York was promoted through the ranks of assistant, associate, full professor, and Head of the Interior Design Division. Upon his retirement in 1985, York had served on the faculty of The University of Texas at Austin for a total of 33 years.
In addition to his work at The University of Texas at Austin, York designed a Texas-The Lonestar State plate which was produced by Wood & Son of Burselm, England. York also served as the chief curator of the special historic rooms at the Mary C. Gearing building and assisted with the redesigning of the interior of the president's residence at The University of Texas at Austin during the term of President Harry H. Ransom in 1960.
Charles W. York died March 3, 2004 from the effects of colon cancer. He was a member of the American Institute of Interior Designers and the National Society of Interior Designers.
Partial Extent
0.83 Linear Feet
Partial Extent
227 postcards
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Charles Weldon York was an interior designer and faculty member in the Interior Design Division in the Department of Home Economics at The University of Texas at Austin. The collection documents York’s professional career as a designer, author, and educator. Record types include course materials, correspondence, notes, student work, and reference articles.
Arrangement
Arranged in three series: Personal Papers, Professional Papers, and Faculty Papers.
References to works by or about Charles W. York
The following materials are located in the Architecture and Planning Library at The University of Texas at Austin.
-- compiled by Julie Mosbo
- York, Charles W. Furniture for the Home. Austin: University of Texas at Austin, 1974.
- York, Charles W. Home Furnishing Images of College Students and College Graduates. Diss. Florida State University, 1967.
Collection Processors
Paper processed by: Julie Mosbo, November 2007
Subject
- York, Charles W., 1924-2004 (contributor, Person)
Genre / Form
Geographic
- Louisiana
- Mount Vernon, Va.
- Natchez (Miss.)
- New Bern, N.C.
- New Orleans (La.)
- Texas--Austin
- United Kingdom
- Virginia
Topical
- Title
- Charles W. York collection
- 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