Jane C. Loeffler research papers on American embassies, 1920s-2010s, bulk 1970s-2000s

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Series I: U.S. Embassy Research Files

The first series contains materials that reference United States diplomatic design abroad. Post files are arranged alphabetically by city, with the exception of Germany and the Newly Independent States of the Former Soviet Union (NIS). In addition to individual post files, this series contains materials that reference individuals and organizations affiliated with the U.S. State Department's foreign building program, not exclusively limited to American-born parties. Files are sorted according to the name of the individual or organization. Reference materials include articles, notes, clippings, photographs, negatives, slides, maps, and plans. In addition, there are two oversized folders, one containing Ralph Rapson drawings and one containing original embassy plan drawings.

Series II: Foreign Embassy Research Files

The second series contains materials that reference foreign diplomatic design, both internationally and in the United States. Reference materials include articles, notes, clippings, photographs, negatives, maps, and plans. Post files are arranged alphabetically by country, with foreign embassies abroad distinguished from foreign embassies in Washington D.C. In addition, there is an oversized folder containing schematic portfolios of Ethiopian and Swedish embassies.

Series III: Topical Research Files

The third series contains topical reference files regarding subjects, places, or structures affiliated with the State Department's foreign building program. Alphabetically sorted by subject matter, topics include art in embassies, diplomacy, embassy design, historic preservation, security, and terrorism. This series is primarily comprised of books, articles, notes, clippings, brochures, photographs, and negatives. Additionally, there is an oversized folder with urban design and planning portfolios.

Series IV: Office of Foreign Buildings Operations (FBO) Files

The fourth series contains documents received from either the FBO or the Office of the Historian. Spanning 1953 to 1980, these files primarily include correspondence and memos, as well as the meeting minutes of the FBO's advisory architects. Established in 1953 as the Architectural Advisory Committee (AAC), the AAC was renamed the Architectural Advisory Panel (AAP) in 1957; in the late 1970's, the AAP was briefly known as the Foreign Buildings Architectural Consultants but is currently known as the Architectural Advisory Board (AAB). Folders are sorted chronologically, keeping in accordance with Loeffler's original organization system. These records provide invaluable insight into the foreign building program, as these files are unavailable elsewhere.

Series V: JCL Professional Papers

The fifth series contains notes, correspondence, clippings, published articles, and collateral regarding professional lectures, organizations, and programs in which Loeffler participated. In addition, this series includes published scholastic articles written by Loeffler and course syllabi from the undergraduate courses she taught at the University of Maryland and George Mason University.

Series VI: Additional Donations

Request Box 9 Folder 13

Box 9 Folder 13 National Building Museum, 1980-1981

[Accession 2016.002]

Includes correspondence and notebooks primarly related to the development of the exhibition "Diplomacy and Architecture: America Builds Abroad"

Collection Overview

Collection Contents