Collection inventory

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Kermit J. Lee, Jr. Papers

An inventory of his papers at the Syracuse University Archives

Summary

Creator: Lee, Kermit J., Jr.
Title: Kermit J. Lee, Jr. Papers
Dates: 1953-1995
Size: 11.75 linear ft
Abstract: Materials related to the professional and academic work of Syracuse University professor and alumnus Kermit J. Lee, Jr.
Language: English
Repository: University Archives,
Special Collections Research Center
Syracuse University Libraries
222 Waverly Ave., Suite 600
Syracuse, NY 13244-2010
https://library.syracuse.edu/special-collections-research-center/university-archives

Biography

Kermit J. Lee, Jr. (1934-2018) was a professor in the Syracuse University School of Architecture from 1966 to 1995. He was a lifetime fellow of the American Institute of Architects and served as chairman of the New York State Board for Architecture from 1986 to 1987. Also an alumnus of Syracuse University, Lee graduated magna cum laude in 1957 and later went on to study at the Technische Hochscule in Braunschweig, Germany as a Fulbright Fellow. In 1990, Lee received a citation from Governor Mario Cuomo for his work in the redevelopment of Times Square. In 1996, the School of Architecture at Syracuse University established an endowed scholarship in his name. After his retirement from the University in 1995, he returned to overseeing his architecture firm Kermit Lee Architects.

Among Lee’s specialties were urban planning, alternative energy, and resource recovery.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Lee was also notable for being the first African American graduate from the Syracuse University School of Architecture, as well as the first African American professor in the School of Architecture. He was at one point the only registered African American architect in Central New York.

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Scope and Content Note

The Kermit J. Lee, Jr. Papers is composed of content that includes his work as a professor at Syracuse University and his other professional and academic work. The collection is made up of five series:

Architectural drawings consist of architectural plans and materials made by Lee and his firm, Kermit Lee Architects. The drawings span a number of projects, including a Black River resource recovery facility and a pedestrian concourse for an Onondaga County Convention Center.

Correspondence consists of incoming and outgoing materials, including memorandums sent to Lee from other members of the University's School of Architecture.

Course materials contains content related to courses taught by Lee during his time at the University, such as syllabi, exams, assignments for students, and lecture notes.

Other professional work contains materials related to his work as an architect outside of the University, including job application materials and photographs of his sketches.

Writings and research consist of essays and other work by Lee for personal, academic, and professional projects. This series contains materials he produced as a student at the University, his work as a Fulbright Fellow, and other writings concerning architecture as a discipline. This series contains materials that users may find objectionable due to ableist language. The language contained in this series was conventional at the time of its creation, although no less harmful and inaccurate than it is today. It is preserved and presented for its historic and research value.

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Restrictions

Access Restrictions

Please note that the collection is housed off-site, and advance notice is required to allow time to have the materials brought to the Reading Room on campus.

Use Restrictions

Written permission must be obtained from the Syracuse University Archives and all relevant rights holders before publishing quotations, excerpts or images from any materials in this collection.

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Related Material

Some of the materials in this collection were acquired along with the materials in the African American Male Congress Records.

The University Archives holds the Syracuse University School of Architecture Records. The Archives also has a clippings file on Kermit J. Lee, Jr.

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Selected Search Terms

Names

Lee, Kermit J., Jr.
Kermit Lee Architects.
Syracuse University -- History.
Syracuse University.
Syracuse University. School of Architecture.

Subjects

African American architects.
Architects.
Architecture teachers.
Architecture.
College teachers.
Higher education.

Types of material

Architectural drawings (visual works)
Essays.
Letters (correspondence)
Memorandums.
Photographs.
Slides (photographs)

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Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Preferred citation for this material is as follows:

Kermit J. Lee, Jr. Papers,
University Archives,
Special Collections Research Center
Syracuse University Libraries

Acquisition Information

Gift of Jerry Augustin in 2004 and the Lee family in 2023.

Processing Information

Materials were rehoused in acid free folders and placed in acid free boxes.

Finding Aid Information

Created by: Erin Gravley
Date: 2018
Revision history: June 2023 - 7.5 linear feet of materials added (SS); January 2024 - 0.25 linear feet of materials added to Box 8 (SS)

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Arrangement

Materials are arranged in alphabetical order within series.

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Inventory

Architectural drawings
MC 23-3 Addition to Rowland residence 1992-1994
MC 23-3 Affordable housing plans 1991-1992
MC 23-3 Black River resource recovery facility circa 1985-1995
Oversize 2 Labor Temple renovation 1991
Oversize 2 Mills and Moss additions 1991
MC 23-3 Onondaga County Convention Center pedestrian concourse circa 1987-1994
MC 23-3 Onondaga County War Memorial signage contract work 1993
Oversize 1 Onondaga County War Memorial signage contract work 1993
MC 23-3 Plan at War Memorial circa 1987-1994
MC 23-3 Presentation/miscellaneous graphics undated
MC 23-3 Proposed stadium - Inner Harbor circa 1990-1992
Oversize 2 Victory Village/legacy school plans 1992
Correspondence
Box 1 Architectural fellowship program 1980
Box 1 The Black Voice 1988
Box 1 Comments on priority development process 1988
Box 1 Faculty leave 1980
Box 1 Proposal to Van Nostrand Reinhold 1989-1990
Box 1 NEH summer stipends for 1989 1988
Box 1 School of Architecture background 1979
Box 1 School of Architecture memorandums 1988
Box 1 Teaching technologies 1992
Course materials
Box 1 ARC 223 1990
Box 1 ARC 301 1968-1970
Box 1 ARC 307/308 undated, 1984, 1988
Box 1 ARC 308 January 1979
Box 1 ARC 308/408 1972
Box 1 ARC 332 1986-1992 - 3 folders
Box 2 ARC 332 1986-1992 - 3 folders
Box 2 ARC 361 1988
Box 2 ARC 362 1988
Box 2 ARC 500 1984, 1993-1994 - 3 folders
Box 2 ARC 505 undated
Box 2 ARC 507 1976, 1986, 1993
Box 2 ARC 522 1991-1992
Box 3 ARC 522 1991-1992
Box 3 ARC 551 undated, 1984-1988, 1987-1988 - 3 folders
Box 3 ARC 552 1982
Box 3 ARC 552/602 1974, 1980
Box 3 ARC 561 1988
Box 3 ARC 602 1974-1980 - 2 folders
Box 4 ARC 602 1986, 1978
Box 7 ARC 602 1975
Box 4 ARC 602: Mykonos 1976
Box 4 ARC 602: Naarden 1978
Box 4 ARC 653 1972-1973
Box 7 Class B - 3rd year 1966
Box 4 EDI 343 1988, 1992-1994 - 4 folders
Box 4 EDI 400 undated
Box 4 Environmental ethics undated
Box 4 Florence summer program 1975
Box 4 Foreign study subjects assignments 1970
Box 5 Land use as architecture undated
Box 7 Miscellaneous notes undated
Box 5 Program materials 1988-1989
Box 5 Self-evaluation 1992
Box 5 Studio design 1972-1973
Box 5 Urban design 1978-1983, 1985 - 2 folders
Box 5 Vertical transportation loose notes 1990
Box 5 Vertical transportation notebook undated
Box 5 Water sanitation system loose notes undated
Box 5 Water sanitation system notebook undated
Other professional materials
Box 5 Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture meeting organization report 1967
Box 5 Course and writings list undated
Box 5 Lecture at Boston architecture center 1957-1958
Box 5 LMC application materials undated
Box 6 Photographs of sketches undated
MC 23-3 Project plan schedule 1965
Writings and research
Box 6 Report card from Houston 1990
Box 6 Case studies and the development of methodology 1977-1981
Box 6 Closed loop undated
Box 6 Comments on the environment for the mentally retarded 1972
Box 6 Design and design process undated
Box 6 Design and research 1976
Box 6 Design is design, isn't it? undated
Box 6 Dialogue undated
Box 6 Diversity in practice: towards a global experience undated
Box 6 Essays for the idea of the city 1959
Box 6 Form follows understanding 6 April 1975
Box 6 Growth models in urban simulation undated
Box 7 The idea of the city excerpt and notes undated
Box 6 Institute for the future: typical planning model for institutional planning at university undated
Box 6 The lessons of history undated
Box 8 The life of men in cities 27 April 1959 - draft
Box 6 Nature and character of human space 1960
Box 6 The New York properties problem 1969
Box 6 Nomads 1993
Box 6 Papers (faculty colloquia) and speeches 1966-1972
Box 6 Partial manuscript - Zähringer cities 1961, 1968
Box 6 Patterns and forms in American cities February 1973
Box 6 Physical change, social change undated
Student work
Box 8 Assignments 1953-1955 (2 folders)
Box 8 Miscellaneous sketches undated
Box 6 Towards the new professional: essays in architecture 1970
Box 6 Ugliness - taste and humanity 1966
Box 6 Urban by design May 1968
Box 6 Waste to energy development plan 29 August 1980
Box 7 What is a city? 1960 - draft
Box 6 Zähringerstadte summary and proposal 1966

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