Organic Architecture and Design Archives

<h3><strong><span style="color: rgb(149, 55, 52);">Help in the mission to save and promote a uniquely important American legacy.</span></strong></h3>
Established in 2014, the mission of the OA+D Archives, Inc., a non-profit 501(c)(3), is to honor the past, celebrate the present, and encourage the future of creative organic architecture and design. We do this through education, conservation of original design materials, publications, and exhibitions. You can see a <a href="https://www.oadarchives.com/collection-s-list">list of our existing collections here</a>, and our publications are <a href="https://www.oadarchives.com/category/journal-oa-d">shown here</a>.<br>
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Most recently, OA+D Archives has worked with the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation to become stewards of the Taliesin Architects Collection, a signally important record of American architectural practice from 1959 to 2002. This massive group of materials, consisting of  approximately 60,000 architectural and design drawings, hundreds of boxes of project files, thousands of photographic images, and a group of extraordinary building models represents the continuum of organic design descending through the Taliesin Fellowship following the death of Mr. Wright. <br>
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Among the many organic architects, designers, and artists represented in the Taliesin Architects Collection are William Wesley Peters, John H. Howe, John de Koven Hill, Charles Montooth, John Rattenbury, Anthony Putnam, David Elgin Dodge, E. Thomas Casey, Cornelia Brierly Berndtson, Charles Schifner, Kamal Amin, Vernon D. Swaback, R. Joseph Fabris, Allen Lape Davison, Paul Wagner, John Ottenheimer, A. Louis Wiehle, Aubrey Banks, Arnold Roy, Kelly Oliver, and Stephen M. Nemtin. These materials were minimally inventoried before being transferred to our care and require detailed description, archival conservation, and digitization before they can be used efficiently by researchers.<br>
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<h3><strong><span style="color: rgb(99, 36, 35);"><span style="color: rgb(149, 55, 52);">Why Your Help Is Especially Needed Now </span></span></strong></h3>
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After seven years of intense efforts to save significant collections of historically important materials at risk of permanent loss, OA+D Archives has now undertaken the provision of a physical facility in which to house, conserve, describe, and digitize our holdings. <strong>Your support in any amount is critical to advance this essential step in the preservation of these historical records</strong>. The burden of monthly rent and utilities for our new premises, including nearby off-site climate controlled storage units, must be met. In addition, we need to purchase archival supplies and pay for a dedicated server to support our <a href="https://catalog.oadarchives.org/index.php">newly created online catalog</a>. These costs are fundamental to preserving the vital approach to living architectural design represented in OA+D collections.<br>
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<h4><span style="color: rgb(149, 55, 52);"><strong>We ask for your support, whether as a one-time donation or as monthly subscriber, to sustain this legacy for the future.</strong></span></h4>People often have a misconception about the preservation of historical records, assuming someone will always be there to take care to conserve and protect them. Sadly, it may be true that often more is lost than is saved. History survives only if those who care about the past ensure the preservation of such materials. If you are moved by the story of personal and cultural freedom of expression in a beautiful environment built for a better life, then here is an opportunity to share that aspirational narrative with those who have yet to come. We hope you will share the journey by ongoing support of OA+D Archives. Thank you for your consideration.

Free

Join at this subscription level and receive our monthly newsletter detailing the work accomplished (and treasures discovered!) in various OA+D Archives collections, where you will be credited for your continued support. Remember, since OA+D Archives is a federally recognized 501(c)3 non-profit, your donation is tax deductible.

Student Support

Join at this subscription level and receive our monthly newsletter detailing the work accomplished (and treasures discovered!) in various OA+D Archives collections, where you will be credited for your continued support. In addition, if you supply your earth address at checkout, at least once a year you will receive a special collectible gift produced solely for distribution to Official Supporters. Remember, since OA+D Archives is a federally recognized 501(c)3 non-profit, your donation is tax deductible.

Official Support

Join at this subscription level and in addition to the monthly newsletter where you are credited for your support, you will receive quarterly special reports containing links to archival materials and historical information related to OA+D Archives collections that are not yet mounted on the online catalog. If you supply your earth address at checkout, at least once a year you will receive special collectible gifts produced solely for distribution to Official and Resident subscribers. Remember, since OA+D Archives is a federally recognized 501(c)3 non-profit, your donation is tax deductible.

Resident Support

Join at this subscription level and receive our monthly newsletter detailing the work accomplished (and treasures discovered!) in various OA+D Archives collections, where you will be credited for your continued support. If you supply your earth address at checkout, you will receive a subscription to the OA+D Archives Journal, published three times a year. In addition, you will also receive the special collectible gifts produced for distribution to Official and Resident Support, as well as an additional gift created only for Curator Support.

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