Collection inventory

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Merton Elwood Granger Papers

An inventory of his papers at the Syracuse University Archives

Finding aid created by: Lafiya Watson
Date: 2007

Revision history:

Biography

Born on February 28, 1882, in Wayland, New York, Merton Elwood Granger (1882–1974) enrolled in nearby Syracuse University in 1905. Granger studied at the University’s School of Architecture, and after graduating in 1909, he would go on to have a long career designing homes and other buildings in the city of his alma mater.

After receiving his degree, Granger got his professional start working as an architectural draftsman for Syracuse-based architect A. L. Brockway. In 1916, just a few years later, Granger started his own architectural practice in Syracuse. He later formed the firm Granger and Gillespie with Helen E. Gillespie. In 1944, he became the firm's senior partner, and he continued his work there for almost another thirty years before retiring.

In addition to working on his many professional projects, Granger was also kept busy by his involvement with local architectural organizations. He was the co-founder of the Syracuse Society of Architects, who would award him with a Certificate of Service; he was a member of the New York Association of Architects, with which he served as director for ten years; he also worked with the American Institute of Architects for over fifty years, serving on the board of directors. Other local organizations Granger was involved with include the Syracuse Board of Assessors, the Tri-Regional Chapter of the Construction Specifications Institute, Inc., and the Code Committee for the City of Syracuse.

Granger retired in 1973, ending his career as a prominent, active figure in the local architectural community. He died just a year later, in Syracuse, on November 26, 1974.

Scope and Content Note

The Merton Elwood Granger Papers contains architectural drawings and plans from 1910 to 1961. Most of the collection is comprised of Granger's architectural drawings for houses in Syracuse, New York, drafted between 1920 and 1940. The collection also includes plans for houses in surrounding areas, such as Fayetteville and Dewitt, and materials related to other types of buildings, such as drawings for St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral in Syracuse.

The collection is divided into four series. The Houses series, which comprises the bulk of the collection, contains architectural design materials intended for the construction of new residences. The Houses - Additions and Alterations series includes work Granger did with existing houses. The Other Plans and Drawings series contains materials related to buildings and installations other than traditional houses, such as churches or business facilities. The Unidentified Plans series contains the few materials in the collection which have no identifying information.

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 University Archives,
Special Collections Research Center
Syracuse University Libraries and all relevant rights holders before publishing quotations, excerpts or images from any materials in this collection.

Related Material

The Archives hold a clipping file and portrait file for Merton Elwood Granger.

Selected Search Terms

Names

Granger, Merton Elwood.
Granger and Gillespie.
Syracuse University -- Alumni and alumnae.
Syracuse University -- History.
Syracuse University -- Students.
Syracuse University.

Subjects

Architectural firms.
Syracuse (N.Y.) -- Buildings, structures, etc.
Architects.

Types of Material

Architectural drawings (visual works)

Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Preferred citation for this material is as follows:

Merton Elwood Granger Papers,
University Archives,
Special Collections Research Center
Syracuse University Libraries

Acquisition Information

This collection of architectural drawings was deposited with the Central New York Chapter of the American Institute of Architects Records in the Library's Special Collections Research Center at Syracuse University. The Granger Papers were separated from the AIA records and transferred to the Syracuse University Archives at an unknown date.

Processing Information

Resources were arranged in series after damaging binding materials were removed.

Arrangement

The items are arranged in alphabetical order within series, most of which are organized by the client's surname.

Table of Contents

Houses

Houses - Additions and Alterations

Other Plans and Drawings

Unidentified Plans

Inventory