Barbara Kirkconnell papers, 1985-2005.

ArchivalResource

Barbara Kirkconnell papers, 1985-2005.

Collection documents Barbara Kirkconnell's work on a number of historic house restoration projects, including Adena, Darnall's Chance, Eastman House, Montpelier Mansion (Md.), Reynolda House, Riversdale, Ten Chimneys, and Traveler's Rest (Nashville). As well, the files document commissions she undertook for private clients. Although her specialty was in draperies, sometimes she also chose wallpapers and carpets. Mrs. Kirkconnell supplied her clients with samples of fabric, wallpaper, and trim, and even sometimes stitched samples of what she proposed. When needed, she had to find suppliers of drapery hardware and other items. Poss Tarpley was frequently hired to assist her with sewing and embroidery. (Several files were marked with her name.) Mrs. Kirkconnell assisted historic preservationist William Seale on some of his projects, including the Alabama State Capitol and the Eastman House. The collection also includes Mrs. Kirkconnell's calendars, including both private (such as medical appointments) and work activities; her notebooks in which she kept notes, names of contacts, ideas, and other information; schedules of the Attingham summer school (attended 1993) and other Attingham tours; photographs she took of the projects on which she worked and historic sites which she visited; and other information she collected. Her copy of Mistress of Riversdale was marked to assist her with her work on that house. In a letter, she mentioned that she found several old upholstery and drapery manuals to be of great use to her, and those titles are part of the collection as well.

17 boxes (about 7.5 linear feet) : ill.

Information

SNAC Resource ID: 7156052

Winterthur Library

Related Entities

There are 13 Entities related to this resource.

Attingham Trust for the Study of the Country House in Britain.

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6zw6hv5 (corporateBody)

George Eastman House

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6x38m2m (corporateBody)

Adena (Ohio : Estate)

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6w71hj2 (corporateBody)

Montpelier Mansion (Md. : Estate)

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w66m84n3 (corporateBody)

Seale, William.

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6223rvk (person)

William Seale is a historian and author. He attended Southwestern University (BA 1961) and Duke University (MA 1964 and PhD 1965). He taught for several years at Lamar University, the University of Houston, the University of South Carolina and Columbia University. From 1973-1974 he was curator of cultural history at the Smithsonian Institution. The photographs in this collection are from his book Texas Riverman: the life and times of Captain Andrew Smyth. Fro...

Riversdale (Md. : Estate)

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6nk8c3h (corporateBody)

Marshall, George C. (George Catlett), 1880-1959

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6vd6wkc (person)

George Catlett Marshall (b. December 31, 1880, Uniontown, Pennsylvania-d. October 16, 1959, Washington, D.C.), had a long and auspicious career in the United States (U.S.) Army and to the United States. He graduated from the Virginia Military Institute in 1901 and served his country as U.S. Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, Envoy to China, Army Chief of Staff, and as President of the American Red Cross. Marshall, America's first five-star general, was born in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, ...

Kirkconnell, Barbara M.

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6xp83k0 (person)

Barbara M. Kirkconnell is a specialist in period styles of draperies, including curtains and bed hangings. She received a bachelor's degree in interior design from the University of Florida and a master's degree in historic preservation from the University of Maryland. As her husband was a career army officer, she came to her profession later in life. During her studies, she met the architectural historian and restorer William Seale, with whom she worked on a number of projects. Among her larger...

Reynolda House

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6zp8jwq (corporateBody)

Darnall's Chance (Md. : Estate)

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w61w0bww (corporateBody)

Decorative Arts Studio.

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6cc5xdg (corporateBody)

Tarpley, Poss.

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6t161kx (person)

Traveler's Rest (Tenn. : Estate)

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6wb076x (corporateBody)