Oral history interview with Edwin B. Olsen, 1993 September 24.

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Oral history interview with Edwin B. Olsen, 1993 September 24.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/81489153

Edwin Olsen was an architect in the Office of John Russell Pope during design and construction of the West Building of the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C. Olsen described his work on the National Archives building, also designed by John Russell Pope, followed by his assignments relating to the National Gallery building. He outlined the stages in design of the National Gallery building and explained the importance of model-making as part of the process. He recalled the meeting at which the Gallery's skylights and laylights were approved, and described the controversy relating to the design of the rotunda dome.He explained the work of the Vermont Marble Company in forming the rotunda columns from blocks of Italian marble. He described Alexander Reed's role in building construction. Olsen also recounted Jacqueline Kennedy's efforts to reinstall a fireplace in the White House state dining room, and his visit to former President Harry Truman in Independence, Missouri as part of this effort.

1 sound cassette (ca. 45 minutes)

National Gallery of Art Library

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SNAC Resource ID: 8264396

National Gallery of Art Library

Related Entities

There are 6 Entities related to this resource.

Vermont Marble Company

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6420mx9 (corporateBody)

The Vermont Marble Company was created in 1881 as a result of the merger of the Sutherland Falls Marble Co. and the Rutland Marble Co. The Rutland Marble Co. had been incorporated in New York City and included quarries in West Rutland, Center Rutland, and Salem, N.Y. The Sutherland Falls Marble Co. was incorporated in Vermont in 1870 by Redfield Proctor. Redfield Proctor managed the new Vermont Marble Co. and Adolphus Smedburg was treasurer. From the description of Vermont Marble Com...

Reed, Alexander P.

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6pr94hd (person)

Olsen, Edwin C., 1932-

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w667030b (person)

National Gallery of Art (U.S.)

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w69638c2 (corporateBody)

Art museum; Washington, D.C. From the description of National Gallery of Art exhibition catalog, 1910. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122553233 ...

Viebranz, A. C.,

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6jw8m6x (person)

Pope, John Russell, 1874-1937

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w63j3c0z (person)