University of Guelph Library
Regional Canadian landscape architecture archives at Guelph
Logo for Guelph's LA holdings
The University of Guelph has a prominent background in landscape architecture. Guelph's BLA program was established in 1964 and the MLA program was established in 1973: these are among the oldest professional programs in Canada.The Library houses significant resources for multidisciplinary study in landscape architecture. Many individuals and organizations have donated items or provided funds for the Archival and Special Collections section to encourage collecting in this important subject area. Researchers have available a number of smaller and regional holdings that are significant in their own right. These materials have been recorded in the Library's catalogue, PRIMO, and are available as follows:
R. Norman Dryden fonds: Robert Norman Dryden (1904 - 1957) and his wife, Betty Marian Elizabeth Freudeman, kept a small farm near Galt, Ontario. He worked in urban planning and was a founding partner in Dryden, Smith & Head planning consultants in Kitchener. Dryden was associated with the CSLA and Town Planning Institute of Canada, serving as its Secretary-Treasurer 1954-55. This important regional fonds includes correspondence; catalogues; photographs; magazines; office and personal financial records; farm expenses and accounts; sketches and articles written by N. Dryden; landscaping projects and accounts; drawings, plans, sketches, and blueprints for Church of Our Lady, Loretto Convent, International Malleable Iron Co., Guelph Country Club, Wells Park and the Royal City Club, Guelph Stove Co., St. George's Square, various residences, businesses, and buildings in Kitchener, Galt, Waterloo, New Hamburg, Hespeler, Brant County.
Sasaki, Strong and Associates Ltd.: a collection of architecture prints by the firm of Sasaki, Strong and Associates, Toronto, 1962-1967, established for work by Hideo Sasaki and Richard Strong. Features Moss Park (Toronto); Toronto City Hall Square; British American Oil Ltd (Clarkson, Ont.); as well as a bank and canal, Expo 67, Montreal.
WIlliam E. Coates and Associates: a collection of drawings, working papers, master plans, and files for various commercial and residential projects, both local and regional in scope. Some of these also include conservation areas and provincial parks, various sand and gravel companies, and construction companies. Guelph projects include the University of Guelph Arboretum and College/Gordon St., Centennial area, McCrae Legion sports fields, Homewood Sanitarium, Woodlawn Towers, Bullfrog Mall, various other street, residence and business projects. William E. Coates was a faculty member in the university's School of Landscape Architecture whose architectural practice specialized in site planning and rehabilitation for mining and industry. The fonds was transferred to Guelph in 2003 via the firm Harrington and Hoye Ltd., Markham, ON.
Victoria Lister Carley: Ms. Carley's fonds illustrate her own personal approach to site and garden design in private residences, mostly in the Toronto area. Her work shows particular sensitivity to environmental concerns and she is the recipient of a number of award s. The fonds was deposited in 2004 and further accruals are expected.