Lilian Bridgman Papers, 1881-1977

Summary

Creators:

Bridgman, Lilian

Abstract:

Includes a small amount of personal correspondence, manuscripts of Bridgman's short stories and poetry, clippings, and miscellaneous personalia, including diplomas, teaching credentials, and letters of recommendation. The bulk of the collection spans the years from 1881 to the 1940s, and focuses on Bridgman's career as an architect in Berkeley, Calif., including drawings and sketches of much of her work, as well as 2 watercolor paintings.

Extent:

Number of containers: 2 boxes, 3 oversize folders (size A and B), 5 oversize flat boxes Linear feet: ca. 1.25

Language:

English

Background

Scope and content:

This collection of Papers of Lilian B. Bridgman includes a small amount of personal correspondence, manuscripts of short stories and poetry by Bridgman, and clippings and tearsheets of interest to Bridgman and which may have had some influence on her architectural work. The bulk of the collection spans the years from 1881 to the 1940s and focuses on Bridgman's career as an architect in Berkeley, with architectural drawings and sketches of much of her work, as well as two watercolor paintings.

Biographical / historical:

Lilian Bridgman was born in eastern Kansas in 1866 to Israel Noble Bridgman and Sarah Ezilda. She attended the Kansas State Agricultural College, graduating in 1888 with a degree in science, although her transcripts also reveal an interest in drawing, literature, and music. In 1891, she came to the University of California, Berkeley where she studied under Professor Joseph Le Conte. Her thesis, titled "The Origin of Sex in Fresh-water Algae, "earned her a master's degree in science in 1893.

From 1893 to 1912, Bridgman taught physics and chemistry at various high schools and junior colleges in California, including the California School of Mechanical Arts in San Francisco. During this time she also wrote short stories and poetry which were published in magazines such as Overland Monthly, Harper's, and Century Magazine. In 1899, drawing upon her natural artistic abilities, she designed her first home, her own, near Blackberry Canyon in Berkeley.

In 1912 Bridgman again enrolled at the University of California, Berkeley, this time to study drawing and architecture. In 1915 she was licensed as an architect by the State of California. While not as well-known as architects like Julia Morgan, Bridgman worked steadily, designing more than fifteen homes during her career. After the Berkeley fire of 1923, which devastated much of North Berkeley, she, along with other local architects, was instrumental in rebuilding the area. Her work was influenced by the writings of the English philosophers John Ruskin and William Morris, embracing a simplicity which they felt had been interrupted by the Industrial Revolution.

Lilian Bridgman died at her Berkeley home in 1948 at the age of eighty-two.

Acquisition information:

The Lilian Bridgman papers were given to The Bancroft Library in July 1985 by Elton Davies.

Physical location:

For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.

Location of this collection:

UC Berkeley, Bancroft Library

University of California, Berkeley, The Bancroft Library

Berkeley, CA 94720-6000, US

Contact:

510-642-6481

bancref-library@berkeley.edu

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