Guide to the Donald J. Coolidge papers
1949-2003
Collection number: HMC-1106.
Creator: Coolidge, Donald J.
Title: Donald J. Coolidge papers.
Dates: 1949-2003.
Volume of collection: 3.0 cubic feet.
Language of materials: Collection materials are in English.
Collection summary: Papers of an architect living in Southcentral Alaska.
Biographical note:
Don Coolidge originally came to Alaska in 1949 to work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as a professional engineer. He left Alaska to go to school in 1950-1952 to become an architect. In 1952, he returned to Alaska. He worked for Edwin Crittenden’s firm for a time. Don retired from architecture in 1977. The family lived in the Jewel Lake area of Anchorage as well as in Palmer, Alaska.
Collection description:
The collection contains documents and photographs related to Mr. Coolidge’s professional and family life. It includes photographs, drawings, architectural plans, and scrapbooks.The materials document buildings for which Mr. Coolidge provided architectural services, Anchorage architecture, and life in Alaska, particularly Anchorage and southcentral Alaska.
Arrangement: The collection is divided into several series:
Series 2: Architectural career papers; circa 1960-1980
Series 3: Scrapbooks; 1965-1990
Series 4: Cartooning records; 1949-1950
Digitized copies: This collection has not been digitized. For information about obtaining digital copies, please contact Archives and Special Collections.
Rights note: Copyright to the collection materials created by Donald Coolidge has been transferred to the Archives.
Preferred citation: Donald J. Coolidge papers, Archives and Special Collections, Consortium Library, University of Alaska Anchorage.
Acquisition note: The papers were given to the Archives by Dave Coolidge, Donald’s son, in 2010 on behalf of the Helen Coolidge Revocable Trust.
Processing information: This collection was described by Arlene Schmuland in 2012. Slides were removed from carousel trays and placed in slide enclosures and folders by Consortium Library students. A few books and earthquake recordings were moved to the Rare Books collection of the Consortium Library.
Container list:
Series 2: Architectural career papers; circa 1960-1980. 1.0 cubic feet.
Mostly photographic documention on building projects on which Don Coolidge worked as an architect. Photographs related to architectural projects may also be found throughout Series 1: Family photographs and this series may include some family photographs mixed in. This series also includes other project documentation in microfilm, paper, and and other formats. Materials were retained in the order in which they arrived at the Archives. Some are grouped by project number or name, others have limited or no identification.
| Box | Description | Dates |
| 5 | Architectural papers | undated, circa 1960-1980 |
Series 3: Scrapbooks; 1965-1990. 1.5 cubic feet.
The scrapbooks contain a variety of materials collection and created by Don Coolidge on topics such as architecture, professional colleagues, friends, family, and civic life, primarily focused on his professional interests. They include clippings, photographs, correspondence, greeting cards, and other documentation. The scrapbooks are arranged in chronological order.
| Box/Item | Scrapbook | Dates |
| 6/1 | Scrapbook 1 | 1965-1968 |
| 6/2 | Scrapbook 2 | 1968-1971 |
| 6/3 | Scrapbook 3 | 1971-1975 |
| 6/4 | Scrapbook 4 | 1978-1982 |
| 6/5 | Scrapbook 5 | 1983 |
| 7/1 | Scrapbook 6 | 1984-1986 |
| 7/2 | Scrapbook 7 | 1986 |
| 7/3 | Scrapbook 9 | 1988-1990 |
Series 4: Cartooning records; 1949-1950. 0.5 cubic feet.
Primarily documents and cartoons related to a book of cartoons Don Coolidge published in 1949 related to his time in the Corps of Engineers entitled Cheechako Chuckles. The series also includes a few cartoons he collected from others.
| Box/Folder | Description | Dates |
| 7/4 | Cheechako Chuckles | 1949 |
| 7/5, OSF1 | Book cartoons | 1949 |
| 7/6 | Correspondence | 1949 |
| 7/7, OSF1 | Other cartoons | undated, 1950 |
| OSF1 | Clipping of article about book published in The 49th Star | 1950 |