Collection Summary
Paul J. Pelz Papers
circa 1800-1921
(bulk 1890-1917)
circa 1800-1921
(bulk 1890-1917)
MSS35808
Pelz, Paul J.,
1841-1918
900 items
3 containers
1.2 linear feet
English
Collection material in
English
Manuscript Division, Library of
Congress
Washington, D.C.
Architect.
Correspondence, memoranda, reports, testimonials, pictorial representations of
buildings, printed material, and photographs relating primarily to the planning
and construction of the Jefferson Building of the Library of Congress and other
buildings.
Selected Search Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the LC Catalog. They are grouped by name of person or organization, by subject or location, and by occupation and listed alphabetically.
People
Clephane, Allen O.--Correspondence.
Davis, Eugene--Correspondence.
Elkins, Stephen B. (Stephen Benton), 1841-1911--Correspondence.
French, Owen Bert, 1865-1951--Correspondence.
Hurdle, Julian--Correspondence.
Pelz, Eduard, 1800-1876.
Pelz, Henriette.
Pelz, Paul J., 1841-1918.
Robertson, William A.--Correspondence.
Smithmeyer, John L., -1908--Claims vs. United States.
Woods, Elliott, 1864-1923--Correspondence.
Organizations
Honduras Aurora Mining Company.
Library of Congress.
Library of Congress. Library of Congress archives.
Smithmeyer & Pelz.
Subjects
Agriculture--Latin America.
Architecture--Washington (D.C.)
Libraries--Washington (D.C.)
Mines and mineral resources--Honduras.
Mines and mineral resources--Latin America.
Occupations
Architects.
Provenance
The papers of Paul J. Pelz, architect, were given to the Library of
Congress by Mrs. Harry G. Meem in 1963 and 1966.
Processing History
The papers of Paul J. Pelz were processed in 1967. The finding aid was
revised in 2009.
Copyright Status
The status of copyright in the unpublished writings of Paul J. Pelz is
governed by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, U.S.C.).
Access and Restrictions
The papers of Paul J. Pelz are open to research. Researchers are
advised to contact the Manuscript Reading Room prior to visiting. Many
collections are stored off-site and advance notice is needed to retrieve these
items for research use.
Preferred Citation
Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the
following information: Container number, Paul J. Pelz Papers, Manuscript
Division, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
Biographical Note
Date
Event
1841, Nov. 18
Born, Seitendorf, Waldenburg, Silesia
1854
Educated in Breslau, Germany, colleges of St. Elizabeth and
Holy Spirit
1858
Emigrated to New York
1864
Chief draftsman, New York architectural firm
1866
Became member of American Institute of Architects
1867
Civil engineer, United States Lighthouse Board
1872
1877
Chief draftsman, United States Lighthouse Board
1873
First prize for architectural plans for Library of
Congress
1892
Submitted final plans for the Library of Congress
1895
Married Mary Eastbourne Ritter Meem
1918, Mar. 30
Died, Washington, D. C.
Scope and Content Note
The papers of Paul Johannes Pelz (1841-1918) span the years circa
1800-1921. Included are several pieces of family correspondence, written after
his death, as well as a number of tributes to him published posthumously. The
bulk of the material, however, covers the period 1890-1917. The collection also
contain general correspondence, business and financial records, drawings,
reports, printed material, photographs, newspaper clippings, and
memorabilia.
General correspondence and subject files constitute the main part of
the collection and relate to Pelz’s career as an architect rather than to his
private life. Pelz is best known as architect of the main building of the
Library of Congress, and included are papers and drawings pertaining to the
construction of that building. Also included are papers regrading his claims
for compensation against the United States for services rendered in preparing
plans for the Library of Congress. Papers concerning his investments in various
Latin American agricultural and mining ventures and in a United States hotel
company are prominent in the collection. Many testimonials are included
referring to contracts completed satisfactorily.
Prominent correspondents include Stephen B. Elkins, Elliot Woods,
Eugene Davis, William A. Robertson, Owen Bert French, Allen O. Clephane, and
Julian Hurdle.
Arrangement of the Papers
This collection is organized alphabetically by type of material or
file and therein by topic.
Catalog Record: [https://lccn.loc.gov/mm79035808]
Container List
Container
Contents
1
Biographical material,
1858-1918
1858-1918
1
Correspondence
1
Family,
1918-1921, undated
1918-1921, undated
1
General,
1890-1917, undated
1890-1917, undated
1
Subject file
1
Claims against United States
Government, correspondence and documents,
1889-1913
1889-1913
(4
folders)
1
Construction of Library of
Congress, correspondence, reports, album, and documents,
1892-1906, undated
1892-1906, undated
(4
folder)
2
Construction of Library of
Congress, correspondence, reports, album, and documents,
1892-1906, undated
1892-1906, undated
(1
folder)
2
Honduras Aurora Mining Co.,
1901-1904
1901-1904
2
Old Point Comfort Hotel Co.,
1890-1893
1890-1893
2
Mexican Mining and Exploration
Co., correspondence and documents,
1903-1915, undated
1903-1915, undated
(6
folders)
2
Vista Hermosa Sugar and
Mercantile Co., correspondence and documents,
1902-1910, undated
1902-1910, undated
(3
folders)
3
Miscellany, including accounts,
addresses, memorabilia, and photographs,
circa 1800-1908
circa 1800-1908
(3
folders)
3
Printed matter,
circa 1890-1910
circa 1890-1910
(3
folders)