Arranged into three series: I. Project Files, II. Architectural Drawings, III. Teaching Materials, and IV. Photographs and Negatives, this collection mainly represents Brown’s working files from his architectural practice in Ohio between 1938 to 1940. Included are project files for the residences built in and around the core section of the City of Oberlin. Files for the Frederick B. Artz residence (Oberlin, OH) and Clayton S. Ellsworth residence (Wooster, OH), as well as the First Congregational Church (Medina, OH) and the Trinity Evangelical & Reformed Church (Wadsworth, OH) can be found here. Files typically contain agreements, contracts, correspondence, instructions to bidders, invoices, proposals, and specification documents relating to architectural services rendered. Of some significance ar e Brown’s drawings for Oberlin residences, plus his plot plan for the northwest corner of S. Prospect and Morgan. Photographic negatives exist for the Oberlin residences, the Oberlin Dairy Service Company, and the Wooster, OH residence (approx. 30 items). Photographic prints also exist for the above, plus the Art Building, Gymnasium for Women, and other structures. Except for the Art Building photos, no textual records exist documenting Brown’s possible participation in its 1937 renovation. Several photos exist from an art class taught by Brown.

These records (which had been separated from Brown’s records at the Institute Archives of M.I.T.) were received by the Oberlin College Archives in accession 1982/008.

Series I. Project Files, 1938-1940

Contains project files for the residences of Frederick B. Artz (Oberlin, OH), Clayton S. Ellsworth (Wooster, OH), First Congregational Church (Medina, OH), and Trinity Evangelical and Reformed Church (Wadsworth, OH). Files typically contain contacts, correspondence, instructions to bidders, invoices, proposals, and specification documents relating to the different projects. Arrangement is alphabetical by folder.

Series II. Architectural Drawings, 1938-1940

Series contains drawings for the residences Brown built in Oberlin, OH for the following individuals: Professor Frederick B. Artz, Professor Raymond Cerf, William Seaman (O.C. ‘24), Lysle Butler (O.C. ‘25), and Dr. Frank Vincent. Drawings also exist for the Clayton Ellsworth residence (Wooster, Ohio) and the proposed Men’s Gymnasium (Oberlin, 1938). Arrangement is alphabetical by structure.

Series III. Teaching Materials, 1932-1940

Series contains the assignment sheets from courses taught by Brown at Oberlin College. Class titles include: Conjunctive Problems, Watercolor, Fine Arts 61, and Architectural Design. The assignments ask the students to design such structures as a marionette theater, an architect’s studio, a peace memorial, and an Episcopal Church. Arrangement is by folder.

Series IV. Photographs and Negatives, c.1938-1940

Negatives exist for all of Brown’s Oberlin, OH residences and the Oberlin Dairy Service Company. Photographic prints also exist for these structures. Other prints include the Art Building (Oberlin, OH) and the Gymnasium for women (Oberlin, OH). This series is divided into two subseries: 1. Negatives, and 2. Photographs. Arrangement thereunder is alphabetical.

The papers of William H. Brown were received from the Institute Archives and Special Collections, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, on June 9, 1982