 James M. Hunt architectural records
Collection DescriptionHistorical NoteJames Mathews Hunt, Sr., was born on August 2, 1915. His career as an architect spanned over fifty years, and Hunt designed numerous residential, civic, commercial, and public housing projects throughout north Georgia and upstate South Carolina. Hunt received his Bachelor of Science in Architecture from Clemson University in 1938, and began working on public housing projects in Charleston, SC. During World War II, Hunt served as a First Lieutenant in the US Army Corps of Engineers where he served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater. In 1948, he began his professional practice as a principal architect in Elberton, Georgia. His designs included schools, residences, banks, municipal complexes, and commercial buildings. Throughout his career, Hunt designed and oversaw the construction and/or modernization of more than 3,900 units in 120 public housing projects. Active within the architecture profession, Hunt became a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) in 1949. He served as President for the Georgia Council AIA from 1968 to 1969, and was President of the North Georgia chapter of AIA the following year. Hunt also served on the National AIA Housing Committee for over twenty years. In 1977, Hunt was elevated to the AIA College of Fellows, one of the highest honors a member can receive. He also served as a member of the Georgia State Board for Examination, Qualification and Registration of Architects from 1971 to 1976. Active within the community, Hunt was a member of the Elberton-Elbert County Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club, where he served as President for both organizations. A member of the Democratic party, Hunt was active regarding state and national politics. He was elected as a delegate for the 1976 and 1980 Democratic National Conventions. Hunt continued practicing architecture until his death on October 6, 1993. Scope and ContentThis collection contains papers documenting both Hunt's professional and personal life. Architectural material includes blueprints, project files, contracts, photographs, correspondence, maps, and design samples on a variety of residential, civic, commercial, and public housing projects throughout the Southeastern United States, but with a strong emphasis on North Georgia and upstate South Carolina. Personal papers include Clemson University correspondence, military documents, and travel memorabilia. Correspondence, newsletters, invitations, and certificates from Hunt's membership in various organizations: AIA, Georgia Council AIA, North Georgia Chapter AIA, AIA College of Fellows, National Council of Architectural Registration Boards, Elberton-Elbert County Chamber of Commerce, and Rotary Club. There is also political correspondence with Georgia Democratic candidates and politicians, most notably President Jimmy Carter, including personal correspondence, fundraising information, and campaign material from Carter's term as governor of Georgia as well as the 1976 and 1980 presidential elections. Administrative InformationPreferred CitationJames M. Hunt architectural records, ms2901, Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, The University of Georgia Libraries. Related Materials and SubjectsSubject TermsRelated Collections in this RepositoryRelated collections in other repositories: Marion Johnson Photographs and Central Atlanta Progress, Inc. Photographs, Atlanta History Center. | ||||||||||||||||||