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Leland Karr and Ada C. Irvine papers

 Collection
Identifier: ACCN 1892

Scope and Contents

The Leland Karr and Ada C. Irvine papers (1932-1998) concentrate mainly on the life of Leland Karr Irvine. The collection contains documents related not only to his engineering profession but also to his hobbies and civic activities. Included are biographical documents, correspondence, meeting minutes, news clippings, certificates, a boating log, and other materials.

Dates

  • 1932-1998

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.

Conditions Governing Use

The library does not claim to control copyright for all materials in the collection. An individual depicted in a reproduction has privacy rights as outlined in Title 45 CFR, part 46 (Protection of Human Subjects). For further information, please review the J. Willard Marriott Library’s Use Agreement and Reproduction Request forms.

Biographical / Historical

Leland Karr Irvine (1909-1998) was born in Salt Lake City, Utah. He graduated from the University of Utah in 1932 with a degree in electrical engineering, and later served in various capacities at that same institution, including adjunct professor of architecture. He was a member of many national engineering societies and authored several publications concerning acoustical engineering.

Ada Lemuella Chamberlin (1910-2001) was born in Salt Lake City. She was the daughter of Wycliffe Lenoir Chamberlin and Ada Wilson Chamberlin. She grew up in Salt Lake City and attended West High School, graduating in the class of 1927. She attended the University of Utah where she performed in some of the early dance concerts of Orchesis. She graduated from the University of Utah with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art Education in 1932. Ada married Leland Karr Irvine in 1933. He died in 1998, a few months after their 65th anniversary.

Ada was an active, professional artist who worked in a variety of media. She worked in cut paper silhouettes, pencil sketches, ink drawings, clay sculptures, fiber designs, watercolors, oils and etchings. She was best known for her pastel portraits, figure drawings and abstract serigraph prints. Her work has been exhibited at Phillips Gallery, the Intermountain Biennial Utah State Show, the Springville Art Museum, the Salt Lake Art Center and the Salt Lake County Art Collection. Her works are also in private collections in many states.

She was an active supporter of the arts in Utah. She served for several years on the Board of the Repertory Dance Theater at the time of its inception. She also served several years on the Board of the Children's Dance Theater.

Ada Irvine and Lee Irvine often organized and hosted activities for many local civic organizations such as the Salt Lake Junior Chamber of Commerce, Associated Utah Artists, the Utah Symphony Board, the Salt Lake City Library Board, Kawanis Club, Children's Dance Theater, and several professional engineering organizations.

Source: Deseret News. "Obituary: Ada Chamberlin Irvine." Deseret News, April 27, 2001. https://www.deseret.com/2001/4/27/19583212/obituary-ada-chamberlin-irvine.

Extent

3 Linear Feet (1 box and 1 oversize box)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

The Leland Karr and Ada C. Irvine papers (1932-1998) contain documents related not only to his engineering profession but also to his hobbies and civic activities. Included are biographical documents, correspondence, meeting minutes, news clippings, certificates, a boating log, and other materials. Leland Karr Irvine was an adjunct professor of architecture at the University of Utah. He published several works on acoustical engineering.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Marie Irvine in 2001.

Related Materials

Separated Materials

See also the Leland Karr and Ada C. Irvine photograph collection (P0888) in the Multimedia Division of Special Collections.

Processing Information

Title
Inventory of the Leland Karr and Ada C. Irvine papers
Author
Finding aid created by Lisa DeMille.
Date
2001 (last modified: 2020)
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English.

Revision Statements

  • 2023: Updated subject headings to reflect Women's Archives Remediation (NHPRC Grant) project by Gina Giang.

Repository Details

Part of the J. Willard Marriott Library Special Collections Repository

Contact:
295 South 1500 East
Salt Lake City Utah 84112 United States
801-581-8863