Benson and Riehl Office Records

Collection

Identifier: SEAA-044

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection of records from New Orleans architects Benson and Riehl (Herbert A. Benson, 1888-1961; George J. Riehl, 1899-1973)'s office, as well as records from predecessor and successor offices, includes drawings, photographs, and presentation renderings for commercial, residential, and social projects in New Orleans, across Louisiana, and throughout the United States.

Dates

1922–1974

Creator

Benson, Herbert A., 1888-1961 (Person)
Riehl, George J., 1899-1973 (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

This collection is the physical property of Tulane University Special Collections. Copyright belongs to the creators or their legal heirs and assigns. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine who holds the copyright and pursue the copyright owner or owner’s heir for permission to publish where Tulane University Special Collections does not hold the copyright. For further information, please contact Research Services at specialcollections@tulane.edu.

Biographical / Historical

The longstanding, professional association between New Orleans architects Herbert A. Benson and George J. Riehl produced two office structures in New Orleans, the California and Saratoga buildings, which were both built during the 1950s. Benson had previously worked on his own and also in the office of Emile Weil, one of New Orleans’ early 20th century architectural firms. Riehl had previously worked for Weiss, Dreyfous, and Seiferth architects for the Louisiana State Capitol building, Charity Hospital in New Orleans, and other public buildings.

Office chronology: Herbert A. Benson (1937-1945); Herbert A. Benson and George J. Riehl, Associates (1945-1961); Herbert A. Benson and George J. Riehl (1951-1961); George J. Riehl, Donald G. Graves, Associates (1961-1973) (Donald G. Graves 1903-1978).

Extent

178.19 Linear Feet (52 folders, 3 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Arrangement

This collection is arranged into three series: Series 1: Project Drawings; Series 2: Project Photographs; Series 3: Presentation Renderings.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Donald Graves gave Tulane a group of renderings in 1974. Additional records were given by Winston P. Riehl, in 1978 and 1979, and by Benson’s daughter Jesselyn Zurik in 1979 and 2001.

Subjects

Architectural drawings Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
Architecture -- Louisiana -- New Orleans Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Architecture, Domestic -- Louisiana Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Architecture, Modern -- 20th century Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings