Table of Contents
- Collection Summary
- Biographical Note
- Scope and Content Note
- Subject Headings
- Related Material
- Administrative Information
- Access and Use
- Encoding Information
- Arrangement
- Series List
- Container List
Collection Summary
| Repository: | Archives and Special Collections Library, Vassar College Libraries |
|---|---|
| Creator: | Johnson, Jeh Vincent, 1931- |
| Title: | Jeh Vincent Johnson Papers |
| Inclusive Dates: | 1917-2010 |
| Bulk Dates: | 1945-2004 |
| Quantity: | 48 cubic feet (15 boxes, 138 roll boxes) |
| Abstract: | The Jeh Vincent Johnson Papers contain materials created or collected by Johnson throughout his life and career as an architect and Vassar College faculty member. |
Biographical Note
Jeh Vincent Johnson was an American architect and professor. Born in Nashville, Tennessee in 1931 to Marie Antoinette (Burgette) Johnson (1891-1965) and Charles Spurgeon Johnson (1893-1956), Johnson grew up on the campus of Fisk University, where his father taught Sociology, and later became its first African-American president. Johnson attended Columbia College and graduated with his B.A. in 1953 before being drafted into the U.S. Army for almost two years. After returning from service, he married Norma Edelin, the sister of his college roommate, Milton Edelin and returned to Columbia University to pursue his Master's in Architecture, which he received in 1958. After a short period working with acclaimed architect Paul R. Williams, and several years working for as a designer for Adams and Woodbridge Architects in New York City, Johnson relocated to the Hudson Valley in 1963 and joined the practice of practice of William Gindele (1925-2020) as an associate.
In 1964, Johnson began teaching at Vassar College as a lecturer, and in 1968, became a full partner with Gindele, creating Gindele & Johnson, PC Architects. In 1971, Johnson and several colleagues at the American Institute of Architects national convention in Detroit formed the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA). Johnson designed numerous buildings in Dutchess County, New York, particularly in Poughkeepsie. Buildings designed by Johnson include: the Vassar College Intercultural Center (now the Jeh V. Johnson ALANA Cultural Center), the Catharine Street Community Center, Central Baptist Church of Poughkeepsie, Tubman Terrace Apartments, Ebenezer Baptist Church, Poughkeepsie YMCA, and Saint Simeon Senior Citizens Apartments. Johnson also designed many renovations, rehabilitations, and additions to existing buildings, including hundreds of private residences. He taught at Vassar until his retirement in 2001. Johnson and his wife Norma had two children: Jeh Charles Johnson (1957-) and Marguerite Marie Johnson (1959-2020).
He died in 2021 at the age of 89.
TopScope and Content Note
The Jeh Vincent Johnson Papers contain materials created or collected by Johnson throughout his life and career as an architect and Vassar College faculty member. Materials include correspondence with friends, family, colleagues, and other corporate and government entities; records of his architectural jobs and the architectural firms he was associated with, including building specifications, photographs, sketches, architectural plans, financial records, and legal documents; and records of his teaching career at Vassar College, such as correspondence with students and course planning materials. Also included are various personal and professional papers, such as writings and drawings, professional organizations, family memorabilia, audio reels, and research subject files.
TopArrangement
The collection is organized into nine series: Series I. Correspondence; Series II. Professional Papers; Series III. Artwork and Writing; Series IV. Subject Files; Series V. Vassar College; Series VI. Personal and Family Papers; Series VII. Photographic Materials; Series VIII. Audio Reels; and Series IX. Plans.TopAccess and Use
Access
Certain materials in this collection are restricted until 2035, including early diaries, family correspondence, and correspondence with current and former students. The rest of the collection is open for research according to the regulations of the Vassar College Archives and Special Collections Library without any additional restrictions.
Restrictions on Use
Permission to quote (publish) from unpublished or previously published material must be obtained as described in the regulations of the Vassar College Archives and Special Collections Library .
Subject Headings
Names:
- Johnson, Charles Spurgeon, 1893-1956
- Johnson, Charles Spurgeon, 1921-
- Johnson, Jeh Charles, 1957-
- Johnson, Jeh Vincent, 1931-
- Johnson, Marie Antoinette Burgette, 1892-1965
Organizations:
- American Institute of Architects
- Columbia University
- National Organization of Minority Architects (U.S.)
- Vassar College
Subjects:
- African American architects
- African American architects—United States
- African American architecture
- African American churches
- Architecture, Domestic--United States
- Architecture, Domestic—Designs and plans
- Architecture--Study and teaching
- Minorities in architecture—United States
- Minority-owned architectural firms—United States
- Teachers, Black--New York (State)
Places:
- Poughkeepsie (N.Y.)
Document Types:
- Architectural drawings (visual works)
- Audiovisual materials
- Blueprints (reprographic copies)
- Clippings (information artifacts)
- Correspondence
- Diaries
- Drawings (visual works)
- Financial records
- Floor plans (orthographic projections)
- Notes (documents)
- Photographs
- Plans (orthographic projections)
- Printed ephemera
- Site plans
- Sketchbooks
- Sketches
- Slides (photographs)
- Specifications
VCL Categories:
- African Americans
- Art and Artists
- Vassar College
Administrative Information
Preferred Citation
Jeh Vincent Johnson Papers, Archives and Special Collections Library, Vassar College Libraries.
Processing Information
Processed by Emma Gronbeck, September 2025.
Acquisition Information
Purchased from Jeh Charles Johnson, acting under power of attorney for Norma (Edelin) Johnson, 2024. (M2024-011, M2024-020)
Series List
Series I. Correspondence, 1945-2020 (Box 1) | |
|---|---|
| This series contains correspondence to and from Jeh V. Johnson with family, friends, colleagues, corporate entities, and branches of the United States Government. Correspondence with family members and close friends is restricted until 2035. | |
| Organized into two subseries: Outgoing Correspondence (from Jeh V. Johnson) and Incoming Correspondence (to Jeh V. Johnson). Arranged alphabetically within each subseries. |
Series II. Professional Papers, 1948-2015 (Boxes 1-3, 12) | |
|---|---|
| This series contains records of Jeh V. Johnson's architectural work and engagement with professional organizations, including the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA). Johnson's architectural work includes work he performed as an independent architect, as well as work done during his time at Gindele & Johnson, Architects, and LeGendre, Johnson, & McNeil. These records include newsletters, correspondence, building specifications and sketches, legal documents, project lists, financial records, and conference materials. | |
| Arranged alphabetically by file title. |
Series III. Artwork and Writing, circa 1940-2013 (Boxes 3-5, 10-11, 13-14) | |
|---|---|
| This series contains Jeh V. Johnson's writings and drawings, both personal and professional. Materials include diaries, notebooks, sketches, sketchbooks, travel "road notes, and college papers, as well as drafts and clippings of various articles and other writings. | |
| Arranged alphabetically by file title. |
Series IV. Subject Files, 1953-2014 (Boxes 5-6) | |
|---|---|
| This series contains Jeh V. Johnson's subject files on topics of interest, including: Africa-American churches, Black architects, Fisk University, and historic buildings. | |
| Arranged alphabetically by file title. |
Series V. Vassar College, 1964-2018 (Boxes 6 and 10) | |
|---|---|
| This series contains records related to Jeh V. Johnson's career as a lecturer in architecture at Vassar College. Includes departmental records, correspondence, course planning materials, notes on Vassar graduates pursuing careers in architecture, and correspondence with current and former students. Correspondence with students is restricted until 2035. | |
| Arranged alphabetically by file title. |
Series VI. Personal and Family Papers, 1917-2015 (Boxes 6-7, 11, 13, 15) | |
|---|---|
| This series contains materials related to Jeh V. Johnson's family and personal life, including clippings and printed ephemera related to life events and achievements; certificates and awards; financial records; and high school and college materials. | |
| Arranged alphabetically by file title. |
Series VII. Photographic Materials, circa 1955 - [2010?] (Boxes 7-9) | |
|---|---|
| This series consists of photographs, negatives, and slides, primarily of Jeh V. Johnson's architectural jobs, his classes and students at Vassar, as well as his trips around North America and Europe. | |
| Organized into two subseries by format: Photographs and Slides. Arranged alphabetically by file title within each subseries. |
Series VIII. Audio Reels, 1962, undated (Box 9) | |
|---|---|
| Arranged alphabetically by file title. |
Series IX. Plans, 1950-2005 (Roll Boxes 1-138) | |
|---|---|
| This series contains architectural plans and sketches for buildings and other structures designed, renovated, or updated by Jeh V. Johnson or the architectural firms he worked for. | |
| Organized into six subseries by building type or affiliation: Churches, Commercial and Community Buildings, Multi-Unit Residences, Single-Unit Residences, Vassar College Buildings, and Miscellaneous and Unidentified Buildings. Arranged alphabetically by name or title within each subseries. |
Container List
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Details
The Jeh Vincent Johnson Papers contain materials created or collected by Johnson throughout his life and career as an architect and Vassar College faculty member.
