Delos H. Smith Collection (MS307)

Collection

Identifier: MS307

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of some of Delos Smith's personal papers. They range from notes on the local history of Alexandria to drawings and bills from the construction of his house at 735 S. Lee Street. It also includes some tourist guides to Glasgow, Scotland and various articles he had collected in regard to religion and history. There are also two boxes of mostly glass plate negatives of various churches and architecture.

Dates

1900-1950

Creator

Smith, Delos H. (Delos Hamilton) (Person)

Biographical / Historical

Delos H. Smith was born in Arizona in 1884. He received his bachelor's and Master's degrees in Washington D.C. for architecture and throughout his career he focused on the disigning and building of churches including the New York Avenue Presbyterian Chruch and The Prayer Room in the United States Capitol. He was a long-time member of the American Institute of Architects and served on the Civil Engineer Corps during World War II. Smith combined his architectural skills with his love of history by being one of the charter members of the Historic Alexandria Foundation. He also served on the Alexandria Board of Architectural Review, the Old Town Civic Association Survey Committee, and was a long-time member St. Paul Episcopal Church. He was well known throughout the area for his knowledge of local Alexandria history and his involvement with its preservation.