Sara Holmes Boutelle Papers, MS 141
Pages: Collection Summary | Biographical Note | Scope and Content
Biographical Note
Image © Sara Holmes Boutelle Papers, Cal Poly.
Sara Holmes Boutelle was born in Aberdeen, South Dakota, on January 29, 1909. A graduate of Mount Holyoke, Boutelle taught art and architectural history for many years at the Brearley School in Manhattan. Her interest in Julia Morgan's architectural career began in 1972, when Boutelle first toured Hearst Castle and was dismayed to find interpretation at the state historical monument that referred to Julia Morgan as W.R. Hearst's private secretary. Boutelle then dedicated the remainder of her life to researching and collecting material by and about the architect.
In 1988, Abbeville Press published her biography, Julia Morgan, Architect. The book was awarded the California Book Award Silver Medal the following year. Boutelle also wrote on articles on Julia Morgan and Mary Colter for scholarly publications, presented at three Society of Architectural Historians meetings, and wrote book reviews for the AIA Journal. She also lectured on the history of women in American architecture at UC Santa Cruz and worked on historic preservation issues in Santa Cruz. For her work as lecturer and preservationist, Boutelle was named an honorary member of the American Institute of Architects, the highest award given to a non-architect. She died in Santa Cruz, California, on May 26, 1999.
Sources
- Fourteenth Census of the United States, Fifth Precinct, Worchester, Massachusetts
- Social Security Death Index
- Honan, William F. "Sara Boutelle," New York Times, May 29, 1999, Section B; Page 8; Column 1; Arts & Ideas/Cultural Desk.
Pages: Collection Summary | Biographical Note | Scope and Content
