Stephen H. Blair, Jr. Architectural Drawings

Press Release:

LOCAL ARCHITECT'S FAMILY DONATES DRAWINGS October 27, 2000 The University of Southern Mississippi Archives recently received approximately 50 cubit feet of architectural drawings by the late Stephen H. Blair Jr. The collection -- which spans at least three decades of Blair's work, primarily in the Hattiesburg area -- was donated by Blair's wife, Barbara, and son, pianist Brian Blair.

During his career, Blair designed a number of schools in the Hattiesburg and surrounding area, as well as banks, government buildings and residences. On the Southern Miss campus, Blair designed the Chain Technology Center, Joseph Greene Hall, Roberts Hall, Owings-McQuagge Hall, Vann Hall, Hillcrest Dormitory, Johnson Science Tower (in conjunction with David K. Hemeter) and the Elizabeth C. Harkins Nursing Building. He is also listed as one of the architects of the J.B. George Commons.

Upon Blair's death in 1993, his drawings were placed in the care of architect Larry A. Albert, who designed the Library of Hattiesburg, Petal and Forrest County, the Lake Terrace Convention Center and numerous other buildings.

University archivist Dr. Bobs Tusa became aware of the collection and subsequently, at the request of Barbara and Brian Blair, Albert agreed to relinquish the drawings to the safekeeping of the USM archives, along with a index of the collection created by Albert's daughter, Harmony.

The Stephen H. Blair Jr. Architectural Drawings Collection complements the Hattiesburg Area Architectural Drawings and the Landry Architectural Drawings, also housed in the archives. A number of buildings on the Southern Miss campus were designed by the architectural firm of Landry and Matthes. Among them are Reed Green Coliseum, Marsh Hall, Wilber Panhellenic Dormitory, Jones Hall, Scott Hall, McLemore Hall, Danforth Chapel, Hickman Hall, Bolton Hall and Bond Hall.

Permission of current owners of buildings represented in these architectural collections is required before the drawings can be viewed by researchers. (from USM University Relations)