Centre for Canadian Landscape Architecture Archives

For many years, the library has supported the university's program in landscape architecture with archival and special collections materials. In 1998, a new project known as the Centre for Canadian Landscape Architecture Archives was established to enable access to Guelph’s resources. By providing the profession and the broader public community with historical resources, ideas, and information not available from any other source, this project aimed to make the work of such great Canadians as:

• Dunington-Grubbs and Stenssons
• Lois Lister
• George Tanaka
• Macklin Hancock
• Roger du Toit Architects
• and many others

In 2007 the Frances McLeod Blue Collection was established for two purposes. First, it contains her personal records in a separate fonds, i.e. her photographs, glass slides, drawings, watercolours, school projects, and gardening books. Second, historical records in smaller collections pertaining to the development of landscape architecture in Canada in the pre-1975 period help to expand our historical understanding. The Library and the Landscape Architecture Canada Foundation are partnering in the development of this important archive. Future accessions are anticipated.

Canada has a rich history in landscape design and architecture, and the University of Guelph Library has many additional resources on landscape architecture to complement its Canadian archival resources:

• Rare books on landscape gardening before 1900
• Works by the English landscape designer Humphry Repton (1752-1818)
• Prints of projects by Frederick Law Olmsted (1822-1903) and Associates.

As the library's commitment to the Centre has increased, its holdings have become a significant national resource for historical and current resources, including the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects awards archives which was established in the library after 1987.

Guelph's archival resources can help Canadians understand the interrelationship between people and the environment in our urban and rural areas. Our holdings also provide insight into how the profession of landscape architecture has developed ideas about planning, designing and managing this complex relationship.