Professor's Work Preserving Architecture in Arkansas Subject of Latest Digital Exhibit

Cyrus A. Sutherland Papers (MC1496), Special Collections, University Libraries

Archibald Yell's 19th century law office caught rolling past the 20th century courthouse, fall 1992. Sutherland documented hundreds of buildings in the state and helped save many of Washington County's landmarks.

The University Libraries Special Collections Department recently released the online exhibit, "Cyrus Sutherland: Architect, Educator and Preservationist: Selections from the Cyrus Sutherland Papers."

Cyrus Sutherland was a local architect and University of Arkansas professor. He taught for 32 years in what is now the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design. He was the first to teach courses in historic preservation in the school and was an early leader in preservation efforts in Arkansas.

He advocated for preserving Arkansas's vernacular architecture and helped save 40 historically significant buildings across the state during his career. Examples in Fayetteville include the Old Post Office on the square, Carnall Hall, and the iconic Old Main.

The online exhibit provides just a sample of the diverse materials found inside the Cyrus Sutherland Papers. Viewers get to see the Archibald Yell Law Office prepped for relocation, and its dramatic move to the building's new home on the grounds of the Washington County Historical Society Headquarters, among other highlights.

Special Collections opened the Cyrus Sutherland Papers (MC1496) last year. The manuscript collection documents Sutherland's design education, professional practice, teaching career, and work in architectural preservation.

The addition of Sutherland's collection to the Arkansas Architectural Archives expands the scope of the archives to include preservation - preservation is a critical component of the study of the designed environment. Researchers now have access to Sutherland's architectural drawings, notes on potential publications, photographs, and sketches documenting his unparalleled understanding of Arkansas's vernacular architecture.

But his devotion to historic preservation took many forms, including working with students to document buildings for the Historic American Buildings Survey and co-producing a three-part film series titled Arkansas: Its Architectural Heritage. Sutherland was also one of the founding members of the Historic Preservation Alliance of Arkansas, now known as Preserve Arkansas.

Please visit "Cyrus Sutherland: Architect, Educator and Preservationist" online, or make your appointment to visit the Arkansas Architectural Archives by contacting specoll@uark.edu or 479-575-8444.