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R.S. Gerganoff drawings

 Collection
Identifier: 015.RSG

Abstract

Born Rashko Stoyan Gerganoff January 19, 1887 in Kereka, Bulgaria, Ralph S. Gerganoff immigrated to the United States in October, 1905. Receiving a degree in architecture from the University of Michigan in 1917, Gerganoff established his own firm in 1925, and lived in Ypsilanti, Michigan. In the late 1930s as the campus of the Michigan State Normal College (now Eastern Michigan University) began a building boom, he designed a number of projects for the College including the Horace Rackham School that housed the Special Education program, a model for facilities educating children with disabilities; King, Goodison, Brown, Munson, Jones, and Goddard residence halls, as well as Pierce Hall that replaced what was referred to as the "Old Main" building.

The R.S. Gerganoff drawings includes study drawings, surveys, elevations and plans for the residence halls, Ford Hall, Bowen Field House, the Morrison Home, and renovations to Welch Hall. While it does not include drawings for every building designed by Gerganoff, it does include many of them. Drawings in the collection date from 1940-1957.

Dates

  • Creation: 1940 - 1957

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Researchers are asked to request materials 24 hours prior to visiting the the University Archives.

Biographical Note

Born Rashko Stoyan Gerganoff January 19, 1887 in Kereka, Bulgaria, Ralph S. Gerganoff immigrated to the United States in October, 1905. He lived for a time in Madison, Illinois working as a cabinet maker before moving to Fredonia, New York in 1907 where he earned his high school diploma and improved his English. In 1910, he enrolled at the University of Michigan and after attending as both a part-time and full-time student completed his Bachelor's degree in architecture in 1917 and passed the State Board examination the same year he bacame a US Citizen, 1920.

Gerganoff worked for the architectural firm of Donaldson and Meier in Detroit before establishing his own firm in Ypsilanti in 1925 where he also lived. His early work focused on apartment buildings, a relatively new concept at the time, and houses of worship including the St. Clement Eastern Orthodox Church in Dearborn. In the mid to late 1930s as the campus of the Michigan State Normal College (now Eastern Michigan University) began a building boom, he designed a number of projects for the College including the Horace Rackham School that housed the Special Education program, a model for facilities educating children with disabilities; King, Goodison, Brown, Munson, Jones, and Goddard residence halls, as well as Pierce Hall that replaced what was referred to as the "Old Main" building.

In addition to the buildings designed for the Michigan State Normal College, Gerganoff designed a number of school for the Ypsilanti Public Schools including Estabrook, Chapelle, George, and West Middle School. His work can be seen in buisness and office buildings in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti as well as in residential structures primarily in Ypsilanti. Gerganoff died November 25, 1966.

Extent

42 Linear Feet (14 Oversize Folders)

Language of Materials

English

Related Materials

The Bentley Historical Library at the University of Michigan houses the papers of Gerganoff's nephew Zachary who worked with Gerganoff for a number of years, [Z.T. Gerganoff architectural drawings, 1928-1977.] as well a publication of R.S. Gerganoff's drawings Architectural work and designs by R.S. Gerganoff, architect.

The Ypsilanti Historical Society contain some examples of his work.

Title
R.S. Gerganoff drawings
Status
Completed
Author
Alexis Braun Marks, CA
Date
2017 November 20
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script

Repository Details

Part of the Eastern Michigan University Archives Repository

Contact:
Bruce T. Halle Library, Room 310
955 West Circle Drive
Ypsilanti Michigan 48197
734-487-2673