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J. Newton Bell, Jr. papers

 Collection
Collection number: ahc.MSS1133

Scope and Content

This collection contains articles, certificates, and handwritten notes from the professional career of J. Newton Bell. Also included in the collection are landscape architecture contract templates and plant resources such as catalogs and tree lists. Of special interest is a proclamation by the mayor of the City of Griffin, designating February 17, 2005 as J. Newton Bell, Jr. Day.

Dates

  • 1950-2005, undated

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

Unpublished manuscripts are protected by copyright. All requests to publish, quote, or reproduce must be submitted through the Kenan Research Center.

Administrative/Biographical History

J. (Jewell) Newton Bell, Jr. (1919-2008) was born in Griffin, Georgia, in 1919, to Jewell N. Bell (1880-1961) and Harriet Belle Stanley Bell (1896-1970). He earned a bachelor's degree in landscape architecture from the University of Georgia in 1940 and was the 15th registered landscape architect for the state of Georgia. Bell worked for Monroe's Landscape and Nursery Company in Atlanta, Georgia, where he prepared landscape plans for the Piedmont Driving Club in 1940. Bell joined the Air Force in 1942 and during World War II, drew targeting maps for bombing raids in the South Pacific theater and performed damage assessment after bombing raids. After being discharged from service, Bell began his landscape architecture business in Griffin. He worked on residential, public, and commercial buildings such as banks, government buildings, and churches in cities including Griffin, Athens, Perry, Newnan, and Covington. Bell later opened an antique and interior decorating business in Griffin and married Leila Searcy (1922-2015).

Extent

0.21 linear ft. (one half document case)

Language

English

System of Arrangement

This collection is arranged alphabetically according to titles supplied by staff.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift, 2015

Related Archival Materials

J. Newton Bell, Jr. landscape architecture drawings, VIS 271, Cherokee Garden Library, Kenan Research Center at the Atlanta History Center

Description Control

This collection was processed in 2017.

Title
J. Newton Bell, Jr. papers
Author
Jennie Oldfield
Date
September 2017
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid is written in English.

Repository Details

Part of the Kenan Research Center at Atlanta History Center Repository

Contact:
130 West Paces Ferry Road
Atlanta GA 30305
404-814-4040