Archives Center, National Museum of American History

Guide to the Donald M. Burmister Papers

Summary

Collection ID:
NMAH.AC.1068
Creators:
Burmister, Donald, 1895-1981
Dates:
1927-1974
Languages:
English
.
Physical Description:
5.5 Cubic feet
14 boxes
Repository:

Scope and Contents Note

Scope and Contents Note
Collection consists primarily of reports, prepared by Burmister, relating to consulting projects concerning beach erosion, building and bridge foundations, airports, highways, docks, piers, bulkheads, and land development. Most of the reports were prepared under the Soil Mechanics Laboratory, Columbia University. The laboratory was established by Burmister in 1933 as one of the first soil mechanics laboratories in the United States. It is now equipped with several unique apparatuses for advanced soil testing and research.

Arrangement

Arrangement
The collection is arranged into two series.
Series 1: Projects, 1934-1966
Series 2: Publications and Writings, 1927-1974

Biographical/Historical note

Biographical/Historical note
Born in Arizona in 1895, Donald M. Burmister emerged as a valuable contributor to the field of civil engineering during his career as a consulting engineer and university professor. After being drafted for service in the first World War, Burmister enlisted in the American military between 1918 and 1919. He later earned his B.A. (1926), B.S.(1927), C.E.(1928), and PhD (1938) from Columbia University pioneering achievements in the fields of civil engineering and soil mechanics. Burmister taught civil engineering at Columbia University from 1928-1963, specializing in soil mechanics and foundational engineering. He died in 1981 in Calhoun, Michigan at the age of 86.

Administration

Author
Alison Oswald
Ownership and Custodial History
Donated to the National Museum of History and Technology (now the National Museum of American History) by Donald Burmister.
Processing Information
Collection processed by Kendall McKinley, intern, and Alison Oswald, archivist, 2022.
Custodial History
Transfered to the Archives Center from Division of Work and Industry, 2007.

Using the Collection

Preferred Citation
Donald M. Burmister Papers, 1927-1974, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Conditions Governing Use
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research but is stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.

Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Beach erosion Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Civil engineering Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Civil engineers Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Diagrams Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Docks Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Engineering Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Foundations Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Piers Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Soil mechanics Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Airports Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Articles Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Roads -- Design and construction Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Roads Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Reports Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Correspondence -- 20th century Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Specifications Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Photographs -- 20th century Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of Mechanical and Civil Engineering Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

Archives Center, National Museum of American History
P.O. Box 37012
Suite 1100, MRC 601
Washington, D.C. 20013-7012
Business Number: Phone: 202-633-3270
Fax Number: Fax: 202-786-2453
archivescenter@si.edu