Barbara Hoffstot Photography Collection

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: BH.00

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Barbara Hoffstot collection preserves her efforts to create a historic preservation commission and community in Palm Beach, Florida, throughout the 1970s-1980s. It includes original and reproduction photographic material of her photographic survey of Palm Beach historic properties, as well as reports and personal correspondence.

Dates

1972 - 1995

Creator

Hoffstot, Barbara Drew (1919-1994) (Photographer, Person)

Conditions Governing Use

The Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach makes its archival collections available for non-commercial, educational, and personal use unless restricted by copyright and/or donor restrictions. The materials within the collections held by the Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach Archives are intended for research, educational, or informational purposes only. Materials in these collections may be under copyright protection, and copyright restrictions may apply. Written permission must be obtained from the copyright holder and the Preservation Foundation Archives to copy, publish, or otherwise reproduce.

Biographical / Historical

Barbara Drew Hoffstot was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1919, graduated from Rollins College in 1943, and was a winter resident of Palm Beach, Florida. In 1964, she founded the Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation. After moving to Palm Beach, she witnessed an ever-changing built environment and took it upon herself to document the remaining historic resources. Her windshield survey led to the publication of Landmark Architecture of Palm Beach in 1974. Her effort also led the Town of Palm Beach’s Landmarks Preservation Ordinance in 1979. The ordinance is intended to protect Palm Beach’s most significant architectural achievements, ensuring that the heritage of Palm Beach would not be lost for future generations. Her groundwork was instrumental in assisting with legislation that ultimately produced the National Register of Historic Places. Hoffstot was quoted as saying, “Don’t let your very fine past be taken away uncaringly or without your knowledge or consent. Be prepared to fight when necessary.” She passed away in 1994.

Extent

2 Linear Feet (Record carton and file drawer)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Arrangement

The collection has been arranged based on format into the following series: 1. Correspondence and Papers, 2. Palm Beach Survey: Photographs and Slides, 3. Publications, and 4. Research materials (on loan). Digital surrogates of the PB Survey prints are saved to the server's property files by address.