Descriptive Summary
MSS 2940 no. 3
Brigham Young Academy Foundation records,
circa 1975-2003
Brigham Young Academy Foundation
L. Tom Perry Special Collections
7 cartons (10.5 linear ft.)
The Brigham Young
Academy Foundation was organized in 1985 by Shirley Paxman, Meryl Astrop, Brad
Westwood, and others. The foundation was established to preserve the lower
campus of Brigham Young University, which was sold to private investors in the
mid-1970s.
Contains a detailed compilation of
official documents, correspondence, minutes, photographs, estimates, photo
albums, clippings, and other records associated with the renovation of the old
Brigham Young Academy building in Provo, Utah. Also contains feasibility
studies and architectural/construction proposals submitted by firms competing
for the library contract. Most of the collection relates to the period of time
that Shirley Paxman served as the BYAF Treasurer.
Provenance
Donated by Shirley Brockbank Paxman, BYAF treasurer, to L. Tom Perry
Special Collection in Oct. 2004 and Jan. 2005.
Access
Content restricted; permission to access records must be obtained from
the Reference Supervisor.
Conditions of Use
It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary
copyright clearances.
Permission to publish material from Brigham Young Academy Foundation
records, must be obtained from the Supervisor of Reference Services and/or the
L. Tom Perry Special Collections Board of Curators.
Preferred Citation
Initial Citation: MSS 2940 no. 3; Title:
Brigham Young Academy Foundation records, circa 1975-2003; 20th and 21st
Century Mormon and Western Americana; L. Tom Perry Special Collections, Harold
B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University.
Following Citations: MSS 2940 no. 3,
LTPSC.
Administrative History
The BYAF functioned to renovate the Brigham Young Academy into the new
Provo City Library. Mrs. Paxman worked on the project beginning when the
foundation began in 1985 and remained with it until the library was dedicated
on September 8, 2001.
The BYAF decided to raise funds to convert the old building into a
library only after considering several proposals for the building, including
but not limited to an Earth and Science Dinosaur Museum, a Center for
Excellence (mall/professional plaza), and a Community Service Center. The BYAF
raised millions of dollars and called upon many donors from the local community
and BYU alumni.
The foundation acquired many file folders of minutes, correspondence,
proposals, contracts, and much more over the decades. Most of these materials
were gathered by Shirley Brockbank Paxman who donated them to BYU Special
Collections Library, in order to provide valuable research material for patrons
investigating Provo history especially dealing with the Brigham Young Academy,
also known as the “lower campus.” Mrs. Paxman contributed greatly to her
community’s historical preservation and served as the treasurer for the Brigham
Young Academy Foundation (BYAF). She was born 10 December 1919, in Provo, Utah;
married Monroe Paxman in 1943; graduated from BYU with both an undergraduate
and graduate degree; and is a registered nurse.
Subject Tracings
Institutions
Brigham Young Academy--Buildings--Conservation and
restoration
Provo City Library at Academy Square (Provo, Utah)
Brigham Young Academy Foundation--Archives
Added Author
Paxman, Shirley Brockbank, 1919-
Genre/Form
Letters
Corporate minutes
Photographs
Architectural drawings
Subject
Historic buildings--Conservation and
restoration--Utah--Provo
Library buildings--Utah--Provo
Architecture--Utah--Provo
Container List
Papers
Papers
Box
Content
1
“Folders: Brigham Young Academy
Foundation (BYAF) papers (1984-1998); Publicity; Magazines; Blueprint; Hyrum
Smith journal on disk; misc. files related to Academy Square” [BYAF
minutes, reports, agendas, histories, goals/objectives, correspondence, and
proposals/plans (Museum of Earth and Science, library, college, Center for
Excellence, and Community Service Center); Publicity: newspaper articles press
releases; Magazines: 1. BYU Today, Nov. 1989; 2. BYU Magazine, Summer and
Winter 2001 issues; 3. Bulletin Technique, Avril 1981: Institut canadien de
conservation; 4. National Geographic: Dinosaurs, Jan. 1993; 5. The Profit
Magazine: Can Provo Save the BY Academy?, Jan. 1997; Blueprints related to site
proposals; Correspondence with Utah Heritage Foundation (UHF) and National
Trust for Historical Preservation; and “White and Blue Christmas Edition,”
1910.]
2
“Folders: BYAF papers (1985-2001);
Fiscal files; Publicity; misc. files related to Academy Square” [BYAF
corporation papers, legislative appropriation, feasibility reports, agendas,
goals/objectives, minutes, contracts, fund raising, contributors, memos,
letters, etc.; Financial files with Central Bank; Newspaper articles; National
Advisory Council; 1998 Inventory of Items salvaged from Training building;
voting poll information; computer disk, “Academy”; Chamber of Commerce/Provo
City Council papers; and wooden button from July 9, 1999
groundbreaking.]
3
“Folders: BYAF papers; Publicity;
Award; misc. files related to Academy Square” [BYAF minutes,
fundraising, correspondence, agendas; Newspaper articles and press releases;
Utah Historical Foundation award, 1997; Historic preservation easements;
Geotechnical service proposal; issues/complaints against library; and LDS
church letters/physical facilities management.]
4
“Folders: BYAF papers (1985-1993);
Fiscal files; Publicity; Photos; BYU Alumni Club 1985; misc. files related to
Academy Square” [BYAF minutes, letterheads, agreements, construction
info. (architects, zoning, and easements), and proposal (1985 Center for
Excellence and 1990-93 Dinosaur museum); BYAF bills and Central Bank receipts;
1995 publicity; Photographs from groundbreaking and other ceremonies;
Finding/recommendations by Craig Call and Ray Andrus; 1987 Provo survey; fraud
appeal; preliminary proposals; and files on sculptors (Malvina Hoffman and
Avard Fairbanks).]
5
“Folders: BYAF papers (1981-90);
Fiscal Files; Publicity; misc. files related to Academy Square” [BYAF
minutes, correspondence, articles of incorporation, brochures, negotiations,
reports, potential donors, feasibility studies, and proposal (Feb. 1984);
Financial reports and taxes; Newspaper articles (1984-85) and press releases;
Utah Arts Council, 1985; “Who Cares?” petition and helpers’ names; Deseret
News, “Souvenir Album of Early Academy History”; student paper by Barnett,
Allan, “Maesar’s Palace: The Story of Academy Square, 1884-1984”, 22 April
1989; and book by Larson, Clinton F., Centennial Portraits: BYU Centennial
1975-76, BYU Press, 1979.]
6
“History of Lower Campus (Academy
Square); UHF award” [Binder of history by Hunt, Wallace E., Jr. &
Jan (Mary), “Pride of Provo—Academy Square: A Story of Vision, Determination
and Survival”, (Revised 11/13/95) with papers and UHF newsletter attached; and
Brigham Young Academy Foundation 1997 Heritage Award
(certificate).]
7
“2 videocassettes, 2 books, 1
magazine, and 4 albums” [Videocassettes: 1. “Provo Library Dedication”,
KBYU, Approx. 1.5 hrs., Sept. 8, 2001; 2. Brigham Young Academy video about
buildings, 1997-2001. Books: 1. Miller, Karl A., History of Buildings and
Grounds: Brigham Young University, (contains article about author inside
cover); 2. Spears, Irene Osmond, In the Process: The Life of Alfred Osmond,
(containing pamphlets, articles, and letters about Nan Osmond Grass and
author). Magazine: BYU Magazine, Winter 2001, “Windows, Books, and Lofty
Spaces” (article about BYU Academy), p 34. Binder: “The Community Service
Center of Utah Valley at Academy Square” (Program description and Analysis).
Pictures: 3 sets of photographs (#1-198, 500-552, 1067-1066, 1104-1107,
1113-1115, 2016-2027) of Academy Square buildings by C.M. Call & Co.:
Consultants in Historic Preservation; donated by Craig Call.]