BYU Library - Special Collections

Scope and Contents

Contains descriptions, sometimes with photographs or drawings, of architectural practices. Items were collected by students in folklore classes at Brigham Young University and Utah State University from 1970 to 1998. Most of the items are typewritten, but a few of the older items are handwritten. Many of the items contain a description of how, when, and where they were collected as well as explanations of social and cultural contexts.

Scope and Contents

Contains descriptions of architectural practices represented in religious buildings. Items were collected by students in folklore classes at Brigham Young University and Utah State University from 1978 to 1998. Most of the items are typewritten, but a few of the older items are handwritten. Many of the items contain a description of how, when, and where they were collected as well as explanations of social and cultural contexts.

Scope and Contents note

Report by Utah State University folklore student Shirley Cummings about four ground-level doors, plus one upstairs, being meant to ensure escape if persecutors burned the house.

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Report by Brigham Young University folklore student Don Miles, who collected information from his father, Lowell Miles a few years before recording. Houses built for polygamy had an H shape, with a shared living room in the crossbar. Others had one leg and the protruding living room, with the other wing postponed until needed.

Scope and Contents note

Report by Brigham Young University folklore student Tesa Stephens, who collected information from her mother, Wendi Stephens. LDS temple has thin granite admitting outdoor light instead of glass windows.

Scope and Contents note Report by Utah State University history student Scott Fletcher, who collected information from Marilyn Fullmer Sheriff. Stone walls on east 36 inches thick for windproofing. Original construction completed before 1860. Interior walls mostly adobe. West wing added before 1888, with cornerstones of Cottonwood Canyon granite not usable in temple construction. John J. Harris dated header over a door whose moulding he hung. Bought by the Reading family in 1893; last remodeled 1921. Report...

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Report by Brigham Young University folklores student Trish Jensen about sun-stones, a symbol of light, which can be found on most Mormon temples.

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Report by Utah State University folklore student Nancy Cookson, who collected information from her coworker Ralph Anderson. Upstairs door is for spirits of the dead to exit, being closer to God.

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Report by Utah State University folklore student Nancy Cookson, who collected information from her coworker Ralph Anderson. A house was built with one front door for each wife, so as to treat them equally.