University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Archives Department.

Gurda, Francis S., 1895-1976.

Papers, 1886-1981.

Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 49

.8 cubic ft. (1 oversize box)

ABSTRACT: Papers of a Milwaukee architect and engineer, and of his family. Included in the collection are architectural drawings prepared by Gurda for buildings which he designed, among them the new church of St. Adalbert's parish (1930), St. Francis Hospital (1956), Wisconsin's first drive-in banking window at Lincoln State Bank (1950), and several elementary schools. Two newspaper articles, 1980 and 1981, and a magazine piece, regarding two of Gurda's designs are included in a folder of miscellany. Gurda family records consist of a family tree (with a preliminary sketch); naturalization papers of Sylvester Gurda, father of Francis (1888); a small book kept by Sylvester in which he recorded birth and baptismal information for all of his children; family obituaries; and a Milwaukee Common Council resolution in memory of Victoria Gurda, 1941. Family photos include a wedding photo of Sylvester and Victoria (Orzechowski) Gurda, a photo of Leon Gurda with the Company K staff, 127th Infantry National Guard, at Camp MacArthur, Waco, Texas, November 4, 1917, a photo of the Gurda brothers and sisters in 1952, several photos of what may be the dedication ceremonies of St. Francis Hospital, a construction site, an early-20th century photo of a Milwaukee (?) police officer, and others that are unidentified.

ACCESS RESTRICTIONS: There are no access restrictions on the materials, and the collection is open to all members of the public in accordance with state law. However, the researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright which may be involved in the use of this collection (Wisconsin Statutes 19.21-19.39).

COLLECTION CITATION: This collection should be cited as:

Gurda, Francis S., 1895-1976. Papers, 1886-1981. Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 49. Wisconsin Historical Society. Milwaukee Area Research Center. UWM Libraries. University of Wisconsin--Milwaukee.

ACQUISITION: Presented by Donald F. and Dolores Gurda of Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1981 (accession number M81-354).

PROCESSING: Processed by Menzi Behrnd-Klodt in September 1981.

MARC RECORD SEARCH TERMS: The following terms were used in the online bibliographic MARC record to this collection:

Architects--Wisconsin--Milwaukee.
Church architecture--Wisconsin--Milwaukee--Designs and plans.
Convent Low Rent Housing Project (Milwaukee, Wis.).
Gurda family.
Lincoln State Bank (Milwaukee, Wis.).
Milwaukee (Wis.)--Genealogy.
Milwaukee (Wis.)--History--Sources.
Polish Americans--Wisconsin--Milwaukee--History.
St. Adalbert's Church (Milwaukee, Wis.).
St. Francis Hospital (Milwaukee, Wis.).
United States. Army. Infantry Division, 32nd.
United States. Army. Infantry Regiment, 127th. Company K.

MILWAUKEE MANUSCRIPT COLLECTION 49	BOX	FOLDER
Architectural Drawings of Francis Gurda, undated	1	3
Family Records, 1886-1941, undated	1	1
Family Tree, undated	1	4
Miscellaneous, 1935-1981	1	2
Naturalization Certificate of Sylvester Gurda, 1888	1	4
Photographs, undated	1	5