Title and statement of responsibility area
Title proper
Peter Neve Cotton fonds
General material designation
- textual record
- architectural drawing
- graphic material
- multiple media
- cartographic material
Parallel title
Other title information
Title statements of responsibility
Title notes
- Source of title proper: Title based on the contents of the fonds.
Level of description
Fonds
Reference code
Edition area
Edition statement
Edition statement of responsibility
Class of material specific details area
Statement of scale (cartographic)
Statement of projection (cartographic)
Statement of coordinates (cartographic)
Statement of scale (architectural)
Issuing jurisdiction and denomination (philatelic)
Dates of creation area
Date(s)
-
1893-1979 (Creation)
- Creator
- Cotton, Peter Neve
Physical description area
Physical description
6.1 m of textual records, 2994 plans, 652 photographs
Publisher's series area
Title proper of publisher's series
Parallel titles of publisher's series
Other title information of publisher's series
Statement of responsibility relating to publisher's series
Numbering within publisher's series
Note on publisher's series
Archival description area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Peter Neve Cotton was one of Victoria's most distinguished architects. He designed many contemporary homes and business complexes, but was best known for his restoration and heritage architecture. Among the buildings he restored were Craigflower Manor, Craigflower School House, Emily Carr House, Point Ellice House, and St. Andrew's Roman Catholic Cathedral. He also refurbished the old post office in Duncan (now Duncan City Hall). Cotton was born in Merritt, B.C. on 13 March 1910. He spent his boyhood in New Westminster and attended local schools. He worked in the design departments of several large retail stores in Vancouver and in 1939 enlisted in the Canadian Army. He went overseas with the Seaforth Highlanders, then transferred to the British Army Intelligence Branch. He served with distinction in Egypt and Italy and was discharged with the rank of captain. At the end of the war, Cotton enrolled at the University of British Columbia (UBC). He graduated with a degree in architecture and was instrumental in the founding of UBC's faculty of architecture. He afterwards studied design at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and art history at the University of Victoria. A keen historian, Cotton also devoted considerable time to independent research at the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Provincial Archives of British Columbia, and various American institutes and academies. Prior to settling in Victoria in the late 1950's, Cotton and fellow architect, Alfred Staples, designed and manufactured furniture in Vancouver. Their modernistic pieces were marketed under the name "Perpetua." Cotton then joined the architectural staff of the provincial Department of Public Works and was involved with the rebuilding of Government House - an experience which sparked his interest in historical architecture. That interest was expressed not only in his heritage building projects, but also in his manuscript history of B.C.'s vice-regal mansions. In 1961 Cotton set up his own architectural practice, one of which he subsequently conducted from his own heritage home on Admiral's Road, Esquimalt. His practice grew substantially in the late 1960's, as public interest in historic buildings increased. Cotton's practice and reputation increased further in the 1970s, despite the fact that Cotton suffered from a circulatory disease. The disease cost him his right leg, which was amputated in 1977. The disease also contributed to his death on 31 December 1978.
Custodial history
Scope and content
The fonds consists of Cotton's diaries, essays from school, personal correspondence, financial records, business correspondence, project files, architectural plans of commercial and residential buildings in Victoria, photographs, galleys of an unpublished history of Government House, note cards, and rough drafts.
Notes area
Physical condition
Immediate source of acquisition
Arrangement
Book by Mowry Baden found in Peter Neve Cotton records and transferred to library, NW 759.12 B32.
Language of material
Script of material
Location of originals
Availability of other formats
Restrictions on access
Negatives from accession 198208-064 are in cold storage and are inaccessible. Use copy prints.
Terms governing use, reproduction, and publication
Copy restrictions exist, see series level records for details.
Finding aids
Series and other lower level record descriptions exist.
Associated materials
Accruals
General note
Archives code(s): MS-1336; MS-0351; CM/C2008; 17903A, 17904A, 17905A, 17907A.
General note
Accession number(s): 75-199, 83-011, CM/C2008, 198207-044; 198303-040 (89-0806); 198208-064; 198308-007; 198410-014
General note
For library material related to Cotton, see:
NWp 971.1Vi C851
NW 971.57 C851
NW 971.1Vi C851
Physical description
Includes an additional ca. 1000 miscellaneous unsorted drawings added to CM/C2008 in 2022.
Alternative identifier(s)
Standard number area
Standard number
Access points
Place access points
Name access points
- Cotton, Peter Neve (Subject)