Available for use in the Manuscripts Division reading room. Advance notice is requested.
There are no restrictions on the use of materials in this collection. Copies can be requested if the condition of the originals warrants it.
Leon Arnal papers (N 112), Northwest Architectural Archives, University of Minnesota Libraries, Minneapolis.
Leon Arnal was born in Mouret, France on June 14, 1881. He received a classical education in architecture at the École des Beaux Arts, Marseilles, graduating July 16, 1899, and the École des Beaux Arts, Paris, graduating June 20, 1910. Four years of his education at Paris were funded through a scholarship from the city of Marseilles. From 1911 to 1914 he taught at the University of Pennsylvania School of Architecture as an assistant to Paul Phillippe Cret. Arnal served in the French army during World War I and was awarded the British Military Cross for his service as a liaison officer with the British forces.
After the war, Arnal returned to the U.S. and joined the firm of Magney & Tusler in Minneapolis, where he was the chief designer until 1935. He also taught in the University of Minnesota School of Architecture from 1919 until his retirement in 1948. Among the buildings in Minneapolis he designed for Magney & Tusler were the Women's Club Building (1927), U.S. Post Office (1934) and Foshay Tower (1928-1929); all have since been designated landmark structures by the Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission. Arnal also assisted local architects Roy Childs Jones and Clarence Johnston in the design of Memorial Stadium at the University of Minnesota (1921-1923). He died in Minneapolis on February 23, 1963.
The collection consists of original art work and original architectural drawings in pen and ink, watercolor, pencil, and ink and gouache for unbuilt projects and other subjects, some dating from Arnal's school days. Also included are thirteen medallions awarded to Arnal for architectural achievements at the École des Beaux Arts in Marseilles and diplomas from Marseilles and Paris, and works of art by several other artists.
An unpublished finding aid with detailed contents is available in the Manuscripts Division.
Magney and Tusler papers (N 103)
Larson and McLaren papers (N 69)
This collection is indexed under the following headings in the catalog of the University of Minnesota Libraries. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons or places should search the catalog using these headings.