Collections : [University of Michigan Bentley Historical Library]

Papers of Richard Ahern, Ann Arbor architect and community planner for over 40 years, and instructor at Lawrence Institute of Technology from 1977 to 1981. Collection consists mainly of documents from Ahern’s professional projects, as well as his teaching career at Lawrence.

The Richard Ahern papers consist of writings, correspondence, sketches and designs relating to his professional career as an architect, community planner, and educator. The collection provides insight into Ahern's creative and philosophical growth as a designer and planner, and provides snapshots of the growth of several Michigan communities in the 1960s and 1970s.

When they were donated, the Richard Ahern papers contained a large volume of newspaper clippings, publications, and similar research material that Ahern collected in preparation for each of his projects. Although only those documents that directly reflect Ahern's work were kept (a small fraction of the original volume), much of the overall organization schema was maintained.

The Richard Ahern papers are divided into five series: Personal, Early Designs and Sketches, Architecture, Planning, and Teaching.