Miscellaneous maps, Various dates

The collection consists of more than fifty years of the professional output of notable landscape architect, Warner Lincoln Marsh and the collaborative work of his wife, Florence. While this collection includes some of Warner Marsh's early work in Los Angeles as a landscaper of many public parks and private estates, it focuses on his career as a community planner of rural and urban developments in Sacramento and Northern Central California during 1940-1987. Throughout his career, Marsh's special interests included the development of private and public botanical gardens.

Professional and personal correspondence of Warner Marsh is found in the papers including extensive correspondence from C.M. Goethe. Also contained in the papers are numerous community plans for twelve California counties with an emphasis on Sacramento. Documents relating to various grant applications can be found in the collection as well as material regarding the California Native Plant Society, Sacramento Valley Chapter. Published works by Warner Marsh include a book on landscape vocabulary, magazine articles, and formal project reports to government agencies.

Florence Marsh took an active part in her husband's professional career and her efforts are well documented during the Sacramento period. The Annual Appointment Calendars from 1958 to 1988 were created and maintained by Florence. Additionally, as an accomplished musician and artist in her own right, Mrs. Marsh's correspondence and artifacts from artists and musiciains enhance the scope of the collection and reflect the richness of the Marsh's social life.

A large collection of trade literature is contained in the papers including commercial brochures about building construction, private homes and yards; masonry, landscaping, heating, cooling, appliances, lighting, and recreation.

Over 6,000 Kodachrome slides taken by Marsh are of botanical specimens, landscapes, architectural features and public gatherings. Approximately 40 black and white photographs include some of Marsh's early landscaping and architectural projects as well as family, friends, architects and notable California politicians. He maintained systematic index card files of botanical specimens including Native American food plants by common and botanical names, geographical area, and other characteristics.

Art appears to be an integral part of the Marsh's professional and personal lives. Marsh's architectural plans and drawings reflect his work as an artist. The inclusion of children's art work, original paintings and handmade cards from friends and even greeting cards were saved for over 30 years. An original 1946 oil painting of Warner Marsh by Natalae Bixby is also in the collection.