Guide to the Rudi and Annette Rada
Architectural Photographs

Contents

• Overview of the Collection
• Biographical Note
• Scope and Contents
• Restrictions
• Index Terms
• Administrative Information
• Bibliography
• Container List

Overview of the Collection

Repository:
Research Center
Historical Museum of Southern Florida
101 West Flagler Street
Miami, FL 33130
305-375-1492
archives@historical-museum.org

Creator:
Rudi and Annette Rada

Title:
Architectural photographs

Dates:
1946-1974 (bulk 1952-1956)

Quantity:
24 linear feet

Abstract:
This collection contains black-and-white and color photographic prints, negatives and slides shot by architectural photographer Rudi Rada and his wife, Annette Rada. The bulk of the photographs are of houses and buildings in South Florida, and include interior as well as exterior views. The collection also contains magazine articles and brochures illustrated with Rada photographs.

Identification:
1976-195

Biographical Note

Rudi Rada was born in Sacramento, Pennsylvania, on July 2, 1907. Before moving to Florida, Rudi was a member of the NBC orchestra for four years. The Radas moved to Florida in 1946. Rudi and his wife Annette ran Rada Photography in Miami. At the time of his death, Rudi was considered one of the best architectural photographers in the country. He died of a heart attack in Miami, Florida on July 23, 1961. After his death, Annette continued to run Rada Photography.

The Rada's photographs appeared in The Miami News, The Miami Herald, House and Garden, The American Home, and several other publications.

Scope and Contents

The collection contains the photographs by Annette and Rudi Rada from 1946 to 1974. Some of the 1940s photographs appear to be taken before they moved to Florida. The bulk of the collection, however, covers the 1952-1956 period in which he regularly photographed houses for both the Miami News and the Miami Herald. The collection contains both black and white, and color, negatives and prints, as well as color transparencies and slides. The collection specializes in architectural photographs, and commercial photography. There are, however, several trips, one to Cuba in 1951, and one to South America in 1969.

The Rada photographs are arranged in eight series, based on format:

1. Photographic prints classified according to Rada's system, 1950-1974.
2. Photographic prints arranged by Archives staff, 1946-1969.
3. Exhibition prints, 1950-1965.
4. Magazine articles and brochures, 1950-1974.
5. Papers, 1946-1961.
6. Negatives filed according to Rada's numbering system, 1946-1967.
7. Negatives numbered by archives staff, 1950-1974.
8. Color Transparencies, 1950-1969.

Restrictions

Restrictions on Access

Photographic prints, transparencies, slides and papers (i.e., series 1-5 and 8) are open for research.

Restrictions on Use

Permission from Historical Museum of Southern Florida staff required prior to reproduction of photographs in a publication. Please contact archives staff for more information.

Index Terms

This record series is indexed under the following controlled access subject terms.

Apartment Houses -- Florida -- Photographs
Architect-designed houses -- Florida
Architecture, Domestic -- Florida -- Photographs
Bahamas (Fla.) -- Photographs
Christmas -- Florida -- Photographs
Churches -- Florida -- Photographs
Land subdivision -- Florida -- Photographs
Miami-Dade County (Fla.) -- Photographs
Photographs
Rada, Annette
Rada, Rudi, 1907-1961
Schools -- Florida -- Photographs
Seminole Indians -- 1950-1960

Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Rudi and Annette Rada Collection, Historical Museum of Southern Florida

Acquisition Information

Gift of Margaret Scoonover, 1976.

Bibliography

Smith, Rebecca A. Travel Aboard the Queen of the Caribbean. In South Florida History, v. 23, no. 1 (Winter 1995). Photo essay about a 1951 cruise to Havana aboard the P and O steamship Florida, illustrated with Rada photographs.

Container List