Horace Trumbauer: Difference between revisions

Browse history interactively ← Previous edit Next edit →Content deleted Content addedVisual WikitextInline

Revision as of 04:04, 3 May 2011

Horace Trumbauer (December 28, 1868 – September 18, 1938) was a prominent American architect of the Gilded Age, known for designing residential manors for the wealthy. Later in his career he also designed hotels, office buildings, and much of the campus of Duke University. Trumbauer's massive palaces flattered the egos of his "robber baron" clients, but were dismissed by his professional peers. His work made him a wealthy man, but his buildings rarely received positive critical recognition.

Career

Trumbauer was born in Philadelphia, the son of a salesman. He completed a 6-year apprenticeship with G. W. and W. D. Hewitt, and opened his own architectural office at age 21. He did some work for developers Wendell and Smith, designing homes for middle-class planned communities, including the Overbrook Farms development.

Trumbauer's first major commission was Grey Towers Castle (1893), designed for the sugar magnate William Welsh Harrison. Its exterior was based on Alnwick Castle in Northumberland, England, although its interiors were French, ranging in style from Renaissance to Louis XV. Harrison introduced him to the streetcar and real estate developer Peter A. B. Widener, whose 110-room Georgian-revival palace, Lynnewood Hall (1897–1900), launched Trumbauer's successful career. For the Wideners, the Elkinses and their circle, he designed mansions in Philadelphia, New York, and Newport, RI, office buildings, hospitals, and the main library at Harvard University.

In 1903, he married Sara Thomson Williams and became stepfather to Agnes Helena. Architectural Record published a survey of his work in 1904.

In 1906, Trumbauer hired Julian Abele, the first African-American graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Architecture School, and promoted him to chief designer in 1909. Trumbauer's later buildings are sometimes attributed to Abele, but this is speculation. With the exception of the chapel at Duke University (1934), Abele never claimed credit for any of the firm's buildings designed during Trumbauer's lifetime.

The commission for the Philadelphia Museum of Art (1916–28) was shared between Trumbauer's firm and Zantzinger, Borie and Medary. Trumbauer architect Howell Lewis Shay is credited with the building's plan and massing, although the perspective drawings appear to be in Abele's hand. When it opened in 1928, the building was criticized as being vastly overscaled and nicknamed "the great Greek garage". But, perched on Fairmount Hill and terminating the axis of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, it is now considered the most magnificently-sited museum in the United States.

Despite tremendous success and his apparent ability to impress wealthy clients, Trumbauer suffered from overwhelming shyness and a sense of inferiority about his lack of formal education. He had a number of commissions until the Great Depression, but began to drink heavily to help bear his burdens. He died of cirrhosis of the liver in 1938, and is buried in West Laurel Hill Cemetery, Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania.

Selected buildings

Philadelphia and its suburbs

Residences

Grey Towers Castle (William Welsh Harrison mansion), Glenside, PA (1893)
Chelten House (George W. Elkins mansion), Elkins Park, PA (1896, rebuilt 1909)
Lynnewood Hall (Peter A. B. Widener mansion), Elkins Park, PA (1897–1900)
Elstowe Manor (William L. Elkins mansion), Elkins Park, PA (1898)
Edward C. Knight townhouse, 1629 Locust St., Philadelphia, PA (1902)
Georgian Terrace (George F. Tyler mansion), Elkins Park, PA (1905) (now Stella Elkins Tyler School of Art, Temple University)
Isle Field (mansion), Villanova, PA (1911) (now home office of American Missionary Fellowship)
Androssan (Robert L. Montgomery mansion), Villanova, PA (1913)
Whitemarsh Hall (Edward T. Stotesbury mansion), Wyndmoor, PA (1916–21, demolished 1980)
Ronaele Manor (Fitz Eugene Dixon mansion), Elkins Park, PA (1923–26, demolished 1974). Mrs. Dixon was Eleanor Widener; the mansion's name is hers spelled backward. LaSalle College Christian Brothers owned the mansion 1950–74, renaming it Anselm Hall.

Commercial

St. James Apartment House, 13th & Walnut Sts., Philadelphia, PA (1901)
Land Title Building, 100 S. Broad St., Philadelphia, PA (1902)
Ritz–Carlton Hotel, Philadelphia, SE corner Broad & Walnut Sts., Philadelphia, PA (1911, altered beyond recognition)
Widener Building, South Penn Square, Philadelphia, PA (1914)
Adelphia Hotel, 1229 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, PA (1914)
Beneficial Savings Fund Society Building, SW corner 12th & Chestnut Sts., Philadelphia, PA (1916)
Bankers' Trust Office Building, 12th & Chestnut Sts., Philadelphia, PA (1922)
Public Ledger Building, 6th & Chestnut Sts., Philadelphia, PA (1923)
Benjamin Franklin Hotel, 834 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, PA (1925)
Chateau Crillon Apartment House, Locust St. & Rittenhouse Square West, Philadelphia, PA (1928)
Jenkintown Train Station, Jenkintown, PA (1932)

Cultural, medical and educational

Music Pavilion at Willow Grove Park, Willow Grove, PA (1895, demolished)
Bandshell in West Park, Allentown, PA (1908–1909)
Union League of Philadelphia Annex, 15th & Sansom Sts., Philadelphia (1909)
Elkins Memorial YMCA, Arch St., Philadelphia (1911)
Philadelphia Racquet Club, 213–25 S. 16th St., Philadelphia (1912)
Widener Memorial Training School for Crippled Children, 1450 W. Olney Ave., Philadelphia (1912–14)
Philadelphia Museum of Art (with Zantzinger, Borie and Medary), Philadelphia (1916–28)
Free Library of Philadelphia, Logan Square, Philadelphia (1925–27)
Irvine Auditorium, University of Pennsylvania, 34th & Spruce Sts., Philadelphia (1926–32)
Keswick Theatre, Glenside, PA (1928)
Hahnemann University Hospital South Tower, Philadelphia (1928)
Jefferson Medical College, Main Building, Philadelphia (1929)
Jefferson Medical College, Curtis Clinic, 1001–15 Walnut St., Philadelphia (1931)

Buildings elsewhere

The Elms (Edward Julius Berwind mansion), Newport, Rhode Island (1899–1901)
High Gate (James E. Watson mansion), Fairmont, West Virginia (1910–13)
Consolidation Coal Company Office Building, Fairmont, West Virginia (1911) (now WesBanco Building)
James B. Duke mansion, New York, New York (1912) (now Institute of Fine Arts, New York University)
Miramar (Eleanor Elkins Widener mansion), Newport, Rhode Island (1914)
Harry Elkins Widener Memorial Library, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts (1915)
New York Post building, New York, New York (1926)
Shadow Lawn (Hubert Templeton Parson mansion), West Long Branch, New Jersey (1927) (now Woodrow Wilson Hall, Monmouth University)
Rose Terrace (Anna Dodge mansion), Grosse Pointe, Michigan (1934, demolished 1976)
Duke Chapel, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina (1934) (Julian Abele credited as the designer.)
St. Catherine Church, Spring Lake, New Jersey

Gallery

Lynnewood Hall (Peter A. B. Widener mansion), Elkins Park, PA (1897–1900). Photo: May 2007.
The Elms (Edward Julius Berwind mansion), Newport, RI (1899–1901). The Elms (Edward Julius Berwind mansion), Newport, RI (1899–1901).
The Elms, Staircase and Entrance Hall.
Carriage House from High Gate (James E. Watson mansion), Fairmont, WV (1910–13). The adjacent manor house is now a funeral home.
James B. Duke mansion, New York, New York (1912) (now Institute of Fine Arts, New York University).
Harry Elkins Widener Memorial Library, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA (1915).
Whitemarsh Hall (Edward T. Stotesbury mansion), Wyndmoor, PA (1916–21, demolished 1980).
Gardens of Whitemarsh Hall, looking east from Mansion. Jacques Greber designed the gardens, including this mile-long allee. Photo: c. 1922.
Free Library of Philadelphia, Logan Square, Philadelphia, PA (1925–27).
Irvine Auditorium, University of Pennsylvania, 34th & Spruce Sts., Philadelphia, PA (1926–32).
Shadow Lawn (Hubert Templeton Parson mansion), Long Branch, NJ (1927). Now Woodrow Wilson Hall, Monmouth University. Shadow Lawn (Hubert Templeton Parson mansion), Long Branch, NJ (1927). Now Woodrow Wilson Hall, Monmouth University.
Duke Chapel, Duke University, Durham, NC (1934). This was the only building designed by the firm during Trumbauer's lifetime for which Julian Abele claimed credit.

References

^ Baltzell, Edward Digby. Puritan Boston & Quaker Philadelphia (Transaction Publishers, 1996), pp. 332–33. ISBN 156000830X
David B. Brownlee, Making a Modern Classic: The Architecture of the Philadelphia Museum of Art (Philadelphia Museum of Art, 1997), pp. 60–61, 72–73.
Ronaele Manor, Elkins Park, PA from Library of Congress
Ronaele Manor 2, Elkins Park, PA from Library of Congress
Ronaele Manor 3, Elkins Park, PA from Library of Congress
Robert C. Nugent, A House Lives and Dies: The Story of Anselm Hall (Abington, PA: Cassidy Printing, 1974)
Beneficial Savings Fund Society from Flickr
Whelan, Frank (May 29, 2005), "West Park the iconic home for Allentown bands.", The Morning Call, pp. E.1
Elkins Memorial YMCA from Free Library of Philadelphia
Rose Terrace from Grosse Pointe Historical Society

Bibliography

Kathrens, Michael C. American Splendor: The Residential Architecture of Horace Trumbauer. New York: Acanthus Press, 2002. ISBN 978-0926494220

External links

Biography at Philadelphia Architects and Buildings
Overview of an archival finding aid on Horace Trumbauer at the Winterthur Library.
Residential Designs by Horace Trumbauer from Free Library of Philadelphia
Commercial and Institutional Designs by the Horace Trumbauer Architectural Firm from Free Library of Philadelphia
Biography-West Laurel Hill Cemetery web site
Biography at NYC-architecture.com
Horace Trumbauer at Find a Grave
The Horace Trumbauer Collection, including architectural drawings, blueprints and details of buildings and estates (some that were never built), are available for research use at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania.

Template:Persondata

Categories:

Revision as of 20:44, 17 April 2011 editLockley (talk \| contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users136,540 editsm →External links: cats← Previous edit		Revision as of 04:04, 3 May 2011 edit undoMichael Hardy (talk \| contribs)Administrators210,279 edits endashNext edit →
Line 2:		Line 2:
	'''Horace Trumbauer''' (December 28, 1868 – September 18, 1938) was a prominent ] ] of the ], known for designing residential manors for the wealthy. Later in his career he also designed hotels, office buildings, and much of the campus of ]. Trumbauer's massive palaces flattered the egos of his "]" clients, but were dismissed by his professional peers. His work made him a wealthy man, but his buildings rarely received positive critical recognition.		'''Horace Trumbauer''' (December 28, 1868 – September 18, 1938) was a prominent ] ] of the ], known for designing residential manors for the wealthy. Later in his career he also designed hotels, office buildings, and much of the campus of ]. Trumbauer's massive palaces flattered the egos of his "]" clients, but were dismissed by his professional peers. His work made him a wealthy man, but his buildings rarely received positive critical recognition.
	==Career==		==Career==
	Trumbauer was born in ], the son of a salesman.<ref name=baltzell>Baltzell, Edward Digby. ''Puritan Boston & Quaker Philadelphia'' (Transaction Publishers, 1996), pp. ~~332-33~~. ISBN 156000830X</ref> He completed a 6-year apprenticeship with ], and opened his own architectural office at age 21. He did some work for developers ], designing homes for middle-class planned communities, including the ] development.		Trumbauer was born in ], the son of a salesman.<ref name=baltzell>Baltzell, Edward Digby. ''Puritan Boston & Quaker Philadelphia'' (Transaction Publishers, 1996), pp. 332–33. ISBN 156000830X</ref> He completed a 6-year apprenticeship with ], and opened his own architectural office at age 21. He did some work for developers ], designing homes for middle-class planned communities, including the ] development.

	], Glenside, PA (1893). Now ].]]		], Glenside, PA (1893). Now ].]]
Line 11:		Line 11:
	In 1906, Trumbauer hired ], the first African-American graduate of the ] Architecture School, and promoted him to chief designer in 1909. Trumbauer's later buildings are sometimes attributed to Abele, but this is speculation. With the exception of the chapel at ] (1934), Abele never claimed credit for any of the firm's buildings designed during Trumbauer's lifetime.		In 1906, Trumbauer hired ], the first African-American graduate of the ] Architecture School, and promoted him to chief designer in 1909. Trumbauer's later buildings are sometimes attributed to Abele, but this is speculation. With the exception of the chapel at ] (1934), Abele never claimed credit for any of the firm's buildings designed during Trumbauer's lifetime.

	] (~~1916-28~~). This was a collaboration between Trumbauer's firm and ].]]		] (1916–28). This was a collaboration between Trumbauer's firm and ].]]
	The commission for the ] (1916–28) was shared between Trumbauer's firm and ]. Trumbauer architect ] is credited with the building's plan and massing, although the perspective drawings appear to be in Abele's hand.<ref>David B. Brownlee, ''Making a Modern Classic: The Architecture of the Philadelphia Museum of Art'' (Philadelphia Museum of Art, 1997), pp. ~~60-61~~, ~~72-73~~.</ref> When it opened in 1928, the building was criticized as being vastly overscaled and nicknamed "the great Greek garage". But, perched on Fairmount Hill and terminating the axis of the ], it is now considered the most magnificently-sited museum in the United States.		The commission for the ] (1916–28) was shared between Trumbauer's firm and ]. Trumbauer architect ] is credited with the building's plan and massing, although the perspective drawings appear to be in Abele's hand.<ref>David B. Brownlee, ''Making a Modern Classic: The Architecture of the Philadelphia Museum of Art'' (Philadelphia Museum of Art, 1997), pp. 60–61, 72–73.</ref> When it opened in 1928, the building was criticized as being vastly overscaled and nicknamed "the great Greek garage". But, perched on Fairmount Hill and terminating the axis of the ], it is now considered the most magnificently-sited museum in the United States.

	Despite tremendous success and his apparent ability to impress wealthy clients, Trumbauer suffered from overwhelming shyness and a sense of inferiority about his lack of formal education. He had a number of commissions until the Great Depression, but began to drink heavily to help bear his burdens. He died of ] of the liver in 1938,<ref name=baltzell/> and is buried in ], ].		Despite tremendous success and his apparent ability to impress wealthy clients, Trumbauer suffered from overwhelming shyness and a sense of inferiority about his lack of formal education. He had a number of commissions until the Great Depression, but began to drink heavily to help bear his burdens. He died of ] of the liver in 1938,<ref name=baltzell/> and is buried in ], ].
Line 28:		Line 28:
	*Androssan (Robert L. Montgomery mansion), Villanova, PA (1913)		*Androssan (Robert L. Montgomery mansion), Villanova, PA (1913)
	*] (] mansion), Wyndmoor, PA (1916–21, demolished 1980)		*] (] mansion), Wyndmoor, PA (1916–21, demolished 1980)
	*Ronaele Manor (Fitz Eugene Dixon mansion), Elkins Park, PA (1923–26, demolished 1974).<ref> from Library of Congress</ref><ref> from Library of Congress</ref><ref> from Library of Congress</ref> Mrs. Dixon was Eleanor Widener; the mansion's name is hers spelled backward. LaSalle College Christian Brothers owned the mansion ~~1950-74~~, renaming it Anselm Hall.<ref>Robert C. Nugent, ''A House Lives and Dies: The Story of Anselm Hall'' (Abington, PA: Cassidy Printing, 1974)</ref>		*Ronaele Manor (Fitz Eugene Dixon mansion), Elkins Park, PA (1923–26, demolished 1974).<ref> from Library of Congress</ref><ref> from Library of Congress</ref><ref> from Library of Congress</ref> Mrs. Dixon was Eleanor Widener; the mansion's name is hers spelled backward. LaSalle College Christian Brothers owned the mansion 1950–74, renaming it Anselm Hall.<ref>Robert C. Nugent, ''A House Lives and Dies: The Story of Anselm Hall'' (Abington, PA: Cassidy Printing, 1974)</ref>

	====Commercial====		====Commercial====
	*St. James Apartment House, 13th & Walnut Sts., Philadelphia, PA (1901)		*St. James Apartment House, 13th & Walnut Sts., Philadelphia, PA (1901)
	*], 100 S. Broad St., Philadelphia, PA (1902)		*], 100 S. Broad St., Philadelphia, PA (1902)
	*~~Ritz-Carlton~~ Hotel, Philadelphia, SE corner Broad & Walnut Sts., Philadelphia, PA (1911, altered beyond recognition)		*Ritz–Carlton Hotel, Philadelphia, SE corner Broad & Walnut Sts., Philadelphia, PA (1911, altered beyond recognition)
	*Widener Building, South Penn Square, Philadelphia, PA (1914)		*Widener Building, South Penn Square, Philadelphia, PA (1914)
	*Adelphia Hotel, 1229 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, PA (1914)		*Adelphia Hotel, 1229 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, PA (1914)
Line 48:		Line 48:
	*] Annex, 15th & Sansom Sts., Philadelphia (1909)		*] Annex, 15th & Sansom Sts., Philadelphia (1909)
	*Elkins Memorial YMCA, Arch St., Philadelphia (1911)<ref> from Free Library of Philadelphia</ref>		*Elkins Memorial YMCA, Arch St., Philadelphia (1911)<ref> from Free Library of Philadelphia</ref>
	*], ~~213-25~~ S. 16th St., Philadelphia (1912)		*], 213–25 S. 16th St., Philadelphia (1912)
	*Widener Memorial Training School for Crippled Children, 1450 W. Olney Ave., Philadelphia (1912–14)		*Widener Memorial Training School for Crippled Children, 1450 W. Olney Ave., Philadelphia (1912–14)
	*] (with ]), Philadelphia (1916–28)		*] (with ]), Philadelphia (1916–28)
Line 56:		Line 56:
	*] South Tower, Philadelphia (1928)		*] South Tower, Philadelphia (1928)
	*], Main Building, Philadelphia (1929)		*], Main Building, Philadelphia (1929)
	*], Curtis Clinic, ~~1001-15~~ Walnut St., Philadelphia (1931)		*], Curtis Clinic, 1001–15 Walnut St., Philadelphia (1931)

	===Buildings elsewhere===		===Buildings elsewhere===
Line 73:		Line 73:
	===Gallery===		===Gallery===
	<gallery>		<gallery>
	Image:LynnewoodHall front.jpg\|] (] mansion), Elkins Park, PA (~~1897-1900~~). Photo: May 2007.		Image:LynnewoodHall front.jpg\|] (] mansion), Elkins Park, PA (1897–1900). Photo: May 2007.
	Image:The Elms, Newport, Rhode Island - View from Great Lawn edit1.jpg\|] (] mansion), Newport, RI (~~1899-1901~~).		Image:The Elms, Newport, Rhode Island – View from Great Lawn edit1.jpg\|] (] mansion), Newport, RI (1899–1901).
	File:TheElmsStaircase&EntranceHall.jpg\|], Staircase and Entrance Hall.		File:TheElmsStaircase&EntranceHall.jpg\|], Staircase and Entrance Hall.
	File:High Gate entrance.jpg\|Carriage House from ] (James E. Watson mansion), Fairmont, WV (~~1910-13~~). The adjacent manor house is now a funeral home.		File:High Gate entrance.jpg\|Carriage House from ] (James E. Watson mansion), Fairmont, WV (1910–13). The adjacent manor house is now a funeral home.
	File:James B Duke House 001.JPG\|], New York, New York (1912) (now ], ]).		File:James B Duke House 001.JPG\|], New York, New York (1912) (now ], ]).

	File:Widener.jpg\|], ], Cambridge, MA (1915).		File:Widener.jpg\|], ], Cambridge, MA (1915).
	Image:Whitemarsh Hall.jpg\|] (] mansion), Wyndmoor, PA (~~1916-21~~, demolished 1980).		Image:Whitemarsh Hall.jpg\|] (] mansion), Wyndmoor, PA (1916–21, demolished 1980).
	File:WhitemarshHallGardens.jpg\|Gardens of ], looking east from Mansion. ] designed the gardens, including this mile-long allee. Photo: c. 1922.		File:WhitemarshHallGardens.jpg\|Gardens of ], looking east from Mansion. ] designed the gardens, including this mile-long allee. Photo: c. 1922.
	Image:Free Library of Philadelphia Front 3008px.jpg\|], Logan Square, Philadelphia, PA (~~1925-27~~).		Image:Free Library of Philadelphia Front 3008px.jpg\|], Logan Square, Philadelphia, PA (1925–27).
	File:Irvine.JPG\|], ], 34th & Spruce Sts., Philadelphia, PA (~~1926-32~~).		File:Irvine.JPG\|], ], 34th & Spruce Sts., Philadelphia, PA (1926–32).
	File:Shadow Lawn, Cedar & Norwood Avenues, Long Branch (Monmouth County, New Jersey) - cropped.jpg\|Shadow Lawn (Hubert Templeton Parson mansion), Long Branch, NJ (1927). Now Woodrow Wilson Hall, ].		File:Shadow Lawn, Cedar & Norwood Avenues, Long Branch (Monmouth County, New Jersey) – cropped.jpg\|Shadow Lawn (Hubert Templeton Parson mansion), Long Branch, NJ (1927). Now Woodrow Wilson Hall, ].
	File:2008-07-24 Duke Chapel.jpg\|], ], Durham, NC (1934). This was the only building designed by the firm during Trumbauer's lifetime for which ] claimed credit.		File:2008-07-24 Duke Chapel.jpg\|], ], Durham, NC (1934). This was the only building designed by the firm during Trumbauer's lifetime for which ] claimed credit.
	</gallery>		</gallery>