Russell Barr Williamson
Russell Barr Williamson | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 2, 1893 Royal Center, Indiana, U.S. |
| Died | October 3, 1964 (aged 71) Oostburg, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Education | Kansas State University School of the Art Institute of Chicago |
| Occupation | Architect |
| Spouse | Nola Mae Hawthorne |
| Children | 1 son, 1 daughter |
Russell Barr Williamson (May 2, 1893 - October 3, 1964) was an American architect. He designed over 150 buildings, mostly in Wisconsin, and including the NRHP-listed Eagles Club in Milwaukee, the Avalon Atmospheric theatre in Bay View, Wisconsin, and the NRHP-listed Anthony and Caroline Isermann House and Frank and Jane Isermann House in Kenosha.
Life
Williamson was born on May 2, 1893, in Royal Center, Indiana,[1] and he grew up near Princeton, Kansas.[2] He graduated from the Kansas State University and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.[2]
Williamson first worked as a draftsman and site supervisor for Frank Lloyd Wright in 1914-1917 working on Wright's Frederick C. Bogk House and the Munkwitz Apartments. Williamson's efforts focused primarily on Wright's American System-Built Homes (ASBH), though like Wright, he did not talk about the program after it ended.[2][3][4] After leaving Wright's studio in 1917, he returned to Kansas City, Missouri briefly, and then moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1918 to apply for his Wisconsin license to practice and to work closely with the developer Arthur Richards, Wright's former partner in the ASBH project.[5][2] Between 1918 and 1929 Williamson designed about forty Wisconsin homes and duplexes in the Prairie Style, as well as the Tudor and Mediterranean Revival styles, many sold via the Richards Real Estate Company.[6] In a second productive period from about 1950 to 1960, he designed commercial buildings and split-level and ranch homes leaning to the Mid-Century Modern style.[7] A complete Williamson portfolio is elusive since he destroyed drawings and records from much of his career.[8]
Williamson married Nola Mae Hawthorne, and they had a son and a daughter.[1] Williamson died of a heart attack on October 3, 1964, in Oostburg, Wisconsin, at age 71.[1][9][10]
References
- ^ a b c "Russell B. Williamson, Noted Architect, Dies". The Sheboygan Press. October 3, 1964. p. 10. Retrieved September 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d Carol Lohry Cartwright (2002-12-08). "National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Isermann, Anthony and Caroline, House". National Park Service. Retrieved 2018-05-16. With 15 photos.
- ^ Carol Lohry Cartwright (2002-12-08). "National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Isermann, Frank and Jane, House". National Park Service. Retrieved 2018-05-16. With 17 photos.
- ^ Link, David E. Architecture: A Series of Happy Experiences. The Milwaukee Sentinel, September 14, 1963.
- ^ Hayes, Nicholas Dale. Frank Lloyd Wright's Forgotten House. University of Wisconsin Press, 2021.
- ^ Ellias, Juanita M. Prairie School Architecture in Milwaukee: Russell Barr Williamson. (University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, 1974.
- ^ Williamson, Jr., Russell Barr. Russell Barr Williamson Architect - A Collection. The Barr Brand, 2000.
- ^ Ellias, Juanita M. Prairie School Architecture in Milwaukee: Russell Barr Williamson. University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, 1974, pp 134.
- ^ "Russell Barr Williamson, A Wisconsin Architect, 71". The New York Times. October 4, 1964. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
- ^ "Russell Barr Williamson". The Sheboygan Press. Sheboygan, Wisconsin. October 5, 1964. p. 14. Retrieved September 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.