78 Acadian Woods, BH 288-9412. AIA SERVICE 1 Upjohn is revered as the leading spirit in the founding of the American Institute of Architects. For many years preceding Richard Upjohn, FAIA the official founding, Upjohn called together the leading archi- tects of the time to discuss architecture, its direction, methods New York City of practice, and the like. As he was highly respected for his Term of Office: April 1857-October 1876 professional work, those he called together were interested in hearing from him and were pleased with the camaraderie of the meetings. Upjohn said he "had labored in the profession for the last twenty-five years in an isolated position," and that he was thrilled at the possibility of a united profession. Richard Upjohn was born in Shaftesbury, England, on January On February 23, 1857, upon an invitation from Upjohn, 13 22, 1802. He received a general education and apprenticed architects met in his office in New York City to consider "the to a cabinetmaker and builder. He established his own busi- propriety of organizing a Society of Architects." On April 13 the ness doing furniture construction and architectural carpentry new organization filed a certificate of incorporation with the in Dorset County where he was born. After some financial state of New York, stating that its aims were "to unite difficulties, he immigrated to the United States at the age in fellowship architects of this continent and to combine of 27 with his wife, Elizabeth, and one-year-old son Richard efforts to promote the scientific and practical efficiency of Michell. He settled in New Bedford, Mass., where his brother its members and elevate the standing of the Profession." Aaron lived and worked. Initially Upjohn found it necessary The American Institute of Architects was the name chosen for to depend upon assistance from relatives, but he soon secured the new organization, a name suggested not by Upjohn but by a position as a draftsman with Samuel Leonard, a wealthy the AIA's second president, Thomas U. Walter, FAIA. Given merchant with an interest in building. His wages were meager, his stature among his fellow architects, it is not surprising that so Upjohn opened an evening school for drawing and draft- Upjohn was elected to lead the Institute as its first president. ing, which became a successful venture. Thus, Upjohn slowly He held this position for 19 years. became self-sufficient while developing an increasing interest in architecture. In a speech to the members at the official founding of AIA, Upjohn spoke about architecture and described his philoso- After a successful professional career, highlighted by phy. He said "Reality" and "Truth" should dominate design. He extensive service to his profession, Upjohn retired in 1876. He called the United States "a broad land, barren space, a wild, a moved from New York City to Garrison-on-the-Hudson, where wilderness" without precedents, SO that "the purpose of every he lived with his wife in a cottage he designed. He worshipped structure we build should be marked SO as to need no other at a nearby church, St. Phillips-in-Highlands, which he also inscription than what it truly presents. Its exterior and inte- designed. This church was indicative of the religious inspira- rior expression ought to make plain the uses for which it was tion that guided Upjohn throughout his career. Upjohn died erected." on August 17, 1878, at the age of 76 after a short illness. See also : Judith S Hull. "The 'School of Upjohn. "Journald the Society 10 THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS of Architectural Historians 52 (1993) TABLE OF CONTENTS 281-306; on Samuel gray Ward residence Jennifer Huberdeau. The ottager Hig wood llanor. Berkshine Eagle. 9/8/2016. 1 The first convention of the new organization was held in 1867, Shortly after the completion of St. John's, Upjohn was called 10 years after the founding, in New York. President Upjohn to New York by his Boston friend, Dr. J. M. Wainwright, rec- addressed the small assemblage and issued a vital charge: tor of the Trinity Episcopal parish in New York. Wainwright "Though the Institute is established for the pursuit and asked Upjohn to advise the vestry on the possibility of repairs communication of such knowledge as is conducive to the and renovations to the old church. After studying the situation, development of architecture, it will nevertheless, it is hoped, Upjohn recommended the old building be removed, the site be a source of public improvement and reform, beyond the cleared, and a new and larger complex constructed. As the mere scientific and artistic limits of the pursuit, and thus be, architect of the new Trinity Church, Upjohn used a form of in no slight degree, a helper of civilization In this view of our English Gothic Revival that brought him wide acclaim. The American Institute of Architects, we see it to be no mean con- church (which still stands) was completed in 1846 and came to tributor of good to our fellow citizens." be considered the most noble in concept and pure in detail of any ecclesiastical structure in the country. Through his years as president, Upjohn's direction and leadership placed the organization on a strong philosophical With the completion of Trinity, Upjohn emerged as the lead- footing. He was an advocate of continued education and what ing American architect in church design, and he obtained today we would call "knowledge sharing." He started an AIA numerous commissions. Many of his churches were con- library and asked members to prepare papers to be read at structed between 1844 and 1850, a time when the Protestant meetings in an atmosphere of polite criticism. He encour- Episcopal community prospered and expanded in wealth and aged members to establish rules for the relationship of client membership. Between the beginning of his work on Trinity and architect, as well as ethics for members to deal with each Church and his design of St. Paul's in Buffalo, N.Y., Upjohn other. He believed that architectural competitions were unfair designed 17 major churches and 20 smaller ones, along with to the profession and spoke out often against them. Upjohn's several domestic, commercial, and collegiate commissions. vision for the profession, his desire for unity, and his inspira- tion about architecture and design are still vital and significant While Upjohn remained devoted to Gothic Revival, he did for the Institute and architects today. explore simpler styles and forms. Between 1844 and 1846, three projects prompted Upjohn to design Romanesque build- HIGHLIGHTS OF PROFESSIONAL CAREER ings: the Harvard College Chapel, designed in 1846 but never In 1834 Upjohn moved to Boston from New Bedford, Mass., built; the Church of the Pilgrims in Brooklyn (now Our Lady where he worked as an assistant in the office of Alexander of Lebanon and much altered); and the Bowdoin College Parris. Subsequently, he developed a modest independent Chapel and Library (1845 - in Brunswick, Me. The Bowdoin prac- tice and stayed busy doing residential work, along with College facility remains a notable example of Upjohn's work. small commissions for the City of Boston. During that period, Upjohn received the commission for St. John's Church in Upjohn also designed numerous residential projects, and Bangor, Me., which launched his career as a church architect. although that body of work is overshadowed by his churches, St. John's was designed in the Gothic style, as were many his domestic work shows his talent and desire for a simple American churches of that day. But Upjohn developed the authenticity of style. His office designed at least 75 houses, and Gothic style more completely than his contemporaries, and this figure does not include the many modest parsonages built his decorative details were richer and more accurate than was from the plans he provided in his book, Rural Architecture typical. A LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP THE PRESIDENTS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS 11 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 (1852). Upjohn hoped the book would "supply the want which is often felt, especially in the newly settled parts of our coun- try, of designs for cheap but substantial buildings for the use mirries BIA institute of prhiteris, of parishes, schools, etc." ORGANIZED MDCCCLVII. THIS 1% TO CERTIFY His book influenced the development of provincial architec- ture in America. The buildings he diagrammed were functional that Richard seppoture n, tew fore and of good proportion. The designs reflected Upjohn's ability was elected FELLOW of the AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF to combine simple detailing and ornamentation with readily ASCHITECTS, on the 285 1857 available materials to original effect. that he has performed all the obligations of membership to the date hereof, and is entitled to all the privileges of the Institute Upjohn's strong convictions about architecture are exemplified for the fiscal year 1878 in his response to a client who asked him to design a highly Richard Upjohn's membership certificate, 1873. embellished, Gothic residence. The client felt Upjohn's President. design to be too plain for his taste, and he turned to another architect, which prompted a sharp response from Upjohn: Treasurer. "Real fitness of purpose in design is being found to give way to mere fancy. This is why we have such a variety of what are commonly termed 'pretty houses' and other pretty Dated at October 1873. buildings growing up over the country. I do not wish to be understood to be opposed to Pointed architecture when it is properly treated. It is capable of more variety of form and RECOGNITION AND HONORS construction than any other style, but I am decidedly opposed Upjohn's standing among his peers was unmatched for many to the mimic castles, abbeys, and other buildings years. He was considered the leading spirit in turning architec- of the present age in this country and in Europe. Such things ture into a learned profession in the United States. He also was are detestable and unworthy of attention of anyone capable recognized in Europe, where he was elected an honorary mem- of appreciating truth in architecture. My decision may be ber of the Royal Institute of British Architects and the Institute against me in a pecuniary point of view, but I for me will of Portuguese Architects. make it my study, so far as I am capable, to design in the most truthful manner." Upjohn then refused to charge for the ser- At the 12th AIA convention, held in New York on November vices he had rendered to that point. 13, 1878, several months after Upjohn's death, AIA President Thomas U. Walter offered a tribute to the AIA's founding Upjohn's son, Richard Michell, joined his father's office at president, saying that Upjohn had raised "the social and moral the age of 18. After serving as a draftsman for six years, he standard of the Institute placing it in the advance became a partner with his father in 1851 under the firm name position it now occupies in the public estimation During all of Upjohn and Company. The father and son team worked these years he was untiring in his efforts to establish good fel- closely on most of the firm's design work until Upjohn's retire- lowship throughout the profession, to raise the standard ment in 1876. of practice, and to promote the progress of our art." 12 THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS TABLE OF CONTENTS