Russell Barr Williamson
BornMay 2, 1893
DiedOctober 3, 1964 (aged 71)
EducationKansas State University
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
OccupationArchitect
SpouseNola Mae Hawthorne
Children1 son, 1 daughter
The Eagles Club, designed by Williamson.
The Avalon Atmospheric Theatre designed by Russell Barr Williamson, Bay View Wisconsin
The Anthony and Caroline Isermann House, designed by Williamson.
The Frank and Jane Isermann House, designed by Williamson.

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, the NRHP-listed Anthony and Caroline Isermann House and Frank and Jane Isermann House in Kenosha, and the NRHP-listed Dr. Thomas Robinson Bours House in Milwaukee.[1][2]

Life

Williamson was born on May 2, 1893, in Royal Center, Indiana,[3] and he grew up near Princeton, Kansas.[4] He graduated from the Kansas State University and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.[4]

Williamson worked as a draftsman and site supervisor for Frank Lloyd Wright from 1914 to 1917. 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.[4][5][6] 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.[7][4] 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.[8] 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.[9] A complete Williamson portfolio is elusive since he destroyed drawings and records from much of his career.[10]

Williamson married Nola Mae Hawthorne, and they had a son and a daughter.[3] Williamson died of a heart attack on October 3, 1964, in Oostburg, Wisconsin, at age 71.[3][11][12]

References

  1. Wikipedia contributors. "National Register of Historic Places listings in Milwaukee." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 10 Dec. 2023. Web. 12 Jan. 2024.
  2. Horne, Michael, 1915 Wisconsin Case Could Be Key to Abortion Pill Battle. Urban Milwaukee. 13-Jun-2023. https://urbanmilwaukee.com/2023/06/13/plenty-of-horne-1915-wisconsin-case-could-be-key-to-abortion-pill-battle/. Retrieved 12-Jan-2024.
  3. 1 2 3 "Russell B. Williamson, Noted Architect, Dies". The Sheboygan Press. October 3, 1964. p. 10. Retrieved September 1, 2020 via Newspapers.com.
  4. 1 2 3 4 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.
  5. 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.
  6. Link, David E. Architecture: A Series of Happy Experiences. The Milwaukee Sentinel, September 14, 1963.
  7. Hayes, Nicholas Dale. Frank Lloyd Wright's Forgotten House. University of Wisconsin Press, 2021.
  8. Ellias, Juanita M. Prairie School Architecture in Milwaukee: Russell Barr Williamson. (University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, 1974.
  9. Williamson, Jr., Russell Barr. Russell Barr Williamson Architect - A Collection. The Barr Brand, 2000.
  10. Ellias, Juanita M. Prairie School Architecture in Milwaukee: Russell Barr Williamson. University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, 1974, pp 134.
  11. "Russell Barr Williamson, A Wisconsin Architect, 71". The New York Times. October 4, 1964. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  12. "Russell Barr Williamson". The Sheboygan Press. Sheboygan, Wisconsin. October 5, 1964. p. 14. Retrieved September 1, 2020 via Newspapers.com.
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