Athenaeum [of Philadelphia], front on Independence, and on Washington Squares [graphic] / W. Strickland, archt.

Format:

Image

Author/Creator:

Strickland, William, 1787-1854.

Contributor:

Athenaeum of Philadelphia.

Visual Materials Collection (Athenaeum of Philadelphia)

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Private libraries--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia.

Men's clubs--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia.

historic buildings--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia.

219 S. 6th St. (Washington Square, Philadelphia, Pa.).

Independence St. (Philadelphia, Pa.).

Athenaeum of Philadelphia (Philadelphia, Pa.)--Competition drawings--1840.

Local Subjects:

219 S. 6th St. (Washington Square, Philadelphia, Pa.).

Independence St. (Philadelphia, Pa.).

Athenaeum of Philadelphia (Philadelphia, Pa.)--Competition drawings--1840.

Physical Description:

1 drawing : ink & watercolor wash on paper ; 41 x 54 in mat 51 x 61.5 cm.

Contained In:

Athenaeum of Philadelphia. Athenaeum building competition collection.

Other Title:

Athenaeum of Philadelphia, 6th St. bel. Walnut, Philadelphia, Pa., competition entry.

Place of Publication:

1840.

Notes:

Elevation, rendered. Has "Athenaeum" "M.D.C.C.C.X.L." on facade of building in drawing.

Laverty title: Athenaeum of Philadelphia, 6th St. bel. Walnut, Philadelphia, Pa., competition entry.

Grieff (1979) John Notman, architect, documents three separate proposed projects for the Athenaeum before the building was constructed in 1845-47 according to John Notman's historic Italianate design. The first competition in 1840, for a building at 6th & Walnut Sts., is known to have included drawings by William Strickland & Thomas U. Walter, along with drawings by Notman. The second proposal, for a joint Athenaeum and Library Company Building on 5th & Library Sts., is also dated 1840, with drawings known only from Notman. In 1845 the Athenaeum purchased a site on the corner of Sixth & Adelphi (now St. James) Streets. Drawings for the 1845 building project are known to have been submitted by Richard A. Gilpin, John Haviland, Napoleon Le Brun (labelled O'Neill & Forsyth, Buildings), and John Notman.

Gilchrist (1950) William Strickland, architect and engineer, p.88, provides evidence of an even earlier joint library project which included the Athenaeum. She includes a reproduction of a drawing by Strickland for this project, ca. 1836, with Strickland's title "A Great Project for Sixth and Walnut Streets". His drawing is labelled with rooms for the Academy of National Sciences, Foreign Library, Law Academny, Mercantile Library, Pennsyvlania Library Company and the Athenaeum. Gilchrist cites Early proceedings for the American Philsophical Society, 1744-1838, which discusses the meetings of the Scientific and Literary Associations of Philadelphia committee working on this project. The Athenaeum also holds drawings by Thomas S. Stewart which have been identified by Roger Moss, architectural historian and Executive Director of the Athenaeum as proposal drawings for this same early joint project.

Forms part of: Athenaeum of Philadelphia. Athenaeum building competition collection.

Cited in:

Laverty, v.1, p.216, STR*002/001