[Joint library building and conservatory, 6th & Walnut Sts., Philadelphia, Pa.] [graphic] / Thomas S. Stewart, architect.

Format:

Image

Author/Creator:

Stewart, Thomas S., 1806-1889.

Contributor:

Scientific & Literary Associations of Philadelphia. Building Committee.

Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia.

American Philosophical Society.

Athenaeum of Philadelphia.

Foreign Library.

Library Company of Philadelphia.

Mercantile Library.

Visual Materials Collection (Athenaeum of Philadelphia)

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

libraries (buildings)--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia.

Research libraries--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia.

6th & Walnut St. (Washington Square, Philadelphia, Pa.).

Scientific & Literary Associations Library Building (Philadelphia, Pa.)--1834-1836.

Athenaeum of Philadelphia (Washington Square, Philadelphia, Pa.)--1834-1836.

Local Subjects:

6th & Walnut St. (Washington Square, Philadelphia, Pa.).

Scientific & Literary Associations Library Building (Philadelphia, Pa.)--1834-1836.

Athenaeum of Philadelphia (Washington Square, Philadelphia, Pa.)--1834-1836.

Physical Description:

2 drawings : ink & wash on paper ; 62.5 x 94 cm. or smaller

Contained In:

Athenaeum of Philadelphia. Athenaeum building competition collection.

Other Title:

Athenaeum of Philadelphia, 6th & Walnut Sts., Philadelphia, Pa., Competition entry.

Place of Publication:

ca. 1834-1836.

Notes:

Title devised by cataloger from new evidence & visual evidence. Laverty title: Athenaeum of Philadelphia, 6th & Walnut Sts., Philadelphia, Pa. Competition entry.

These drawings are identified by Roger Moss, architectural historian and Executive Director of the Athenaeum, in his unpublished manuscript Philadelphia Victorian. As identified they are not strictly drawings for the Athenaeum building. They are precursors in the evolving process which may be dated from around 1834 to the completion of the building on 6th & Adelphi (now St. James St.) in 1847. Moss believes these Stewart drawings to be for a joint building for the Scientific and Literary Associations of Philadelphia. This organization is identified in Gilchrist (1950) William Strickland, architect and engineer, p. 88, from Early proceedings of the American Philosophical Society, 1744-1838. Gilchrist documents William Stickland's drawing for this building, called by Strickland "A Great Project for Sixth and Walnut Streets". Strickland's drawing shows rooms for the Academy of Natural Sciences, Foreign Library, Law Academy, Mercantile Library, Pennsylvania Library Company and the Athenaeum. The Stewart drawings represented in this record are clearly marked as his and show a much larger building than would have been suggested for the Athenaeum alone. Stewart's plan shows seven spaces, six of which are marked as "Library", with specifications for numbers of vols., or engravings, or periodicals, or maps for this space. There are 5 separate portico entrances, as well as three entrances from the rear conservatory walkways.

Strickland prepared drawings for the first formal competition for the Athenaeum Building, 1839-1840, located at the Athenaeum & cataloged separately. No later drawings for Stewart are known. A reprise of the joint library idea is shown in the 1840 drawings by John Notman for the Design for junction of Athenaeum [of Philadelphia] & Library [Company], cataloged separately.

No date is given on the Stewart drawings. Gilchrist dates Stricklands drawing for the joint library building as 1834. Moss suggests these might be later, ca. 1836.

This set includes drawings STW*001*001 & *002, a rendered facade and a first floor plan. Two other detail drawings for the facade of this building, identified visually, are located at the Athenaeum as part of the Thomas C. Stewart gift of Architectural drawings & papers of Thomas Somerville Stewart, cataloged separately.

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

Cited in:

Laverty, v.1, p.215, STW*001/004 [sic STW*001*001-002]