Allen & Collens was an Americanarchitectural firm based inBoston. It was initially established by architectFrancis R. Allen in 1879. After two early partnerships he formed Allen & Collens in 1903 withCharles Collens. The firm was best known as the designers ofGothic Revival buildings, including theUnion Theological Seminary campus andRiverside Church in New York City. Allen and Collens died in 1931 and 1956, respectively, and the firm was continued by Collens' partner,Harold Buckley Willis, until his own death in 1962.
Architect Francis R. Allen established his Boston practice in 1879.[1] Circa 1880 he formed the partnership of Allen & Kenway with Welsh-born architect Herbert P. Kenway. Kenway had been trained inManchester and immigrated to the United States in 1874. Before joining Allen, he had worked for city architectGeorge A. Clough after briefly practicing inAuburn, Maine, where his works included theWilliam A. Robinson House.[2] Their work includedSonnenberg, theCanandaigua, New York, country house ofFrederick Ferris Thompson andMary Clark Thompson. The Thompsons attended the First Congregational Church in Canandaigua, where Allen's brother,Frederick Baylies Allen, was pastor. Mrs. Thompson would become a major client of the Allen firm.[3] In the late 1880s Kenway's health declined and he died in July 1890 while visiting Wales.[2] Allen continued independently until January 1897, when he formed the partnership of Allen & Vance withJoseph McArthur Vance, a former employee then practicing inPittsfield.[4] They designedLathrop House andDavison House atVassar College and in 1899 won acompetition to designWoman's Hospital inNew York City. Mrs. Thompson was a prominent supporter of the hospital. A change of site meant that their design was not built, but Allen was retained as architect and completed the project on a new site in 1906.[3]
In the meantime the Allen & Vance partnership had been dissolved, and in January 1903 Allen formed Allen & Collens with Charles Collens, an employee recently returned from theÉcole des Beaux-Arts inParis.[5] In 1925 Allen retired from the partnership.[1] About the same time J. Lawrence Berry andHarold Buckley Willis became partners, though the firm continued as Allen & Collens. Berry had worked for Allen at the turn of the century before opening his own office, though he frequently associated with the firm on individual projects, such as the Marlborough City Hall. His independent works included theNorth Hampton Library andSt. Luke's and St. Margaret's Church, the latter as a member of the firm of Berry & Davidson. He rejoined the firm sometime afterWorld War I.[6] Willis, a decorated veteran of the war, joined the firm in 1920.[7] Berry died in January 1931 followed by Allen in November.[8][1] The firm was renamed Allen, Collens & Willisc. 1934 when they were joined by architect Edward A. Hubbard, a former partner ofHenry Forbes Bigelow. In 1940 Willis, who had served with theAmerican Field Service during World War I, returned to service with that organization.[9] In his absence the firm was renamed Collens, Willis & Hubbard. After the war Willis returned and Hubbard was replaced by Carl A. Beckonert, the firm being renamed a final time to Collens, Willis & Beckonert. Collens died in September 1956,[10] followed by Willis in April 1962.[11] The firm was thereafter dissolved.
The work of Allen & Collens was greatly influenced by Collens'Beaux-Arts education. TheÉcole des Beaux-Arts curriculum centered plan and composition, with a strong emphasis onarchitectural history, as the foundational elements of design. The prevailing style of the Beaux-Arts wasNeoclassical, but in practice American students adapted Beaux-Arts principles to theGothic Revival style and regional vernacular styles, such as theColonial Revival style.[12]
Francis Richmond AllenFAIA (November 22, 1843 – November 7, 1931) was born in Boston to Frederick Deane Allen, adry goods merchant, and Mary Richmond Allen,née Baylies. He was educated at theBoston Latin School and atAmherst College, graduating from the latter in 1865. He then entered his father's dry goods business, Allen, Lane & Company.[1] In 1875, Allen married and bought a house lot on Fairfield Street in theBack Bay. He hired architectW. Whitney Lewis to design the house, which was completed in 1876.[22] This experience apparently triggered a career shift, and that year he left his father's business to enter theMassachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) architecture school.[1] After a year at MIT he spent another inParis, studying in theBeaux-Artsatelier ofJoseph Auguste Émile Vaudremer. Also studying in the Vaudremeratelier at the time was fellow BostonianArthur Rotch.[23] He returned to Boston in 1878 and worked forPeabody & Stearns before opening an office of his own in 1879.[1]
Charles CollensFAIAANA (October 14, 1873 – September 18, 1956) was born inNew York City to Charles Terry Collins and Mary Abby Collins,née Wood. Collens and his siblings used the "Collens" spelling of their surname. His father was a native ofHartford, Connecticut, and was Yale-educated pastor. In 1875 he was called toPlymouth Church inCleveland. His mother was a native ofPittsfield, Massachusetts. Collins died in 1883 and Mrs. Collins raised their children inNew Haven. Collens was educated atYale University, graduating in 1896. For the next year he worked as a private tutor, accompanying a family in Europe and Egypt. In 1897 he joined the Boston office ofPeabody & Stearns as a drafter. In 1900 he traveled to Paris and joined theatelier ofJean-Louis Pascal, and he was admitted to theÉcole des Beaux-Arts in September. He returned to Boston in April 1902 and joined Allen's office, and became Allen's partner in January 1903.[5][24]
Collens was married in 1903 to Margaret Winsor. They had three children, one son and two daughters.[24] Like Allen he was a Fellow of the AIA and was additionally an associate National Academician of theNational Academy of Design.[25] He was a member of the Society of Beaux-Arts Architects, the Boston Society of Architects, the Country Club, the St. Botolph Club, theUnion Club and theYale Club. He died in Boston at the age of 82.[24][10]
Funded byFrederick Ferris Thompson. After a fire Thompson Chemistry Laboratory was replaced by Allen & Collens in 1916.[28] All three now incorporated into the Science Center.
Originally designed in theQueen Anne style. A circa 1900 remodeling for Mrs. Thompson by Allen & Vance changed it to theTudor Revival style.[47]NRHP-listed.
A near total rebuilding of the church, originally completed in 1861 byAlexander Rice Esty. The only significant part of Esty's design to remain was the main facade. The first major ecclesiastical project completed by the Allen firm. A contributing resource to theNRHP-listedBack Bay Historic District.
1910 – Flatbush-Tompkins Congregational Church, 424 E 19th St,Brooklyn[59]
Designed by Allen & Collens, architects, with Louis E. Jallade, associate architect. Allen & Collens completed an adjacent parish house in 1925.[60] A contributing resource to theNRHP-listedDitmas Park Historic District.
Built as part ofWoodbourne, a model working-class neighborhood developed byRobert Winsor that never achieved its goals. Winsor was a first cousin of Collens' wife. A contributing resource to theNRHP-listedWoodbourne Historic District.
Designed by Lawson & Fordyce, architects, with Allen & Collens, consulting architects. Allen & Collens were chiefly responsible for the design. A CalgaryMunicipal Historic Resource.
Incorporating the tower of the former church, completed in 1885 to a design byHenry F. Kilburn and destroyed by fire in 1919. Allen & Collens designed the adjacent Skinner Memorial Chapel in 1912. A contributing resource to theNRHP-listedNorth High Street Historic District.
Sold to theCentral Presbyterian Church in 1928 as the Baptists were building their new home,Riverside Church. Designed by Allen & Collens and Henry C. Pelton, associated architects.
Designed by Robert Coit, architect, with Allen & Collens, associate architects. A contributing resource to theNRHP-listedWinchester Center Historic District.
This house incorporates extensive architectural salvage from English and American Colonial homes. Harold B. Willis, the principal designer, served with Buswell in theAmerican Field Service duringWorld War I. Buswell was a close friend and probable lover ofJohn Hays Hammond Jr., for whom Allen & Collens also builtHammond Castle in 1929.
This house incorporates a large amount of architectural ormanent salvaged by Hammond from Europe. It was designed principally by Harold B. Willis with input fromHenry Davis Sleeper. Hammond was a close friend and probable lover of Leslie Buswell, for whom Allen & Collens built Stillington Hall in 1925. Commonly known asHammond Castle.NRHP-listed.
The interior incorporates extensive architectural salvage from Europe. The exterior is modern in construction and based on the church atMonsempron-Libos inFrance.NRHP-listed, also aNew York City Landmark.
^Henry F. Withey and Elsie Rathburn Withey, "Berry, James Lawrence" inBiographical Dictionary of American Architects (Deceased) (Los Angeles: New Age Publishing Company, 1956): 54.
^"Willis, Harold Buckley" inAmerican Architects Directory (New York: R. R. Bowker Company, 1956): 609.
^Carlyle Hoyt, "Bostonians will sail for France next month,"The Boston Globe, December 27, 1939.
^ab"Charles Collens,"The Boston Globe, September 19, 1956.
^"Harold Buckley Willis,"The New York Times, April 19, 1962.
^Jean Paul Carlhian and Margot M. Ellis,Americans in Paris: Foundations of America's Architectural Gilded Age: Architecture Students at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts 1846–1946 (New York: Rizzoli, 2014): 18-83 and 112.
^abKeith N. Morgan, Richard M. Candee, Naomi Miller, Roger G. Reed and contributors,Buildings of Massachusetts: Metropolitan Boston, ed. Keith N. Morgan (Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2009): 484-485.
^"Aarnio, Reino" inAmerican Architects Directory, 2nd ed. (New York: R. R. Bowker Company, 1962): 1.
^"Chandler, H(enry) Daland" inAmerican Architects Directory, 1st ed. (New York: R. R. Bowker Company, 1956): 90.
^"Hall, Louise" inAmerican Architects Directory, 1st ed. (New York: R. R. Bowker Company, 1956): 221.
^"Nakpil, Juan F(elipe)" inAmerican Architects Directory, 1st ed. (New York: R. R. Bowker Company, 1956): 400.
^"Roth, Richard" inAmerican Architects Directory, 1st ed. (New York: R. R. Bowker Company, 1956): 474.
^"20 Fairfield," Back Bay Houses, no date. Accessed November 13, 2024.
^Harry L. Katz,A Continental Eye: The Art and Architecture of Arthur Rotch (Boston: Boston Athenaeum, 1985): 42.
^Keith N. Morgan, Richard M. Candee, Naomi Miller, Roger G. Reed and contributors,Buildings of Massachusetts: Metropolitan Boston, ed. Keith N. Morgan (Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2009): 233.
^"344 Beacon," Back Bay Houses, no date. Accessed November 14, 2024.
^abKeith N. Morgan, Richard M. Candee, Naomi Miller, Roger G. Reed and contributors,Buildings of Massachusetts: Metropolitan Boston, ed. Keith N. Morgan (Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2009): 170.
^"269 Commonwealth," Back Bay Houses, no date. Accessed November 14, 2024.
^Arnold Lewis,American Country Houses of the Gilded Age (Mineola: Dover Publications, 1982)
^"330 Beacon," Back Bay Houses, no date. Accessed November 14, 2024.
^"386 Marlborough," Back Bay Houses, no date. Accessed November 14, 2024.
^Keith N. Morgan, Richard M. Candee, Naomi Miller, Roger G. Reed and contributors,Buildings of Massachusetts: Metropolitan Boston, ed. Keith N. Morgan (Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2009): 489.
^"291 Commonwealth," Back Bay Houses, no date. Accessed November 14, 2024.
^"282 Commonwealth," Back Bay Houses, no date. Accessed November 14, 2024.
^"348 Commonwealth," Back Bay Houses, no date. Accessed November 14, 2024.
^"408 Beacon," Back Bay Houses, no date. Accessed November 14, 2024.
^Eben Burt Parsons, "Williams College" inHistory of Higher Education in Massachusetts (Washington: Government Printing Office, 1891): 225-235.
^Keith N. Morgan, Richard M. Candee, Naomi Miller, Roger G. Reed and contributors,Buildings of Massachusetts: Metropolitan Boston, ed. Keith N. Morgan (Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2009): 141.
^abKeith N. Morgan, Richard M. Candee, Naomi Miller, Roger G. Reed and contributors,Buildings of Massachusetts: Metropolitan Boston, ed. Keith N. Morgan (Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2009): 154.
^"Public Buildings,"Engineering Record 37, no. 25 (May 21 1898): 552.
^Keith N. Morgan, Richard M. Candee, Naomi Miller, Roger G. Reed and contributors,Buildings of Massachusetts: Metropolitan Boston, ed. Keith N. Morgan (Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2009): 266.
^"Cornerstone laid for Lawrence Free Hospital,"The Day, February 25, 1911.
^"Allen, Francis Richmond," dictionaryofarchitectsincanada.org, Biographical Dictionary of Architects in Canada, 1800-1950, n. d. Accessed May 12 2021.
^Ocean Drive Historic District NRHP Inventory-Nomination Form (1976)
^Glenn M. Andres and Curtis B. Johnson,Buildings of Vermont (Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2013)
^Keith N. Morgan, Richard M. Candee, Naomi Miller, Roger G. Reed and contributors,Buildings of Massachusetts: Metropolitan Boston, ed. Keith N. Morgan (Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2009): 525.
^Patricia McGraw Anderson,The Architecture of Bowdoin College (Brunswick: Bowdoin College Museum of Art, 1988): 95-96.
^Patricia McGraw Anderson,The Architecture of Bowdoin College (Brunswick: Bowdoin College Museum of Art, 1988): 53-55.
^"Charity society approves chest,"The Hartford Courant, June 20, 1924.
^Keith N. Morgan, Richard M. Candee, Naomi Miller, Roger G. Reed and contributors,Buildings of Massachusetts: Metropolitan Boston, ed. Keith N. Morgan (Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2009): 412.
^Harold Stark, "'Stillington,' estate of Leslie Buswell, Esq., Gloucester, Mass." inThe Architectural Forum 42, no. 2 (May 1925): 307-312.
^abJames F. O'Gorman, "Twentieth-century Gothick: the Hammond Castle Museum in Gloucester and its antecedents" inEssex Institute Historical Collections 117, no. 2 (April 1981): 81-104.
^"Parish house to be erected,"The Daily Argus, July 17, 1930.
^Keith N. Morgan, Richard M. Candee, Naomi Miller, Roger G. Reed and contributors,Buildings of Massachusetts: Metropolitan Boston, ed. Keith N. Morgan (Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2009): 499.
^ab"New tower for Old South Church,"The Boston Globe, December 25,1936.
^"Architects File Plans For the New Cloisters".The New York Times. April 6, 1935.("Plans of the Cloisters Building ... were filed yesterday by Allen, Collens & Williams, the architects.")
^ab"Willis, Harold Buckley" inAmerican Architects Directory, 2nd ed. (New York: R. R. Bowker Company, 1962): 766.
^"Sanctuary dedicated at Cambridge,"The Boston Globe, November 3, 1941.
^"Ground broken by Dr. Limbert for dormitory,"The Springfield Union, July 21, 1950.
^Keith N. Morgan, Richard M. Candee, Naomi Miller, Roger G. Reed and contributors,Buildings of Massachusetts: Metropolitan Boston, ed. Keith N. Morgan (Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2009): 396-397.
^"Trinity will dedicate Downes Clock Tower,"The Hartford Courant, November 7, 1958.
^Trinity College Long Walk Historic District NRHP Registration Form (2024)
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