Solon Spencer Beman (1853-1914)
Spencer Solon Beman (1887-1952)
Solon S. Beman and Spencer S. Beman Collection
INV-2621
Solon Spencer Beman (1853-1914)
Spencer Solon Beman (1887-1952)1892-1985
Solon S. Beman and Spencer S. Beman Collection
Solon Spencer Beman (1853-1914) Spencer Solon Beman (1887-1952) →archival material
Date
1892-1985
Medium
Printed papers, a scrapbook, black and white photographic prints, black and white photomechanical prints, architectural reprographic prints and realia.
Dimensions
1 box, 3 portfolios, 4 oversize portfolios, flatfile materials, and 1 rolled tube: W.: 15.3 cm (6 in.)
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Location
Chicago, IL
Credit
Largely unknown. Additonal gifts of Kerry Vautrot, 2007; Hasbrouck, 2011; First Church of Christ, Scientist, Toronto, 2013; Michael Dixon, n.d.; Jackie Griffith, 2016; and J. Abendschien, n.d.
After working for architect Richard Upjohn in New York, Solon Spencer Beman (1853–1914) moved to Chicago in 1879 to design the model company town of Pullman, Illinois, for railcar magnate George Pullman. Beman remained in Chicago, receiving commissions to design the company town of Ivorydale, Ohio and public and commercial buildings in the midwest. Through his designs for several buildings at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago, Beman developed a long-standing relationship with the Christian Science Church, bringing a classical architectural vocabulary to Christian Science churches across the United States. Solon’s son, Spencer (1887–1952), practiced in partnership with his father until Solon’s death. Spencer continued to design Christian Science for several decades, but introduced Georgian and Colonial architectural influences. Spencer was also the architect of numerous Tudor and French Revival-style residences in Chicago’s North Shore communities. This collection includes a scrapbook of Solon and Spencer’s architectural designs—including advertisements, photographs, and published articles—and photographs of Spencer’s religious and residential designs.
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Also notable
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Anchor Plate from the Pullman-Jennings Building, Chicago, Illinois
Solon Spencer Beman American, 1853-1914
T.B. Blackstone Memorial Library, Chicago, Illinois, East Elevation
Solon Spencer Beman American, 1853-1914
T.B. Blackstone Memorial Library, Chicago, Illinois, Main Floor Plan
Solon Spencer Beman American, 1853–1914
F.H. McNabb House, Winnetka, Illinois, Working Drawing
Spencer S. Beman American, 1887-1952