Addison G. Pulsifer

Addison G. Pulsifer
Born	Addison Gilbert Pulsifer December 11, 1874 Auburn, Maine, US
Died	January 4, 1945 (aged 71) Auburn, Maine, US
Occupation	Architect
Practice	Gibbs & Pulsifer; Pulsifer & Eye

The Horatio G. Foss house in Auburn, built in 1914.

The Mann Memorial Library in West Paris, completed in 1926.

The John D. Clifford house in Lewiston, built in 1926.

Addison Gilbert Pulsifer (December 11, 1874 – January 4, 1945) was an American architect practicing in Lewiston, Maine.[1]

Life and career

Pulsifer was born in 1874 in Auburn, Maine, to Haley A. Pulsifer and Lenora A. (Perno) Pulsifer. He was educated in the Auburn public schools, graduating from Edward Little High School in 1896. He then joined the office of Coombs, Gibbs & Wilkinson, Lewiston architects. After ten years he went to Worcester, Massachusetts, where he worked for architects Frost, Briggs & Chamberlain and contractors Norcross Brothers.[1] In 1910 his former employer, Eugene J. Gibbs, called him back to Lewiston, where they formed the partnership of Gibbs & Pulsifer. Gibbs retired in 1927, and Pulsifer formed the new firm of Pulsifer & Eye with Harold M. Eye. They dissolved their partnership in the mid-30s, after which Pulsifer practiced independently in Lewiston.[2][3]

Personal life

Pulsifer was married in 1901 to Mildred M. Lyceth of Auburn, and they had one son. He lived in Auburn.[2]

Legacy

At least four buildings designed by Pulsifer and his partners have been listed on the United States National Register of Historic Places, and others contribute to listed historic districts.

Architectural works

• Eastport Primary School, Boynton St, Eastport, Maine (1913)[4]
• Kimball Hall, Washington State Normal School, Machias, Maine (1913, demolished)[5][6]
• Horatio G. Foss house,[a] 19 Elm St, Auburn, Maine (1914, NRHP 1976)[7]
• Frank M. Coffey house, 25 Webster St, Lewiston, Maine (1916)[8]
• Ralph W. Crockett house,[b] 443 Main St, Lewiston, Maine (1916)[9]
• Daniel J. McGillicuddy apartments, 84 Lisbon St, Lewiston, Maine (1918)[10]
• Androscoggin Electric Company Building, 134 Main St, Lewiston, Maine (1919)[11]
• Nurses' Home, Central Maine Medical Center, Hammond St, Lewiston, Maine (1921)[12]
• Association Building, 1719 Main St, South Paris, Maine (1922)[13]
• St. Cyril and St. Methodius Church, 51 Main St, Lisbon Falls, Maine (1923–26, NRHP 1977)[14]
• Arthur L. Mann Memorial Library, 226 Main St, West Paris, Maine (1925–26, NRHP 1988)[15]
• John D. Clifford house, 14 Ware St, Lewiston, Maine (1926, NRHP 1987)[16]
• Wade & Dunton Motors Building, 10 Oak St, Lewiston, Maine (1929)[17]
• Morse Memorial School, 27 School St, Brooks, Maine (1931)[18]
• Singer Building, 177 Main St, Lewiston, Maine (1934)[19]

Notes

1. A contributing property to the Main Street Historic District, NRHP-listed in 1989.
2. A contributing property to the Main Street–Frye Street Historic District, NRHP-listed in 2009.

References

1. Soutar, Arch (January 4, 1945). "Addison G. Pulsifer, Auburn Architect Dies after Long Illness; Well Known in Maine". Sun-Journal. p. 1. Retrieved April 15, 2024.
2. "Addison G. Pulsifer" in Maine: Resources, Attractions and People 3, ed. Harrie B. Coe (New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1928): 267.
3. "Organize Firm of Pulsifer and Eye". Lewiston (ME) Evening Journal 9 July 1927: 7.
4. American Contractor 12 July 1913: 20.
5. American Contractor 13 Sept. 1913: 54.
6. Billings, Johanna S. "UMM may tear down century-old Kimball Hall". http://bangordailynews.com/. 4 Nov. 2015.
7. Main Street Historic District NRHP Nomination. 1989.
8. American Contractor 24 June 1916: 71.
9. Main Street-Frye Street Historic District NRHP Nomination. 2008.
10. American Contractor 17 Aug. 1918: 49.
11. American Contractor 16 Aug. 1919: 54.
12. American Architect 20 April 1921: 10.
13. American Contractor 31 Dec. 1921: 53.
14. St. Cyril and St. Methodius Church NRHP Nomination. 1977.
15. Arthur L. Mann Memorial Library NRHP Nomination. 1988.
16. John D. Clifford House NRHP Nomination. 1987.
17. American Machinist Dec. 1929: 74.
18. Sketches of Brooks History. 1935.
19. Thompson, Deborah. Maine Forms of American Architecture. 1976.