Guy KirkhamFAIA (November 13, 1864 – August 3, 1935) was an American architect in practice in Springfield, Massachusetts, from 1892 until his retirement in 1932. From 1904 until his retirement he was senior partner of the firm of Kirkham & Parlett.
Life and career
Guy Kirkham was born November 13, 1864 in, Springfield, Massachusetts, to William Kirkham Jr., a jeweler, and Harriet Newell Kirkham, née Merriam. His maternal grandfather was Charles Merriam, a founder in 1831 of what is today Merriam-Webster.[1][2] His father died when he was young, and when he was about thirteen his mother remarried to Charles D. Hosley, another jeweler.[3]
Kirkham was educated in the Springfield public schools and at St. Paul's School before entering the Massachusetts Institute of Technology as a special student in architecture, studying with the class of 1887. He worked for Gilbert & Taylor in St. Paul from 1886 to 1888, for Renwick, Aspinwall & Russell in New York City from 1888 to 1890 and for Gardner, Pyne & Gardner in Springfield from 1890 to 1892, excepting much of the year 1890–91, which he spent traveling in Europe. In 1892 he opened an office of his own in Springfield.[1] He was a sole practitioner until 1904, when he formed the partnership of Kirkham & Parlett with architect Edwin J. Parlett.[a] Kirkham and Kirkham & Parlett developed a large practice in western Massachusetts. They designed many large public and private buildings, most notably the High School of Commerce, completed in 1915, and the headquarters of the Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company, completed in 1926. Parlett died in April 1931,[4] and Kirkham retired in 1932.[5][2]
In 1928 Kirkham was appointed to the Springfield park commission by mayor Fordis C. Parker. He was reappointed in 1929 and was elected chairman in 1930, making him an ex officio member of the planning board.[2] He served until 1934, when he declined reappointment.[6]
In 1897 Kirkham joined the American Institute of Architects (AIA) as a Fellow. He was the first AIA Fellow from the Springfield area. He was a member of several social and fraternal organizations in Springfield and was involved in local philanthropic causes.[2]
Personal life
Kirkham was married in 1892 to Grace Freeman Dwight of Springfield. Her grandfather, George Dwight, was a rifle manufacturer who served as the last civilian superintendent of the Springfield Armory. He is credited with successfully ramping up rifle production at the start of the American Civil War.[2][7]
Kirkham had one son and three daughters.[2] They lived in the McKnight neighborhood of Springfield, in two successive houses designed by Kirkham. The first was built in 1892 and designed in the Shingle Style, the second in 1909 in the Arts and Crafts style.[8] He was a parishioner of the Church of the Unity, the building of which was the first completed work of architect H. H. Richardson.[2]
Kirkham died August 3, 1935, in Springfield at the age of 70..[2]
Legacy
After Kirkham's retirement, Kirkham & Parlett was continued by Charles E. Hamilton, an associate since 1928, under his own name.[5] Hamilton died in December 1944 and did not leave a professional successor.[9]
At least one of Kirkham's works has been listed on the United States National Register of Historic Places, and others contribute to listed historic districts.
^Parlett came to Springfield in 1893 as representative of Bruce Price to superintend the construction of the house of Daniel B. Wesson. After completion of the house Parlett practiced independently in Springfield until forming his partnership with Kirkham.
^Designed for Kirkham's mother and stepfather while he was working for Renwick, Aspinwall & Russell.
^Originally completed in 1876 and designed by Lord, Fuller & Wadlin. The tower began to fail soon thereafter and was demolished. A contributing resource to the Quadrangle–Mattoon Street Historic District, NRHP-listed in 1974.
