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Holding Information

Collection: Thomas Ustick Walter Collection

Institution: Athenaeum of Philadelphia

MARC Description:
This drawing is item WTU*003*001 of four drawings identified with theGirard project in Laverty (1986). New research, documented in Laverty (1994) "Girard College architectural drawings catalog", indicates that this 1832 drawing is one of five known drawings identified for Walter's competition entry for the Girard project. The other four known drawings are at the Archives at Girard College. Walter's written competition submission, located in the Athenaeum's Walter Archives, is dated Dec. 31, 1832, and includes notes on seven "Plates". Additionally "I have thrown the whole establishment, as represented by the aforementioned drawings, into perspective, and have given it the appearance the buildings would present from the Ridge Road, when completed." It is believed this statement of Walter's refers to an eighth "Plate", and the drawing cataloged here, which shows a perspective rendering of the main building and outbuildings of equal massing. This suggests that three competition drawings have yet to be located & documented. According to Walter's description of the plates, the missing plates are: Plate 3, Plan of the first or basement story, Plate 6, Back elevation [suggested also as a cheaper front elevation], and Plate 7, Longitudinal section exhibiting the arching of the large rooms. Laverty's catalog (1994) lists 20 other known competitors including Walter's teacher, William Strickland. Notes on their designs appear in the Walter archives, along with those of Walter cited above. Items WTU*003*002 & *004 listed in Laverty (1986) are now identified as drawings of the building as constructed, cataloged separately. Item *003*003 is no longer believed to be a drawing for Girard College, as the dimensions & stair layout for this 1842 drawing do not correspond to the building as built. Extensive notes on the Girard project, including diary & account book entries, notes on competitor's drawings, and the Girard College contract, are included in the Walter archives. From these documents it is determined that the main building, known as Founder's Hall, was finally completed in 1847, though not a conceived in the drawing cataloged here. Between Feb. & Apr. of 1833, Nicholas Biddle, as a member of the building committee, worked with Walter to influence the final design of the main building, according to his "pure" aesthetic tastes. The outbuildings were constructed around 1845, and were simple brick structures. Walter, as quoted above, notes the orientation of the buildings to Ridge Road. As built, the buildings were oriented at the same site to Girard Ave., with Corinthian as the cross street. Drawing WTU*003*001 is reproduced on the back cover of the Athenaeum publication "Girard College Architectural Collections" (1994). This publication includes a brief description of the Competition, and the specifications in the Will of Stephen Girard, whose bequest provided for the endowment of the college & the construction of the buildings. Believed to have been mounted on a stretcher, by Walter or a contemporary, this item shows side and bottom "flaps", which have been reattached where torn. The bottom flap has the title "Design for Girard College".

Quantity: 1 drawing : ink & watercolor wash on paper ; 15.5 x 34 cm.

Local Call: WTU*003*001

RLIN: PAPV95-F743

Item dates: 1832

Holding types: Drawings

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Documented Projects

• Founder's Hall
  Client: Girard College
   

Documented Architects, Engineers, and Others

• Walter, Thomas Ustick (1804-1887) (Architect)

Location

Girard Ave. near RIDGE AVE, and CORINTHIAN AVE
Philadelphia, PA

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Image Gallery

[Girard College, original design] Original Design (T. U. Walter, Architect, 12/4/1832) Thomas Ustick Walter Collection, Athenaeum of Philadelphia. Local ID #: WTU*003*001

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