Harry E. Donnell
Encyclopedia
Harry Ellingwood Donnell (May 2, 1867 – February 25, 1959) was an American Beaux-Arts architect, who designed many commercial and residential structures in New York City and Long Island
between 1894 and 1915.
, his family moving to New York City in 1875. Harry was graduated from City College of New York
in 1886 and the Columbia School of Mines in 1887. In 1890 he was hired by the architect Richard Morris Hunt
as the superintending architect for the construction of the U.S. Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C. He attended the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris
, entering Delgane in 1893 and returning to the United States in 1894. In 1895, he joined with another Beaux-Arts architect, Francis Kimball
. Their firm designed many building in lower Manhattan including 111 Fifth Avenue, and the Brunswick Building at 225 Fifth Avenue. From 1900 to 1915, Donnell designed numerous residential homes on the North Shore of Long Island
including community libraries such as the Carnegie Library
in Northport, New York
.
In 1915, his father-in-law, George Hazard Robinson, who was a well known New York City financier, offered Donnell the opportunity to own and manage one of Robinson's companies; the S.S. Hepworth Machine Company. Hepworth was the largest manufacturer of rotating milling machines for the sugar cane industry, and located in Long Island City, New York. Donnell spent the remainder of his life as the Chief Executive Officer of Hepworth only utilizing his skills as an architect as a past-time.
Harry Donnell was married to Ruth Attmore Robinson (1870–1949), and together they lived in New York City but also maintained a country home on 200 acre (0.809372 km²) on Eatons Neck, NY known as "The Hill."
In 1927, the estate was subdivided into 3 and 4 acres (16,187.4 m²) parcels, and the Eaton Harbors Corporation
was formed to own and maintain the private roads and bathing beaches for the common use of new owners. Donnell served as President of the corporation from 1927 to 1950.
From 1907 to 1921, Harry Donnell served as sole trustee of the Eaton's Neck School District. The District was merged with other surrounding school districts to form the Northport-East Northport Union Free School District
in 1922.
On February 25, 1959 he died in New York City.
Long Island
Long Island is an island located in the southeast part of the U.S. state of New York, just east of Manhattan. Stretching northeast into the Atlantic Ocean, Long Island contains four counties, two of which are boroughs of New York City , and two of which are mainly suburban...
between 1894 and 1915.
Life
Harry E. Donnell (don-Nell) was born on May 2, 1867 in Portland, MainePortland, Maine
Portland is the largest city in Maine and is the county seat of Cumberland County. The 2010 city population was 66,194, growing 3 percent since the census of 2000...
, his family moving to New York City in 1875. Harry was graduated from City College of New York
City College of New York
The City College of the City University of New York is a senior college of the City University of New York , in New York City. It is also the oldest of the City University's twenty-three institutions of higher learning...
in 1886 and the Columbia School of Mines in 1887. In 1890 he was hired by the architect Richard Morris Hunt
Richard Morris Hunt
Richard Morris Hunt was an American architect of the nineteenth century and a preeminent figure in the history of American architecture...
as the superintending architect for the construction of the U.S. Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C. He attended the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris
École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts
The École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-arts is the distinguished National School of Fine Arts in Paris, France.The École des Beaux-arts is made up of a vast complex of buildings located at 14 rue Bonaparte, between the quai Malaquais and the rue Bonaparte, in the heart of Saint-Germain-des-Près,...
, entering Delgane in 1893 and returning to the United States in 1894. In 1895, he joined with another Beaux-Arts architect, Francis Kimball
Francis Kimball
Francis Hatch Kimball was an American architect practicing in New York City, best known for his work on skyscrapers in lower Manhattan and terra-cotta ornamentation. He was an associate with the firm Kimball & Thompson.-Life:...
. Their firm designed many building in lower Manhattan including 111 Fifth Avenue, and the Brunswick Building at 225 Fifth Avenue. From 1900 to 1915, Donnell designed numerous residential homes on the North Shore of Long Island
Long Island
Long Island is an island located in the southeast part of the U.S. state of New York, just east of Manhattan. Stretching northeast into the Atlantic Ocean, Long Island contains four counties, two of which are boroughs of New York City , and two of which are mainly suburban...
including community libraries such as the Carnegie Library
Carnegie Library
Carnegie Library, Carnegie Public Library, Carnegie Free Library, Carnegie Free Public Library, Andrew Carnegie Library, Andrew Carnegie Free Library or Carnegie Library Building may refer to any of the following Carnegie libraries:- California :*Carnegie Library , listed on the National Register...
in Northport, New York
Northport, New York
Northport is a village in Suffolk County, New York on the North Shore of Long Island. As of the United States 2000 Census, the village population was 7,606. Students attend the Northport-East Northport Union Free School District....
.
In 1915, his father-in-law, George Hazard Robinson, who was a well known New York City financier, offered Donnell the opportunity to own and manage one of Robinson's companies; the S.S. Hepworth Machine Company. Hepworth was the largest manufacturer of rotating milling machines for the sugar cane industry, and located in Long Island City, New York. Donnell spent the remainder of his life as the Chief Executive Officer of Hepworth only utilizing his skills as an architect as a past-time.
Harry Donnell was married to Ruth Attmore Robinson (1870–1949), and together they lived in New York City but also maintained a country home on 200 acre (0.809372 km²) on Eatons Neck, NY known as "The Hill."
Harry E. Donnell House
The Harry E. Donnell House, also known as The Hill, is a historic 33-room Tudor mansion located on the north shore of Long Island, at 71 Locust Lane, Eatons Neck, Suffolk County, New York. The mansion was designed by prominent New York City architect Harry E. Donnell for his wife, Ruth Robinson...
In 1927, the estate was subdivided into 3 and 4 acres (16,187.4 m²) parcels, and the Eaton Harbors Corporation
Eaton Harbors Corporation
The Eaton Harbors Corporation is a New York business corporation created in 1927 by the heirs of Cornelius H. DeLamater to hold title to and maintain approximately of private roads and beaches located in Eatons Neck, New York...
was formed to own and maintain the private roads and bathing beaches for the common use of new owners. Donnell served as President of the corporation from 1927 to 1950.
From 1907 to 1921, Harry Donnell served as sole trustee of the Eaton's Neck School District. The District was merged with other surrounding school districts to form the Northport-East Northport Union Free School District
Northport-East Northport Union Free School District
Northport-East Northport Union Free School District is a school district in New York.-History:In 1922 the East Northport and Eatons Neck districts united with Northport, forming the Northport-East Northport Union Free School District, and in 1924, a new building opened on Laurel Avenue. It was...
in 1922.
On February 25, 1959 he died in New York City.
See also
- The Grand MadisonThe Grand MadisonThe Grand Madison, originally the Brunswick Building, is a landmarked historic building located at 225 Fifth Avenue in New York City, on 26th Street between Fifth Avenue and Madison Avenue, on the north side of Madison Square Park...
- Harry E. Donnell HouseHarry E. Donnell HouseThe Harry E. Donnell House, also known as The Hill, is a historic 33-room Tudor mansion located on the north shore of Long Island, at 71 Locust Lane, Eatons Neck, Suffolk County, New York. The mansion was designed by prominent New York City architect Harry E. Donnell for his wife, Ruth Robinson...
- Francis KimballFrancis KimballFrancis Hatch Kimball was an American architect practicing in New York City, best known for his work on skyscrapers in lower Manhattan and terra-cotta ornamentation. He was an associate with the firm Kimball & Thompson.-Life:...
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Suffolk County, New York
- The Crest (Huntington, New York)The Crest (Huntington, New York)The Crest is a historic house on Eatons Neck in Suffolk County, New York. Although on the land mass of Eatons Neck, the house today is within the jurisdiction of the Incorporated Village of Asharoken. According to the National Register of Historic Places, on which the house is listed, it has also...