Paul J. Pelz
Encyclopedia
Paul Johannes Pelz was a German-American architect. He is best known as architect of the main building
of the Library of Congress
.
). From 1854, he was educated in Breslau, Germany, at the colleges of St. Elizabeth and Holy Spirit. In 1858, he emigrated to New York, where he served as apprentice to architect Detlef Lienau
.
In 1864, he was employed as chief draftsman at a New York architectural firm. In 1866, he became a member of the American Institute of Architects
. In 1867, he was engaged as a civil engineer for the United States Lighthouse Board
, where from 1872 to 1877 he served as chief draftsman.
In 1873, he and John L. Smithmeyer won first prize for the architectural plans for the Library of Congress. In 1892, they submitted their final plans for the building.
In 1895, he married Mary Eastbourne Ritter Meem (1849–1914). On 30 March 1918, he died in Washington, D.C.
Thomas Jefferson Building
The oldest of the three United States Library of Congress buildings, the Thomas Jefferson Building was built between 1890 and 1897. It is known for its classicizing facade and elaborately decorated interior. John L. Smithmeyer and Paul J...
of the Library of Congress
Library of Congress
The Library of Congress is the research library of the United States Congress, de facto national library of the United States, and the oldest federal cultural institution in the United States. Located in three buildings in Washington, D.C., it is the largest library in the world by shelf space and...
.
Life and career
Paul J. Pelz was born 18 November 1841 in Seitendorf, Waldenburg, Silesia (now part of GermanyGermany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
). From 1854, he was educated in Breslau, Germany, at the colleges of St. Elizabeth and Holy Spirit. In 1858, he emigrated to New York, where he served as apprentice to architect Detlef Lienau
Detlef Lienau
Detlef Lienau was a German architect born in Holstein. He is credited with having introduced the French style to American building construction, notably the mansard roof and all its decorative flourishes...
.
In 1864, he was employed as chief draftsman at a New York architectural firm. In 1866, he became a member of the American Institute of Architects
American Institute of Architects
The American Institute of Architects is a professional organization for architects in the United States. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the AIA offers education, government advocacy, community redevelopment, and public outreach to support the architecture profession and improve its public image...
. In 1867, he was engaged as a civil engineer for the United States Lighthouse Board
United States Lighthouse Board
The United States Lighthouse Board was the agency of the US Federal Government that was responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of all lighthouses in the United States...
, where from 1872 to 1877 he served as chief draftsman.
In 1873, he and John L. Smithmeyer won first prize for the architectural plans for the Library of Congress. In 1892, they submitted their final plans for the building.
In 1895, he married Mary Eastbourne Ritter Meem (1849–1914). On 30 March 1918, he died in Washington, D.C.
Lighthouses
- Hereford Inlet Light (1874), New Jersey
- Point Fermin LightPoint Fermin Light-History:The original fourth order Fresnel lens was removed in 1942 and a wood replica lantern was installed in 1974. The lighthouse was saved from demolition in 1972 and refurbished in 1974, and a new lantern room and gallery were built by local preservationists...
, California - East Brother, California
- Mare Island, California
- Point HuenemePoint Hueneme LightPoint Hueneme Lighthouse is a lighthouse on the southeast entrance to the Santa Barbara Channel, in Ventura County, California-History:thumb|left|Original 1874 Lighthouse, [[USCG]] photo...
(since replaced), California - Point Adams, Washington State
- St. Augustine Lighthouse (1871), Florida
Other
- Healy HallHealy HallHealy Hall is the historic flagship building at the main campus of Georgetown University. The building was listed on DC Inventory of Historic Sites in 1964, on the National Register of Historic Places on May 25, 1971, and as a National Historic Landmark on December 23, 1987.-History:The building...
, Georgetown UniversityGeorgetown UniversityGeorgetown University is a private, Jesuit, research university whose main campus is in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Founded in 1789, it is the oldest Catholic university in the United States...
(1877-1879) with John L. Smithmeyer - The University of Virginia Hospital, 1901
- Grace Reformed Church (Washington DC)Grace Reformed Church (Washington DC)Grace Reformed Church is a historic church located at 1405 15th Street in NW Washington, DC.The church, originally organized as a Reformed Church in the United States congregation, is now affiliated with the United Church of Christ...
(1892-1903) with A.A. Ritcher - Randall Hall, the University of Virginia (1898-1899)
- First African New ChurchFirst African New ChurchFirst African New Church is a historic church in northwest Washington, DC....
, Washington, DC - Thomas Jefferson BuildingThomas Jefferson BuildingThe oldest of the three United States Library of Congress buildings, the Thomas Jefferson Building was built between 1890 and 1897. It is known for its classicizing facade and elaborately decorated interior. John L. Smithmeyer and Paul J...
, Library of Congress (1897), Washington, DC, with John L. Smithmeyer - Allegheny Regional Branch, Carnegie Library of PittsburghCarnegie Free Library of AlleghenyThe Carnegie Free Library of Allegheny is situated in the Allegheny Center neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Donated to the public by entrepreneur Andrew Carnegie and built in 1889, it was the second Carnegie library in the United States...
- General Winfield Scott Hancock Memorial, Washington, D.C., with sculptor Henry Jackson Ellicott (1896)
- Cooper Lewis Condominiums, Washington, DC
- Gatehouse, Antietam National Cemetery, Sharpsburg, Maryland
- Chamberlain Hotel, Fort Monroe, Virginia
- Government Hospital Buildings, Hot Springs, ArkansasHot Springs, ArkansasHot Springs is the 10th most populous city in the U.S. state of Arkansas, the county seat of Garland County, and the principal city of the Hot Springs Metropolitan Statistical Area encompassing all of Garland County...