Charles M. Robinson (architect) explained

Charles M. Robinson
Birth Date:1867 3, mf=yes
Birth Place:Hamilton, Virginia
Death Place:Norfolk, Virginia
Significant Buildings:Newport News Public Library, Thomas Jefferson High School
Significant Projects:Master plans for James Madison University and Radford University

Charles Morrison Robinson (March 3, 1867 – August 20, 1932), most commonly known as Charles M. Robinson, was an American architect. He worked in Altoona and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from 1889 to 1906 and in Richmond, Virginia from 1906 until the time of his death in 1932. He is most remembered as a prolific designer of educational buildings in Virginia, including public schools in Richmond and throughout Virginia, and university buildings for James Madison University, College of William and Mary, Radford University, Virginia State University, University of Mary Washington, and the University of Richmond. He was also the public school architect of the Richmond Public Schools from 1910 to 1929. Many of his works have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[1]

Early years

Robinson was born in Hamilton, Virginia in Loudoun County, Virginia, the son of architect James T. Robinson. He apprenticed with David S. Hopkins (1834–1918), of Grand Rapids, Michigan, and John K. Peebles (1866–1934), of Richmond, Virginia. In 1889, Robinson formed the architectural firm of Smith & Robinson with G. T. Smith in Altoona, Pennsylvania. In 1891, Robinson married Altoona native, Annie Custer (1868–1946). They had two children, Charles Custer Robinson (1892–1963) and Miriam Robinson (1895–1911). At the time of the 1900 United States Census, Robinson was living at 1910 West Chestnut Avenue in Altoona. He had two live-in servants, Bridget Sheehan and Mattie Jones, at that time.[2] In 1901, Robinson moved his architectural practice from Altoona to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.[1]

Richmond years

In 1906, Robinson moved his practice and family to Richmond, Virginia. He served as the supervising architect for the Richmond Public Schools from 1910 to 1929.[3] He remained in Richmond for the remainder of his professional career. At the time of the 1910 United States Census, Robinson was living at 828 Park Avenue in Richmond with his wife, Annie C. Robinson, their two children, and his parents. He also had a live-in servant, Etta Scruggs, and a live-in butler, Fred W. Smith.[4]

At the time of the 1920 United States Census, Robinson was living in Richmond with his wife and his mother.[5]

In the early 1930s, Robinson's health began failing. He was hospitalized in Norfolk, Virginia in August 1932 and died there following an operation.

Legacy

A number of his buildings survive and are listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.[6] In 2006, The Virginian-Pilot called him one of "Virginia's most prolific architects."[7] Mimi Sadler, a historic architect in Richmond, noted at the time that Robinson not only "cranked out a lot of school buildings, but they were all high quality and many have become landmarks."[7]

Selected works

Robinson's works include:

College and university buildings

President's Residence (1910), Frances Willard Hall (1910), James Monroe Hall (1911), Virginia Hall (1914),[14] Chandler Hall (1928), Seacobeck Hall (1930), and Bridge to Dining Hall (Seacobeck Hall) (1930).[13] He was the first and "Defining architect" and remained "responsible for the siting, orientation, and design of buildings from the founding until his death in 1932."[14]

Milhiser Gymnasium (1919), T.C. Williams Law School Additions at 601 North Lombardy (1924), Puryer Hall (1926), Cannon Memorial Chapel (1928), Richmond Hall (1929), Jenkins Outdoor Theater (1929), and Maryland Hall (1932).[13]

Master plan, Administration Building, and dormitories.

Public school buildings

Other buildings

Notes and References

  1. Web site: [{{NRHP url|id=64500685}} Public Schools of Richmond MPS]. National Park Service.
  2. Census entry for Charles M. Robinson (architect, born March 1867 in Virginia) and family. Ancestry.com. 1910 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Census Place: Altoona Ward 9, Blair, Pennsylvania; Roll: T623_1381; Page: 8A; Enumeration District: 67.
  3. Web site: National Register of Historic Places Registration Form for Public Schools of Richmond, Virginia, 1869–1930. 2–3, 21. Virginia Department of Historical Resources. 2011-06-14. https://web.archive.org/web/20101111233435/http://www.dhr.virginia.gov/registers/Counties/MultipleCounty/127-0845_PublicSchoolsinRichmondMPS_NPS_final.pdf. 2010-11-11. dead.
  4. Census entry for Charles M. Robinson (architect, age 43) and family. Ancestry.com. 1910 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Census Place: Richmond Lee Ward, Richmond (Independent City), Virginia; Roll: T624_1644; Page: 4B; Enumeration District: 0100; Image: 1219; FHL Number: 1375657.
  5. Census entry for Charles M. Robinson (architect, age 52) and family. Ancestry.com. 1920 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Census Place: Richmond Lee Ward, Richmond (Independent City), Virginia; Roll: T625_1911; Page: 2A; Enumeration District: 107; Image: 139.
  6. News: His creations are still present 60 years later. August 30, 1992. Chesapeake Clipper. Tony Stein. dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160305020507/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=VP&p_theme=vp&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EAFF5981B5E6498&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM . Mar 5, 2016 .
  7. News: Phyllis Speidell. did you know ... school's architect was well-known in his time?. The Virginian-Pilot. August 20, 2006.
  8. News: From The Halls Of JMU. October 17, 1994. Daily News-Record (Harrisonburg, VA) . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160316190743/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=VNRB&p_theme=vnrb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=109E4E2C5A1F71C5&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM . Mar 16, 2016 . DNRonline .
  9. News: VIRGINIA STARTS GREAT EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION. The Sun, Baltimore, Md.. October 9, 1909. https://web.archive.org/web/20121107020048/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/baltsun/access/1653930162.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Oct+09,+1909&author=&pub=The+Sun+(1837-1985)&desc=VIRGINIA+STARTS+GREAT+EDUCATIONAL+INSTITUTION&pqatl=google. dead. November 7, 2012.
  10. News: Work On Normal School Begun. The Sun, Baltimore, Md.. August 27, 1910. https://web.archive.org/web/20121107020101/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/baltsun/access/1638362282.html?FMT=CITE&FMTS=CITE:AI&type=historic&date=Aug+27,+1910&author=&pub=The+Sun+(1837-1985)&desc=Work+On+Normal+School+Begun&pqatl=google. dead. November 7, 2012.
  11. News: Sealed Proposals. The Daily Star. July 9, 1910.
  12. Web site: The Charles M. Robinson Story. Charles M. Robinson, A Virginia Architectural History.
  13. Web site: Charles M. Robinson's Colleges. charlesmrobinson.com.
  14. Web site: Halls of History. Laura. Moyer. March 18, 2013. Mary Washington Magazine | Spring 2013.
  15. News: May 23, 2007. HISTORIC COLUMBIA, LUTHERAN THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY: BEAM DORMITORY 4201 MAIN ST.. The State (South Carolina).
  16. Loth, The Virginia landmarks register, p. 444.
  17. Book: The Virginia landmarks register. Calder Loth, Virginia. Dept. of Historic Resources. 423. 1999. University Press of Virginia. 9780813918624.
  18. Web site: National Register of Historic Places Registration Form for the John B. Cary School. Virginia Department of Historical Resources.
  19. http://www.dhr.virginia.gov/registers/Counties/Appomattox/165-5002_Appomattox_Historic_District_2002_Final_Nomination.pdf NRHP nom for Appomattox HD
  20. Loth, The Virginia landmarks register, p. 429.
  21. Web site: National Register of Historic Places Registration Form for Highland Park Public School. Virginia Department of Historical Resources.
  22. Web site: Charles M. Robinson's Public Schools. charlesmrobinson.com.
  23. Web site: National Register of Historic Places Registration Form for Anna P. Bolling Junior High School. Virginia Department of Historical Resources. 2011-06-14. https://web.archive.org/web/20100810204131/http://www.dhr.virginia.gov/registers/Cities/Petersburg/123-0117_Anna_Bolling_School_1998_Final_Nomination.pdf. 2010-08-10. dead.
  24. Web site: National Register of Historic Places Registration Form for Clarendon School. Virginia Department of Historical Resources.
  25. Web site: National Register of Historic Places Registration Form for Peabody Building of the Peabody-Williams School. Virginia Department of Historical Resources.
  26. Web site: National Register of Historic Places Registration Form for Orange High School. Virginia Department of Historical Resources.
  27. Web site: National Register of Historic Places Registration Form for Shea Terrace Elementary School. Virginia Department of Historical Resources.
  28. Web site: National Register of Historic Places Registration Form for Springfield School. Virginia Department of Historical Resources.
  29. Web site: National Register of Historic Places Registration Form for Nathaniel Bacon School. Virginia Department of Historical Resources.
  30. Web site: National Register of Historic Places Registration Form for Fifth Avenue Historic District. Virginia Department of Historical Resources.
  31. Web site: National Register of Historic Places Registration Form for The Matthew Whaley School . Virginia Department of Historical Resources . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120609173712/http://www.dhr.virginia.gov/registers/Cities/Williamsburg/NR_Williamsburg_MatthewWhaleySchool_137-0302_text.pdf . 2012-06-09 .
  32. Web site: William Fox School. June 18, 2018. SAH ARCHIPEDIA.
  33. Web site: His great-grandfather designed Fox Elementary. Now, a piece of his DNA is buried in the ashes.. February 18, 2022. CBS 6 News Richmond WTVR.
  34. Web site: Most Endangered Historic Places. Preservation Virginia.
  35. News: SCHOOL RETIRED AFTER 68 YEARS. Daily Press – Newport News, Va.. George Paaswell. June 17, 1990. https://web.archive.org/web/20121107020009/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/dailypress/access/88476400.html?dids=88476400:88476400&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jun+17,+1990&author=GEORGE+PAASWELL+Staff+Writer&pub=Daily+Press&desc=SCHOOL+RETIRED+AFTER+68+YEARS&pqatl=google. dead. November 7, 2012.
  36. News: ARCHITECT'S RELATIVES COME TO SEE WHAT'S INSIDE THE BOX. The Virginian-Pilot. July 4, 1993. Ida Kay Jordan.
  37. Web site: National Register of Historic Places Registration Form for Louisa High School. Virginia Department of Historical Resources.
  38. Web site: Prince William County Historic Resources, Bennett School.
  39. News: NEW LIFE FOR A LANDMARK RICHMOND'S SHOWPLACE IS SHINING AGAIN. Roy Proctor. Richmond Times – Dispatch, Richmond, Va.. October 22, 1995.
  40. Web site: National Register of Historic Places Registration Form for Newport News Library. Virginia Department of Historical Resources.
  41. Web site: Charles M. Robinson's Hospitals. charlesmrobinson.com.
  42. Web site: National Register of Historic Places Registration Form for Grace Hospital. Virginia Department of Historical Resources. 2011-06-14. https://web.archive.org/web/20120609173233/http://www.dhr.virginia.gov/registers/Cities/Richmond/NR_Richmond_GraceHospital_127-5459_text.pdf. 2012-06-09. dead.
  43. Web site: National Register of Historic Places Registration Form for Main Street Banking Historic District. Virginia Department of Historical Resources.
  44. News: Building Intelligence. American architect and architecture, Volume 59. xii. February 1898.

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