Muhlenberg Greene Architects Explained

Muhlenberg Greene Architects, Ltd.
Type:	Private company
Industry:	Architecture
Foundation:	1920
Founder:	Frederick A. Muhlenberg
Num Employees:	13

Muhlenberg Greene Architects, Ltd. is a full-service architecture firm, in continuous operation since 1920, and was one of the predominant architecture/engineering firms in Reading, Pennsylvania, during the first half of the 20th century.

Muhlenberg Greene Architects was originally established in 1920 as Frederick A. Muhlenberg, Registered Architect. Since its founding, Muhlenberg Greene Architects lists over 3,500 commissions to its credit,^[1] including many landmarks in the city of Reading, such as Berks Heim, the Reading Medical Arts Building, and Stokesay Castle.

Founder

The original founder of Muhlenberg Greene Architects, Frederick Augustus Muhlenberg II, FAIA was renowned for his endeavors in architecture, politics, community, social services, and the military.^{[2] [3]} Although Frederick Muhlenberg opened an office in Philadelphia around 1917-1919,^{[4] [5]} by 1920, the practice was located exclusively in Reading, and the firm continued through several reorganizations to its present form as Muhlenberg Greene Architects, Ltd.

Frederick A. Muhlenberg, Registered Architect, 1920–1930

Muhlenberg, Yerkes, Muhlenberg, 1930^{[6] [7]} – 1957^{[8] [9]}

(Partners were Frederick A. Muhlenberg, Simeon M. Yerkes,^[10] Charles Rick Muhlenberg (died 7/15/1953),^[11] and Frederick H. Muhlenberg.

Muhlenberg and Yerkes Associates, 1957 – 1959^[12]

Frederick A. Muhlenberg & Associates, 1959 – 1965

Muhlenberg-Greene-Veres, 1965 – 1972

(Partners were Frederick A. Muhlenberg, Lawrence A. Greene, Jr. and Elmer Veres)

Muhlenberg-Greene Architects, 1972 – 1977

(Partners were Frederick A. Muhlenberg and Lawrence A. Greene, Jr.)

Muhlenberg-Greene Architects, 1977-1980

(Lawrence A. Greene, Jr., Sole Proprietor)

Muhlenberg Greene Architects, Ltd., 1980 – Present^{[13] [14]}

Frequently confused with the Muhlenberg Brothers, an architecture/engineering firm also operating in Reading, Pennsylvania during the first half of the 20th century, Muhlenberg Greene Architects was never affiliated with Muhlenberg Brothers’ firm, although Frederick Muhlenberg does have familial ties with the Brothers.

Officially retiring from the firm in 1977,^[15] one week after his 90th birthday, Mr. Muhlenberg still came to the office daily until physical limitations prevented him from doing so about a year later. Fred Muhlenberg died on January 19, 1980, at 92 years of age.

Present organization

Following Mr. Muhlenberg's retirement in 1977, the Firm became the sole proprietorship of Lawrence A. Greene, Jr, (who had, at that time, been a partner of the firm for 25 years) until January 1, 1980 when the present corporation, Muhlenberg Greene Architects, Ltd., was established. The original principals/stockholders were Lawrence (Larry) A. Greene, Howard Quaintance, and James (Jim) E. Dockey. In 1983, Dennis W. Rex was added as a principal/stockholder of the Firm. In 1998, John R. Hill became a principal/stockholder. The current principals are Larry Greene, Howard Quaintance, Dennis W. Rex, and John R. Hill. Muhlenberg Greene Architects, Ltd. is a member of the American Institute of Architects and the U.S. Green Building Council,^[16] and many of the staff are LEED Accredited Professionals.

Selected projects

• Pennsylvania Optical Company, 1916
• Chantrell Tool, 1922
• Alterations to Pomeroy's Department Store, Reading, Pennsylvania, 1922-1968
• The Harold Furniture Company, 726 Penn Street, Reading, Pennsylvania, 1923^[17]
• Industrial extensions to Carpenter Steel Company, 1923-1950^[18]
• Penn Hardware, 1924, 1942
• Twelfth street surgical wing of St. Joseph's Hospital, Reading, Pennsylvania, South wing 1926
• Croll and Keck, Reading, Pennsylvania, 1927^{[19] [20]}
• Annex to the Wyomissing Club, 1929
• Reed Street addition to YMCA, Reading, Pennsylvania. Multiple projects for YMCA of Reading, 1929-2000
• Medical Arts Building, 230 North Fifth Street, Reading, Pennsylvania, 2 Jan 1931^{[21] [22]}
• Stokesay Castle, Reading, Pennsylvania, built 1932,^[23] renovated 2009^{[24] [25]}
• Additions to Whitner's, Reading, Pennsylvania, 1941, 1953
• Berks Heim, Bern Township, Pennsylvania, 1954,^{[26] [27]} Annex 1974^{[28] [29]}
• New Science Building, Kutztown State Teachers College, Kutztown, Pennsylvania, 1959
• Episcopal House Apartments, 9th and Washington Streets, Reading, Pennsylvania, 1972^{[30] [31]}
• Penn Square Center, Reading, Pennsylvania, 1978
• Madison Building, Fourth and Washington Streets, Reading, Pennsylvania, 1984^[32]
• Reading City Hall addition and renovation, Reading, Pennsylvania, 1994^[33]
• Reading Eagle Press Hall Addition, Reading, Pennsylvania, 2009^{[34] [35] [36]}
• Read's Department Store, Reading, Pennsylvania
• Two Reading Public Library branches, Reading, Pennsylvania
• American Bank buildings, Reading, Pennsylvania^{[37] [38]}
• Four Reading School District Buildings, Reading, Pennsylvania^{[39] [40] [41] [42] [43] [44] [45]}
• Community General Hospital, Reading, Pennsylvania
• Western Electric main plant, Reading, Pennsylvania
• Addition to Bell Telephone Company, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
• General Battery Corp., Reading, Pennsylvania
• CNA Insurance, Reading, Pennsylvania
• Reading-Muhlenberg Vo-Tech, Muhlenberg Township, Pennsylvania^[46]
• Carole & Ray Neag Center, Children's Home of Reading, Reading, Pennsylvania, 2003^[47]
• C.E. Cole Intermediate School, Muhlenberg School District, Laureldale, Pennsylvania, 2008^{[48] [49] [50]}
• Utilities Employees Credit Union, Wyomissing, Pennsylvania, 2010

Other clients

• American Chain & Cable Co.
• The Glidden Company^{[51] [52]}
• Polymer Corporation
• Ready, Pratt and Cady

See also

• Frederick A. Muhlenberg
• Muhlenberg family
• Muhlenberg
• Reading, Pennsylvania
• Berks County, Pennsylvania
• George Baer Hiester
• Medical Arts Building (Reading, Pennsylvania)

External links

• History - Muhlenberg Greene Architects, Muhlenberg Greene Architects, Ltd.
• The Athenaeum of Philadelphia, "Muhlenberg, Frederick Augustus (1887 - 1980)", Philadelphia Architects and Buildings
• Frederick Augustus Muhlenberg at ArlingtonCemetery.net, an unofficial website
• Muhlenberg Greene Architects Ltd. Reading Eagle Business Weekly.
• Muhlenberg/Greene Architects, Ltd. (M/GA), Reading, Pennsylvania, USA. Archiplanet.
• Facebook - Muhlenberg Greene Architects. Facebook.

Notes and References

1. Muhlenberg Greene Architects. "History", Muhlenberg Greene Architects, Retrieved on 13 May 2013.
2. News: F.A. Muhlenberg Succumbs at 92. Reading Eagle. 21 Jan 1980.
3. News: Ex-congressman, architect is dead. Reading Eagle. 21 Jan 1980.
4. News: Muhlenberg. Frederick A.. Announcement. 1 May 1919.
5. Web site: Muhlenberg, Frederick Augustus (1887-1980). Philadelphia Architects and Buildings. 24 May 2013.
6. News: "Young Reading" Takes Another Step Forward. Reading Eagle. 7 Dec 1930.
7. News: Muhlenberg and Nuebling Viewed as "Drafted" Candidates for Council. Reading Eagle. 18 Aug 1933.
8. Web site: Muhlenberg, Yerkes & Muhlenberg (fl. 1930 - 1954). Philadelphia Architects and Buildings. 24 May 2013.
9. News: Sealed Proposals. Reading Eagle. 23 Aug 1957.
10. Web site: Yerkes, Simeon M. (1889 - ca. 1958). Philadelphia Architects and Buildings. The Athenaeum of Philadelphia. 18 April 2013.
11. Web site: Charles Rick Muhlenberg. The American Institute of Architects. 10 Jul 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130928053032/http://communities.aia.org/sites/hdoaa/wiki/Wiki%20Pages/ahd1031714.aspx. 28 September 2013. dead.
12. News: State Names Architect. Reading Eagle. 28 Jul 1958.
13. Engineering News Record. 1980. 205. 310. McGraw-Hill.
14. The Office: Magazine of Information Systems and Management. July 1982. The Office: Magazine of Information Systems and Management.
15. News: Thomas. Heather. Architect Redesigns Work. Reading Eagle. 30 Oct 1977.
16. Web site: Directory: Muhlenberg Greene Architects, Ltd.. USGBC. 10 Jul 2013.
17. Condrath, Deb. "Revisiting Reading's Architectural Past: Harold's Furniture Store," Muhlenberg Greene Architects, 10 May 2013.
18. Project Book. March 1913. 1. Office of Frederick A. Muhlenberg, Reg. Architect.
19. Condrath, Deb. "Revisiting Reading's Architectural Past: Croll and Keck," Muhlenberg Greene Architects, 25 Apr 2013.
20. News: Heim Design Acclaimed. Reading Eagle. 21 Nov 1954.
21. News: Medical Arts Building Notable Contribution to City's Progress. Reading Eagle. 22 Mar 1931.
22. Condrath, Deb. "Revisiting Reading's Architectural Past: Medical Arts Building," Muhlenberg Greene Architects, 9 Jul 2013.
23. News: Architects Inspect Mansion on Mt. Penn. Reading Eagle. 3 Aug 1932.
24. News: Muhlenberg Posts Distinguished Record. Reading Eagle. 10 Feb 1972.
25. News: Devlin. Ron. A royal revival: New Stokesay Castle debuts today. Reading Eagle. 17 Nov 2009.
26. News: Commissioners Inspect Hospitals to Get Ideas. Reading Eagle. 7 Jun 1949.
27. News: County Home-Hospital Estimates Submitted. Reading Eagle. 4 Oct 1949.
28. News: Heim Annex Portrayed. Reading Eagle. 30 Oct 1973.
29. News: Sealed Proposals. Reading Eagle. 14 Feb 1973.
30. News: Zissa. Robert F.. Architect Sees Bright City Future. Reading Eagle. 16 Jun 1972.
31. News: 15-Story Apartment Gets Nod. Reading Eagle. 15 Mar 1970.
32. News: Madison project comes to life by way of local commitment. Reading Eagle. 26 Nov 1983.
33. News: More input sought in neighborhoods. Reading Eagle. 11 Sep 1992.
34. Web site: Moozakis. Chuck. Reading Eagle spreads wings. newspaper ovation. 1 Mar 2009.
35. News: Reading Eagle begins its press installation. Reading Eagle. 25 Sep 2008.
36. Web site: Strong commitment to the future of print. Graphic Repro. 26 Apr 2007.
37. News: Bank President Hammers Away at Project. Reading Eagle. 18 Jul 1966.
38. News: Commission Is Briefed on Bank's Plans. Reading Eagle. 13 May 1981.
39. News: Sealed Proposals. Reading Eagle. 17 Aug 1922.
40. News: Sealed Proposals. Reading Eagle. 2 Jan 1923.
41. News: Completing Excavations for Millmont School. Reading Eagle. 18 Feb 1923.
42. News: To Open Bids for New Southern Junior High. Reading Eagle. 24 Mar 1924.
43. News: Proposals for the Erection of a New Grade School Building, Centre Avenue and Pike Street. Reading Eagle. 7 May 1924.
44. News: Sealed Proposals. Reading Eagle. 7 May 1926.
45. News: They're in the Limelight: Frederick A. Muhlenberg. Reading Eagle. 24 Apr 1934.
46. News: Reading-Muhlenberg Vo-Tech. 3 Nov 1998.
47. News: The Children's Home of Reading. Reading Eagle. 23 Feb 2003.
48. Web site: About Us - C.E. Cole Intermediate School. Muhlenberg School District. 10 Jul 2013. https://archive.today/20130717083041/http://www.muhlsdk12.org/is_about.asp. 17 July 2013. dead.
49. News: Cuyler. Greta. Muhlenberg School Board agrees on renovation, expansion bids. Reading Eagle. 16 Jan 2009.
50. News: Cuyler. Greta. Muhlenberg district has sewer-line problem. Reading Eagle. 8 Sep 2008.
51. News: Glidden Co. to Get Bids On New Building. Reading Eagle. 5 Jul 1957.
52. News: New Type of Construction Used Here on Glidden Building. Reading Eagle. 28 Nov 1956.