The Architecture of Horace Trumbauer: "The Standard, Metropolitan, and Authoritative Thing"

Horace Trumbauer, a leading architect of America's Gilded Age, rose to prominence despite leaving school at 14. By the age of thirty, he had designed opulent homes for some of the wealthiest families and produced over 800 designs in the following decades, including major public buildings like the Widener Library at Harvard and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Known for his versatility and competence, Trumbauer's work was highly praised, yet he was notably reticent about his methods and the specifics of his firm's projects.

Recent research has shed light on Trumbauer’s artistic contributions and the intricate collaborations within his office, particularly highlighting Julian Abele. Abele, the first African-American architecture graduate from the University of Pennsylvania and Trumbauer’s chief designer, played a crucial role in many of the firm’s key projects despite facing racial prejudice.

Event host David Brownlee, a historian with a focus on modern architecture and urbanism, has extensively studied Philadelphia’s architectural history. He has taught at the University of Pennsylvania for over forty years and has published works on various Philadelphia landmarks and architects. Brownlee has also been actively involved in numerous civic and preservation organizations in Philadelphia.