The Early Architecture of Western Pennsylvania - A Review
By
James Wudarczyk - posted September 24, 2006.

Charles Morse Stotz, The Early Architecture of Western Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh, 1936.

Charles Morse Stotz was one man who could truly be called a pioneer in his field. Recognizing a need to document pre-Civil War architecture, Stotz worked vigorously to photograph, make detailed drawings, and provide historical data on a vast collection of historically important and architecturally significant buildings. Without question, the record of many of these structures would have been lost had it not been for Stotz’s dedication. The first edition of his massive coffee table book appeared in 1936 and has become a model format that would be repeated in later years by other architectural historians and organizations. As Fiske Kimball in the 1936 Forward noted, “This is no mere book of photographs and drawings, as have been too many, with dates and names filled in by guesswork. Solid historical investigation has accompanied the recording of the form of the surviving monuments.” Stotz was the foremost authority in the field, and his monumental work was often quoted by historians of later years. What made Stotz the pioneer was as Dell Upton of Berkeley noted in 1955, “The historian’s most difficult task is to study a topic no one has ever tackled.”

Stotz traced the background of early architecture and the effects of rivers, canals, and other modes of transportation on the development and influence of particular styles during a given period of history. He believed that the effect of the Italian Palladio on Georgian architecture was no mere accident, traced the gusto of the Grecian style of the 1830’s through the 1850’s, and closely examined the Gothic revival in Western Pennsylvania between 1850 and 1860. Stotz wrote glowingly of early handbooks: “The guiding spirit of the architect was made effective even though he belonged to a profession limited in number.” He also noted that prior to 1860 there was little distinction between the architect and engineer.

The book also illustrates the influence of John Chislett and Benjamin Latrobe on Western Pennsylvania architecture. For information on the contributions of these two prominent architects, refer to “John Chislett: Architect of the American Pantheon” and “The Versatile Benjamin Henry Latrobe” elsewhere on the Lawrenceville Historical Society’s website. Additional information is also available on Charles Morse Stotz on the same site.

In terms of both mastery of the subject and photographic beauty, Stotz’s treatise is truly an artistic masterpiece. It is easy to sit in awe as the pages of photographs detail exquisite carvings of mantels, the interiors of structures, and even the unique masonry of buildings ranging from log cabins to stone houses and brick dwellings. Stotz’s tried to capture it all: the architecture of transportation with its corresponding taverns and hotels; early churches, courthouses, mills and furnaces; and even fragments of structures. His text addressed the evolution of building laws and the intelligent care of old buildings, while providing well-written text to explain the various chapters of the book. In addition to his magnificent photographs, Stotz also provided scaled drawings.

His work is truly Western Pennsylvanian in scope, as he documented many structures from Bradford on the east to Erie on the north. Of particular interest to the Lawrenceville Historical Society, Stotz included scaled drawings of “Picnic,” the Croghan house on top of Black Horse Hill (presently Stanton Avenue), as well as detailed photographs of the structure’s ballroom. He also addressed the subject of the Allegheny Arsenal with scenes of buildings long since vanished.

Charles Morse Stotz transcended mastery of his subject – The Early Architecture of Western Pennsylvania – and clearly demonstrated a love and passion for the topic. From the simplest of domestic houses to the most grandiose mansions, Stotz saw beauty in the past, and he successfully endeavored to capture that beauty as a record for those who came after him.