Architectural records for buildings by Francis Barry Byrne, [ca. 1914-1967]

  • Creator Names Byrne, Francis Barry, 1883-1967.
  • Title Architectural records for buildings by Francis Barry Byrne [graphic].
  • Dates [ca. 1914-1967]
  • Physical description
    • ca. 100 linear ft. of drawings, etc. and 11 boxes.
    • 10 boxes of manuscript records.
    • 5 boxes of photographic prints.
  • Access and usage restrictions Advance appointment required to view materials at Chicago History Museum, Research Center (to make an appointment please email us at research@chicagohistory.org).
  • Collection summary
    • Job files (ca. 149) for buildings, alterations, interior design, and some furniture by Francis Barry Byrne, an architect based in Chicago (Ill.), for various clients, primarily in Chicago but also in other locations. Includes materials created in collaboration with his wife Annette Cremin Byrne, Walter Burley Griffin, sculptor Alfonso Iannelli, and Bernard J. Parks. Files for a building often contain drawings, blueprints, elevations, other plans, etc. Photographs show many of his buildings. Collection includes correspondence, 1939-1978, with colleagues--including reminiscences about Wright, items on the Liturgical Arts Society, and a folder on the Catholic Interracial Council; financial records, 1952-1964; and his registrations as an architect, 1916-1965. Many early commissions were for residences, and many later commissions were for Catholic Church buildings.
    • Materials donated later relate primarily to Byrne's work in the 1950's and 1960's, often adapting churches after 1960's changes in the Catholic liturgy. Includes drawings, sketches, brochures, correspondence, contracts, photographs, etc. (3 boxes and 9 job folders; 1991.234).
    • Also present are photocopies (no originals) of correspondence, wood block prints, and photographs relating to Byrne from Lyonel Feininger, a teacher and artist at the German Bauhaus, ca. 1925-1931.
  • Finding Aids Note Description sheets filed by job number are available at Chicago History Museum, Research Center.
  • Biographical or Historical Note Byrne was born in Chicago; joined the Frank Lloyd Wright Studio in Oak Park as an apprentice ca. 1901 and remained there for 6 years; became a partner with Andrew Willatzen's practice in Seattle in ca. 1910; returned to Chicago ca. 1913 to assume the practice of Walter Burley Griffin, while he went to Australia; maintained his own practice based in Chicago, 1917-1930; married artist Annette Cremin in 1926; moved to New York City and served as director of the Liturgical Arts Society; returned to the Chicago area in 1945 and established a practice with Bernard J. Parks that continued until his death in 1967.
  • Location of Other Archival Materials Note
    • Related material at the Chicago History Museum, Research Center, includes the Alfonso Iannelli design drawings (2013.0096 ATms).
    • Two models of buildings, architectural fragments, and furniture designed by Byrne and used in his office are part of the holdings of Chicago History Museum. To view them, special advance arrangements must be made through the Registrar's Office.
    • Some drawings of Byrne's commissions while a part of the firm of Willatzen & Byrne (Seattle, Wash.; ca. 1909-1913) are in the Andrew Willatzen collection at Special Collections Dept., University of Washington.
  • Names
    • Byrne, Francis Barry, 1883-1967 Archives.
    • Byrne, Annette Cremin.
    • Wright, Frank Lloyd, 1867-1959 Influence.
    • Feininger, Lyonel.
    • Griffin, Walter Burley, 1876-1937.
    • Iannelli, Alfonso, 1888-1965.
    • Parks, Bernard J.
    • Barry Byrne Company (Architecture firm : Chicago, Ill.)
    • Barry Byrne & Parks.
    • Liturgical Arts Society.
    • Bauhaus Influence.
    • Feininger, Lyonel.
    • Griffin, Walter Burley, 1876-1937.
    • Iannelli, Alfonso, 1888-1965.
    • Byrne, Annette Cremin.
    • Parks, Bernard J.
    • Barry Byrne Company (Architecture firm : Chicago, Ill.)
    • Liturgical Arts Society.
    • Barry Byrne & Parks.
  • Subjects
    • Buildings Illinois Chicago Metropolitan Area 20th century.
    • Buildings United States 20th century.
    • Catholic church buildings.
    • Architectural firms Illinois Chicago 20th century.
    • Furniture designers Illinois Chicago 20th century.
    • Interior decoration Illinois Chicago 20th century.
    • Modern movement (Architecture) Illinois Chicago Metropolitan Area.
  • Geographic coverage Chicago Metropolitan Area (Ill.) Buildings, structures, etc. 20th century.
  • Genre
    • Architectural drawings. aat
    • Architectural photographs. gmgpc
    • Blueprints. aat
    • Gelatin silver prints. gmgpc
  • Geographic name United States Illinois Cook County Chicago.