C. Parker Crowell
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C. Parker Crowell (1876–1959) was an American
architect An architect is a person who plans, designs and oversees the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to provide services in connection with the design of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the buildings that h ...
in practice in
Bangor, Maine Bangor ( ) is a city in the U.S. state of Maine and the county seat of Penobscot County. The city proper has a population of 31,753, making it the state's 3rd-largest settlement, behind Portland (68,408) and Lewiston (37,121). Modern Bangor ...
, from 1902 until his retirement in 1956. Crowell and his firm would design over 1000 buildings in the course of his career.Lewiston Evening Journal, Dec. 1, 1956, p. 2 The firm Crowell co-founded is still in business as WBRC.


Life and career

Charles Parker Crowell Jr. was born December 7, 1876, in
Orono, Maine Orono () is a town in Penobscot County, Maine, United States. Located on the Penobscot and Stillwater rivers, it was first settled by American colonists in 1774. They named it in honor of Chief Joseph Orono, a sachem of the indigenous Penobscot ...
, to Charles Parker Crowell and Delia R. (Johnston) Crowell. He attended the
University of Maine The University of Maine (UMaine or UMO) is a Public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university in Orono, Maine. It was established in 1865 as the land-grant college of Maine and is the Flagship universities, flagshi ...
, graduating with a degree in mechanical engineering in 1898. After supplementary training in Boston, he returned to Bangor in 1902 to form the firm of Thomas & Crowell, architects and engineers, with his former classmate, John F. Thomas. Among their first works was Lord Hall, home to the engineering departments of the University of Maine. Crowell and his firm would be primary architects to the university for the rest of his career. Thomas returned to Boston in 1905, and Crowell continued the firm on his own. Like those of other local architects, Crowell's office was destroyed in the
Great Fire of 1911 The Great Fire of 1911 took place in Bangor, Maine, United States, on April 30 and May 1, 1911. A small fire that started in a downtown shed went out of control and destroyed hundreds of commercial and residential buildings. History It started ...
. Nonetheless, the rebuilding also presented an unprecedented design opportunity. Crowell and his firm received a number of commissions in the
burnt district The Burnt District was the original red light district in Omaha, Nebraska in the late 19th century. The area was located east of Creighton University from Douglas Street six blocks north to Cass Street and from the Missouri River west to Sixteenth ...
, including the Eastern Trust Building in 1912."Crowell, C. Parker" in
A Biographical Dictionary of Who's Who in Maine
' 1 (Lewiston: Lewiston Journal Company, 1926): 68.WBRC Architects, ''A Twentieth Century History – WBRC Architects Engineers – 1902-2002'' (Bangor: WBRC Architects, 2001) In 1919 Crowell was joined in partnership by Walter S. Lancaster, a former employee, to form the firm of Crowell & Lancaster."Lancaster, Walter Snow" in
A Biographical Dictionary of Who's Who in Maine
' 1 (Lewiston: Lewiston Journal Company, 1926): 153. In 1952 they merged their office with that of Ambrose S. Higgins of
Portland Portland most commonly refers to: * Portland, Oregon, the largest city in the state of Oregon, in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States * Portland, Maine, the largest city in the state of Maine, in the New England region of the northeas ...
, to form Crowell, Lancaster & Higgins. They were joined the same year by Gertrud E. Ebbeson, one of the first women to graduate from the
architecture school This is a list of architecture schools at colleges and universities around the world. An architecture school (also known as a school of architecture or college of architecture), is an institution specializing in architectural education. Africa ...
of the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is a private land-grant research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Established in 1861, MIT has played a key role in the development of modern technology and science, and is one of the ...
. In 1956 they expanded the partnership to include engineer Edwin P. Webster, formerly with
Eaton W. Tarbell Eaton W. Tarbell (1914–1992) was an American architect. A student of Walter Gropius, he is best known for introducing International Style (architecture), International Style architecture to Maine. Life and career Eaton Weatherbee Tarbell was ...
, in the renamed Crowell, Lancaster, Higgins & Webster, and shortly thereafter Crowell retired. Crowell retired as a highly respected architect, the dean of Maine architects. Crowell joined the
American Institute of Architects The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is a professional organization for architects in the United States. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the AIA offers education, government advocacy, community redevelopment, and public outreach to su ...
in 1931 as a member of the Boston chapter. In 1934 he was among the founders of the Maine chapter, and served a term as chapter vice president. In 1952 he was elected a
Fellow A fellow is a concept whose exact meaning depends on context. In learned or professional societies, it refers to a privileged member who is specially elected in recognition of their work and achievements. Within the context of higher education ...
, the organization's highest membership honor.


Personal life

In 1901 Crowell was married to Mary Hutchinson, and they had two sons. Crowell died March 31, 1959, in Bangor."Necrology" in ''Maine Alumnus'' 40, no. 8 (May, 1959): 15. Crowell was a member of the Bangor city council for the year 1908–09, of the school committee from 1911 to 1917 and chair of the committee that commissioned the Peirce Memorial in Peirce Park in 1925. In 1943–44 he served on the committee to prepare a building code for the city of Bangor and from 1948–52 was a member of the city planning board."Crowell, Charles Parker" in ''American Architects Directory'' (New York: R. R. Bowker Company, 1956): 118.


Legacy

Crowell was the founder of an architectural firm which has survived to the present (2022). After Crowell's retirement, the office was led by Lancaster, Higgins and Webster in succession. Webster retired in 1987, and in 1989 the firm was renamed WBRC Architects Engineers, shortened simply to WBRC in 2022. Ebbeson, one of the first woman architects in Maine, was a partner in the firm from 1971 to 1978. In 1961 Crowell's sons established a scholarship fund at the
University of Maine The University of Maine (UMaine or UMO) is a Public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university in Orono, Maine. It was established in 1865 as the land-grant college of Maine and is the Flagship universities, flagshi ...
in his honor. At least two buildings designed by Crowell have been listed on the United States
National Register of Historic Places The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the United States federal government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historical significance or "great artistic v ...
, and others contribute to listed historic districts.


Architectural works

* Maria Clark School (former), 85 Middle St, Hallowell, Maine (1902) * Lord Hall,
University of Maine The University of Maine (UMaine or UMO) is a Public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university in Orono, Maine. It was established in 1865 as the land-grant college of Maine and is the Flagship universities, flagshi ...
,
Orono, Maine Orono () is a town in Penobscot County, Maine, United States. Located on the Penobscot and Stillwater rivers, it was first settled by American colonists in 1774. They named it in honor of Chief Joseph Orono, a sachem of the indigenous Penobscot ...
(1903–04) * Orono High School, 134 Main St,
Orono, Maine Orono () is a town in Penobscot County, Maine, United States. Located on the Penobscot and Stillwater rivers, it was first settled by American colonists in 1774. They named it in honor of Chief Joseph Orono, a sachem of the indigenous Penobscot ...
(1903, demolished) * Camden High School, Knowlton St,
Camden, Maine Camden is a resort town in Knox County, Maine. The population was 5,232 at the 2020 census. The population of the town more than triples during the summer months, due to tourists and summer residents. Camden is a summer colony in the Mid-Coas ...
(1904, demolished) * Charles Nichols house, 66 Main St,
Orono, Maine Orono () is a town in Penobscot County, Maine, United States. Located on the Penobscot and Stillwater rivers, it was first settled by American colonists in 1774. They named it in honor of Chief Joseph Orono, a sachem of the indigenous Penobscot ...
(1905) * George E. Thompson house, 28 W Broadway,
Bangor, Maine Bangor ( ) is a city in the U.S. state of Maine and the county seat of Penobscot County. The city proper has a population of 31,753, making it the state's 3rd-largest settlement, behind Portland (68,408) and Lewiston (37,121). Modern Bangor ...
(1909)Whitney Park Historic District NRHP Registration Form
(1988) * Kirstein Block, 44 Central St,
Bangor, Maine Bangor ( ) is a city in the U.S. state of Maine and the county seat of Penobscot County. The city proper has a population of 31,753, making it the state's 3rd-largest settlement, behind Portland (68,408) and Lewiston (37,121). Modern Bangor ...
(1911)Great Fire of 1911 Historic District NRHP Registration Form
(1984) * Eastern Trust Building, 6 State St,
Bangor, Maine Bangor ( ) is a city in the U.S. state of Maine and the county seat of Penobscot County. The city proper has a population of 31,753, making it the state's 3rd-largest settlement, behind Portland (68,408) and Lewiston (37,121). Modern Bangor ...
(1912) * Balentine Hall,
University of Maine The University of Maine (UMaine or UMO) is a Public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university in Orono, Maine. It was established in 1865 as the land-grant college of Maine and is the Flagship universities, flagshi ...
,
Orono, Maine Orono () is a town in Penobscot County, Maine, United States. Located on the Penobscot and Stillwater rivers, it was first settled by American colonists in 1774. They named it in honor of Chief Joseph Orono, a sachem of the indigenous Penobscot ...
(1914) * Gallison Memorial Library, 1292 Main St,
Harrington, Maine Harrington is a town in Washington County, Maine, United States. The population was 962 at the 2020 census. Harrington is an old seafaring and shipbuilding village. History Originally called Plantation Number 5, it was one of six townships eas ...
(1922–23, NRHP 2001)Gallison Memorial Library NRHP Registration Form
(2001) * Stevens Hall,
University of Maine The University of Maine (UMaine or UMO) is a Public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university in Orono, Maine. It was established in 1865 as the land-grant college of Maine and is the Flagship universities, flagshi ...
,
Orono, Maine Orono () is a town in Penobscot County, Maine, United States. Located on the Penobscot and Stillwater rivers, it was first settled by American colonists in 1774. They named it in honor of Chief Joseph Orono, a sachem of the indigenous Penobscot ...
(1923 and 1930) * Phi Gamma Delta House, 79 College Ave,
Orono, Maine Orono () is a town in Penobscot County, Maine, United States. Located on the Penobscot and Stillwater rivers, it was first settled by American colonists in 1774. They named it in honor of Chief Joseph Orono, a sachem of the indigenous Penobscot ...
(1925, NRHP 2013)Phi Gamma Delta House NRHP Registration Form
(2013) * Shaw Public Library, 9 Lily Bay Rd,
Greenville, Maine : Greenville is a town in Piscataquis County, Maine, United States. The population was 1,437 at the 2020 census. The town is centered on the lower end of Moosehead Lake, the largest body of fresh water in the state. Greenville is the historic ...
(1925) * Rogers Hall,
University of Maine The University of Maine (UMaine or UMO) is a Public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university in Orono, Maine. It was established in 1865 as the land-grant college of Maine and is the Flagship universities, flagshi ...
,
Orono, Maine Orono () is a town in Penobscot County, Maine, United States. Located on the Penobscot and Stillwater rivers, it was first settled by American colonists in 1774. They named it in honor of Chief Joseph Orono, a sachem of the indigenous Penobscot ...
(1928) * Colvin Hall,
University of Maine The University of Maine (UMaine or UMO) is a Public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university in Orono, Maine. It was established in 1865 as the land-grant college of Maine and is the Flagship universities, flagshi ...
,
Orono, Maine Orono () is a town in Penobscot County, Maine, United States. Located on the Penobscot and Stillwater rivers, it was first settled by American colonists in 1774. They named it in honor of Chief Joseph Orono, a sachem of the indigenous Penobscot ...
(1930) * Merrill Hall,
University of Maine The University of Maine (UMaine or UMO) is a Public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university in Orono, Maine. It was established in 1865 as the land-grant college of Maine and is the Flagship universities, flagshi ...
,
Orono, Maine Orono () is a town in Penobscot County, Maine, United States. Located on the Penobscot and Stillwater rivers, it was first settled by American colonists in 1774. They named it in honor of Chief Joseph Orono, a sachem of the indigenous Penobscot ...
(1931) * Oak Hall,
University of Maine The University of Maine (UMaine or UMO) is a Public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university in Orono, Maine. It was established in 1865 as the land-grant college of Maine and is the Flagship universities, flagshi ...
,
Orono, Maine Orono () is a town in Penobscot County, Maine, United States. Located on the Penobscot and Stillwater rivers, it was first settled by American colonists in 1774. They named it in honor of Chief Joseph Orono, a sachem of the indigenous Penobscot ...
(1937) * Lyndon Oak Memorial Library, 20 Corinth Rd,
Garland, Maine Garland is a town in Penobscot County, Maine, United States. The population was 1,026 at the 2020 census. History Garland was settled in 1802 and incorporated in 1811. It was named for the first settler, Joseph Garland, who came from Salis ...
(1937) * Orono High School (former), 14 Goodridge Dr,
Orono, Maine Orono () is a town in Penobscot County, Maine, United States. Located on the Penobscot and Stillwater rivers, it was first settled by American colonists in 1774. They named it in honor of Chief Joseph Orono, a sachem of the indigenous Penobscot ...
(1938) * William S. Cohen School, 304 Garland St,
Bangor, Maine Bangor ( ) is a city in the U.S. state of Maine and the county seat of Penobscot County. The city proper has a population of 31,753, making it the state's 3rd-largest settlement, behind Portland (68,408) and Lewiston (37,121). Modern Bangor ...
(1940) * James F. Doughty School, 143 5th St,
Bangor, Maine Bangor ( ) is a city in the U.S. state of Maine and the county seat of Penobscot County. The city proper has a population of 31,753, making it the state's 3rd-largest settlement, behind Portland (68,408) and Lewiston (37,121). Modern Bangor ...
(1940) * Estabrook Hall,
University of Maine The University of Maine (UMaine or UMO) is a Public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university in Orono, Maine. It was established in 1865 as the land-grant college of Maine and is the Flagship universities, flagshi ...
,
Orono, Maine Orono () is a town in Penobscot County, Maine, United States. Located on the Penobscot and Stillwater rivers, it was first settled by American colonists in 1774. They named it in honor of Chief Joseph Orono, a sachem of the indigenous Penobscot ...
(1940) *
Raymond H. Fogler Library The Raymond H. Fogler Library is an academic library at the University of Maine in Orono. The library's collections include approximately more than 1 million volumes, nearly 4 million periodical subscriptions, 1.6 million microfor ...
,
University of Maine The University of Maine (UMaine or UMO) is a Public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university in Orono, Maine. It was established in 1865 as the land-grant college of Maine and is the Flagship universities, flagshi ...
,
Orono, Maine Orono () is a town in Penobscot County, Maine, United States. Located on the Penobscot and Stillwater rivers, it was first settled by American colonists in 1774. They named it in honor of Chief Joseph Orono, a sachem of the indigenous Penobscot ...
(1941–47) * Chatbourne Hall,
University of Maine The University of Maine (UMaine or UMO) is a Public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university in Orono, Maine. It was established in 1865 as the land-grant college of Maine and is the Flagship universities, flagshi ...
,
Orono, Maine Orono () is a town in Penobscot County, Maine, United States. Located on the Penobscot and Stillwater rivers, it was first settled by American colonists in 1774. They named it in honor of Chief Joseph Orono, a sachem of the indigenous Penobscot ...
(1947) * Corbett Hall,
University of Maine The University of Maine (UMaine or UMO) is a Public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university in Orono, Maine. It was established in 1865 as the land-grant college of Maine and is the Flagship universities, flagshi ...
,
Orono, Maine Orono () is a town in Penobscot County, Maine, United States. Located on the Penobscot and Stillwater rivers, it was first settled by American colonists in 1774. They named it in honor of Chief Joseph Orono, a sachem of the indigenous Penobscot ...
(1947) * Dunn Hall,
University of Maine The University of Maine (UMaine or UMO) is a Public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university in Orono, Maine. It was established in 1865 as the land-grant college of Maine and is the Flagship universities, flagshi ...
,
Orono, Maine Orono () is a town in Penobscot County, Maine, United States. Located on the Penobscot and Stillwater rivers, it was first settled by American colonists in 1774. They named it in honor of Chief Joseph Orono, a sachem of the indigenous Penobscot ...
(1947) * Boardman Hall,
University of Maine The University of Maine (UMaine or UMO) is a Public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university in Orono, Maine. It was established in 1865 as the land-grant college of Maine and is the Flagship universities, flagshi ...
,
Orono, Maine Orono () is a town in Penobscot County, Maine, United States. Located on the Penobscot and Stillwater rivers, it was first settled by American colonists in 1774. They named it in honor of Chief Joseph Orono, a sachem of the indigenous Penobscot ...
(1949) * Deering Hall,
University of Maine The University of Maine (UMaine or UMO) is a Public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university in Orono, Maine. It was established in 1865 as the land-grant college of Maine and is the Flagship universities, flagshi ...
,
Orono, Maine Orono () is a town in Penobscot County, Maine, United States. Located on the Penobscot and Stillwater rivers, it was first settled by American colonists in 1774. They named it in honor of Chief Joseph Orono, a sachem of the indigenous Penobscot ...
(1949) *
Bangor Daily News The ''Bangor Daily News'' is an American newspaper covering a large portion of central and eastern Maine, published six days per week in Bangor, Maine. The ''Bangor Daily News'' was founded on June 18, 1889; it merged with the ''Bangor Whig and ...
Building, 491 Main St,
Bangor, Maine Bangor ( ) is a city in the U.S. state of Maine and the county seat of Penobscot County. The city proper has a population of 31,753, making it the state's 3rd-largest settlement, behind Portland (68,408) and Lewiston (37,121). Modern Bangor ...
(1955) * Millinocket Regional Hospital, 200 Somerset St,
Millinocket, Maine Millinocket is a town in Penobscot County, Maine, United States. The population was 4,114 at the 2020 census. Millinocket's economy has historically been centered on forest products and recreation, but the paper company closed in 2008. History ...
(1955)


Notes


References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Crowell, C. Parker Architects from Bangor, Maine University of Maine alumni Fellows of the American Institute of Architects 20th-century American architects 1876 births 1959 deaths