Charles Lewis Bowman
Encyclopedia
Charles Lewis Bowman was an American architect
.
Born in New York City
December 9, 1890 but raised in Mount Vernon, New York
he graduated from Cornell University
in Ithaca, New York
with both his Bachelors (Class of 1912) and Master's degree in architecture. Per a notice in The New York Times of the accomplishment, he was the first recipient of a fellowship in architecture awarded at Cornell as a standout student with several undergraduate awards.
His mother was a descendent of Col. Fielding Lewis and Betty Washington, the only sister of President George Washington
.
His daughter Jean (1917–1994) would later found in 1980 the American Academy of Equine Art and be noted sporting artist.
based real estate and construction firm, Gramatan Homes.
In 1918, after having establish good rapport with some of the best craftsmen in Westchester County, he established his own private firm.
A notable example from 1920 is the home for Frederick K. Shaff, Chairman of Combustion Engineering Super Heating in the Elm Rock estates section of Bronxville.
He was a listed member of The American Institute of Architects
(AIA) 1932-1958
. Within Bronxville works were even more pronounced in an elite section known as Lawrence Park. Bowman enjoyed a career of successful output until his last work in 1962.
His first solo works were completed in Mount Vernon, NY. Bowman went on to construct nine homes in Pelham, NY. Bowman's firm expanded to design homes in Westchester County, including Bronxville, New York
, Eastchester, New York, and Scarsdale, New York
, and in more distant communities including Long Island
, Reading, Pennsylvania
, Englewood, New Jersey
, Short Hills, New Jersey
, Greenwich, Connecticut
, and The Plains, Virginia
. Many of Bowman's homes, including the Ohrstrom home, were constructed by the firm of Cuzzi Brothers & Singer, also of Mount Vernon, NY.
For client George Lewis Ohrstrom he designed "Old Mill Farm"" and following the divorce, remarriage and relocation of Mr. Ohrstrom to The Plains, Virginia he would design part of his "Whitewood" estate there. "Old Mill Farm" would be acquired by actor / director Mel Gibson
in 1994 for a reported $9.25 million. The 77 acres (311,608.2 m²) farm would be listed for sale in July 2007 at $39,500,000 through Sotheby's Realty. It eventually sold in April 2010 for just under $24 million.
While often referred to by critics of the day as "Stockbroker Tudor" for their new money appeal, the homes have today become highly sought after residences owing to the high quality building materials, fine design, careful positioning of the homes on often generous lots and the large but not overwhelming size. Rarely were homes built over 5000 square feet (464.5 m²).
Bowman left his most concentrated mark as an architect upon the community of Bronxville, designing 53 homes, all but one of which survive today. Their styles vary from Georgian, Cotswold, and Tudor, to Normandy and Mediterranean. He was perhaps in his prime when he worked from English architectural roots with Jacobean designs displaying steep slate roofs, rich with stone or brickwork, timbering, leaded glass windows and clustered chimneys.
He designed for Robert and Dorothy (who went by the nickname of "Dickie") Roebling a three-story 10000 square feet (929 m²) stone Norman style manor house on 18 acres (72,843.5 m²) just outside of Princeton, New Jersey
in Lawrence Township. The home begun shortly after Bob and Dickie were married in 1925 would be completed in 1928. Robert was heir of the famed construction family, John A. Roebling’s Sons Co, best known for building the Brooklyn Bridge
. Known as Landfall the highly attractive manor house with its steep roofs, tall turrets and walled cobblestone court is extant today on 5 acres (20,234.3 m²).
. Commissioned by equestrian sportsman and financeer George Lewis Ohrstrom the 137 acre (0.55441982 km²) estate with the Elizabethan stone manor house and stable complex plus numerous outbuildings was all designed by Bowman.
The "Old Mill Farm" was exhibited at the Architectural League of New York in 1932 and was featured in several architectural publications - including the Architectural Record - of the day.
resulted in him having to sell his home and have his family live in his studio. Later the changing tastes post World War II
further impacted his fortune as the market for Tudor mansion was nonexistent.
He lived in an apartment from the mid-1960s until the time of his death in 1971.
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
.
Born in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
December 9, 1890 but raised in Mount Vernon, New York
Mount Vernon, New York
Mount Vernon is a city in Westchester County, New York, United States. It lies on the border of the New York City borough of The Bronx.-Overview:...
he graduated from Cornell University
Cornell University
Cornell University is an Ivy League university located in Ithaca, New York, United States. It is a private land-grant university, receiving annual funding from the State of New York for certain educational missions...
in Ithaca, New York
Ithaca, New York
The city of Ithaca, is a city in upstate New York and the county seat of Tompkins County, as well as the largest community in the Ithaca-Tompkins County metropolitan area...
with both his Bachelors (Class of 1912) and Master's degree in architecture. Per a notice in The New York Times of the accomplishment, he was the first recipient of a fellowship in architecture awarded at Cornell as a standout student with several undergraduate awards.
His mother was a descendent of Col. Fielding Lewis and Betty Washington, the only sister of President George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
.
His daughter Jean (1917–1994) would later found in 1980 the American Academy of Equine Art and be noted sporting artist.
Post Graduation
Lewis would work for the prestigious firm of McKim, Mead and White in New York City as a draftsman during the summers of 1911 - 1913. He briefly joined the firm after graduation but left relatively shortly thereafter. He took a position with Mount VernonMount Vernon
The name Mount Vernon is a dedication to the English Vice-Admiral Edward Vernon. It was first applied to Mount Vernon, the Virginia estate of George Washington, the first President of the United States...
based real estate and construction firm, Gramatan Homes.
In 1918, after having establish good rapport with some of the best craftsmen in Westchester County, he established his own private firm.
A notable example from 1920 is the home for Frederick K. Shaff, Chairman of Combustion Engineering Super Heating in the Elm Rock estates section of Bronxville.
He was a listed member of The American Institute of Architects
American Institute of Architects
The American Institute of Architects 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 support the architecture profession and improve its public image...
(AIA) 1932-1958
Private practice
His firm's output was confined to the Northeastern section of the United States. During its lifespan an ever greater concentration of works were within the affluent community of Bronxville, New YorkBronxville, New York
Bronxville is an affluent village within the town of Eastchester, New York, in the United States. It is a suburb of New York City, located approximately north of midtown Manhattan in southern Westchester County. At the 2010 census, Bronxville had a population of 6,323...
. Within Bronxville works were even more pronounced in an elite section known as Lawrence Park. Bowman enjoyed a career of successful output until his last work in 1962.
His first solo works were completed in Mount Vernon, NY. Bowman went on to construct nine homes in Pelham, NY. Bowman's firm expanded to design homes in Westchester County, including Bronxville, New York
Bronxville, New York
Bronxville is an affluent village within the town of Eastchester, New York, in the United States. It is a suburb of New York City, located approximately north of midtown Manhattan in southern Westchester County. At the 2010 census, Bronxville had a population of 6,323...
, Eastchester, New York, and Scarsdale, New York
Scarsdale, New York
Scarsdale is a coterminous town and village in Westchester County, New York, United States, in the northern suburbs of New York City. The Town of Scarsdale is coextensive with the Village of Scarsdale, but the community has opted to operate solely with a village government, one of several villages...
, and in more distant communities including Long Island
Long Island
Long Island is an island located in the southeast part of the U.S. state of New York, just east of Manhattan. Stretching northeast into the Atlantic Ocean, Long Island contains four counties, two of which are boroughs of New York City , and two of which are mainly suburban...
, Reading, Pennsylvania
Reading, Pennsylvania
Reading is a city in southeastern Pennsylvania, USA, and seat of Berks County. Reading is the principal city of the Greater Reading Area and had a population of 88,082 as of the 2010 census, making it the fifth most populated city in the state after Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown and Erie,...
, Englewood, New Jersey
Englewood, New Jersey
Englewood is a city located in Bergen County, New Jersey. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 27,147.Englewood was incorporated as a city by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 17, 1899, from portions of Ridgefield Township and the remaining portions of...
, Short Hills, New Jersey
Short Hills, New Jersey
Short Hills is an unincorporated area located within the township of Millburn, in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. It is a popular commuter town for residents who work in New York City...
, Greenwich, Connecticut
Greenwich, Connecticut
Greenwich is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. As of the 2010 census, the town had a total population of 61,171. It is home to many hedge funds and other financial service companies. Greenwich is the southernmost and westernmost municipality in Connecticut and is 38+ minutes ...
, and The Plains, Virginia
The Plains, Virginia
The Plains is a town in Fauquier County, Virginia, United States. The population was 266 at the 2000 census. It is centered around Virginia Route 55 and Virginia Route 245...
. Many of Bowman's homes, including the Ohrstrom home, were constructed by the firm of Cuzzi Brothers & Singer, also of Mount Vernon, NY.
For client George Lewis Ohrstrom he designed "Old Mill Farm"" and following the divorce, remarriage and relocation of Mr. Ohrstrom to The Plains, Virginia he would design part of his "Whitewood" estate there. "Old Mill Farm" would be acquired by actor / director Mel Gibson
Mel Gibson
Mel Colm-Cille Gerard Gibson, AO is an American actor, film director, producer and screenwriter. Born in Peekskill, New York, Gibson moved with his parents to Sydney, Australia when he was 12 years old and later studied acting at the Australian National Institute of Dramatic Art.After appearing in...
in 1994 for a reported $9.25 million. The 77 acres (311,608.2 m²) farm would be listed for sale in July 2007 at $39,500,000 through Sotheby's Realty. It eventually sold in April 2010 for just under $24 million.
While often referred to by critics of the day as "Stockbroker Tudor" for their new money appeal, the homes have today become highly sought after residences owing to the high quality building materials, fine design, careful positioning of the homes on often generous lots and the large but not overwhelming size. Rarely were homes built over 5000 square feet (464.5 m²).
Bowman left his most concentrated mark as an architect upon the community of Bronxville, designing 53 homes, all but one of which survive today. Their styles vary from Georgian, Cotswold, and Tudor, to Normandy and Mediterranean. He was perhaps in his prime when he worked from English architectural roots with Jacobean designs displaying steep slate roofs, rich with stone or brickwork, timbering, leaded glass windows and clustered chimneys.
He designed for Robert and Dorothy (who went by the nickname of "Dickie") Roebling a three-story 10000 square feet (929 m²) stone Norman style manor house on 18 acres (72,843.5 m²) just outside of Princeton, New Jersey
Princeton, New Jersey
Princeton is a community located in Mercer County, New Jersey, United States. It is best known as the location of Princeton University, which has been sited in the community since 1756...
in Lawrence Township. The home begun shortly after Bob and Dickie were married in 1925 would be completed in 1928. Robert was heir of the famed construction family, John A. Roebling’s Sons Co, best known for building the Brooklyn Bridge
Brooklyn Bridge
The Brooklyn Bridge is one of the oldest suspension bridges in the United States. Completed in 1883, it connects the New York City boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn by spanning the East River...
. Known as Landfall the highly attractive manor house with its steep roofs, tall turrets and walled cobblestone court is extant today on 5 acres (20,234.3 m²).
Awards
The Greenwich Board of Trade awarded him a medal in 1931 for his outstanding design of "Old Mill Farm" in Greenwich, ConnecticutGreenwich, Connecticut
Greenwich is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. As of the 2010 census, the town had a total population of 61,171. It is home to many hedge funds and other financial service companies. Greenwich is the southernmost and westernmost municipality in Connecticut and is 38+ minutes ...
. Commissioned by equestrian sportsman and financeer George Lewis Ohrstrom the 137 acre (0.55441982 km²) estate with the Elizabethan stone manor house and stable complex plus numerous outbuildings was all designed by Bowman.
The "Old Mill Farm" was exhibited at the Architectural League of New York in 1932 and was featured in several architectural publications - including the Architectural Record - of the day.
Decline
Bowman was impacted in the late 1920s by an assistant, Robert Scannell, who struck out on his own taking several clients with him. The Great DepressionGreat Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
resulted in him having to sell his home and have his family live in his studio. Later the changing tastes post World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
further impacted his fortune as the market for Tudor mansion was nonexistent.
He lived in an apartment from the mid-1960s until the time of his death in 1971.