Thomas Alexander Tefft (August 2, 1826 – December 12, 1859) 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 ...

, from

Providence, Rhode Island Providence () is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of municipalities in Rhode Island, most populous city of the U.S. state of Rhode Island. The county seat of Providence County, Rhode Island, Providence County, it is o ...

. Tefft, one of the nation's first professionally trained architects, is considered a master of ''

Rundbogenstil (round-arch style) is a 19th-century historic revival style of architecture popular in the German-speaking lands and the German diaspora. It combines elements of Byzantine, Romanesque, and Renaissance architecture with particular s ...

'' and a leading American proponent of its use. Prior to his untimely death, Tefft "offered the most advanced designs of isday in America"

Life and career

Early life

Tefft was born in rural

Richmond, Rhode Island Richmond is a town in Washington County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 8,020 at the 2020 census. It contains the villages of Alton, Arcadia, Barberville, Carolina, Hillsdale, Kenyon, Shannock, Tug Hollow, Usquepaug, Woo ...

, outside of the small village of

Wood River Junction Wood River Junction is a small village in the town of Richmond, Rhode Island, Washington County, Rhode Island, United States. It is home to the Chariho school district's main campus and is otherwise largely turf farms, which were potato farm ...

. He was the fourth child of William C. and Sarah Tefft. His family worshiped at the Richmond Six-Principle Baptist Church. During his childhood, Tefft experienced poor health; unable to exert himself physically, he developed an appreciation of books. At the age of 10, he enrolled at a school kept by Elisha Baggs. During his later adolescence, Tefft taught at a local schoolhouse. During the 1840s, the state school commissioner,

Henry Barnard Henry Barnard (January 24, 1811 – July 5, 1900) was an American educator and reformer. Biography He was born in Hartford, Connecticut on January 24, 1811 and attended Wilbraham & Monson Academy. He graduated from Yale University in 1830 and ...

, embarked on an inspection of the state's public schools. Noting Tefft's talents for drawing and the other arts, Barnard convinced him to move to Providence and study architecture. He entered the office of Tallman and Bucklin–then one of the city's primary offices. By 1846, Tefft played a dominant role in the firm's designs. In 1847, he enrolled at

Brown University Brown University is a Private university, private Ivy League research university in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. It is the List of colonial colleges, seventh-oldest institution of higher education in the US, founded in 1764 as the ' ...

, where he studied under

Alexis Caswell Alexis Caswell (January 29, 1799 – January 8, 1877) was an American educator, born in Taunton, Massachusetts. He graduated Brown University in 1822, and entered the Baptist ministry. Career Caswell was professor of mathematics and natural phi ...

. At this time, Tefft exhibited a strong grasp of ''

'', amassing a large library of books on the style and advocating for its use.

Later career and death

In 1851, Tefft graduated from Brown. At the same time, the partnership of Tallman and Bucklin was dissolved. Tefft then opened his own office, and ran a notable practice that lasted only five years. In 1856, he decided to embark on a grand tour of Europe. Due to the beginning of an economic downturn, the only work that Tefft had in his office were the initial designs of

Vassar College Vassar College ( ) is a private liberal arts college in Poughkeepsie, New York, United States. Founded in 1861 by Matthew Vassar, it was the second degree-granting institution of higher education for women in the United States. The college be ...

. With that project stagnating, he chose to go. He departed on the steamer ''Arago'' on December 13, 1856. He began in England, where he studied the works of

Christopher Wren Sir Christopher Wren FRS (; – ) was an English architect, astronomer, mathematician and physicist who was one of the most highly acclaimed architects in the history of England. Known for his work in the English Baroque style, he was ac ...

, among others. He also met and was entertained in the home of noted architect

Charles Barry Sir Charles Barry (23 May 1795 – 12 May 1860) was an English architect best known for his role in the rebuilding of the Palace of Westminster (also known as the Houses of Parliament) in London during the mid-19th century, but also responsi ...

. During his tour, Tefft visited the cities of Paris, Rome, Geneva, Berlin, Milan, and Florence, among others. In 1857, he was invited to join the new

American Institute of Architects The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is a professional organization for architects in the United States. It is headquartered in Washington, D.C. AIA offers education, government advocacy, community redevelopment, and public outreach progr ...

, and was among that organization's first fellows. In December 1859, he fell ill with a fever in Florence at the home of his friend, sculptor

Hiram Powers Hiram Powers (July 29, 1805 – June 27, 1873) was an American neoclassical sculptor. He was one of the first 19th-century American artists to gain an international reputation, largely based on his famous marble sculpture '' The Greek Slave''. ...

. He died there on the 12th. Tefft was first buried in the English Cemetery in Florence; in February 1860, his body was shipped back to Rhode Island, where it was reinterred in

Swan Point Cemetery Swan Point Cemetery is a historic rural cemetery located in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. Established in 1846 on a 60-acre (0.24 km2) plot of land, it has approximately 40,000 interments. History The cemetery was first organize ...

Works

With Tallman and Bucklin, 1846–1851

* Barrington School, 351 Nayatt Road,

Barrington, Rhode Island Barrington is a suburban, residential town in Bristol County, Rhode Island, United States, approximately southeast of Providence. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 17,153. Barrington was founded by Congregationalist separ ...

(1840) – now a private home *Lawrence Hall,

Williams College Williams College is a Private college, private liberal arts colleges in the United States, liberal arts college in Williamstown, Massachusetts, United States. It was established as a men's college in 1793 with funds from the estate of Ephraim ...

Williamstown, Massachusetts Williamstown is a town in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, United States. It shares a border with Vermont to the north and New York to the west. Located in Berkshire County, the town is part of the Pittsfield, Massachusetts metropolitan statis ...

(1846–47) – built as the library, now part of the

Williams College Museum of Art The Williams College Museum of Art (WCMA) is a college-affiliated art museum in Williamstown, Massachusetts. It is located on the Williams College campus, close to the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MASS MoCA) and the Clark Art Institu ...

Butler Hospital Butler Hospital is a private, non-profit, psychiatric and substance abuse hospital for adolescents, adults, and seniors, located at 345 Blackstone Boulevard in Providence, Rhode Island. The hospital is affiliated with the Warren Alpert Medical S ...

, 345 Blackstone Blvd., Providence, RI (1847) – significantly altered *

Elisha Dyer Elisha Dyer (July 20, 1811 – May 17, 1890) was an American politician and the 25th Governor of Rhode Island. Early life Dyer was born in Providence, Rhode Island, on July 20, 1811, to an old New England family which traced its Dyer ancestry ...

House, 11 Greene St., Providence, RI (1847) – demolished * Freight House No. 1, Canal St. at Elizabeth, Providence, RI (1847–48) – served as the passenger station until Union Station was completed, demolished * Gatehouse,

, 585 Blackstone Blvd., Providence, RI (1847) – demolished * Receiving Vault, Swan Point Cemetery, 585 Blackstone Blvd., Providence, RI (1847) * Second Universalist Church, 151 Weybosset St., Providence, RI (1847–49) – burned in 2006 * St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 55 Main St., Wickford, RI (1847) * Liberty Street School, 10 Liberty St.,

Warren, Rhode Island Warren is a town in Bristol County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 11,147 at the 2020 census. History Warren was the site of the Pokanoket Indian settlement of Sowams located on a peninsula within the Pokanoket region. The reg ...

(1847) * Allendale School, 545 Woonasquatucket Ave., Allendale, RI (1848)Page 99, Proceedings of the Rhode Island Historical Society, 1873–74 (1874) * Centerdale School, Thomas St., Centerdale, RI (1848) – demolished * Howard's Block, 171 Westminster St., Providence, RI (1848) – burned in 1853 * Providence Union Station, Kennedy Plaza, Providence, RI (1848) – burned in 1896 * Remodeling of house for Richard James Arnold, 124 S. Main St., Providence, RI (1848) – This house was once the Sabin Tavern; it was demolished in 1891. * Union High and Grammar School, 60 High School St.,

Woonsocket, RI Woonsocket ( ), is a city in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 43,240 at the 2020 census, making it the sixth largest city in the state. Being Rhode Island's northernmost city, Woonsocket lies directly south of ...

(1848–49) – burned in 1875 * Young Ladies' High School, 235 Benefit St., Providence, RI (1848) * Indiana Cotton Mills, 310 Washington St.,

Cannelton, Indiana Cannelton is a city in Troy Township, Perry County, Indiana, Troy Township, Perry County, Indiana, Perry County, in the U.S. state of Indiana, along the Ohio River. The population was 1,524 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census. Cannelton ...

(1849–50) – now the Cotton Mill Apartments * Menzies Sweet House, 12 Arnold St., Providence, RI (1850) * Narragansett Baptist Church, 170 S. Ferry Rd., South Ferry, RI (1850) * Pastors' Rest Monument, Swan Point Cemetery, 585 Blackstone Blvd., Providence, RI (1850) * Remodeling of the

Rhode Island State House The Rhode Island State House, the capitol of the state of Rhode Island, is located at 82 Smith Street just below the crest of Smith Hill, Providence, Rhode Island, Smith Hill, on the border of Downtown, Providence, Rhode Island, downtown in Prov ...

, 150 Benefit St., Providence, RI (1850)

In private practice, 1851–1856

* New England Screw Co., 1 Henderson St., Providence, RI (''circa'' 1851) – demolished * Paris Hill House, 201 Washington St., Providence, RI (1851) – later the home of the Union Club of Providence, demolished in 1915 * St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 1 Smith Ave., Greenville, RI (1851) – tower added in 1891 * American Antiquarian Society, 185 Salisbury St.,

Worcester, MA Worcester ( , ) is the List of municipalities in Massachusetts, second-most populous city in the U.S. state of Massachusetts and the list of United States cities by population, 113th most populous city in the United States. Named after Worcester ...

(1852) – demolished in 1909 * Gatehouse, Butler Hospital, 345 Blackstone Blvd., Providence, RI (1852) – demolished * Taunton Bank Building, 9 Taunton Green,

Taunton, MA Taunton is a city in and the county seat of Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States. Taunton is situated on the Taunton River, which winds its way through the city on its way to Mount Hope Bay, to the south. As of the 2020 census, the c ...

(1852) – altered * Wakefield Baptist Church, 236 Main St.,

Wakefield, RI Wakefield-Peacedale (listed as "Wakefield-Peace Dale" by the United States Census Bureau) is a census-designated place (CDP) in the town of South Kingstown in Washington County, Rhode Island, United States that includes the villages of Peace Dal ...

(1852) * Weeden Block, 41 Westminster St., Providence, RI (''circa'' 1852) – demolished * Edward Pearce House, 2 Benevolent St., Providence, RI (1853) – demolished by the Hope Club for a parking lot in 1960 * Emily Harper House, 80 Ocean Ave.,

Newport, RI Newport is a seaside city on Aquidneck Island in Rhode Island, United States. It is located in Narragansett Bay, approximately southeast of Providence, south of Fall River, Massachusetts, south of Boston, and northeast of New York City. It ...

(1853) – greatly expanded in the 1870s, demolished in 1966 * Howard Block, 171 Westminster St., Providence, RI (1853) – burned in 1858 * John B. Palmer House, 151 Waterman St., Providence, RI (1853) – demolished in 1961 * Joseph B. Tompkins House, 38 Catherine St., Newport, RI (1853) * Oakwoods, Oakwoods Dr., Peace Dale, RI (1853) – the home of Rowland Hazard, demolished * Quatrel, 669 Bellevue Ave., Newport, RI (1853–54) – for Earl P. Mason * South Baptist Church, 125 Main St.,

Hartford, Connecticut Hartford is the List of capitals in the United States, capital city of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The city, located in Hartford County, Connecticut, Hartford County, had a population of 121,054 as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 ce ...

(1853–54) – demolished in 1926 * Central Congregational Church, 226 Benefit Street, Providence, RI (1853–56) – purchased and remodeled by

Rhode Island School of Design The Rhode Island School of Design (RISD , pronounced "Riz-D") is a private art and design school in Providence, Rhode Island. The school was founded as a coeducational institution in 1877 by Helen Adelia Rowe Metcalf, who sought to increase th ...

* Tully D. Bowen House, 389 Benefit St., Providence, RI (1853) * First Baptist Church, 212 S. Washington St.,

Alexandria, Virginia Alexandria is an independent city (United States), independent city in Northern Virginia, United States. It lies on the western bank of the Potomac River approximately south of Washington, D.C., D.C. The city's population of 159,467 at the 2020 ...

(1854) – significantly altered * Henry E. Russell House, Lake St. and Grove Hill,

New Britain, CT New Britain is a city in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. It is located approximately southwest of Hartford. The city is part of the Capitol Planning Region. According to the 2020 Census, the population of the city is 74,135. Amo ...

(1854) – demolished * Richmond College, Grace St.,

Richmond, VA Richmond ( ) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital city of the Commonwealth (U.S. state), U.S. commonwealth of Virginia. Incorporated in 1742, Richmond has been an independent city (United States), independent city since 1871. ...

(1854–55) – only one wing was ever built to Tefft's design, the rest deviated from his plan, demolished * Richmond Female Institute, N. 10th and E. Marshall Sts., Richmond, VA (1854) – demolished in 1924 * Robert Lippitt House, 193 Hope St., Providence, RI (1854) * William Slater House, Halliwell Blvd., Slatersville, RI (1854) – demolished * Charles Potter House, 154 Waterman St., Providence, RI (1855) – remodeled ''circa'' 1900 * Charles S. Bradley House, 249 Eaton St., Providence, RI (1855) – now

Providence College Providence College is a Private university, private Roman Catholic university in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. Founded in 1917 by the Dominican Order and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence, it offers 47 undergraduate Academic ...

's Martin Hall. * Elmhurst, 700 Smith St., Providence, RI (1855) – a house for William Grosvenor that lent the neighborhood its name, burned in 1967 * John Carter Brown II Stable, 357 Benevolent St., Providence, RI (1855) * Proposal for

Providence City Hall Providence City Hall is the center of the municipal government in Providence, Rhode Island. It is located at the southwest end of Kennedy Plaza at 25 Dorrance Street in Providence. The building was constructed between 1875 and 1878, and designed ...

, 25 Dorrance St., Providence, RI (1855) – not built * Roger Williams Free Baptist Church, 1076 Westminster St., Providence, RI (1855) – demolished * Bank of North America Building, 48 Weybosset St., Providence, RI (1856) – ground floor altered * Central Baptist Church, Weybosset St. at Empire, Providence, RI (1856) – demolished in 1915 for the new Empire Street * Proposal for Providence Merchants Exchange Building, 76 Westminster St., Providence, RI (1856) – an unusual circular building, not built * Proposal for Vassar College,

Poughkeepsie, New York Poughkeepsie ( ) is a city within the Poughkeepsie (town), New York, Town of Poughkeepsie, New York (state), New York. It is the county seat of Dutchess County, New York, Dutchess County, with a 2020 census population of 31,577. Poughkeepsie i ...

– not built due to economic troubles, the commission later went to Renwick, Auchmuty and Sands of New York CityPage 31, Alma Mater: Design and Experience in the Women's Colleges (Helen Lefkowitz Horowitz, 1984) * Seth Padelford Stable, 17 Benevolent St., Providence, RI (1856) – demolished in 1955

Gallery

File:351 Nayatt 01.jpg, School House (1840), Barrington RI File:Railroad Depot, by E. & H.T. Anthony (Firm) (cropped).png, Providence Union Station (1847) File:Central pavillion on east elevation - Providence and Worcester Railroad, Freight House, Canal Street, Providence, Providence County, RI HAER RI,4-PROV,176A-10.tif, Freight House (1848), Providence File:Indiana Cotton Mill 2.JPG, Cannelton Cotton Mill (1851), Cannelton, I.N. File:Narragansett Baptist Church (South Ferry Church) side.jpg, Narragansett Baptist Church (1850), Narraganset, R.I. File:Historic American Buildings Survey, Laurence E. Tilley, Photographer April, 1958 WEST (FRONT) ELEVATION. - Tully Bowen House, 389 Benefit Street, Providence, Providence County, RI HABS RI,4-PROV,67-1.tif, Tully Bowen House (1853), Providence File:Edward Pearce House Providence RI.jpg, Edward Pearce House (1853), Providence File:Female Institute, 10th Street, Richmond, Va., occupied as Army Headquarters LCCN2014645796.tif, Richmond Female Institute (1854), Richmond, V.A. File:Historic Building on College Hill, Providence, RI.jpg, Robert Lippitt House (1854), Providence File:Martin Hall Providence College.jpg, Martin Hall, Providence College (1855), Providence File:Charles Potter House Providence RI.jpg, Charles Potter House (1855), Providence File:Design for City Hall, Providence, R.I.jpg, Proposal for

(1855) File:Central Baptist Church, Providence.jpg, Central Baptist Church (1856), Providence File:Merchants Exchange, Providence.jpg, Proposal for ''Providence Merchants Exchange Building'' (1856)

References

External links

''The Architect and Monetarian: A Brief Memoir of Thomas Alexander Tefft'' by Edward Martin Stone (1869)
Full text. Retrieved 9 December 2014.
Thomas Alexander Tefft: Architect Extraordinaire
Retrieved 9 December 2014. * {{DEFAULTSORT:Tefft, Thomas A. 1826 births 1859 deaths Brown University alumni People from Richmond, Rhode Island Architects from Rhode Island Architects from Providence, Rhode Island 19th-century American architects Burials at Swan Point Cemetery Fellows of the American Institute of Architects