Nathaniel Cannon Smith (1866–1943), professionally known as Nat. C. Smith, was an American painter and architect of New Bedford, Massachusetts.
Life and career Nathaniel Cannon Smith was born January 18, 1866, in New Bedford, Massachusetts, to William T. and Caroline A. (Brownell) Smith. He attended the New Bedford public schools, graduating from New Bedford High School in 1885. For the next three and one-half years he was a student and associate of Edward G. Dobbins, engraver and illustrator. Though he began to advance in that trade, he decided instead to study architecture, sailing for Paris in 1889."Nathaniel Cannon Smith," in History of New Bedford, vol. 2, ed. Zephaniah W. Pease (New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1918): 66-67. He was a student of the Beaux-Arts de Paris and was a member of the atelier of Henri Duray.American Art Annual, vol. 4, ed. Florence N. Levy (New York: American Art Annual, 1903) In 1893 Smith returned to New Bedford, where he established himself as an architect. With the exception of the years 1913 to 1919, when he was in partnership with Myron P. Howland, Smith was a private practitioner for his entire career. He was in active practice until his retirement circa 1940.
Personal life Smith was deeply interested in art and was a long-time supporter and instructor of the Swain School of Design. In 1900 he became an associate of the Society of Beaux-Arts Architects, later known as the Beaux-Arts Institute of Design. For several years Smith operated a small architectural atelier in New Bedford, in association with the Institute. Smith was also a member of the Wamsutta Club and an organizer of the New Bedford Art Club, active from 1907 to 1920.Peggi Medeiros, "New Bedford Art Club another little-known gem in city’s history," southcoasttoday.com, The Standard-Times, June 18, 2018. Accessed June 18, 2021.
Smith married in 1897 to Alice M. Adams of New Bedford. They had one daughter.
Though an architect by profession, Smith was also a painter who exhibited in New Bedford and elsewhere.Nathaniel Cannon Smith (1866 - 1943)
Smith died in New Bedford in 1943.
Legacy Several buildings built to Smith's designs have been listed on the United States National Register of Historic Places, and others contribute to listed historic districts.
Architectural works Nat. C. Smith, 1893-1913 1894 - Union for Good Works Building, 12 Market St, New Bedford, Massachusetts"Union for Good Works - Union Boys Clubhouse". mhc-macris.net. Massachusetts Historical Commission, n.d. Web. 1895 - William H. Wood House, 408 County St, New Bedford, MassachusettsCounty Street Walking Tour. 2012. 1896 - Quequechan Club, 306 N Main St, Fall River, MassachusettsAmerican Architect and Building News 6 June 1896: 95. 1896 - Thomas A. Thornton House, 114 Hawthorn St, New Bedford, MassachusettsMassachusetts Historical Commission 1897 - Dunbar Street School House (George H. Dunbar School), 338 Dartmouth Street, New Bedford, Massachusetts 1897 - Slocum Building, 908 Purchase St, New Bedford, MassachusettsAmerican Architect and Building News 3 April 1897: 8. 1898 - Edward H. Abbe Houses (6), Clinton Pl, New Bedford, Massachusetts A planned cul-de-sac. 1898 - William L. Chadwick House, 117 Mill St, New Bedford, Massachusetts"Chadwick, William L. House". mhc-macris.net. Massachusetts Historical Commission, n.d. Web. 1898 - New Bedford Textile Institute, 1213 Purchase St, New Bedford, Massachusetts"New Bedford Textile School". American Wool and Cotton Reporter 1 Sept. 1898: 1070. 1899 - Union Baptist Church, 109 Court St, New Bedford, MassachusettsEngineering News 29 June 1899: 228. 1900 - John Duff House (Remodeling), 479 County St, New Bedford, Massachusetts 1902 - Bartholomew Gosnold Monument, Cuttyhunk, Massachusetts"The Gosnold Monument," Cuttyhunk Historical Society, June 1983. 1902 - Y. M. C. A. Building, 199 N Main St, Fall River, MassachusettsBrickbuilder Feb. 1902: 44. 1903 - Jennie Smith Grinnell House, 32 Maple St, New Bedford, Massachusetts"Grinnell, Jennie Swift House". mhc-macris.net. Massachusetts Historical Commission, n.d. Web. 1909 - New Bedford Free Public Library (Remodeling), 613 Pleasant St, New Bedford, MassachusettsCity Documents: Municipal Register 1911, Mayor's Address to the Council, Annual Reports, Etc. for the Year 1910. 1911. 1910 - Nathaniel C. Smith House, 1 Howland Ter, New Bedford, Massachusetts"Smith, Nathaniel Cannon House". mhc-macris.net. Massachusetts Historical Commission, n.d. Web. Home of the architect. 1912 - Brockton Public Library, 304 Main St, Brockton, MassachusettsAddresses Delivered at the Laying of the Corner Stone, May 15, 1912. 1913. 1913 - The Whaleman, New Bedford Free Public Library
Smith & Howland, 1913-1919 1913 - Ulrich C. Collette Building, 1566-1570 Acushnet Ave, New Bedford, MassachusettsAmerican Contractor 6 Sept. 1913: 71. 1914 - Thomas B. Wilcox, Jr. House, 9 Maple St, New Bedford, MassachusettsAmerican Contractor 9 May 1914: 56. 1915 - Cummings Building, 96 William St, New Bedford, MassachusettsAmerican Contractor 20 March 1915: 59. 1916 - Henry Watson House, 383 W Clifton St, New Bedford, MassachusettsAmerican Contractor 29 April 1916: 53. 1917 - Office Building, Oak Grove Cemetery, New Bedford, MassachusettsAmerican Contractor 21 July 1917: 46.
Nat. C. Smith, from 1919 1919 - J. V. O'Neil House, 572 Rockdale Ave, New Bedford, MassachusettsAmerican Contractor 20 Sept. 1919: 52. 1921 - Clarence A. Cook School (Old), 91 Summer St, New Bedford, MassachusettsAmerican Contractor 16 April 1921: 60. 1922 - Charles L. Neild House, 554 Rockdale Ave, New Bedford, Massachusetts"Neild, Charles Lincoln House". mhc-macris.net. Massachusetts Historical Commission, n.d. Web. 1923 - Tifereth Israel Synagogue (Old), 42 S 6th St, New Bedford, MassachusettsAmerican Contractor 18 Nov. 1922: 43. 1927 - Crapo Memorial Gallery, Swain School of Design, 19 Hawthorn St, New Bedford, MassachusettsAmerican Art Annual 1927: 9. 1934 - Warming House, Buttonwood Park, Oneida St, New Bedford, Massachusetts"Buttonwood Park - Warming House". mhc-macris.net. Massachusetts Historical Commission, n.d. Web.
References
External links Flickr image of a ship painting by Smith