Muhlenberg Greene Architects, Ltd. is a full-service architecture firm, in continuous operation since 1920, and was one of the predominant architecture/engineering firms in Reading, Pennsylvania, during the first half of the 20th century.
Muhlenberg Greene Architects was originally established in 1920 as Frederick A. Muhlenberg, Registered Architect. Since its founding, Muhlenberg Greene Architects lists over 3,500 commissions to its credit,Muhlenberg Greene Architects. "History", Muhlenberg Greene Architects, Retrieved on 13 May 2013. including many landmarks in the city of Reading, such as Berks Heim, the Reading Medical Arts Building, and Stokesay Castle.
Founder
The original founder of Muhlenberg Greene Architects, Frederick Augustus Muhlenberg II, FAIA was renowned for his endeavors in architecture, politics, community, social services, and the military. Although Frederick Muhlenberg opened an office in Philadelphia around 1917–1919, by 1920, the practice was located exclusively in Reading, and the firm continued through several reorganizations to its present form as Muhlenberg Greene Architects, Ltd.
Frederick A. Muhlenberg, Registered Architect, 1920–1930
Muhlenberg, Yerkes, Muhlenberg, 1930 – 1957 (Partners were Frederick A. Muhlenberg, Simeon M. Yerkes, Charles Rick Muhlenberg (died 7/15/1953), and Frederick H. Muhlenberg.
Muhlenberg and Yerkes Associates, 1957 – 1959
Frederick A. Muhlenberg & Associates, 1959 – 1965
Muhlenberg-Greene-Veres, 1965 – 1972 (Partners were Frederick A. Muhlenberg, Lawrence A. Greene, Jr. and Elmer Veres)
Muhlenberg-Greene Architects, 1972 – 1977 (Partners were Frederick A. Muhlenberg and Lawrence A. Greene, Jr.)
Muhlenberg-Greene Architects, 1977–1980 (Lawrence A. Greene, Jr., Sole Proprietor)
Muhlenberg Greene Architects, Ltd., 1980 – Present
Frequently confused with the Muhlenberg Brothers, an architecture/engineering firm also operating in Reading, Pennsylvania during the first half of the 20th century, Muhlenberg Greene Architects was never affiliated with Muhlenberg Brothers’ firm, although Frederick Muhlenberg does have familial ties with the Brothers.
Officially retiring from the firm in 1977, one week after his 90th birthday, Mr. Muhlenberg still came to the office daily until physical limitations prevented him from doing so about a year later. Fred Muhlenberg died on January 19, 1980, at 92 years of age.
Present organization
Following Mr. Muhlenberg's retirement in 1977, the Firm became the sole proprietorship of Lawrence A. Greene Jr, (who had, at that time, been a partner of the firm for 25 years) until January 1, 1980, when the present corporation, Muhlenberg Greene Architects, Ltd., was established. The original principals/stockholders were Lawrence (Larry) A. Greene, Howard Quaintance, and James (Jim) E. Dockey. In 1983, Dennis W. Rex was added as a principal/stockholder of the Firm. In 1998, John R. Hill became a principal/stockholder. The current principals are Larry Greene, Howard Quaintance, Dennis W. Rex, and John R. Hill. Muhlenberg Greene Architects, Ltd. is a member of the American Institute of Architects and the U.S. Green Building Council, and many of the staff are LEED Accredited Professionals.
Selected projects
Pennsylvania Optical Company, 1916 Chantrell Tool, 1922 Alterations to Pomeroy's Department Store, Reading, Pennsylvania, 1922–1968 The Harold Furniture Company, 726 Penn Street, Reading, Pennsylvania, 1923Condrath, Deb. "Revisiting Reading's Architectural Past: Harold's Furniture Store," Muhlenberg Greene Architects, 10 May 2013. Industrial extensions to Carpenter Steel Company, 1923-1950 Penn Hardware, 1924, 1942 Twelfth street surgical wing of St. Joseph's Hospital, Reading, Pennsylvania, South wing 1926 Croll and Keck, Reading, Pennsylvania, 1927Condrath, Deb. "Revisiting Reading's Architectural Past: Croll and Keck," Muhlenberg Greene Architects, 25 Apr 2013. Annex to the Wyomissing Club, 1929 Reed Street addition to YMCA, Reading, Pennsylvania. Multiple projects for YMCA of Reading, 1929–2000 Medical Arts Building, 230 North Fifth Street, Reading, Pennsylvania, 2 Jan 1931Condrath, Deb. "Revisiting Reading's Architectural Past: Medical Arts Building," Muhlenberg Greene Architects, 9 Jul 2013. Stokesay Castle, Reading, Pennsylvania, built 1932, renovated 2009 Additions to Whitner's, Reading, Pennsylvania, 1941, 1953 Berks Heim, Bern Township, Pennsylvania, 1954, Annex 1974 New Science Building, Kutztown State Teachers College, Kutztown, Pennsylvania, 1959 Episcopal House Apartments, 9th and Washington Streets, Reading, Pennsylvania, 1972 Penn Square Center, Reading, Pennsylvania, 1978 Madison Building, Fourth and Washington Streets, Reading, Pennsylvania, 1984 Reading City Hall addition and renovation, Reading, Pennsylvania, 1994 Reading Eagle Press Hall Addition, Reading, Pennsylvania, 2009 Read's Department Store, Reading, Pennsylvania Two Reading Public Library branches, Reading, Pennsylvania American Bank buildings, Reading, Pennsylvania Four Reading School District Buildings, Reading, Pennsylvania Community General Hospital, Reading, Pennsylvania Western Electric main plant, Reading, Pennsylvania Addition to Bell Telephone Company, Lancaster, Pennsylvania General Battery Corp., Reading, Pennsylvania CNA Insurance, Reading, Pennsylvania Reading-Muhlenberg Vo-Tech, Muhlenberg Township, Pennsylvania Carole & Ray Neag Center, Children's Home of Reading, Reading, Pennsylvania, 2003 C.E. Cole Intermediate School, Muhlenberg School District, Laureldale, Pennsylvania, 2008 Utilities Employees Credit Union, Wyomissing, Pennsylvania, 2010
Other clients
American Chain & Cable Co. The Glidden Company Polymer Corporation Ready, Pratt and Cady
See also Frederick A. Muhlenberg Muhlenberg family Muhlenberg Reading, Pennsylvania Berks County, Pennsylvania George Baer Hiester Medical Arts Building (Reading, Pennsylvania)
References
External links History - Muhlenberg Greene Architects, Muhlenberg Greene Architects, Ltd. The Athenaeum of Philadelphia, "Muhlenberg, Frederick Augustus (1887 - 1980)", Philadelphia Architects and Buildings Frederick Augustus Muhlenberg at ArlingtonCemetery.net, an unofficial website Muhlenberg Greene Architects Ltd. Reading Eagle Business Weekly. Muhlenberg/Greene Architects, Ltd. (M/GA), Reading, Pennsylvania, USA. Archiplanet. Facebook - Muhlenberg Greene Architects. Facebook.