James Sweeney (1868-1919) was an American architect practicing in New London, Connecticut.
Life and career James Sweeney was born December 27, 1868, in New London, Connecticut, to John Sweeney and Bridget (Halvey) Sweeney. After an education at the Bulkeley School, he worked for the New London water department, where he learned the essentials of drafting and civil engineering. Circa 1888 he began working for George Warren Cole, representative in New London of the Boston firm of Shepley, Rutan & Coolidge, and worked on projects such as the New London Public Library and the Williams Memorial Institute (both 1889–91). In 1891, when Cole established an independent office in New London, he made Sweeney his chief assistant. When Cole died in 1893 his Boston partner, Joseph Everett Chandler, consolidated his practice in Boston, and Sweeney took over the business in New London.A Modern History of New London County, Connecticut, vol. 3, ed. Benjamin Tinkham Marshall (New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1922): 244. He built extensively in New London, his most prominent work being the Beaux-Arts reconstruction of the New London Municipal Building in 1912.
Sweeney was a private practitioner for his entire professional career, and continued to work until his death in 1919. After his death, his practice was purchased by Halifax architect A. Graham Creighton, who then lived and practiced in New London for forty years.
Sweeney preferred the Colonial Revival style for his architecture, though he used elements of Beaux-Arts architecture in his large municipal projects and the Gothic Revival style for his only church.
Personal life Sweeney was elected a member of the American Institute of Architects in 1912."Obituary," Journal of the American Institute of Architects 7, no. 8 (August 1919): 373-374.
Sweeney died July 3, 1919, in New London.
Legacy At least two of Sweeney's works have been listed on the United States National Register of Historic Places, and others contribute to listed historic districts.
Architectural works Lyric Hall, New London, Connecticut (1897) St. Mary R. C. School (former), New London, Connecticut (1898)"New Schools," Engineering Record 37, no. 13 (February 26, 1898): 290. House for James P. Murphy, New London, Connecticut (1901)Montauk Avenue Historic District NRHP Registration Form (1990) Union Bank and Trust Company Building, New London, Connecticut (1905, demolished) Harbor School, New London, Connecticut (1907)"New Schools," American School Board Journal 24, no. 3 (March 1907): 26. Mabrey Hotel, New London, Connecticut (1910)"Summer Hotel at Ocean Beach," New York Hotel Record 8, no. 12 (March 8, 1910): 5. Old Saybrook Town Hall (former), Old Saybrook, Connecticut (1910–11, NRHP 2007)Ted Levy, Old Saybrook: A Main Street History (Charleston: History Press, 2020) New London Municipal Building, New London, Connecticut (1912)"Buildings," Engineering News 68, no. 4 (July 25, 1912): 59. House for Ludwig Mann, New London, Connecticut (1915)"New London, Conn." in American Contractor 36, no. 9 (February 27, 1915): 47. Our Lady of Perpetual Help R. C. Church (former), New London, Connecticut (1915)"New London, Conn.," American Contractor 36, no. 21 (May 22, 1915): 55. Thames Hall, Connecticut College, New London, Connecticut (1915, demolished 1990) Flanders School (former), East Lyme, Connecticut (1916)"New London, Conn.," American Contractor 37, no. 36 (September 2, 1916): 76. New London Almshouse, New London, Connecticut (1916–17) Quaker Hill School, Waterford, Connecticut (1917)
Gallery of architectural works
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