Guy Kirkham (November 13, 1864 – August 3, 1935) was an American architect in practice in Springfield, Massachusetts, from 1892 until his retirement in 1932. From 1904 until his retirement he was senior partner of the firm of Kirkham & Parlett.
Life and career Guy Kirkham was born November 13, 1864 in, Springfield, Massachusetts, to William Kirkham Jr., a jeweler, and Harriet Newell Kirkham, née Merriam. His maternal grandfather was Charles Merriam, a founder in 1831 of what is today Merriam-Webster."Kirkham, Guy" in Our County and Its People: A History of Hampden County, Massachusetts 3, ed. Alfred Minot Copeland (Century Memorial Publishing Company, 1902): 564."Guy Kirkham, 70, retired architect, dies at his home," Springfield Daily Republican, August 4, 1935, 1 and 2. His father died when he was young, and when he was about thirteen his mother remarried to Charles D. Hosley, another jeweler."Mrs. C. D. Hosley dies," Springfield Daily Republican, June 18, 1917, 4.
Kirkham was educated in the Springfield public schools and at St. Paul's School before entering the Massachusetts Institute of Technology as a special student in architecture, studying with the class of 1887. He worked for Gilbert & Taylor in St. Paul from 1886 to 1888, for Renwick, Aspinwall & Russell in New York City from 1888 to 1890 and for Gardner, Pyne & Gardner in Springfield from 1890 to 1892, excepting much of the year 1890–91, which he spent traveling in Europe. In 1892 he opened an office of his own in Springfield. He was a sole practitioner until 1904, when he formed the partnership of Kirkham & Parlett with architect Edwin J. Parlett. Kirkham and Kirkham & Parlett developed a large practice in western Massachusetts. They designed many large public and private buildings, most notably the High School of Commerce, completed in 1915, and the headquarters of the Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company, completed in 1926. Parlett died in April 1931,"Edwin J. Parlett, local architect, dead at capital," Springfield Daily Republican, April 13, 1931, 1 and 2. and Kirkham retired in 1932."Will retire as architect," Springfield Union, May 10, 1932, 7.
In 1928 Kirkham was appointed to the Springfield park commission by mayor Fordis C. Parker. He was reappointed in 1929 and was elected chairman in 1930, making him an ex officio member of the planning board. He served until 1934, when he declined reappointment."Prominent local architect leaves park commission," Springfield Daily Republican, April 9, 1934, 1.
In 1897 Kirkham joined the American Institute of Architects (AIA) as a Fellow. He was the first AIA Fellow from the Springfield area. He was a member of several social and fraternal organizations in Springfield and was involved in local philanthropic causes.
Personal life Kirkham was married in 1892 to Grace Freeman Dwight of Springfield. Her grandfather, George Dwight, was a rifle manufacturer who served as the last civilian superintendent of the Springfield Armory. He is credited with successfully ramping up rifle production at the start of the American Civil War.Wayne Phaneuf, "Civil War September 1861: Springfield Armory fuels the remaking of a city," MassLive, September 2, 2011. Accessed October 7, 2024.
Kirkham had one son and three daughters. They lived in the McKnight neighborhood of Springfield, in two successive houses designed by Kirkham. The first was built in 1892 and designed in the Shingle Style, the second in 1909 in the Arts and Crafts style.Derek Strahan, "Guy Kirkham House, Springfield, Mass," Lost New England, June 19, 2017. Accessed October 7, 2024. He was a parishioner of the Church of the Unity, the building of which was the first completed work of architect H. H. Richardson.
Kirkham died August 3, 1935, in Springfield at the age of 70.
Legacy After Kirkham's retirement, Kirkham & Parlett was continued by Charles E. Hamilton, an associate since 1928, under his own name. Hamilton died in December 1944 and did not leave a professional successor."Charles E. Hamilton, architect, dead at 70," Springfield Daily Republican, December 3, 1944, 10.
At least one of Kirkham's works has been listed on the United States National Register of Historic Places, and others contribute to listed historic districts.
Architectural works Guy Kirkham, to 1904 1889 – Charles D. Hosley house, 1166 Worthington St, Springfield, MassachusettsAmerican Architect and Building News 25, no. 688 (March 2, 1889): 103. 1892 – Guy Kirkham house, 145 Clarendon St, Springfield, MassachusettsHistoric Building Detail: SPR.1295, Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System, no date. Accessed October 7, 2024. 1894 – Charles A. Bowles house, 81 Mulberry St, Springfield, MassachusettsDerek Strahan, "Charles A. Bowles House, Springfield, Mass," Lost New England, February 23, 2018. Accessed October 9, 2024. 1896 – Smith Hall, Wilbraham & Monson Academy, Wilbraham, MassachusettsHistoric Building Detail: WIL.70, Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System, no date. Accessed October 6, 2024. 1897 – Home for Friendless Women and Children (former), 136 William St, Springfield, MassachusettsHistoric Building Detail: SPR.189, Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System, no date. Accessed October 6, 2024. 1900 – Springfield Home for Aged Women (former), 471 Chestnut St, Springfield, MassachusettsHistoric Building Detail: SPR.2703, Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System, no date. Accessed October 6, 2024. 1902 – Goodwin Memorial Library (former), 48 Middle St, Hadley, MassachusettsHistoric Building Detail: HAD.81, Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System, no date. Accessed October 6, 2024. 1905 – Unitarian Society of Northampton and Florence, 220 Main St, Northampton, MassachusettsHistoric Building Detail: NTH.791, Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System, no date. Accessed October 6, 2024.
Kirkham & Parlett, 1904–1932 1904 – Woods Hall, Springfield College, Springfield, Massachusetts"Woods Hall dedicated," Holyoke Daily Transcript, September 29, 1904, 7. 1905 – Howard Street School, 59 Howard St, Springfield, MassachusettsHistoric Building Detail: SPR.203, Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System, no date. Accessed October 6, 2024. 1906 – Charles B. Hitchcock house, 321 Longhill St, Springfield, MassachusettsC. D. Nahmer, "These house owners found contract system didn't meet their needs," Springfield Daily Republican, May 20, 1917, 2.Historic Building Detail: SPR.2091, Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System, no date. Accessed October 9, 2024. 1908 – Springfield Day Nursery, 103 William St, Springfield, MassachusettsHistoric Building Detail: SPR.2823, Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System, no date. Accessed October 6, 2024. 1909 – All Saints Episcopal Church (former), 41 Oakland St, Springfield, MassachusettsHistoric Building Detail: SPR.3855, Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System, no date. Accessed October 6, 2024. 1909 – Bookstore Building, 1383 Main St, Springfield, Massachusetts"Johnson Bookstore Building," Transcript-Telegram, October 6, 1909, 11. 1909 – Guy Kirkham house, 120 Clarendon St, Springfield, MassachusettsHistoric Building Detail: SPR.1177, Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System, no date. Accessed October 6, 2024. 1909 – Springfield City Library Forest Park branch, 300 Belmont Ave, Springfield, MassachusettsHistoric Building Detail: SPR.3770, Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System, no date. Accessed October 6, 2024. 1911 – Leo L. Ley house, 46 Randolph St, Springfield, Massachusetts"Leo Ley to build," Springfield Union, April 7, 1911, 6. 1911 – Frederick H. Stebbins house, 86 Bowdoin St, Springfield, Massachusetts"Attorney Stebbins to build fine residence," Springfield Daily News, April 10, 1911, 5. 1912 – Menagerie and stable buildings, Forest Park, Springfield, MassachusettsHistoric Building Detail: SPR.4524, Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System, no date. Accessed October 6, 2024. 1913 – Chicopee Public Library (former), 31 Center St, Chicopee, MassachusettsHistoric Building Detail: CHI.342, Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System, no date. Accessed October 6, 2024. 1913 – Olivet Congregational Church (former), 33 Oak St, Springfield, MassachusettsHistoric Building Detail: SPR.4433, Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System, no date. Accessed October 6, 2024. 1915 – High School of Commerce, 415 State St, Springfield, MassachusettsHistoric Building Detail: SPR.4175, Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System, no date. Accessed October 6, 2024. 1917 – Springfield Day Nursery (former), 27 Pendleton St, Springfield, MassachusettsHistoric Building Detail: SPR.4450, Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System, no date. Accessed October 6, 2024. 1920 – Forbes & Wallace department store, Main St and Boland Way, Springfield, Massachusetts"New Forbes & Wallace store addition which will be started early in spring," Springfield Union, December 14, 1919, 5. 1923 – William H. Sargeant house, 406 Longhill St, Springfield, Massachusetts"Home of W. H. Sargeant in Long Hill Street retains English characteristics," Springfield Union, December 2, 1923, 5. 1924 – Adams Hall, American International College, Springfield, MassachusettsArchitectural Forum (April 1925): 250. 1924 – Henry F. Punderson house, 25 Riverview Ter, Springfield, Massachusetts"Punderson to build," Springfield Union, April 21, 1924, 8. 1925 – DAR Hall, American International College, Springfield, Massachusetts"New dormitory at American International College, gift of DAR, ready for dedication," Springfield Union, June 14, 1925, 33. 1926 – Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company headquarters, 1295 State St, Springfield, MassachusettsHistoric Building Detail: SPR.3438, Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System, no date. Accessed October 6, 2024. 1927 – Christ Church Cathedral tower, 35 Chestnut St, Springfield, Massachusetts"Christ Church tower will be reconstructed," Springfield Union, April 27, 1927, 8. 1929 – Morgan Block, 313-333 Bridge St, Springfield, MassachusettsHistoric Building Detail: SPR.49, Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System, no date. Accessed October 6, 2024. 1931 – Springfield Isolation Hospital (former), 1400 State St, Springfield, MassachusettsHistoric Building Detail: SPR.3440, Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System, no date. Accessed October 6, 2024.
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