Research Catalog

Title

John L. Wilson Papers, 1915-1989.

Author

Wilson, John Louis, 1898-1989.

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Additional Authors

• Council for the Advancement of the Negro in Architecture.
• American Institute of Architects. New York Chapter.

Description

6.6 lin. ft. (5 boxes, 25 cylinder)

Summary

Collection of papers and documents relating to John Louis Wilson, Jr.'s personal life and professional career as an architect in New York City for over fifty years.

Donor/Sponsor

Schomburg NEH Automated Access to Special Collections Project.

Subjects

• Architectural firms > New York (State) > New York
• Council for the Advancement of the Negro in Architecture
• Harlem River Houses (New York, N.Y.)
• New York (N.Y.) > Buildings, structures, etc
• Wilson, John Louis, 1898-1989
• Architects > New York (State) > New York
• Architecture > Awards > United States
• African American architects
• Architectural drawings
• African Americans > Housing > New York (State) > New York
• Architecture > New York (State) > New York

Genre/Form

Architectural drawings.

Note

• Photographs transferred to Photographs and Prints Division, and are described separately.

Source (note)

• Rogers, Judith W.

Biography (note)

• Architect John Louis Wilson, Jr., was one of the designers of the Harlem River Houses in New York City.

Processing Action (note)

• Accessioned
• Cataloged

Call Number

Sc MG 381

OCLC

NYPW086000050-A

Author

Wilson, John Louis, 1898-1989.

Title

John L. Wilson Papers, 1915-1989.

Biography

Architect John Louis Wilson, Jr., was one of the designers of the Harlem River Houses in New York City. Born in Meridian, Mississippi, Wilson graduated from Gilbert Academy Prep School in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1916, and New Orleans University (now Dillard University) in 1920. Wilson became a registered architect in 1930, after graduating from Columbia University School of Architecture in 1928.

In 1934, Wilson was commissioned to work with a team of architects to design the Harlem River Houses. He was employed as an architect by the New York City Parks Department from the 1930s until 1960, and he maintained a private practice. In his private practice he designed multi-story and high rise dwellings as well as early childhood learning centers, and he modified various existing structures. His work includes the Mount Morris Park Senior Citizens Housing Project and the Multi-Family High Rise at 193rd Street and Bailey Avenue, both in New York City.

Wilson helped found the Council for the Advancement of the Negro in Architecture and served as chairman of the Equal Opportunities Committee of the New York Chapter of the American Institute of Architects from 1967 to 1970. In 1977 he was elected to the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects (AIA).

Wilson's awards include the Andrew J. Thomas Award, 1972; a tribute, sponsored by the New York Coalition of Black Architects, which honored his work and contributions to architecture, 1980; the American Institute of Architect's Whitney M. Young, Jr. Citation; and an honorary degree, Doctor of Humane Letters, from Dillard University in 1986. A posthumous exhibit concerning Wilson's professional activities was held at Columbia University in 1990. Mr. Wilson died on October 31, 1989.

Connect to:

Finding Aid

Added Author

Council for the Advancement of the Negro in Architecture.

American Institute of Architects. New York Chapter.

Research Call Number

Sc MG 381