Thomas Alexander Tefft architectural drawings, 1844-1859

John Hay Library, University Archives and Manuscripts
Box A
Brown University
Providence, RI 02912
Telephone: Manuscripts: 401-863-3723; University Archives: 401-863-2148
Email: Manuscripts: hay@brown.edu; University Archives: archives@brown.edu

Published in 2014

Collection Overview

Title:	Thomas Alexander Tefft architectural drawings
Date range:	1844-1859
Creator:	Tefft, Thomas Alexander, 1826-1859
Extent:	390 items
Abstract:	The collection comprises 390 architectural drawings dating from 1844-1859 by Rhode Island architect Thomas Alexander Tefft (1826-1859). These include public buildings (churches, schools, libraries, hospitals) and private residences, in addition to towers, gates, monuments and gravestones. In some cases, there are various elevations, views, and floor plans for the same structure. While many of the structures Tefft designed still stand, some were never built, and many have been destroyed. Tefft was a graduate of Brown University (Class of 1851).
Language of materials:	English
Repository:	John Hay Library, University Archives and Manuscripts
Collection number:	MS.1U.T3

Scope & content

This collection consists of Architectural drawings by New England architect Thomas Alexander Tefft (1826-1859). The collection comprises 390 drawings dating from the period between 1844 and 1859. Tefft was born in Richmond, Rhode Island, and attended Brown University as a member of the Class of 1851. His drawings include public buildings (churches, schools, libraries, hospitals) and private residences, in addition to towers, gates, monuments and gravestones. In some cases, there are various elevations, views, and floor plans for the same structure. Among the buildings Tefft designed were Lawrence Hall at Williams College; the American Antiquarian Society in Worcester, Massachusetts; the Second Baptist Church and Central Congregational Church on Benefit Street in Providence; and the Female Institute in Richmond, Virginia. While many of the structures Tefft designed still stand, some were never built and many have been destroyed.

Access Points

Subject Names

• Tefft, Thomas Alexander, 1826-1859

Subject Organizations

• Brown University. Class of 1851.

Subject Topics

• Arches--Designs and plans
• Architecture, Domestic--Designs and plans
• Architecture--New England--19th century--Designs and plans
• Architecture--United States--19th century--Designs and plans
• Architecture--United States--19th century--Sketch-books
• Armories--Designs and plans
• Bank buildings--Designs and plans
• Barns--Designs and plans
• Church buildings--Designs and plans
• Commercial buildings--Designs and plans
• Factories--Designs and plans
• Gatehouses--Designs and plans
• Gates--Designs and plans
• Historic buildings--Designs and plans
• Library buildings--Designs and plans
• Lyceums--Designs and plans
• Mantels--Designs and plans
• Mills and mill-work--Designs and plans
• Monuments--Designs and plans
• Office buildings--Designs and plans
• Public buildings--Designs and plans
• Railroad stations--Designs and plans
• School buildings--Designs and plans
• Sepulchral monuments--Designs and plans
• Stables--Designs and plans
• Theaters--Designs and plans
• Unbuilt architectural projects--Designs and plans
• Wells--Designs and plans

Occupations

• Architects

Document Types

• architectural drawings
• Sketchbooks

Subject Topics

• Architecture

Arrangement

The collection is sorted by type of structure subdivided by location and assigned call numbers in accordance with the following system, which includes symbols for type of structure, followed by locations noted in parentheses, followed by numbers symbolizing information about perspective, elevations, sections, details, etc. For example, a drawing of the Smith Owen House in Providence is numbered Ho(P)3.2.2, the "Ho" indicating a house, the "(P)" a location in Providence, the "3" the third house in Providence, the ".2" an elevation, and the second ".2" that is of the side of the house.

Biographical note

Thomas Alexander Tefft was born in Richmond, Rhode Island, on August 2, 1826. He attended a school kept by Elisha Baggs, and showed early interests in drawing, ornamental lettering, and the flute. At seventeen, he began to keep school himself, producing designs for a one room schoolhouse as early as 1844. He soon became acquainted with Henry Barnard, the school commissioner for Rhode Island, who advised him to leave Richmond and study architecture in Providence. Tefft subsequently obtained a post in the office of Tallman and Bucklin, and joined the household of architect James C. Bucklin. On the further advice of Henry Barnard, Tefft entered Brown as a student in 1847. He was still in the midst of his studies when Bucklin recommended him to John Kingsbury (Brown Class of 1826) as an architect for the new school for young ladies that Kingsbury was planning to have built on Benefit Street. Before Tefft registered at Brown, he had already designed a railroad station for the City of Providence, which was subsequently built in 1848 under Bucklin's supervision. Upon arrival at Brown, Tefft had registered for the English and Scientific Course. In 1850, mid-way through Tefft's tenure as a student, Brown introduced a new curriculum; this "New System" allowed students to earn a degree in three years through a course of study that excluded ancient languages. Tefft was the first Brown student to earn the new Ph.B. degree, graduating in 1851.

At Brown, Tefft became acquainted with Charles Coffin Jewett (Brown Class of 1835), librarian and professor of modern languages. Jewett had traveled widely in Europe; having visited a number of libraries there, he was able to aid Tefft in his design of library buildings, including one for Williams College (Lawrence Hall) and the American Antiquarian Society. Tefft also designed a number of substantial houses in Providence, as well as structures for the Second Baptist Church and the Central Congregational Church (Benefit Street). The latter building is now Memorial Hall at the Rhode Island School of Design, its towers having been removed. In addition, Tefft was the architect of buildings in other places, including the Richmond Female Institute in Virginia.

Tefft dreamed of visiting Europe to observe its architecture for himself. In December 1856, sailed for England to begin this long-desired tour. He was received by many important persons, and while there was able to pursue another of his interests, the promotion of a universal currency. He published the pamphlet Universal Currency: a Plan for Obtaining a Common Currency in France, England, and America, Based on the Decimal System in London during 1858. He planned to continue his travels into Greece and Egypt, but on the trip from Venice to Florence he fell ill with a fever. He died in Florence on December 12, 1859, at age 33.





Tefft was initially buried in Florence, but his remains were later repatriated to Providence. They now rest in Swan Point Cemetery, which Tefft helped to survey and lay out, beneath a monument of his own design.

Access & Use

Access to the collection:	There are no restrictions on access, except that the collection can only be seen by prior appointment. Some materials may be stored off-site and cannot be produced on the same day on which they are requested..
Use of the materials:	Although Brown University has physical ownership of the collection and the materials contained therein, it does not claim literary rights. Researchers should note that compliance with copyright law is their responsibility. Researchers must determine the owners of the literary rights and obtain any necessary permissions from them.
Alternate form:	Digital facsimiles of items from this collection are available from within the online finding aid.
Preferred citation:	Thomas Alexander Tefft architectural drawings, MS-1U-T3, Brown University Archives.
Contact information:	John Hay Library, University Archives and Manuscripts Box A Brown University Providence, RI 02912 Telephone: Manuscripts: 401-863-3723; University Archives: 401-863-2148 Email: Manuscripts: hay@brown.edu; University Archives: archives@brown.edu

Administrative Information

ABOUT THE COLLECTION
Processing information:	The drawings here listed, when received, were mounted in two scrapbooks. In 1970 the drawings were removed from the scrapbooks to be stored flat in acid-free folders by size. At this time they were rearranged by type of structure subdivided by location and assigned call numbers in accordance with the following system, which includes symbols for type of structure, followed by locations noted in parentheses, followed by numbers symbolizing information about perspective, elevations, sections, details, etc. For example, a drawing of the Smith Owen House in Providence is numbered Ho(P)3.2.2, the "Ho" indicating a house, the "(P)" a location in Providence, the "3" the third house in Providence, the ".2" an elevation, and the second ".2" that is of the side of the house.
ABOUT THE FINDING AID
Author:	Finding aid prepared by Martha Mitchell
Encoding:	This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2014-12-11

Additional Information

Related material:	Brown University has several works by or about Thomas Tefft that may be located using the Brown University Library Online Catalog (Josiah), including: O'Neal, William Bainter. Architectural Drawing in Virginia, 1819-1969 (Charlottesville: School of Architecture, University of Virginia, 1969). (Call numbers: NA2700 .O5 1969; 1-U T235on) Tefft, Thomas Alexander. Universal currency: a plan for obtaining a common currency in France, England, and America, based on the decimal system (London: Effingham Wilson, 1858). (Call number: 2X T23) Thomas Alexander Tefft: American Architecture in Transition, 1845-1860 (Providence, RI: Department of Art, Brown University, 1988) (Call numbers: NA737.T4 T48x 1988 c.2; NA737.T4 T48x 1988 c.3; NA737.T4 T48x 1988; 1-SIZE 1-ZAR B81tho 1988) The following organizations also have Tefft collections: Thomas Tefft Papers, Mss 24, Rhode Island Historical SocietyRhode Island School of Design MuseumExhibitions featuring Tefft: "Unbuilt Providence", David Winton Bell Gallery, Brown University (April 14 – May 31, 2004)"Thomas Alexander Tefft: American Architecture in Transition, 1845-1860," Blueprints Magazine, Summer 1988, National Building Museum (August 19 - October 16, 1988)Architectural history of The Old State House, Providence, RI, in which Tefft's contribution is cited: Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission
Location/Existence of copies:	Digital facsimiles of items from this collection are available from within the online finding aid.
Other information:	Brown University Library catalog record for this collection: Thomas Alexander Tefft architectural drawings

Inventory

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