Baltimore Architecture Foundation

1814-1885

The firm Niernsee & Neilson was the first thoroughly professional architectural office in Baltimore having professionally-educated partners with specific responsibilities, apprentices and draughtsmen.  It combined the best constructional knowledge with thoughtful design and a respect for the clients’ concerns with prompt, complete service.  John Rudolph Niernsee (1814-1885) and James Crawford Neilson (1816-1900) opened their partnership practice in 1848.

John R. Niernsee was born in Vienna, Austria, and educated in engineering and architecture at the University of Prague.  He emigrated to America in 1836; in 1839 he  became a member of the engineering staff of the B & O Railroad under its chief engineer, Benjamin H. Latrobe, son of the nationally-famous architect.  In 1842 he married Emily Bradenbaugh of Baltimore.

With their B & O Railroad work in common, Niernsee and Neilson met in 1839 and formed their architectural partnership nine years later.

The years 1848-1856 were excellent years for the partnership, Niernsee & Neilson.  Many of their landmark structures date from this period including the Chapel of Green Mount Cemetery.

In 1854 Niernsee was called to Columbia, South Carolina to investigate defects in a new State House begun by others a few years earlier.  With tact and vigorous politicking Niernsee won the State House commission there and remained in Columbia for about ten years which included the Civil War years when he served in the Confederate Army.  Work on the unfinished State House was deferred in the reconstruction period and in 1865 Niernsee returned to his partnership with Neilson who had successfully continued the practice in Baltimore.

John R. Niernsee was a founding member of the national organization, the American Institute of Architects in 1854.  J. Crawford Neilson joined the A.I.A. later and both became charter members of the newly formed Baltimore Chapter of the A.I.A. upon its organization in December 1870.

The Niernsee & Neilson partnership continued unil 1874 when it dissolved and Niernsee formed a partnership with his son Frank.  In 1877-1889 Niernsee and Dr. Billings collaborated on the new Johns Hopkins Hospital under the coordination of Cabot & Chandler of Boston.  In 1885 he returned to Columbia, SC to complete the Statehouse, but he died soon after his arrival.  He is buried there and his family returned to Baltimore.  His former partner, and later his son, supervised the continuation of the State House.

Many other architects owe their training to Niernsee & Neilson including R. Snowden Andrews, Eben Faxon, August Forsberg, Bruce Price, E. Francis Baldwin, and T. Buckler Ghequiere.

Together and separately, John R. Niernsee and J. Crawford Neilson advanced the architectural profession in its formative years by their dedication, competence and professionalism. With over 165 projects documented by the late Randolph W. Chalfant and the Baltimore Architecture Foundation, from Maryland, Washington, DC and Virginia to the Carolinas and Georgia, their names are synonymous with excellence of design, originality and advancement in both design and technology throughout the second half of the 19^th century.

James T. Wollon, Jr., A. I. A. based on many conversations over many years with the late Randolph W. Chalfant, and NIERNSEE & NEILSON, ARCHITECTS OF BALTIMORE:  Two Careers on the Edge of the Future by Randolph W. Chalfant and Charles Belfoure, published by the Baltimore Architecture Foundation, 2006.

For more information on Niernsee & Neilson you can purchase the book, Niernsee & Neilson, Architects of Baltimore by Randolph W. Chalfant & Charles Belfoure, using the “Buy a Book” feature on the sidebar to the right. The book is 146 pages softcover and sells for $25.00.