Archibald Brown

Archibald Manning Brown was awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree at Harvard University in 1903. He concluded his studies in Paris with a Diploma of the École des Beaux Arts in 1910. In World War I, he served as an ensign for the US Navy Reserve Force. From 1911-35 he was a partner of Peabody, Wilson & Brown but when the company was dissolved, he set up his own office. In 1946, he became senior partner of Brown, Lawford & Forbes. He was a member of advisory board for Parsons School of Fine and Applied Arts and of the National Academy of Design, as well as Fellow of the American Institute of Architects.

His best known buildings are the Children’s Museum as part of the Brooklyn Museum, the President’s House at Dartmouth College, a great number of residences and the Heinz Dome at the 1939 World’s Fair in New York. In 1936, in his function as architect member of the City of New York’s Art Commission, he designed the Harlem River Houses West in New York. Following racial riots in Harlem, it was decided to build suitable and affordable housing for the city’s African- Americans. The Harlem River Houses represent the first example of federally subsidized public housing and have since become a landmark.

In 1903 he married his first wife Helen and had five children. The family moved to a river house in Southampton. Tragically his wife died in 1932 and he re-married in 1934 to Eleanor McMillen, founder of major interior design company. Brown was the brother of Lathrop Brown, a congressman and businessman. For him Archibald also designed, the St. James mansion, built between 1915 and 1917. In Southampton on Long Island, he himself lived at times in the estate “Four Fountains” and his brother had a Villa there. Archibald was also a distinguished amateur golfer and played racquets and tennis.