Lancaster’s Historic Preservation Trust announces 2010 Architectural History Tour featuring the work of C. Emlen Urban

The Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County is pleased to announce its 2010 Architectural History Tour featuring the Lancaster City work of celebrated architect C. Emlen Urban. The tour, Sunday October 24, 12-5 p.m., will showcase a diverse selection of the Urban-designed treasures that define the built environment of Lancaster.  Tickets can be purchased on the day of the tour at Lancaster’s Southern Market – 100 S. Queen at Vine.

The Residences at Stevens School, formerly Stevens High School and Stevens School for Girls

A rare opportunity for participants, the tour will highlight both public and private buildings including churches, schools, and residences. Examples include the gloriously ornate third floor auditorium of the Stevens High School, Lancaster’s Southern Market, Reynolds Middle School, Grace Lutheran, Lancaster Municipal Building, the iconic façade of the Lancaster County Convention Center and Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square, and stunning homes of the West End neighborhood – Lancaster’s earliest suburb.

Historically themed tour guides will help facilitate the tour and interact with attendees.

The iconic facade of the Lancaster County Convention Center and Marriott at Penn Square, formerly the Watt & Shand Department Store

“We look forward to offering this tour for those who are passionate about Lancaster and its distinctive vibrancy, history, and architecture,” said Georgia Townsend, tour chairperson. Urban’s prolific body of work is such a key component of the character and substance of this city, and we’re thrilled to be able to build upon the awareness and celebration of his life and work by offering this exciting tour.”

One of the Urban-designed residences in Lancaster's West End neighborhood that will be featured on the tour

Lancaster-based Conestoga View, Franklin & Marshall College, and Wohlsen Construction Company are primary sponsors of this year’s tour.

Pre-tour reception at Lancaster Science Factory

A pre-tour reception will also take place Friday October 22, 6-8 p.m., at the Lancaster Science Factory, a repurposed former brick and girder plant. The public is invited. Representatives from each tour site are expected to attend as well as descendants of C. Emlen Urban. The distinguished David Schuyler, Ph.D., professor of American Studies at Franklin & Marshall College, will serve as the guest speaker.

About C. Emlen Urban

Cassius Emlen Urban was born in Conestoga Township, Lancaster County, in 1863. He graduated Lancaster’s Boys’ High School in 1880 and, after serving as an apprentice and draftsman with other architects, opened his own practice in Lancaster around 1885. For more than 45 years, Lancaster’s first native architect would work to create many of the historic landmarks that are fundamental to the beloved character of Lancaster City.  Urban’s first major commission was Lancaster’s Southern Market.

Urban’s designs are stylistically eclectic, reflecting the influence of Queen Anne, French Renaissance, Gothic Revival, Beaux Arts, and Colonial Revival periods. Although he spent his career living within the City of Lancaster, his designs were guided by knowledge of classical and historical architecture as well as the work of his contemporaries in Philadelphia and New York.

Urban and wife Jennie Olivia McMichael had two children, a daughter Miriam Grace and a son Rathfon Merrill. A member of the American Institute of Architects, Urban built a strong local network, in part through his participation in Lancaster’s Rotary Club, Hamilton Club, Chamber of Commerce, Lancaster Board of Trade, Elks Club, and Young Republicans Club. He was a member of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Lancaster.

Urban’s close personal friendship with Milton S. Hershey resulted in commissions for Hershey’s Lancaster residence on South Queen Street, as well as later buildings in Dauphin County including a personal residence, the original Hershey Chocolate Company plant, Hershey Trust Company, Hershey Theater, and Hershey Consolidated School.

Tickets and additional information

Ticket prices for the architectural history tour are $18 for Trust members and $20 for non-members. Tickets for both the pre-tour reception and tour are $40 for members and $45 for non members. To purchase tickets or learn more, call the Historic Preservation Trust at 717-291-5861 or email Amy Gaston at amygaston@hptrust.org.

About the Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County 

The Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County is a member-supported non-profit organization. Its mission is to preserve and protect Lancaster County’s rich historic and architectural character through education, advocacy and direct action.

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