Thomas J. Sparrow

Thomas J. Sparrow (March 4, 1805 – December 22, 1870) was a prominent American architect active in the first half of the 19th century. Only three of his designs are known to be extant, with two of them now being listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Thomas J. Sparrow
BornMarch 4, 1805
Portland, Maine, U.S.
DiedDecember 22, 1870(1870-12-22) (aged 65)
Brownville, Maine, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
OccupationArchitect
BuildingsSparrow Block
Captain Reuben Merrill House
Mechanics' Hall

Early life

Sparrow was born in Portland, Maine, on March 4, 1805.[1]

Career
The Captain Reuben Merrill House in Yarmouth, Maine

Sparrow began in the organ-manufacturing business under John K. Paine. He then moved into carpentry and was listed as a joiner in the Portland Directory of 1837. Its next edition, four years later, showed him as being the city's first native professional architect.[1][2]

He was active into the 1860s, when ill health prevented him from partaking in the rebuilding of Portland after the great fire of 1866.[1]

Selected notable works

Death

Sparrow died on December 22, 1870, in Brownville, Maine, aged 65.[1]

The Sparrow Lecture, held at Portland's Mechanics' Hall, is named in his honor.[6]

References
  1. National Register of Historic Places Inventory – Nomination Form – National Park Service, July 12, 1974
  2. Portland Historic Resources Inventory – City of Portland
  3. Bouchard, Kelley (September 16, 2011). "History comes out of hiding". Portland Press Herald. Retrieved 9 December 2011.
  4. "National Register Properties - Historical Society and Museum - Town of Yarmouth, Maine". Retrieved 9 December 2011.
  5. Bouchard, Kelley (July 1, 2011). "The house that Reuben built". The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram. Retrieved 9 December 2011.
  6. "Maine craftsman to discuss lofty project he led" – Portland Press Herald, November 4, 2019
  7. "NRHP nomination for Mechanics Hall". National Park Service. Retrieved 2016-02-04.
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