James H. Windrim


James Hamilton Windrim was a Philadelphia architect who specialized in public buildings.

Biography

Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he apprenticed under John Notman, and opened his own office in 1867. That same year, at age 27, he won the design competition for the Philadelphia Masonic Temple, the building for which he is best remembered.
In 1871, he was named architect for the Stephen Girard Estate, designing several buildings at Girard College and a complex of stores on Market Street that became Snellenburg's Department Store. As Supervising Architect for the U.S. Treasury Department, 1889–91, he was responsible for all federal construction. He designed at least sixteen federal buildings across the country that consolidated post offices, federal offices and federal courts. He returned to his native city, and served as Director of Public Works for the City of Philadelphia, 1891-95.
He served as president of the Philadelphia Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, 1879-86. His son, John T. Windrim, joined his architectural firm in 1882, and took over after the father's retirement. Windrim died in Philadelphia at age 79.
Windrim designed the Smith Memorial Arch in West Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, which features a bronze bust of him by sculptor Samuel Murray.

Selected works

Philadelphia buildings