1860-1893, undated
85M-01-314-Z-D-0621
GUSN-180994
This collection is comprised of roughly 32 sets or single sheet architectural drawings made by Henry M. Francis (and later by his firm H. M. Francis & Sons). The dated materials span from 1860 to 1893, with the bulk of the drawings being undated. The collection includes drawings of interior decorations and architectural details, banks, churches, public and government buildings, residential elevations and floor plans, schools, mills, stables, and more. The drawings in this collection illustrate the breadth of Francis' work, operating primarily out of Fitchburg, Mass.
architectural drawings (visual works)
arches
banks (financial institutions)
churches (buildings)
city halls
elevations (orthographic projections)
floor plans
high schools (buildings)
houses
mills (buildings)
newels
public buildings
schools (buildings)
stables (animal housing)
architectural drawings (visual works)
architectural records
approximately 3 linear feet (1 oversize flat folder)
An electronic finding aid is available through Historic New Englands Collections Access Portal. A paper finding aid is available in the Library & Archives.
AR007
Henry M. Francis architectural collection
1989
AR007
Collection of late-19th century architectural drawings showcasing the work of Fitchburg, Mass.-based architect Henry M. Francis (1836-1908) and his firm H. M. Francis & Sons.
Fitchburg (Worcester county, Massachusetts)
Baldwinville (Worcester county, Massachusetts)
Gardner (Worcester county, Massachusetts)
Winchendon (Worcester county, Massachusetts)
Millers (Massachusetts) [river]
Francis, Henry M., 1836-1908 (Architect)
architectural drawings (visual works)
architectural records
Esty, Alexander R., 1826-1881
Francis, Henry M., 1836-1908
Francis, Frederick L., 1870-1919
Francis, Albert F., 1875-1946
Henry M. Francis and Sons, Architects
Fitchburg State University
Young Men's Christian Association
In 1991, antiquarian bookseller Charles B. Wood III gave SPNEA a set of photographic prints of architectural drawings by Henry M. Francis that he had sold to the Library of Congress in June 1986 (see associated materials in other repositories). These prints are now in the Henry Francis folder in the Architect's drawer. They have been cross-referenced under Francis and the various geographic locations in the architectural drawing card catalogue.
This collection is available for research.
Collection
85M-01-314-Z-D-0621
Accruals are not expected.
Materials are in English.
Item identification. Henry M. Francis architectural collection (AR007). Historic New England, Library & Archives.
2nd edition DACS
Henry M. Francis was born in 1836 in Lunenburg, Massachusetts. Following a brief career as a surveyor, he began studying architecture in 1858 under Boston architect Alexander R. Esty. Francis wed Emily Josephine Leighton in 1867, with whom he shared a daughter and two sons. In 1868, the Francis family settled in Fitchburg, Mass., where Henry began his own architectural practice. Francis sons, Frederick and Albert, both studied architecture in his office and worked independently before partnering with their father to form Henry M. Francis and Sons in 1903. Following Henry M. Franciss death in 1908, his sons continued to operate the firm of H. M. Francis & Sons until the mid-20th century. Many of the buildings designed by Francis and his sons are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
"Francis Family," in Historic Homes and Institutions and Genealogical and Personal Memoirs of Worcester County, Massachusetts, vol. 4, ed. Ellery Bicknell Crane (New York and Chicago: Lewis Publishing Company, 1907): 303-305.
[Henry M. Francis & Sons architectural drawings and specifications], between 1897 and 1910 (unprocessed in PR 13 CN 1986:163). Library of Congress.
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