Guide to the John Dixon Johnston Architectural Plans Newport Historical Society, Newport, Rhode Island Last Update on 2013 June 19
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Guide to the John Dixon Johnston Architectural Plans Newport Historical Society, Newport, Rhode Island Last update on 2013 June 19 Descriptive Summary Repository Newport Historical Society, Newport, Rhode Island Location Newport Historical Society Call No. MS.1984.4 Creators Johnston, John Dixon Date(s) approximately 1900-1920, undated Abstract Over 1,000 architectural plans of firm of J.D. Johnston, Newport architect. The plans consist mainly of floor plans and elevations of private residences in southern Rhode Island. Extent approximately 1,200 architectural plans Accession Info MS-1984.4; Gift of Mrs. Russell Jennings, 1984. As published in Newport History: Bulletin of the Newport Historical Society Vol. 57, Part 3 Summer 1984 Number 195. Historical Note John Dixon Johnston (1849-1928) was one of the most prolific architectural professionals working in Newport from 1880-1920. Johnston was a self taught architect closely connected to the building trades at a time when architectural practice was becoming increasingly credentialed and professionalized. The productive Johnston assumed a variety of roles from carpenter and builder to mill owner and architect and was involved in nearly two hundred documented buildings, all but a few of which were erected in Newport and Jamestown. Johnston helped to craft Newport’s first building codes and is responsible for designing and building Newport City Hall. Johnston was born in 1849 to Scottish parents who settled in Chatham, near St. John, New Brunswick. In 1869 he moved to Portland Maine where he later recalls as a place he became a “student of architecture and building, and also mastered the carpenter’s trade.” In 1871 he moved south to Boston to further “pursue his vocation” until 1875 when he left to begin his career in Newport. Initially working as a freelance tradesman, within a few years he was constructing houses designed by Newport architect Dudley Newton. By 1879 he is listed in the Newport City Directory as a carpenter, contractor and builder and officially identifies himself as an architect and builder in 1886. Johnston established a successful millwork shop providing custom woodworking and other building supplies while developing as an accomplished architect and builder. Johnston fast became one of Newport’s major employers with about one hundred employees split between the mill and various building sites. Johnston’s successful millwork operation provided subcontracting services for prominent architectural firms such as McKim, Mead, & White, C.L. Bevins, Ogden Codman, and Clarence Luce. Johnston’s millwork shop still stands as an inn at 75 Mill Street. Johnston was also an entrepreneur and inventor. He received several patents in the 1890’s for hardware related to the millwork and construction trade. One of is inventions was a desktop calendar and paperweight that would hold commercial advertising. He also marketed wares such as Johnston’s Imperial Stick Fast Glue and Johnston Beauty Pins and Jewelry. Perhaps most importantly, Johnston’s life is a story of the promise of a better life the American experience could offer to immigrants at the time. He was not of wealth or social status; he was educated in the construction industry and rose to become an astute, well respected businessman and a longtime resident who contributed immensely to the architectural and social fabric of Newport. Reference: Onorato, R. J., (Spring 2008). Architecture and Drawing: The Newport Career of John Dixon Johnston. Newport History: The Journal of the Newport Historical Society , 77(258), pp-pp. Scope and Content The collection is comprised of almost 1200 architectural plans by John Dixon Johnston’s architectural firm. This is a very large collection that deserves more study. The drawings are loosely cataloged to encourage further study. The drawings consist mainly of private residences, but also contains plans for commercial and municipal buildings including the Newport City Hall, the Newport Police Station, and a Newport Firehouse. Other drawings focus on architectural and structural details that J.D. Johnston’s shop possibly helped to create such as plans for stairs done by architects McKim, Meade, and White for D.H. King Jr. on Catherine Street or a residential plan for William Starr Miller in Rhinebeck, New York by architect Dudley Newton. The number of prominent Newport County residences represented in this collection is impressive, including Mariemont (Middletown, Rhode Island), The Elms, Ochre Point, Wee Bush and Fairlawn. There are also a number of drawings for Clingstone (Jamestown, Rhode Island) for owners J.S. Lovering and William Trost Richards. Other clients hired by Johnston include Thomas Emery, Alfred G. Vanderbilt, Arthur Curtiss James, E.J. Berwind, Corbit Lovering, and Mrs Brockholst Cutting. Also included are plans for structures outside of New England, including a residence and stable for Dr. Richard Mattison of Ambler, Pennsylvania. This collection also consists of the City Hall in Davenport, Iowa. Organization The John Dixon Johnston drawings are organized into one series: I. Architectural Plans Restrictions There are no restrictions on physical access to this material. This collection is housed onsite at the Newport Historical Society. Researchers can be seen by appointment during operating hours at the Newport Historical Society, call to make an appointment. Related Material The Newport Historical Society is also in possession of specifications, correspondence, receipts, contracts, and printed business stationery. Subject Access Personal Name Subject Berwind, E.J Burden, I. Townsend Cameron, Beatrice Emery, Thomas J. Emmons, Author B. Heyl, William E. Johnston, John Dixon Lovering, Corbit Lovering, J.S. Mattison, Richard V. Miller, William Starr Newton, Dudley Perry, Gardner Richards, William Trost Sherman, Anthony Vanderbilt, Alfred G. Vose, Robert Clarence Woodward, JW Wysong, J.J. Walsh, John Weaver, George Alfred Zabriskie, Lansing Subject Newport Architecture Rhode Island Architecture, American – Rhode Island Architectural drawing –Rhode Island Architects and builders Form/Genre architectural drawings (visual works) elevations (orthographic projections) exterior elevations floor plans garden elevations Administrative Information Researcher Note A number of items are in need of further preservation and present issues in access. Not all drawings have been physically located, and may take time to locate. Processor Finding aid prepared by Corey Pacheco, March 2013. Citation John Dixon Johnston Architectural Drawings, MS.84.4, Drawing number, Tube or Flat File number, Newport Historical Society, Newport, Rhode Island Container List Series I. Architectural Drawings . Drawing # Title Location 84.4.1 Haven Cellar Plan Tube #4 84.4.2 Pier House Ballroom Tube #5 84.4.3 Pier House Ballroom Tube #5 84.4.4 Pier House Ballroom Tube #5 84.4.5 Pier House Ballroom Tube #5 84.4.6 Pier House Ballroom Tube #5 84.4.7 Pier House Ballroom Tube #5 84.4.8 Pier House Ballroom Tube #5 84.4.9 Pier House Ballroom Tube #5 84.4.10 Pier House Ballroom Tube #5 84.4.11 Pier House Ballroom Tube #5 84.4.12 Pier House Ballroom Tube #5 84.4.13 Dyer House Flat File #17 84.4.14 Dyer House Flat File #17 84.4.15 Dyer House Flat File #17 84.4.16 Dyer House Flat File #17 84.4.17 Dyer House Flat File #19 84.4.18 Wickes Garage Flat File #19 84.4.19 Unlabeled Residential Plan West Elevation Tube #12 84.4.20 Unlabeled Residential Plan Second Floor Plan Tube #12 84.4.21 Unlabeled Residential Plan Tube #12 84.4.22 Unlabeled Residential Plan, Cellar plan Tube #12 84.4.23 Unlabeled Residential Plan South Elevation Tube #12 84.4.24 Unlabeled Residential Plan First Floor Plan Tube #12 84.4.25 Unlabeled Residential Plan Third Floor Plan Tube #12 84.4.26 Unlabeled Residential Plan Drainage Plan Tube #12 84.4.27 Unlabeled Residential Plan Second Floor Plan Flat File #11 84.4.28 Unlabeled Residential Plan Third Floor Plan Flat File #11 84.4.29 Unlabeled Residential Plan Front Elevation Detail of Section for Bay Flat File #11 Window 84.4.30 Unlabeled Residential Plan Flat File #11 84.4.31 Unlabeled Residential Plan Flat File #11 84.4.32 Unlabeled Residential Plan Flat File #11 84.4.33 Unlabeled Residential Plan First Floor Plan Flat File #11 84.4.34 Unlabeled Residential Plan Cellar Plan Flat File #11 84.4.35 Unlabeled Door Plan Flat File #19 84.4.36 Unlabeled Residential Plan Flat File #20 84.4.37 Unlabeled Residential Plan Flat File #20 84.4.38 Unlabeled Residential Plan Flat File #20 84.4.39 Unlabeled Plan of Drainer Vertical Longitudinal Section Flat File #11 84.4.40 Unlabeled Plan of Drainer Shelf and Finished Top of Sink Flat File #11 84.4.41 Unlabeled Plan of Drainer Shelf and Finished Top of Sink Flat File #11 84.4.42 Unlabeled Plan of Drainer Shelf and Finished Top of Sink Flat File #11 84.4.43 Plan of Drainer Shelf and Top of Sink Flat File #11 84.4.44 Unlabeled Residential Plans Third Floor West Flat File #20 84.4.45 Unlabeled Residential Plans West Second Floor Flat File #20 84.4.46 Residential Plans. Tracing by L.C. Bellevue Avenue South Flat File #20 84.4.47 School House Property Second Ward Cranston Street Tube #18 84.4.48 School House Property Second Ward Cranston Street Tube #18 84.4.49 School House Property Flat File #11 84.4.50 School House Property Second Ward Cranston Street Flat File #11 84.4.51 School House Property Basement Plan Flat File #11 84.4.52 School House Property First and Second Floor Plan Tube #18 84.4.53 School House Property Basement Plan Tube #18 84.4.54 School House Property Second