Heritage Foundation Newsletter Vol.43 No.4
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HERITAGE THE UTAH HERITAGE FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER VOL.43 NO.4 RICHARD K.A. KLETTING (1858-1943) - LEADING Utah Architect By Charles M. Shepherd, MJSA Architecture Richard K.A. Kletting is one of Utah’s most A Kletting designed LDS ward meeting house in Riverton, Utah. It was built in 1898 prominent architects best known for winning and remained for only a short time. The building was demolished in 1909. the design contest for the Utah State Capitol. Long recognized as the architect of notable buildings. This experience his entire adult life, Kletting was espe- Utah’s iconic Neoclassical-style State included the Bon Marche and Credit cially interested in the technical train- Capitol and numerous other notable Lyonnais buildings and the well-known ing of young people. For five years he buildings, Richard Kletting’s leader- Basilique du Sacre Coeur at Montmarte conducted the first night school in the ship role in the local architectural and where he may have worked on detailed City for the purpose of giving instruc- planning profession may be of equal, if drawings of its towering dome. tion in geometry, algebra, languages unseen, significance. Born in 1858, in Along with two brothers, Kletting and science. Wurttemberg, Germany, his father was a immigrated to America in 1883, where Kletting soon started his own “pioneer railroad builder” and Kletting they visited Philadelphia and settled architectural office, quickly securing apparently absorbed much from the in Columbus, Ohio. One brother prominent commissions including context. He later said “From the time I continued to Denver and encouraged the Karrick Block, four classroom was five years old I had mostly mechan- Richard to join him. Reportedly, his buildings at the new University of ics tools and drafting instruments for baggage was sent on to Salt Lake City Utah campus and Saltair. Informa- my play things… My constant connec- and Richard took the opportunity to tion about his office and employees is tion with construction camps and their visit one more American city. The limited but his daughter recalled “[he engineers, listening to the talks of their prospects must have been pleasing as was] stern, exacting and honest, but travels and their engineering accomplish- he decided to stay and immediately with all, a good sense of humor which ments made me more and more desirous secured employment with John Burton, endeared him to young and old…” of becoming an engineer.” In the com- a young architect. Also, “Dad was a perfectionist… If ing years he worked in stone carving, as Perhaps part entrepreneur, part edu- the contractor’s work was not good a city engineer laying out part of a new cator, Kletting soon started a technical enough for Dad and if it could not be city plan in Freudenstadt on the edge of night school. It is said that throughout corrected, then someone else would the Black Forest and even won a drafting be found who could do the work to award during a short period of military suit him. A contractor having been service. fired remained fired!” (Helen Kletting In 1879 he went to Paris and worked Sperry). for a large contracting firm on many (continued on page 7) Utah Heritage Foundation is a non- FIRST WORD IN PRESERVATION profit, statewide, membership-based organization dedicated to preserving, protecting and promoting Utah’s historic built environment through public awareness, advocacy, and I’m privileged that part of my work at active preservation. Utah Heritage Foundation can still be spent as a professional architectural Board OF Trustees historian, documenting the outstand- Pete Ashdown, Chair (SLC) ing design of Utah’s architects. Dis- Martha Bradley, Vice-Chair (SLC) covering the relevancy of a building’s David Richardson, Secretary (SLC) architecture, history, design intent, and Kay Sundberg, Treasurer (SLC) social context is what makes my job Bernie Allen (Ogden) exciting because it brings each building Ken Ament (SLC) we interact with to life. Architectural Chris Anderson (Spring City) history gives us all a better understand- Sue Anderson Ball (Provo) ing of how architects practiced during James W. Christopher (SLC) their lifetime, their palette of styles and John Dahlstrom (SLC) materials, clients and building types, and Amy Gallivan Damico (SLC) social interactions beyond their career. Lisa Eccles (SLC) This is a Japanese influenced interior that was com- Muffy Ferro (SLC) To highlight the importance of Utah’s mon to many of Utah Architect Stephen Macdon- Lewis Francis (SLC) architectural history, the profiles of ald’s modern style homes. Allison Leishman (SLC) both important and unknown architects Carolyn Nebeker (Ogden) are featured in this issue of Heritage as a way to bridge the knowledge of past and pres- Craig Paulsen (SLC) ent readers, bring together diverse communities, and explore new types of architecture. Gary B. Porter (Centerville) Architects from Richard K.A. Kletting, the “Dean” of Utah architecture, to the Art Katie Shell (Draper) Deco mastery of Ogden’s Art Shreeve, and the mid-century influence brought about by Reagan Tolboe (SLC) Stephen Macdonald are featured. We also introduce the architecture tree, a method to showcase how the architecture community branched out and grew after the University EMERITI DIRECTORS of Utah College of Architecture was founded in 1949. It is worth saying that without Ginette Bott (Pleasant Grove) the important, high quality work of architects, both past and present, there would be no Robert Young (SLC) architectural history, nor any historic preservation to speak of today. EXOFFICIO MEMBERS But so many of Utah’s buildings are left undocumented at this point it often makes our Jane Anderson (SLC) job difficult. We are left to scramble for scraps of knowledge in order to educate the Roger Durst (SLC) public about their importance, and if needed, advocate for their preservation. If you Millie Kay Francis (Farmington) are interested in helping document buildings by taking photographs, doing newspaper Frank Pignanelli (SLC) research, and organizing information, please contact us. Don Stromquist (SLC) Kirk Huffaker SHPO LIAISON Executive Director Barbara Murphy (SLC) Staff Kirk Huffaker Utah Heritage Foundation Executive Director Elizabeth Bradley-Wilson Year-End Appeal Assistant Director Carolynn Bottino Historic preservation enriches our community life Memorial House Manager in the present and for future generations. Susan Crook Field Representative Your support enables us to save Utah’s landmark Alison Flanders buildings, and provide school programs and tours for Public Outreach Director schoolchildren and the general public. Please remem- Brett Garner ber Utah Heritage Foundation in your year-end giving. Office Manager Thank you for your participation! Kathy Nielsen Volunteer Director Lisa Poppleton Development Director 2 HERITAGE NEWSLETTER OF THE UTAH HERITAGE FOUNDATION FALL 2009 PEOPLE IN Preservation SU S AN CROOK JOIN S UHF In 2008, the 24 inaugural Partners in the Field grants, IN SOUT H ERN UTA H totaling nearly $3 million, Utah Heritage Foundation is mak- went to 25 organizations who ing history with our participation in the hired 31 field representatives. National Trust for Historic Preserva- With the second round of tion’s Partners in the Field Program. fundraising under way, the This is the second round of a challenge remaining $2 million will be grant program for the National Trust’s distributed to the 21 addition- Statewide and Local Partners in a quest al partners who have met the to strengthen and expand our capacity criteria for 2009 grantees. to deliver on-the-ground field services Utah Hertiage Founda- and assistance to central and southern tion is fortunate to have Utah property owners, developers, local been selected as one of the officials, and others needing information qualifying organizations with and tools to protect and enhance their preservation strengths as well process and has begun working for Utah communities. as challenges, thus meeting some of the Heritage Foundation to provide techni- Funded through a generous $5 million criteria for a Partner in the Field. cal assistance to property owners and challenge gift to the National Trust for “Partners in the Field grants are communities throughout the lower half Historic Preservation from the Robert W. catalysts that spur historic preservation, of the state. UHF and the National Trust Wilson Charitable Trust, the Partners in economic revitalization and promote will move forward with goals to not only the Field grants are matched by contribu- sustainability,” said Richard Moe, presi- provide more personal field services, but to tions from local donors and foundations. dent of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Our statewide and educate about the economic value of his- local partners are at the creative toric buildings, and ultimately save more forefront of preservation in the historic buildings in every community. 21st century. Preservation fosters The challenge grant has initially innovative solutions to complex been matched by the American Express problems. Our Partners in the Charitable Fund, Sue Anderson Ball, and Field matching grants will help our XMission. network of preservation organiza- Susan will be traveling around the state tions across the country use proven in the next few weeks meeting people tools to save places and revitalize and making us all aware of Central and communities.” Southern Utah’s preservation issues. If St. George resident, planner, and you would like to contact Susan call (435) historic landscape architect Susan 773-5336 or email Crook was hired for the Field Rep- [email protected] resentative position in a competitive UHF’s 2009 Easement Internship Every year UHF hires an intern to conduct our annual easement inspections. This summer we were pleased to have Matthew Nye come on board to inspect all our 116 easement properties. Originally from Indiana, Matthew studies Architecture and Creative Writing at the University of Utah. He previously earned his undergraduate degree from Dartmouth College majoring in English and Philosophy.