Percy Crowley Adams

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Percy Crowley Adams
Born(1869-04-04)April 4, 1869
Randolph, New York, United States
DiedSeptember 8, 1953(1953-09-08) (aged 84)
Washington, D.C., United States
Alma materCornell University
OccupationArchitect
Notable workSee list
Children2
PracticeAverill, Hall & Adams; Averill & Adams; Upman & Adams; Allied Architects of Washington, D.C.
Buildings
  • Longworth House Office Building
  • Avalon Theater
  • Rixey Mansion (now Marymount University main building)
  • Apartment Building, 1509 16th Street NW
  • Auto Show Room, 1365–1367 H Street NE

Percy Crowley Adams AIA (April 4, 1869-September 8, 1953) was an architect who was active in the Washington, D.C. area.[1]

Four buildings that he designed, or helped to design, are on the National Register of Historic Places including the Longworth House Office Building.[1][2]

Early life and education

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Adams was born in Randolph, New York where he attended Chamberlain Institute high school. He received a Bachelor's degree in Architecture from Cornell University.[1][3]

Career

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Adams moved to Washington, D.C. in 1897 where worked as a draftsman for the Office of the Supervising Architect of the U.S. Treasury. He designed government buildings including post offices and courthouses.[1]

In 1909, he co-founded the architecture form of Averill, Hall & Adams, later known as Averill & Adams. The firm designed mostly residential buildings including apartment buildings and homes.[1]

Adams was awarded the opportunity to create viewing stands for Woodrow Wilson's second inauguration in 1917.[1][3]

Adams frequently worked with Frank Upman and, in 1924, formally established the firm of Upman & Adams. Upman and Adams designed residential homes, commercial buildings and schools. The firm designed the Rixey Mansion in Arlington, Virginia, which is now the main building at Marymount University.[1]

In 1925, Adams co-founded the Allied Architects of Washington, D.C., Inc. along with other prominent architects. While with this group, he helped design the Longworth House Office Building, a United States Congressional office building.[1]

Prior to his retirement in 1951, Adams was the oldest practicing architect in Washington, DC.[1]

Personal life

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Adams had two children.[1]

Death

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Adams died in 1953 in Washington, D.C.[1]

Notable projects

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National Register of Historic Places (NRHP)

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  • Apartment Building (1909) 1509 16th Street, NW, Washington, DC[1]
  • Avalon Theater (1922) 5612 Connecticut Ave., NW, Washington, DC[1]
  • Longworth House Office Building (1932) in collaboration with Allied Architects[1][2]
  • Auto Show Room (1927) 1365-1367 H Street NE[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "DC Architects Directory - DC.gov" (PDF).
  2. ^ a b Dickinson, Tom. "Lee Arts Center (the former Robert E. Lee Elementary School)". Arlington Historical. Retrieved 2025-07-11.
  3. ^ a b "Cornell Alumni News" (PDF). November 15, 1955.