Dwight James Baum
Encyclopedia
Dwight James Baum was an American architect most active in New York and in Sarasota, Florida.
Baum was born in Newville, New York (near Utica
) and moved to Syracuse
as a young man, eventually graduating from Syracuse University
in 1909 with an architecture degree. He worked for nationally known firms Boring and Tilton and Sanford White before venturing out with his own residential design firm around 1912.
A 1922 visit to Florida led to an important commission from John Nicholas Ringling, the 30-room mansion and estate that the Ringlings dubbed Cà d'Zan, which is now on the grounds of the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art
. During the 1920s Florida land boom, Baum designed a half-dozen significant civic buildings and several houses in Sarasota, and at least one residence in Tampa, all in the Mediterranean Revival Style.
In 1926 Baum designed forty two Mediterranean Revival style houses of varying sizes in the City of Temple Terrace, Florida
, this is thought to be the largest collection of his work in the Southeast. He also designed Sunset Hill
for Mrs. Eugene D. Stocker at Warren, New York
in 1923-1924. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
in 2007. During the Depression Baum became involved with historic preservation issues, becoming involved with Good Housekeeping Magazine as consulting architect, and as designer of their building exhibit at the 1933 Chicago World's Fair
.
His later work includes buildings at his alma mater, Syracuse University
(notably the focal point of the campus plan, the Hendricks Chapel, designed with John Russell Pope
), and the pedestal for V. Renzo Baldi's statue of Columbus in the city's Columbus Circle
.
Baum was distantly related to author and designer L. Frank Baum
.
Baum's work includes:
Biography
Utica, New York
Utica is a city in and the county seat of Oneida County, New York, United States. The population was 62,235 at the 2010 census, an increase of 2.6% from the 2000 census....
) and moved to Syracuse
Syracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
as a young man, eventually graduating from Syracuse University
Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College...
in 1909 with an architecture degree. He worked for nationally known firms Boring and Tilton and Sanford White before venturing out with his own residential design firm around 1912.
A 1922 visit to Florida led to an important commission from John Nicholas Ringling, the 30-room mansion and estate that the Ringlings dubbed Cà d'Zan, which is now on the grounds of the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art
John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art
The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art is the state art museum of Florida, located in Sarasota, Florida. It was established in 1927 as the legacy of Mable and John Ringling for the people of Florida...
. During the 1920s Florida land boom, Baum designed a half-dozen significant civic buildings and several houses in Sarasota, and at least one residence in Tampa, all in the Mediterranean Revival Style.
Temple Terrace, Florida
Temple Terrace is an incorporated city in northeastern Hillsborough County, Florida, USA, adjacent to Tampa. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 24,541. It is the third and smallest incorporated municipality in Hillsborough County...
, this is thought to be the largest collection of his work in the Southeast. He also designed Sunset Hill
Sunset Hill (Warren, New York)
Sunset Hill, also known as Mrs. Eugene D. Stocker Estate, is a historic home complex located at Warren in Herkimer County, New York. The contributing elements consist of the main house, guest house, equipment barn, stable, stone entrance gate, swimming pool, and garden...
for Mrs. Eugene D. Stocker at Warren, New York
Warren, New York
----Warren is a town in Herkimer County, New York, United States. The population was 1,136 at the 2000 census. The town is named after General Joseph Warren, who was killed at the Battle of Bunker Hill....
in 1923-1924. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 2007. During the Depression Baum became involved with historic preservation issues, becoming involved with Good Housekeeping Magazine as consulting architect, and as designer of their building exhibit at the 1933 Chicago World's Fair
Century of Progress
A Century of Progress International Exposition was the name of a World's Fair held in Chicago from 1933 to 1934 to celebrate the city's centennial. The theme of the fair was technological innovation...
.
His later work includes buildings at his alma mater, Syracuse University
Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College...
(notably the focal point of the campus plan, the Hendricks Chapel, designed with John Russell Pope
John Russell Pope
John Russell Pope was an architect most known for his designs of the National Archives and Records Administration building , the Jefferson Memorial and the West Building of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC.-Biography:Pope was born in New York in 1874, the son of a successful...
), and the pedestal for V. Renzo Baldi's statue of Columbus in the city's Columbus Circle
Columbus Circle (Syracuse, NY)
Columbus Circle is a neighborhood and plaza in the downtown section of Syracuse, New York. Columbus Monument was designed by the Syracuse-born architect, Dwight James Baum in 1895. Columbus Circle is home to Syracuse's two cathedrals, the Episcopalian St. Paul's Cathedral and the Roman Catholic...
.
Baum was distantly related to author and designer L. Frank Baum
L. Frank Baum
Lyman Frank Baum was an American author of children's books, best known for writing The Wonderful Wizard of Oz...
.
Work
- Sarasota Times BuildingSarasota Times BuildingThe Sarasota Times Building is a historic site in Sarasota, Florida. It is located at 1214-1216 1st Street. On March 22, 1984, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. The three-story asymmetrically-massed, stucco and cast stone façade, Mediterranean Revival structure was...
, 1925 - El Vernona Apartments-Broadway ApartmentsEl Vernona Apartments-Broadway ApartmentsThe El Vernona Apartments-Broadway Apartments is a historic site in Sarasota, Florida. It is located at 1133 4th Street. On March 22, 1984, it was added to the U.S...
, 1926 - Early residences in Temple Terrace, FloridaTemple Terrace, FloridaTemple Terrace is an incorporated city in northeastern Hillsborough County, Florida, USA, adjacent to Tampa. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 24,541. It is the third and smallest incorporated municipality in Hillsborough County...
, circa 1926 - Cà d'ZanCa d'ZanCa' d'Zan, a Mediterranean Revival residence in Sarasota, Florida, was the winter home of the American circus owner, developer and art collector John Ringling and his wife Mable. Lovers of the Venetian aesthetic, the Ringlings chose the site overlooking Sarasota Bay for its vista, which reminded...
, now the John and Mable Ringling Museum of ArtJohn and Mable Ringling Museum of ArtThe John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art is the state art museum of Florida, located in Sarasota, Florida. It was established in 1927 as the legacy of Mable and John Ringling for the people of Florida...
, Sarasota, 1927 - Sarasota County CourthouseSarasota County CourthouseThe Sarasota County Courthouse is a historic courthouse building located at 2000 Main Street in Sarasota, Florida. Designed by architect Dwight James Baum in the Mediterranean Revival style, it was built in 1926-1927 by Stevenson and Cameron, Inc. On March 22, 1984, it was added to the U.S...
, 1927 - Memorial Hospital, Syracuse, with John Russell PopeJohn Russell PopeJohn Russell Pope was an architect most known for his designs of the National Archives and Records Administration building , the Jefferson Memorial and the West Building of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC.-Biography:Pope was born in New York in 1874, the son of a successful...
, 1927 - PinecroftPinecroftPinecroft, also known as the Powel Crosley, Jr. Estate is located at 2336 Kipling Aveue in the Mount Airy neighborhood of Cincinnati, Ohio. It is significant both as a Tudor Revival estate designed by Dwight James Baum, and for its association with the life of Powel Crosley, Jr. , builder of the...
, the Crosley Powel, Jr. Estate, Cincinnati, OhioCincinnati, OhioCincinnati is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio. Cincinnati is the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located to north of the Ohio River at the Ohio-Kentucky border, near Indiana. The population within city limits is 296,943 according to the 2010 census, making it Ohio's...
, 1928–1937 - West Side YMCAYMCA of Greater New YorkNot to be confused with the YMHA, the YWHA or the 92nd Street Y.The YMCA of Greater New York is a community service organization that promotes positive values through programs that build spirit, mind and body. The YMCA is welcoming to all New Yorkers, with a focus on the City’s youth. No one is...
, on 63rd Street between Central Park and Columbus Avenue, New York City, 1930 (Baum's only high-rise) - Columbus Circle (Syracuse, NY)Columbus Circle (Syracuse, NY)Columbus Circle is a neighborhood and plaza in the downtown section of Syracuse, New York. Columbus Monument was designed by the Syracuse-born architect, Dwight James Baum in 1895. Columbus Circle is home to Syracuse's two cathedrals, the Episcopalian St. Paul's Cathedral and the Roman Catholic...
, 1934 - Hendricks Memorial Chapel, Syracuse UniversitySyracuse UniversitySyracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College...
, with John Russell PopeJohn Russell PopeJohn Russell Pope was an architect most known for his designs of the National Archives and Records Administration building , the Jefferson Memorial and the West Building of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC.-Biography:Pope was born in New York in 1874, the son of a successful...
, 1929–1930 - El Vernona Hotel-John Ringling HotelEl Vernona Hotel-John Ringling HotelThe El Vernona Hotel-John Ringling Hotel is a historic hotel in Sarasota, Florida, United States. It is located at 111 North Tamiami Trail. On March 5, 1987, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. The building was razed in 1998 to make room for the Sarasota...
, Sarasota, 1929 (razed) - United States Post Office, Flushing, New YorkUnited States Post Office (Flushing, Queens)US Post Office-Flushing Main is a historic post office building located at Flushing in Queens County, New York, United States. It was designed and built between 1932 and 1934 by architect Dwight James Baum and William W. Knowles as consulting architects to the Office of the Supervising Architect...
, with William Knowles, 1934