Benjamin Marshall, SAH Headquarters shine at documentary screening

During an intimate gathering on September 26 at the Chicago Landmark Charnley-Persky House, history and architecture enthusiasts received a unique look at the life and work of architect Benjamin Howard Marshall (1874-1944). While his name may not be widely known, for Chicago locals, at least, Marshall's luxury buildings throughout the city certainly are: The Drake Hotel overlooking Oak Street beach; the Blackstone Hotel on South Michigan Avenue; and the South Shore Country Club – now the South Shore Cultural Center.

The Society of Architectural Historians (SAH) and Benjamin Marshall Society collaborated on the evening program, which included a screening of a biographical documentary produced by the Benjamin Marshall Society and deep dive into the story of one Marshall-designed home in Hinsdale, Illinois. The owner, who asked to remain anonymous, shared design details of the house and her efforts to find artisan tradespeople capable of repairing and restoring its historical elements, such as leaded glass windows and a brick wall surrounding its meditative garden.

More than 30 visitors filled rows of chairs arranged in the Charnley-Persky House’s first-floor library. Among the event guests were members of SAH and Benjamin Marshall Society, as well as other architecture enthusiasts and several of the Charnley House's Gold Coast neighbors. Many of the local residents expressed joy at seeing this neighborhood gem literally light up with interest from the broader community.

Images from the program and concluding reception. 

Beyond daytime guided tours, opportunities to view the significant interiors of the Charnley-Persky House — especially during evening hours when the house glows from within — have been limited. Ben Thomas, Executive Director of SAH and the Charnley-Persky House Museum Foundation, said he would like to see more special events offered at the house.

"It is exciting to see this significant and extraordinary architectural landmark become a space to learn about the role and influence of architects and their buildings in society," he said. "SAH and Charnley share a mission to highlight the legacies of our built environment, whether in one Chicago neighborhood or around the world. I look forward to doing more to invite people in to learn more.”

The Society of Architectural Historians encourages discovery and discussion of unrecognized architects and their place in history, and so their headquarters at the Charnley-Persky House made a fitting venue to discuss Marshall's impacts. The house was designed in 1891 by Louis Sullivan with assistance from his junior draftsman Frank Lloyd Wright and stands in contrast to popular residential architecture of the time.

"While these architects were contemporaries, their paths diverged dramatically," points out Jane LePauw, President of the Benjamin Marshall Society. Whereas Marshall created traditionally detailed buildings and adapted them to urban lifestyles of the day, Sullivan and Wright sought modern form of architecture with the Charnley House design. Compared with the "more-is-more" Victorian style of design and decoration, Charnley-Persky House feels severe in its reserved forms of ornamentation.

LePauw continued: "Seeing the film on Marshall's classical designs in a home that was a precursor of the modernist movement could not have been more striking. It was an educational and memorable experience enjoyed by all the attendees."

Learn more about the Benjamin Marshall Society, including future opportunities to view the Benjamin Marshall documentary.

View upcoming events at Charnley-Persky House.