Charles Bulfinch

Welcome to Did You Know a video series about Massachusetts where we take a look at interesting tidbits of state history? Each video will cover a different part of Massachusetts history and culture. Today, our topic is prominent American architect Charles Ball Finch. Did you know that Ball Finch is considered one of the first American architects. Let's find out more.

Charles Ball Finch is known for his prominent architectural works, including the old State House in Connecticut, the Massachusetts State House, the Maine State House, and the restoration of the U.S. Capitol. But he's less known for his work in helping to change Boston from a small state capital into a modern urban center. Today, we learn about Charles Ball stage.

Charles Ball Finch was born in Boston on August eight, 1763. He lived in the city during the years leading up to the Revolutionary War in the siege of Boston, and he watched the Battle of Bunker Hill at the age of 12 from the roof of his house. He attended Boston Latin School and graduated from Harvard University in 1784.

After he graduated, both Finch started work as an accountant in the merchant house of a family friend, Joseph Barrow, Esquire. He gained an interest in architecture due to home repairs Bill helped friends with following the Revolutionary War, and thanks to the inheritance he received after the death of his uncle George at Thorp, both Finch acquired enough money to fund a trip to Europe between 1785 and 1787.

Both Finch embarked on the grand tour of England, France and Italy to study the prominent architectural wonders of the day. Thomas Jefferson, who was minister of France at the time, gave him a list of prominent sites in the country to visit during his trip, often to read books on architecture, talked with prominent European architects and visited Renaissance and other buildings.

He was influenced by the buildings of Andre Palladio, Sir Christopher Wren, Robert Adam and William Chambers. After returning to Boston in 1787, both Finch and his friends helped sponsor and raise $50,000 for the ship. Columbia. Whether Veeva's voyage around the world, the Columbia of Evil became the first American ship to circumnavigate the globe and the Columbia district, a fur trading area that is now the state of Washington and part of British Columbia, Canada was named for the ship.

In 1788, Charles Ball Finch married his first cousin, Hannah APT Thorpe And they had two sons, Thomas and Steven Greenleaf. Both Finch returned to Boston, eager to start his work as an architect and put the knowledge he had acquired during his trip into practice. He designed the Second Hollow Street Church in 1788 and a temporary ceremonial arch near the old State House to honor George Washington during his trip to Boston in 1789.

Bull Finch also designed a memorial column on Beacon Hill, which was the first American memorial to the Revolutionary War. The column built in 1791, was topped by an eagle and replaced the old signal beacon on the hill. It was removed in 1811 when the top of Beacon Hill was leveled for filling in swamp land. A reproduction of the column with its original commemorative plaque stands by the Ashburton Park entrance of the Statehouse.

Today. Bo Finch was elected a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1791 and went on to design the federal street feeder. In 1793, the first theater established in Boston. That same year, Bull Finch entered into a venture to buy land and construct residences in a crescent shaped area named the Tontine Crescent. The crescent was located on Franklin Street in Boston and is also known as Franklin Place.

The venture failed due to a lack of land sales, forcing both Finch to declare bankruptcy. He sold much of his land and took positions on the Boston Board of Selectmen and as superintendent of police to support his family. During his time on the board from 1789 to 1793, Bull Finch contributed to the development of Boston's infrastructure. He continued his work as an architect, designing houses for his friend John Jay and his old employer, Joseph Barrow.

Both Finch went on to design the old State House in Hartford, Connecticut, between 1793 and 1796 and the Massachusetts State House between 1795 and 1798. Both Finch's work on the old statehouse inspired a young architect named Asher Benjamin, who designed the staircase for the building. Asher would go on to write six architectural patent books that popularized the late colonial architectural style throughout the country, some of which are still in print today.

Both Finch also built three houses for his friend Harrison Gray. Otis as well as many buildings on Park Street, including the Emory Tickner house across the street from the state house. Both Finch also designed two prominent churches. The old Cathedral of the Holy Cross, which was the first Catholic Church in Boston and New North Church, now St Stephen's Church in the North End.

Both Finch became chairman of the Board of Selectmen in 1797 and served in that capacity until 1818, helping to improve the lighting streets and drainage of Boston while coordinating the filling of local swamps to improve public health. During his time on the board, he helped design Boston Common, the expansion of Faneuil Hall, Boylston Market and India Wharf. Unfortunately, both Finch was often involved in money troubles due to the lack of a salary from his board position and the small amount he was paid for designing the Massachusetts statehouse.

He ended up in prison for debt in the summer of 1811 in Massachusetts State prison, which ironically both Finch had himself designed. Both inches fortunes improved in 1817 when he hosted President James Monroe in his role as chairman during Monroe's visit to Massachusetts. The following year, he was offered and accepted the position of designing the new United States Capitol in Washington, DC.

The Capitol had been damaged by the British during the War of 1812, and Bill Finch, in his new position of Commissioner of Public Building, created a building with wings, a portico and a wooden dome similar to some of his past works. The new capital was completed in 1829, though both benches dome would be replaced with an iron dome in the mid 1860s that still stands today.

Before he left Boston, both Finch drew up plans for the Massachusetts General Hospital and while working on the capital, he designed the Maine State House, which was completed in 1837. Both Finch returned to Boston in 1830, where he served as an honorary member of the National Academy of Design. Though he largely retired from architectural work, both Finch died on April 15, 1844, but he is known for the large impact he left on the city of Boston and the future of American architecture.

Thanks for joining me to learn more about Charles Ball Finch. If you'd like to know more, check out these resources. Thank you for watching.