Francis R. Richmond (1851-1907) was an American architect practicing in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Life and career Francis Richard Richmond was born April 20, 1851, in Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts to Otis Abiathar Richmond and Laura Elmer (Ware) Richmond. He was educated in the public schools and academy of Townshend, Vermont and trained as a carpenter in Amherst.A Souvenir of Massachusetts Legislators (Stoughton: A. M. Bridgman, 1896): 152. As a young man he moved to Springfield, where he was educated in architecture in the office of Eugene C. Gardner. He remained with Gardner until 1882, when he formed a partnership with B. Hammett Seabury, practicing as Richmond & Seabury. They worked together until 1890, when the partnership was dissolved and each opened an independent office."Personal," Engineering and Building Record 21, no. 25 (May 24, 1890): 386. Richmond practiced in Springfield until his death in 1907.

Personal life Richmond was married, and had four children. He was a member of the Masons and the Odd Fellows."Francis Richard Richmond," Carpentry and Building 29, no. 12 (December 1907): 383. In 1896 he was a representative from the 8th Hampden district in the Massachusetts House of Representatives as a Democrat.

The Richmond family home was at 20 Greenleaf Street in the Forest Park neighborhood, which Richmond had built in 1893.Derek Strahan, "Francis R. Richmond House, Springfield, Mass," lostnewengland.com. Lost New England, June 19, 2018. Accessed August 19, 2021.

Richmond died November 6, 1907, at the age of 56.

Legacy Richmond was the architect of at least four buildings that have been listed on the United States National Register of Historic Places, and others contribute to listed historic districts.

Architectural works Richmond's work was designed in the popular styles of the day. During his partnership with Seabury his buildings relied on Queen Anne models, as well as the contemporary works of H. H. Richardson. Later, in the aftermath of the World's Columbian Exposition in 1893, Richmond turned towards Classical, Renaissance and Colonial sources.

List of architectural works

Hope Congregational Church, Springfield, Massachusetts (1882–83, burned 1931)King's Handbook of Springfield, ed. Moses King (Springfield: James D. Gill, 1884) "The Cliffs" for Daniel B. Wesson, Northborough, Massachusetts (1883–86)"Building Intelligence," Sanitary Engineer 8, no. 4 (June 28, 1883): 91. Oak Street School, Springfield, Massachusetts (1883, burned) "Pecousic Villa" for Everett H. Barney, Springfield, Massachusetts (1883–85, demolished 1959)"Building Intelligence," Sanitary Engineer 8, no. 17 (September 27, 1883): 403. Chapel and gate, Oak Grove Cemetery, Springfield, Massachusetts (1884) Meriden High School (former), Meriden, Connecticut (1884–85)"Building Intelligence," Sanitary Engineer 9, no. 25 (May 22, 1884): 600. W C A Boarding House, Springfield, Massachusetts (1884, NRHP 1983, demolished 2015)"Building Intelligence," Sanitary Engineer 10, no. 21 (October 23, 1884): 492. House for Justin Spaulding, Chicopee, Massachusetts (1885–86)https://buildingsofnewengland.com/2025/01/28/justin-and-sarah-spaulding-house-1886/ School for Christian Workers Building, Springfield, Massachusetts (1885–86 and 1889, demolished)"Building Intelligence," Sanitary Engineer 12, no. 13 (August 27, 1885): 256."Building Intelligence," Engineering and Building Record 19, no. 12 (February 16, 1889): 154. National Needle Company Factory, Springfield, Massachusetts (1886)"SPR.4422." mhc-macris.net. Massachusetts Historical Commission, n. d. Accessed August 19, 2021. House for Andrew L. Fennessy, Springfield, Massachusetts (1887–88, burned 1968)"Building Intelligence," Engineering and Building Record 16, no. 22 (October 29, 1887): 624. Tapley School (former), Springfield, Massachusetts (1887)"Building Intelligence," Sanitary Engineer and Construction Record 16, no. 13 (August 27, 1887): 357. Worker housing for the Otis Company, Ware, Massachusetts (1887)"WAR.68." mhc-macris.net. Massachusetts Historical Commission, n. d. Accessed August 19, 2021. Center School, East Longmeadow, Massachusetts (1888–89, demolished 1971)Building 9, no. 3 (July 21, 1888): 3. Memorial Building, Rockville, Connecticut (1888–89)"Proposals," Engineering and Building Record 17, no. 3 (December 17, 1887): 48. Jefferson Avenue School (former), Springfield, Massachusetts (1888)"SPR.2626." mhc-macris.net. Massachusetts Historical Commission, n. d. Accessed August 19, 2021. Palmer High School (former), Palmer, Massachusetts (1888)"PAL.251." mhc-macris.net. Massachusetts Historical Commission, n. d. Accessed August 19, 2021. Second Congregational Church, Manchester, Connecticut (1888–89)Building 9, no. 19 (November 10, 1888): 3. Alden Street School (former), Springfield, Massachusetts (1889)"Building Intelligence," Engineering and Building Record 19, no. 23 (May 4, 1889): 308. Rockville National Bank Building, Rockville, Connecticut (1889)"Proposals," Engineering and Building Record 19, no. 15 (March 9, 1889): 196. Bridge Street School, Suffield, Connecticut (1890, demolished)"Building Intelligence," Engineering and Building Record 21, no. 15 (March 15, 1890): 240. Chicopee High School (former), Chicopee, Massachusetts (1890–91, burned 1916)Municipal Register for 1891 (Chicopee: City of Chicopee, 1892) North Main Street Fire Station (former), Springfield, Massachusetts (1892)"SPR.2587." mhc-macris.net. Massachusetts Historical Commission, n. d. Accessed August 19, 2021. Rockville High School (former), Rockville, Connecticut (1892, NRHP 1981)Old Rockville High School and East School NRHP Registration Form (1981) Masonic Temple, Springfield, Massachusetts (1892–93, altered)"Freemasonry in Springfield, Mass.," Freemasons Repository 23, no. 2 (November 1893): 89-98. Stacy Building, Springfield, Massachusetts (1893, NRHP 1983)"SPR.29." mhc-macris.net. Massachusetts Historical Commission, n. d. Accessed August 19, 2021. Alvord School (former), Chicopee, Massachusetts (1894)"CHI.18." mhc-macris.net. Massachusetts Historical Commission, n. d. Accessed August 19, 2021. Memorial Church Parish House, Springfield, Massachusetts (1894–95)"Building Intelligence," Engineering Record 29, no. 19 (April 7, 1894): 309. South Main Street School (former), Springfield, Massachusetts (1895, NRHP 1985)"SPR.185." mhc-macris.net. Massachusetts Historical Commission, n. d. Accessed August 19, 2021. Springfield Industrial Institute, Springfield, Massachusetts (1895, demolished)"SPR.BQ." mhc-macris.net. Massachusetts Historical Commission, n. d. Accessed August 19, 2021. Additions to the Ocean House, Watch Hill, Rhode Island (1897 and 1902, demolished 2005)"Building Intelligence," American Architect and Building News 55, no. 1103 (February 13, 1897): xvi."Personally Conducted," Boston Home Journal 58, no. 1 (January 4, 1902): 16. Eastern Avenue School (former), Springfield, Massachusetts (1898)"School and Plumbing," Fire and Water 24, no. 5 (July 30, 1898): x Davis Street School, Greenfield, Massachusetts (1901–02, demolished)"New Schools," School Board Journal 22, no. 7 (July 1901): n. p. Westminster Apartments, Springfield, Massachusetts (1901)"Building Intelligence," American Architect and Building News 71, no. 1313 (February 23, 1901): xi. Springfield Homestead Building, Springfield, Massachusetts (1903)"SPR.12." mhc-macris.net. Massachusetts Historical Commission, n. d. Accessed August 19, 2021. Palmer National and Savings Banks Building, Palmer, Massachusetts (1904–05, demolished)"Building Intelligence," American Architect and Building News 83, no. 1465 (January 23, 1904): xi. Thorndike School (former), Palmer, Massachusetts (1904)"PAL.700." mhc-macris.net. Massachusetts Historical Commission, n. d. Accessed August 19, 2021. Odd Fellows Building, Springfield, Massachusetts (1905, demolished)"Business Buildings," Engineering Record 51, no. 19 (May 13, 1905): 51. Three Rivers School (former), Palmer, Massachusetts (1907)"Schools," Engineering Record 55, no. 18 (May 4, 1907): 78c.

Gallery of architectural works

Notes

References