Architect Folger Johnson: The Public and Private Works of a Transplanted Southern Gentleman

Like many ambitious young architects of his generation, Folger Johnson (1882 - 1970) arrived in Portland in the early twentieth century as the booming city emerged as the major metropolis of the Pacific Northwest. Born in Georgia, Johnson received his architectural education at Columbia University in New York and later at L’Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris. After arriving in Portland in 1911, Johnson partnered with several significant Portland architects during a 50-year architectural career. Johnson received many public and private commissions including Carnegie libraries in Portland and as far away as Eastern Oregon. His buildings show a command of the classical architectural vocabulary as well as a satisfying flavor of the modernist elements popular in the first three decades of the twentieth century. Nearly a dozen of his designs are now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.This presentation will highlight Johnson's career in Portland, including his work on the Town Club in the King's Hill Historic District - one of Johnson's best-known designs. Presenter Eric Wheeler, is a Portland-based architectural historian who designs and leads walking tours and presents programs on architectural styles and neighborhood history. We hope you'll join us for this brand new talk on one of the city's most important 20th century architects. 

This lecture program is held at the Architectural Heritage Center - 701 SE Grand Avenue

Seating is Limited. Pre-Registration is Highly Recommended.

Parking is on-street (free on Saturdays) or in the parking lot on the west side of Grand Avenue between SE Yamhill and Belmont Streets - just to the north of the Urbanite. Thank you to Bolliger and Sons Insurance for sharing their lot with us for our evening and Saturday education programs.

Town Club Entry (1931). Photo by Brian Johnson.