3 of Richmond's architects, as remembered by their work

Over the centuries, a number of well-known architects have called Richmond home. As a result, the city is full of iconic structures — funny how that works.

We’re sharing the stories of three architects from Richmond’s history, and one of their buildings that may have made you stop and stare.

Ethel Bailey Furman

Born in Richmond on July 6, 1893, Ethel Bailey Furman would become the first known African American woman to work as an architect in Virginia.

Furman’s father, Madison Jefferson Bailey, was one of the first licensed Black contractors in the city. As a child, she would accompany him to projects, and as she grew older that love of buildings and design led to her work designing churches, homes, and more.

Photo by RICtoday

One of Furman’s most notable works was the education wing of Fourth Baptist Church in Church Hill. The building’s striking style demonstrates Furman’s taste for 20th century modern design.

D. Wiley Anderson

D. Wiley Anderson was a turn-of-the-century architect who designed a significant number of buildings around the Richmond area — several of which have since wound up on the National Register of Historic Places .

One of those historic places is the Benswanger House on Monument Avenue. The ornate, regal-looking house features wide open rooms and ornate decorations including stained glass windows.

Built in 1915, the Benswanger House last sold in 2016 for $1.7 million .

Photo by RICtoday

Bascom Joseph Rowlett

Another architect of the early 20th century, Bascom Joseph Rowlett was born in Richmond and graduated from Richmond High School in 1906. Rowlett’s father worked at Tredegar Ironworks.

After receiving a degree from Virginia Mechanics Institute, Rowlett started working in the city as an architect. He would go on to design a number of works, one of his most notable being the English Village in the Museum District. An icon of Richmond’s Tudor Revival phase , the English Village is still eye-catching even today.

Do you have a favorite historic building around town that you want to learn the history of? Point it out to us and we might look into it in a future newsletter.