Architectural Foundation of Cincinnati, 1982-2003

by Sue Ann Painter based upon AFC archives and conversations with Robert Dorsey and Donald Junker.

Cincinnati hosted the American Institute of Architects national convention in 1980. It was a big success-only the second national AIA convention to be held here, and the first in the twentieth century. David Richards was Cincinnati Chapter AIA president that year. Robert Dorsey, who co-chaired the convention, became president of the AIA chapter in 1981.

Encouraged by national and local interest in Cincinnati's built environment, Dorsey decided the time was right to establish an architectural foundation. He wanted to involve people beyond the architectural community in fostering appreciation for local architecture. One impetus for setting up a nonprofit organization was a generous bequest to AIA from Nelson Felsburg, AIA. A portion of the Felsburg fund was given to the foundation, which organized informally in 1981.

The Architectural Foundation of Cincinnati (AFC) was incorporated in 1982. There were 81 founding members. Leaders of the movement were Woodie Garber, Gavin Gray, Gary Herfel, Loren Poff, Robert Robertson, Thomas Tilsley, and Robert Williams. AFC founders decided that the mission of the organization would be to foster awareness, appreciation, and improvement of the built environment of Greater Cincinnati through education.

 The first annual meeting was held March 4, 1982. At that time Robert Dorsey, who had served as chairman, was elected interim president and, subsequently, president. Larry Bonhaus was vice president; Louise Wiedeman, secretary and executive director; and Gavin Gray, treasurer. Other founding board members were Woodie Garber, Dennis Back, James Murphy, Gerald Hammond, George Roth, Robert Robertson, Martin Rose, Thomas Tilsley, and Robert Williams. Some of the group's early advocacy efforts were to educate architects and engineers about the merits of sustainable design and to make the public more aware of the talents of area architects and designers.

As one of its first projects, AFC operated an architectural bookstore in partnership with AIA. The attractive shop was on the second level walkway of the 580 Building. In 1987, AFC published a book of its own - Architecture and Construction in Cincinnati: A Guide to Buildings, Designers & Builders. George Roth was a driving force for this ambitious Cincinnati Bicentennial project. Other team members were Robert Dorsey, Forest D. Atkins, and Russell E. Moody. P. Richard Krehbiel designed the handsome pocket-sized book, which was printed by the C.J. Krehbiel Co. A popular success, the book is now out of print.

The foundation operated an architectural bookstore, with AIA, off the second level walkway of the 580 Building. In 1987, AFC published a book of its own-Architecture and Construction in Cincinnati: A Guide to Buildings, Designers & Builders. Don Junker and Robert Dorsey recall that George Roth was the driving force for this ambitious Cincinnati Bicentennial project. In addition to Dorsey and Roth, team members were P. Richard Krehbiel, Forest D. Atkins, and Russell E. Moody. The handsome pocket-sized book, which was printed by the C.J. Krehbiel Co., was a popular success. It is now out of print.

In addition to the guidebook, AFC sponsored a number of educational programs in the late 1980s. There was a film produced by WCET-TV, Bricks and Mortar:People and Dreams , the story of local construction projects and the individuals who built them. In 1988, AFC curated a temporary architectural exhibition in the Westin atrium. It was produced for the Cincinnati Bicentennial celebration. The foundation sponsored lectures by local and nationally known speakers, including William Turnbull, Robert Stern, and Graham Gund.

An early initiative of AFC was to recognize important contributors to the built environment. Tom Tilsely suggested a Steuben crystal apple be given as the award, and the honor became known as the Apple Award. Carl Strauss, FAIA, was the first recipient. Many other notables have since been honored. The Apple Award Gala was established in May 2004, with Buck Niehoff as event chair and sponsor of a talk by architectural critic Paul Goldberger. Dale McGirr was given the 2004 Apple Award. Christine Schoonover chaired the 2005 gala where Buck Niehoff received the Apple Award and Stewart Brand was the speaker. The 2006 Apple went to Stanley M. Kaplan, M.D., who gave an inspirational keynote address. The 2007 honoree and presenter will be Thomas R. Schiff.

Michael Schuster, AIA, created the Architecture By Children (ABC) program, when he was president of the foundation and directed the program for four years. The program was subsequently adopted by AIA, with AFC dedicated to providing financial aid. Under the volunteer leadership of architect Zoe Hardy, ABC has grown to involve as many as forty schools, thousands of children, and hundreds of architect volunteers who visit public, private, and parochial schools to teach about architecture. ABC is the primary beneficiary of foundation funding; AFC makes awards to other nonprofits for architecture education projects. The foundation also sponsors lectures of its own, often in conjunction with organizations such as the Mercantile Library, Civic Garden Center, and Cincinnati Museum Center.

In conjunction with Cincinnatus, AFC published a pamphlet: Architecture Cincinnati: A Guide to Significant Buildings (1999). The guide, which described 17 significant projects in Cincinnati, featured photographs by environmental artist Alice Weston and text by Walter E. Langsam.

Encouraged by the success of the pamphlet, AFC sponsored a book, which would be the first comprehensive history of the significant public, institutional, and commercial architecture in the area. Architecture in Cincinnati: An Illustrated History of Designing and Building an American City, the 368-page book was published in 2006 by Ohio University Press. Sue Ann Painter, the executive director since March 2003, was lead author and managing editor. Co-authors were Beth Sullebarger and Jayne Merkel. Professor John Hancock served as editorial advisor. Alice Weston, environmental artist spearheaded the project and contributed more than two hundred color photographs of existing buildings, cityscapes, and landscapes.