Philip Smith House / College Club House - Table of Contents

Philip Smith House / College Club House
264 Summer Street, Buffalo, NY

Erected

1904

Architects

Lansing & Beierl

Style

Georgian Revival

Original owner

Philip Smith

Second owner

College Club
TEXT Beneath Illustrations








Georgian Revival style






Modillions support overhanging cornice                   Dentil molding                Keystones



Modillions support overhanging cornice                   Dentil molding



Keystone   flanked by voussoirs



Portico                 Modillions support overhanging cornice                 Rounded Roman Doric columns             Note keystone at left, detailed below:



Keystone     flanked by voussoirs












Oriel supported by two corbels                         Leaded, traceried windows



Ionic pilaster                      Leaded glass window detail





Leaded glass window







Philip Sherwood Smith

Philip Sherwood, only son of Judge James Murdock and Margaret L. (Sherwood) Smith, was born in Buffalo, New York, November 22, 1863. He was educated at the Heathcote School in Buffalo, and after his graduation had prepared to enter Yale College, but was prevented from entering by a serious illness. His studies were completed under private tutors and instruction.

He chose the profession of law, and began his legal study with Marshall Clinton and Wilson, his brother-in-law, being one of the members of the firm. He was admitted to the bar in 1887,and continued with his preceptors until the death of Mr. Wilson, when the firm was dissolved. He then formed a legal partnership with Charles R. Wilson, and under the firm name of Wilson & Smith, conducted a general law business.

Mr. Smith devotes his leisure hours to literary pursuits and pleasures, and has a very large and valuable library, containing many treasures in rare autographs, documents and early printed books. He is a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Buffalo, and takes an active part in church work. He is a member of various scientific and literary societies, and is a fellow of the American Geographical Society, and member of the Society of Colonial Wars.

He married, October 8, 1890, Mary I., daughter of Thomas W. Cushing, a merchant ofBuffalo, and his wife, Helen Lydia (Rockwell) Cushing. Children: James Murdock Smith (2) ,born July 25, 1891; he was educated at the Nichols School, and is now a student at YaleUniversity, class of 1913.

- Source: "Genealogical and Family History of Western New York," ed. by William Richard Cutter, 1912, Vol. I, p. 268

The College Club
An offshoot of The Assoc. of College Alumnae,the College Club was formed in 1914 with 72 charter members. The purpose of the club was "to promote the social and intellectual interests of college educated women in Buffalo and its vicinity and to maintain a club house to this end."

A house at 163 Park Street was leased for one year.

In 1915 the Philip Smith House was leased. The club house had six second floor rooms and two third floor rooms to rent. In 1920, the College Club bought the house at a cost of $34,000 ($311,758 in 2002 dollars).


Special thanks to the College Club members, especially Mgr. Clare Schultz, for their encouragement and assistance

Photos and their arrangement © 2004 Chuck LaChiusa
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