Lyman Trumbull Public School Building (Former)

“Perkins served as architect for the Chicago Board of Education from 1905 to 1910 and is regarded as one of the board's most progressive architects. Built as an elementary school, Trumbull is regarded as one of Perkins's most innovative designs for the Board of Education.”

“Innovative and rare aspects of the design of the former Lyman Trumbull Public School Building include its strong geometric massing and its use of alternating horizontal bands of light and dark colored brick that extends across vertical piers and window mullions.”

“As Architect for the Chicago Board of Education, Perkins designed more than 40 school buildings and additions to existing buildings, many of which are innovative in overall design and spatial planning.”

“In 1996, the Chicago Historic Resources Survey rated the building orange for its architectural and historical significance within its context of Edgewater and Andersonville. The building is also published in the AIA Guide to Chicago and Carl W. Condit's influential architectural history The Chicago School of Architecture published in 1964.”

“Public education has historically been one of the most important responsibilities of Chicago government, and public school buildings are visual and social anchors in the city's neighborhoods. The former Lyman Trumbull Public School Building is designed with large windows for ample light and ventilation and a large playground that reflects the Progressive Era's desire to enhance the learning experience through architecture and design.”

“His mother, Marion Perkins, was involved in social reform and was an associate of Jane Addams, founder of the Hull House Settlement. The need for new supportive centers for poorer immigrant and working-class communities led Perkins to collaborate with and design settlement houses for both the University of Chicago and Northwestern University; only the University of Chicago settlement house was completed (demolished).”

“The former Lyman Trumbull Public School Building through its handsomely-designed Prairie School exterior, is a fine and significant example of Perkins' efforts in progressive school architecture. In private practice, Perkins designed many significant buildings in Chicago and elsewhere, including the South Pond Refectory (now Cafe Brauer) and the Lincoln Park Lion House, both Chicago Landmarks.”

“Bedford stone wraps the base of the structure and is topped by light tan brick along the first floor. Continuous light tan brick is also employed at the top of the structure to create a subtle, flush cornice and at corners to frame each elevation.”

“Perhaps most striking was the use of alternating colors of brick which broke up large fields of masonry and created a rhythmic language which visually connected all elevations of the structure.”