Guy Kirkham

Smith Hall of Wilbraham & Monson Academy, designed by Kirkham in the Italian Renaissance Revival style and completed in 1896. The former Goodwin Memorial Library in Hadley, designed by Kirkham in the Colonial Revival style and completed in 1902. The Unitarian Society of Northampton and Florence in Northampton, designed by Kirkham in the Colonial Revival style and completed in 1905. The Forest Park branch of the Springfield City Library, designed by Kirkham & Parlett in the Neoclassical style and completed in 1909. The Leo L. Ley house in Springfield, designed by Kirkham & Parlett in the Arts and Crafts style and completed in 1911. The High School of Commerce in Springfield, designed by Kirkham & Parlett in the Tudor Revival style and completed in 1915. The Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company headquarters in Springfield, designed by Kirkham & Parlett in the Colonial Revival style and completed in 1926. Guy Kirkham (November 13, 1864 – August 3, 1935) was an American architect in practice in Springfield, Massachusetts, from 1892 until his retirement in 1932. From 1904 until his retirement he was senior partner of the firm of Kirkham & Parlett.

Life and career Guy Kirkham was born November 13, 1864 in, Springfield, Massachusetts, to William Kirkham Jr., a jeweler, and Harriet Newell Kirkham, née Merriam. His maternal grandfather was Charles Merriam, a founder in 1831 of what is today Merriam-Webster. His father died when he was young, and when he was about thirteen his mother remarried to Charles D. Hosley, another jeweler.

Kirkham was educated in the Springfield public schools and at St. Paul's School before entering the Massachusetts Institute of Technology as a special student in architecture, studying with the class of 1887. He worked for Gilbert & Taylor in St. Paul from 1886 to 1888, for Renwick, Aspinwall & Russell in New York City from 1888 to 1890 and for Gardner, Pyne & Gardner in Springfield from 1890 to 1892, excepting much of the year 1890–91, which he spent traveling in Europe. In 1892 he opened an office of his own in Springfield. and Kirkham retired in 1932.

In 1897 Kirkham joined the American Institute of Architects (AIA) as a Fellow. He was the first AIA Fellow from the Springfield area. He was a member of several social and fraternal organizations in Springfield and was involved in local philanthropic causes.

Kirkham had one son and three daughters. He was a parishioner of the Church of the Unity, the building of which was the first completed work of architect H. H. Richardson.

At least one of Kirkham's works has been listed on the United States National Register of Historic Places, and others contribute to listed historic districts.

Architectural works Guy Kirkham, to 1904 1889 – Charles D. Hosley house, 1166 Worthington St, Springfield, Massachusetts 1892 – Guy Kirkham house, 145 Clarendon St, Springfield, Massachusetts 1894 – Charles A. Bowles house, 81 Mulberry St, Springfield, Massachusetts 1896 – Smith Hall, Wilbraham & Monson Academy, Wilbraham, Massachusetts 1897 – Home for Friendless Women and Children (former), 136 William St, Springfield, Massachusetts 1900 – Springfield Home for Aged Women (former), 471 Chestnut St, Springfield, Massachusetts 1902 – Goodwin Memorial Library (former), 48 Middle St, Hadley, Massachusetts 1905 – Unitarian Society of Northampton and Florence, 220 Main St, Northampton, Massachusetts

Kirkham & Parlett, 1904–1932 1904 – Woods Hall, Springfield College, Springfield, Massachusetts 1905 – Howard Street School, 59 Howard St, Springfield, Massachusetts 1906 – Charles B. Hitchcock house, 321 Longhill St, Springfield, Massachusetts 1908 – Springfield Day Nursery, 103 William St, Springfield, Massachusetts 1909 – All Saints Episcopal Church (former), 41 Oakland St, Springfield, Massachusetts 1909 – Bookstore Building, 1383 Main St, Springfield, Massachusetts 1909 – Guy Kirkham house, 120 Clarendon St, Springfield, Massachusetts 1909 – Springfield City Library Forest Park branch, 300 Belmont Ave, Springfield, Massachusetts 1911 – Leo L. Ley house, 46 Randolph St, Springfield, Massachusetts 1911 – Frederick H. Stebbins house, 86 Bowdoin St, Springfield, Massachusetts 1912 – Menagerie and stable buildings, Forest Park, Springfield, Massachusetts 1913 – Chicopee Public Library (former), 31 Center St, Chicopee, Massachusetts 1913 – Olivet Congregational Church (former), 33 Oak St, Springfield, Massachusetts 1915 – High School of Commerce, 415 State St, Springfield, Massachusetts 1917 – Springfield Day Nursery (former), 27 Pendleton St, Springfield, Massachusetts 1920 – Forbes & Wallace department store, Main St and Boland Way, Springfield, Massachusetts 1923 – William H. Sargeant house, 406 Longhill St, Springfield, Massachusetts 1924 – Adams Hall, American International College, Springfield, Massachusetts 1924 – Henry F. Punderson house, 25 Riverview Ter, Springfield, Massachusetts 1925 – DAR Hall, American International College, Springfield, Massachusetts 1926 – Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company headquarters, 1295 State St, Springfield, Massachusetts 1927 – Christ Church Cathedral tower, 35 Chestnut St, Springfield, Massachusetts 1929 – Morgan Block, 313-333 Bridge St, Springfield, Massachusetts 1931 – Springfield Isolation Hospital (former), 1400 State St, Springfield, Massachusetts