Charles Thaddeus Russell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Charles Thaddeus Russell
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Charles Thaddeus Russell (Photo courtesy Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church)
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| Born | June 19, 1875 |
| Died | August 24, 1952 (aged 77) |
| Occupation | Architect |
| Spouse(s) | Ellen V. (née Trent) Russell |
| Children | 2 |
Charles Thaddeus Russell (born June 19, 1875 – died August 24, 1952) was an important American architect. He was one of the first two licensed African American architects in the state of Virginia. He was the very first to get his license in Richmond, Virginia. Russell designed many buildings in an area that became known as the "Black Wall Street of America."
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Early Life and Learning
Charles Thaddeus Russell was born in Richmond, Virginia, in 1875. He grew up in a part of Richmond called Jackson Ward, which was a black community.
He started studying at the Hampton Institute in 1893. He finished his studies there in 1899. He also earned a special certificate in carpentry, which is the skill of working with wood.
In 1901, Russell became a carpentry teacher at the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. He worked on many buildings on the campus. He also made sure all the carpentry work was done correctly. While at Tuskegee, he learned a lot about drafting and architecture. He worked closely with other architects, which was like an apprenticeship for him.
In 1907, he moved back to Virginia. He became the superintendent of the grounds at Virginia Union University. In 1909, the president of Virginia Union University gave Russell permission to start his own career as an architect.
Amazing Career as an Architect
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Charles Russell was one of Virginia's first two licensed black architects. He received his architect license on October 2, 1922. Another African American architect, John A. Lankford, got his license just before Russell because licenses were given out in alphabetical order.
Russell made sure that most of the workers and builders he hired were black. He designed homes and business buildings in an area called Postletown. This area is now known as Jackson Ward. It was called "Postletown" because the streets were named after the Apostles in the New Testament. Russell's building designs helped turn Jackson Ward into a busy and successful area for businesses. His work helped make it known as the “Black Wall Street of America.”
In 1910, Russell designed his first building for a famous Virginia businesswoman named Maggie L. Walker. This building was first used as a bank. Today, it is known as the St. Luke Building. It has 12 apartments on its upper floors. The building is currently being updated to create new loft apartments. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982 because of its historical importance.
In 1915, he designed a home for a doctor named William Henry Hughes. Russell was also hired to update the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Jackson Ward, which was built in 1873. He changed the church's style from Victorian Gothic to Neoclassical. He also added four special spires to the top of the church instead of a single steeple.
He designed the Rialto Theatre in Petersburg, Virginia, which was finished in 1923. In 1925, Russell also updated and made bigger the historic Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church.
One of Russell's last jobs as an architect was in 1942. He was in charge of moving and rebuilding the Belgian Building on the Virginia Union University campus. This building was originally built by Belgium for the 1939 New York World's Fair. It was supposed to be taken apart and sent back to Belgium after the fair. However, the German invasion of Belgium (1940) meant the building had to stay in the United States. Many different schools wanted the building, but it was given to Virginia Union University.
Later Life and Passing
Charles Thaddeus Russell passed away on August 24, 1952. He was buried at Woodland Cemetery in Richmond.
Images for kids
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St. Luke Penny Savings Bank
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Ebenezer Baptist Church
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Belgian building
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