Woodbridge, Frederick J., 1900-1974

Fredrick J. Woodbridge was born on May 18, 1900 in New York. He was the son of Prof. Frederick J.E. Woodbridge, who served as dean of the Graduate Faculties of Columbia from 1912-1929. Woodbridge was a graduate of Amherst College, earning a B.A. in 1921, and also of Columbia University's School of Architecture, where he graduated in 1923 with B.A. in architecture. Woodbridge received an honorary M.A. in architecture from Amherst in 1951. From 1921 to 1925, Woodbridge was affiliated with the prominent New York City architectural firm of McKim, Mead & White and for a short period after with the firm of G.W. Trofast, Gillette & F.J. Woodbridge. Woodbridge left the last firm in 1928 to become a partner in Evans, Moore & Woodbridge. During his tenure at Evans, Moore & Woodbridge, he completed several projects on the campus of his alma mater, Amherst. In 1945, Woodbridge formed the firm Adams & Woodbridge with Lewis G. Adams, formerly of the New York firm Adams & Prentice.

From his offices in New York City, Woodbridge designed residential, institutional, ecclesiastical structures along the East Coast, working largely in traditional and colonial vernacular styles. In Manhattan, his commissions included the chapel and parish house of the Brick Presbyterian Church and the Episcopal Church Center. Other prominent work included residences for several professors at Princeton University and the Alumnae House at Smith College.

Woodbridge maintained ties to Columbia University throughout his career, serving on the faculty of the Extension School of Architecture from 1934 to 1942, as a lecturer at Teachers College from 1938 to 1942, and as consulting university architect beginning in 1956. Woodbridge was awarded a Fulbright grant to be architect in residence at the American Academy in Rome from 1951 to 1952, where, among other projects he made detailed drawings of buildings in the ancient port city of Ostia. He was also a member of the faculty of the Salzburg Seminar in American Studies in 1956.

Active in the wider professional community, Woodbridge was an architect member of the Art Commission of the City of New York from 1956 to 1959 and served as vice chairman of the New York Landmarks Commission from 1962 to 1965. Woodbridge was also a member and former director of the Architectural League of New York, director of the National Institute of Architectural Education, president of the Fine Arts Federation of New York, a president of the School of Art League of New York, and a member of the National Academy of Design. Woodbridge was elected to the College of Fellows of the A.I.A. and served as the president of the New York City chapter from 1961 to 1962. He died in New York City on January 17, 1974.

From the description of Frederick J. Woodbridge architectural records and papers, 1921-1971 (bulk 1921-1947). (Columbia University In the City of New York). WorldCat record id: 505720069