Whitehouse, Morris H., 1878-1944,

Morris H. Whitehouse (1878-1944) was a Portland, Or.-based architect who established and directed several architectural firms which designed hundreds of projects in the Pacific Northwest, 1907-1985. Whitehouse graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.I.T.) in 1906 and studied at the American Academy in Rome, Italy. In 1907, he opened an office at Portland, where he worked with various partnerships and under many firm names. After Whitehouse died, the name changed to Church, Newberry & Roehr by 1950, and the firm continued with various name changes until 1985. Whitehouse and his firms designed many important public buildings in Oregon, but also designed numerous commercial buildings, churches, and residences. Although the bulk of the work was in Oregon, the Whitehouse firms also worked in Idaho and Washington state.

From the description of Morris H. Whitehouse Architectural Collection, ca. 1905-1974 (bulk ca. 1905-1950). (Oregon Historical Society Research Library). WorldCat record id: 56000012

Morris H. Whitehouse (1878-1944) was a Portland, Or.-based architect who established and directed several architectural firms which designed hundreds of projects in the Pacific Northwest, 1907-1985. Whitehouse studied at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). After graduation in 1906, he studied at the American Academy in Rome, Italy, 1906-1907. He returned to Portland, and in 1907 opened an office. Whitehouse worked with various partnerships and under many firm names: with engineer Bruce R. Honeyman; Lazarus, Whitehouse & Fouilhoux (later Whitehouse & Fouilhoux); Morris H. Whitehouse, Architect; Morris H. Whitehouse & Associates (with A. Glenn Stanton and Walter E. Church, later Whitehouse, Stanton & Church and Whitehouse & Church); Whitehouse, Church, Newberry & Roehr (with Earl P. Newberry and Frank Roehr). After Whitehouse died, the name changed to Church, Newberry & Roehr by 1950. The firm continued with various name changes until 1985. Whitehouse and his firms designed many important public buildings in Oregon but also designed numerous commercial buildings, churches, and residences.

From the description of Morris H. Whitehouse architectural photographs collection [graphic], 1906-1975. (Oregon Historical Society Research Library). WorldCat record id: 56000044

Morris H. Whitehouse (1878-1944) was a prominent Portland, Or.-based architect whose firms and successors designed hundreds of projects in the Pacific Northwest from 1907 through 1985. Whitehouse, who was born in Portland to Benjamin Gardner and Clara (Homans) Whitehouse, studied at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.I.T.). After his graduation in 1905, he won the first Guy Lowell Traveling Fellowship in architecture ever awarded by M.I.T. Whitehouse used this award to continue his studies at the American Academy in Rome, Italy, in 1906-1907. He returned to Portland, Or., and in 1907 opened his office.

The following year, Whitehouse formed a partnership with engineer Bruce R. Honeyman, and in 1909 became a member of the firm of Lazarus, Whitehouse & Fouilhoux. This firm later became known as Whitehouse & Fouilhoux. During the years before World War I the firm designed several significant Portland, Or., buildings, including Lincoln High School and the University Club. The war caused the dissolution of Whitehouse & Fouilhoux, and associate Jacques André Fouilhoux (1879-1945) went on to become a successful New York City-based architect.

During the early 1920s, Whitehouse practiced under the firm name of Morris H. Whitehouse, Architect. In 1926, the name was changed to Morris H. Whitehouse & Associates after he established a partnership with A. Glenn Stanton and Walter E. Church. Significant projects from this period include Temple Beth Israel, the United States Courthouse, and Multnomah Civic Stadium in Portland, Or. In 1932, the firm became known as Whitehouse, Stanton & Church, but Stanton left to start his own firm in 1935. In 1936, Whitehouse & Church lost a competition to design the new Oregon State Capitol, but they supervised its construction, which was completed in 1938. The firm designed the Oregon State Library, which was completed in 1939.

After Earl P. Newberry and Frank Roehr became partners, the firm name changed to Whitehouse, Church, Newberry & Roehr in 1942. Whitehouse died in 1944, and the name was changed to Church, Newberry & Roehr in 1949. The firm that had been established by Whitehouse continued with various changes in partners and names until 1985.

Whitehouse was active in the Portland Architectural Club, served as director and president of the Oregon Chapter, American Institute of Architects, and on the Oregon State Board of Architect Examiners, 1919-1930.

The following list contains the names and dates in chronological order of Whitehouse and successor firms:

• 1908 - 1909 : Whitehouse & Honeyman, Architects
• 1909 - 1911 : Lazarus, Whitehouse & Fouilhoux, Architects
• 1910 - 1920 : Whitehouse & Fouilhoux, Architects
• 1920 - 1925 : Morris H. Whitehouse, Architect
• 1926 - 1931 : Morris H. Whitehouse & Associates, Architects
• 1932 - 1935 : Whitehouse, Stanton & Church, Architects
• 1935 - 1942 : Whitehouse & Church, Architects
• 1943 - 1949 : Whitehouse, Church, Newberry & Roehr, Architects
• 1949 - 1957 : Church, Newberry & Roehr, Architects
• 1957 - 1961 : Newberry, Roehr & Schuette, Architects
• 1961 - 1966 : Newberry, Roehr & Schuette, Architects
• 1966 - 1971 : Newberry & Schuette, Architects
• 1971 - 1975 : Newberry, Schuette & Associates, Architects
• 1975 - 1985 : Schuette & Wheeler, Architects

From the guide to the Morris H. Whitehouse Architectural Collection, circa 1905-1974, circa 1905-1950, (Oregon Historical Society Research Library)