AMNI B. YOUNG

Background

Amni B. Young was born in 1800 in Lebanon, New Jersey, United States.

Education

It is believed he studied Architecture in Boston under the late Alexander Parris.

Career

While in his youth he did some work in Norwich, Conn., including alterations to the old Congregational Church. His first important commission, awarded him in 1840, was the Boston Custom House, and the building which he designed in the Greek Revival style, still stands on its original site, although the tower which surmounts it was added in the 1920's.

Among his various other works in New England were Thorton and Wentworth Halls at Dartmouth College, Hanover, N. H., for which he received an Honorary degree from the College and the sum of $277.85; the old Court House at Worcestor, Mass., dating from 1849 (still standing, though somewhat altered, as the left wing of the present structure); and the State House (Capitol) at Montpelier, Vermont, Mr. Young's most notable achievement in architecture.

In 1840, at the time of Mr. Young's appointment as architect of the important Federal Building (Custom House) in Boston, Robert Mills had been the Government architect in Washington since 1836.

According to one authority Mr. Young designed the old Custom Mouse at Charleston, S. C., work on which was started in 1853. However a competition was established for submission of plans on the building by architects, and among those who participated was E. Blake White, E. G. Jones, Mr. Hammarskold and others. The commission was given to Mr. Jones, but later the Treasury Department in Washington over-ruled the decision and appointed Mr Young as Architect of the Court House, with E.

Blake White as Supervising Architect in charge of construction. Although Mr. Young remained as head of the Department for a span of only ten years, he instituted a number of important changes, one of which was that Federal public buildings should be designed and erected under the direction of Architects, not laymen.

Works

More photos

• Other Work

  • Boston Custom House

    (the building which he designed in the Greek Revival style...)

  • Dartmouth and Wentworth Halls at Dartmouth College Hanover New Hampshire

    (for which he received an Honorary degree from the College...)

Connections

teacher:

Alexander Parris

coworker:

Robert Mills

Mr. Young's appointment as architect of the important Federal Building (Custom House) in Boston, Robert Mills had been the Government architect in Washington since 1836.

coworker:

E. Blake White

Mr Young was Architect of the Court House and E. Blake White was Supervising Architect in charge of construction of old Custom Mouse at Charleston, S. C.