Background
Chester Holmes Aldrich was born and educated at Providence (1871)
Chester Holmes Aldrich was born and educated at Providence (1871)
Mr. Aldrich prepared for a career in architecture, and studied at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Paris at the Ecole des Beaux Arts. Awarded his diploma at the latter school in 1900.
After studies he returned to New York and three years later began practice in association with Mr. Delano. After their first important commission, Walters Art Gallery at Baltimore (3904), the partners enjoyed an active and highly successful career, in which their best known works were: Union Club, Park Avenue, New York; The Colony and Knickerbocker Clubs in New York: Japanese Embassy at Washington, D.C., the new Embassy of the U. S. at Paris, France: School of Music at Smith College, Northampton, Mass.; Chapel and Dormitories, Hotchkiss School, Lakeville, Conn.: Riggs Foundation Building, Stockbridge, Mass.; Russell Sage Music Building at Northfleld, Mass.; Sterling Laboratories and Sage Hall, Yale University; Willard Straight Hall at Cornell University (1925); and their outstanding achievement, the new Post Office Department Building at Washington, D.C., completed in 1933. . __
In the field of domestic architecture the firm won added distinction. Tne country estates and homes designed for many prominent persons were note¬worthy for their good taste, dignity and charm. Outstanding examples of these were the Estate of the late John D. Rockefeller at Pocantico Hills, sum¬mer home of Otto Kahn at Cold Springs Harbor, Long Island, residence for Vincent Astor, Port Washington, Long Island, Mrs. Dwight Morrow’s home at Englewood, N. J., and at Lenox, Mass., residence for Osgood Field.
A distinguished member of the profession, Mr. Aldrich was admitted to the A-1. A. in 1907 and in 1916 became a Fellow. He was an active member of the New York Chapter, A.I.A., the Architectural League of New York, the Society of Beaux Arts Architects, the National Institute of Arts and Letters, the National Academy of Art, and many social organizations. Mr. Aldrich remained a bachelor all his life. He spent many years visiting in Italy, a country for which he had deep affection, and his death occurred during a stay in Rome.
Mr. Aldrich remained a bachelor all his life. He spent many years visiting in Italy, a country for which he had deep affection, and his death occurred during a stay in Rome.
He was an active member of the New York Chapter, A.I.A., the Architectural League of New York, the Society of Beaux Arts Architects, the National Institute of Arts and Letters, the National Academy of Art, and many social organizations.