Career
Although he practiced for a number of years, only toward the end of his career, however, was Kilburn primarily active with ecclesiastical commissions. The City Landmarks Preservation Commission reports that "Kilburn was also the architect of many private residences, factories, stables, and theaters in Manhattan." Born in Ashfield, Massachusetts, Kilburn served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. After the war, he went to study and practice architecture in Northampton, Massachusetts.
He was elected an Associate of the American Institute of Architects in 1886 and a Fellow in 1889." Much of Kilburn"s work has not survived, and that which has, has been under threat of demolition or general dilapidation for many years.
He worked in a variety of styles, producing all derivative work of other fashionable architect"s styles, including Richardsonian Romanesque and Stanford White"s refined Italianate style. This was often due to his designing the more substantial additions or extensions of buildings.
He established his practice in City around 1865.
