Background
Joseph Har Pierce was born in 1855 at Dundee, New York, United States.
(Pierce & Bickford)
Pierce & Bickford
(Pierce & Bickford)
Pierce & Bickford
Joseph Har Pierce was born in 1855 at Dundee, New York, United States.
He received an education in local schools and at the Starkey Academy in Lakemont, N. Y. afterward was trained in architecture in the Elmira office of Warren H. Hayes.
In 1884 Mr. Pierce opened an office for practice in association with Otis A. Dockstader, and when the partnership was dissolved after a few years joined Henry H. Bickford in establishing the firm of Pierce & Bickford. They carried on work together until 1928 when Mr. Bickford passed away, and the latter son, Robert T. Bickford, for nine years a draftsman in the office, succeeded his father in the firm.
Known as the architects of many outstanding public and educational buildings in Elmira and other cities in the state, Pierce & Bickford maintained a large and successful practice with office at No. 118 Lake Street. Among their executed designs should be named the Elmira City Hall, built in 1894; the Hedding Methodist Episcopal Church, 1900; Elmira Free Academy, 1913; Southside High School, Central Unit, 1924; Central Y.M.C.A. Building, 1926, a number of buildings at Elmira College, additions to the Centennary Methodist Church, 1930, and a number of the city schools. The firm also designed the Baptist Church at Corning, and the Sanitarium and Nurses’ Home at Clifton Springs, N. Y.
A member of the Central New York Chapter, A. I. A., for many years, Mr. Pierce was raised to Institute Fellowship in 1889.
Mr. Pierce was trained in architecture in the Elmira office of Warren H. Hayes.
In 1884 Mr. Pierce opened an office for practice in association with Otis A. Dockstader.
Mr. Pierce was joined Henry H. Bickford in establishing the firm of Pierce & Bickford.
Robert T. Bickford, for nine years a draftsman in the office Pierce & Bickford, succeeded his father in the firm.
