Cope and Stewardson

Cope and Stewardson

Company type	Architectural partnership
Industry	Architecture
Founded	1885
Founder	Walter Cope, John Stewardson
Defunct	1912
Fate	Evolved into Stewardson and Page
Successor	Stewardson and Page
Headquarters	Philadelphia , United States
Area served	United States
Key people	Walter Cope, John Stewardson, Emlyn Stewardson
Products	Collegiate Gothic and other architectural designs

Cope and Stewardson (active from 1885 to 1912) was an architectural partnership based in Philadelphia, established by Walter Cope and John Stewardson. The firm gained prominence for its Collegiate Gothic designs on university campuses. Founded in 1885 and expanded in 1887 with the addition of John's brother Emlyn, the practice became a leading force in architecture during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Their work had a major impact on institutions such as Bryn Mawr College, Princeton University, the University of Pennsylvania, and Washington University in St. Louis. The firm's diverse portfolio also encompassed nine cottages and an administrative structure at the Sleighton School, illustrating their skill with Colonial Revival and Federal architectural styles. In 1912, the firm evolved into Stewardson and Page under the leadership of Emlyn Stewardson alongside George Bispham Page.

Style and influence

While their reputation is largely tied to Collegiate Gothic architecture, Cope and Stewardson exhibited mastery over other stylistic approaches as well. Their initial significant project was the YMCA building in Richmond, Virginia (1885–87), executed in the Richardsonian Romanesque style.

Their early ventures into Collegiate Gothic began with Radnor Hall at Bryn Mawr College in 1886, following Addison Hutton’s tenure as campus architect. They subsequently secured commissions for prominent buildings at the University of Pennsylvania, Princeton University, and Washington University in St. Louis—some of which served as administrative headquarters during the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair. Beyond academic institutions, their portfolio included residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial designs.

In Philadelphia, they undertook projects for the Harrison family, who inherited wealth from sugar refining. Among these were the Charles Custis Harrison Building (1893–94), a Richardsonian Romanesque office structure later demolished in 1979; the Harrison Stores commercial block (1893–94), which was lost to fire in 1984; and the Alfred Craven Harrison Building (1894–95), a chateauesque hotel and office tower removed in 1969. Additionally, they designed "Anoatak," a Georgian Revival residence located in Kane, Pennsylvania.

Charles Custis Harrison assumed the role of provost at the University of Pennsylvania in 1894 and appointed Cope & Stewardson as campus architects, succeeding Frank Furness. This appointment triggered a significant expansion period for the university’s infrastructure. The firm designed numerous major Collegiate Gothic buildings including dormitory quadrangles and facilities for engineering, medical, dental, veterinary, law schools, zoological laboratories, and English departments. They also collaborated on the Arts & Crafts-inspired University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology (1895–99).

Cope & Stewardson contributed notably to architectural education by mentoring many apprentices who later achieved distinction as architects themselves. A circa 1899 photograph of their office staff appeared in a 1923 T-Square Club exhibition catalog; it featured partners Walter Cope and Emlyn Stewardson along with John A. MacMahon, James O. Betelle, among others who played vital roles in shaping the firm’s enduring influence.

Walter Cope (1860–1902)

Born in Philadelphia in 1860, Walter Cope co-established Cope & Stewardson in 1885. He was a pivotal figure within architectural circles and a founding member of the T-Square Club where he held several leadership positions. Cope also served as Professor of Architecture at the University of Pennsylvania from 1892 until his death in 1902 and later taught at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. His contributions extended to chairing the committee responsible for restoring Independence Hall as well as serving on the review panel for the State Capitol Building competition. Walter Cope passed away in 1902 following a stroke.

John Stewardson (1858–1896)

Born in 1858, John Stewardson received his education through private institutions, Adams Academy, Harvard College, and pursued architectural studies in Paris. Upon returning to Philadelphia, he gained experience working with leading architects before forming a partnership with Walter Cope in 1885; his brother Emlyn became part of the firm two years later. Stewardson played a key role in defining the firm's characteristic English Gothic Revival aesthetic, particularly influencing a transition in University of Pennsylvania commissions from stone construction to brick accented with stone detailing following his 1894 visit to England. From 1892 onward, he contributed as a lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Architecture and served twice as president of the T-Square Club. His life was cut short in 1896 due to injuries sustained in a skating accident. Stewardson’s enduring impact includes the establishment of the Stewardson Fellowship, which facilitates international study opportunities for emerging architects.

Bryn Mawr College

• Radnor Hall (1887)
• Denbigh Hall (1890–91)
• Dalton Hall (1893)
• Pembroke Hall (1892–94)
• The Deanery (1894–96)
• Rockefeller Hall (1901–04)
• Old Library (1904–07)

University of Pennsylvania

• Quadrangle Dormitories (1895)
• University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology (1895–99), in collaboration with Wilson Eyre and Frank Miles Day
• Law School (1898–01)
• Towne Building (1903–05)
• Veterinary School Old Quadrangle (1906–11)
• St. Anthony Hall House (circa 1908)
• Bennett Hall (1910)
• Evans Building, School of Dentistry, designed with John T. Windrim (1910)
• Leidy Labs for Zoology (1911)

Princeton University

• Blair Hall (1896)
• Buyers Hall (1896)
• The Ivy Club (1897)
• Stafford Little Hall (1898)
• University Gymnasium (1902)

Washington University in St. Louis

• Busch Hall (1900)
• Cupples Halls I & II (1901)
• Prince Hall (1901, demolished 2006)
• Ridgley Hall and Holmes Lounge (1902)
• Umrath Hall (1902)
• Eads Hall (1902)
• Francis Gymnasium (1902)
• Brookings Hall (1902), which functioned as the administration building during the 1904 World's Fair
• McMillan Hall (1907)
• Graham Chapel (1909)

Buildings Elsewhere

• Young Men's Christian Association, located at 6th & Main Streets, Richmond, Virginia (1885–87, since demolished)
• Graystone in Coatesville, Pennsylvania (1889)
• Charles Custis Harrison Building at 1001-05 Market Street, Philadelphia (1893–94, demolished 1979)
• Harrison Stores at 1001-25 Filbert Street, Philadelphia (1893–94, demolished 1984)
• Alfred Craven Harrison Building at 4 South 15th Street, Philadelphia (1894–95, demolished 1969)
• Anoatok, Kane, Pennsylvania (1896), currently operating as Kane Manor Inn
• Catholic Philopatrian Literary Institute at 1923 Walnut Street, Philadelphia (1897)
• Lloyd Hall at Haverford College, Haverford, Pennsylvania (1898–99)
• Overbrook School for the Blind, located at 6333 Malvern Avenue, Philadelphia (1899)
• Philadelphia & Reading Railroad Elkins Park Station, Spring and Park Avenues, Elkins Park, Pennsylvania (1899)
• Lukens Main Office Building, situated at 50 South 1st Avenue, Coatesville, Pennsylvania (constructed in phases: 1902 and 1916)
• John A. Wilson Building also known as District Building in Washington, D.C. (1908)
• College of Physicians of Philadelphia, located at 19 South 22nd Street, Philadelphia (1909)
• Sleighton Farm School in Glen Mills, Pennsylvania (1909–10), a reformatory for girls facing difficulties; Cope & Stewardson designed the administration building along with nine residences. The campus was vacated in 2001 and has since experienced several arson incidents targeting its structures.

Darlington, Maryland

Walter Cope was responsible for the design of more than twelve homes in Darlington and its surrounding vicinity.

• Gray Gables, Darlington, Maryland (1884)

External links

• Washington University Historical Campus Tour