Historic Photograph Collections

Herman Brookman photographs, c. 1923-1940s.

Collection number: PH114

Extent: 6 linear ft. (16 containers)

Abstract

Herman Brookman, AIA, was a residential architect who practiced in the Northwest beginning in 1925, and helped shape the regional style. Among his most notable buildings are the residence of M. Lloyd Frank, "Fir Acres," (now part of the Lewis & Clark College campus); the Clackamas River residence of Julius Meier, "Menucha"; and the Temple Beth Israel. The collection consists of documentation of design and architectural and decorative details, by professional photographers, of residences and several other structures designed by Brookman.

Preferred citation: [Identification of item], Herman Brookman photographs, PH114-[item number], Special Collections and University Archives, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon 97403-1299.

Image shown: The image shown is the house Brookman designed for Harry Greene in Portland. Herman Brookman collection, PH114, Special Collections and University Archives, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon 97403-1299.

Biographical Sketch

Herman Brookman was born July 2, 1891 in New York City, the son of Jewish immigrants. He began work as an office boy in 1909 for the firm of Albro and Lindeberg and learned the practice of architecture. When the partnership broke up in 1914 Brookman continued to design fine houses and country estates with Harrie T. Lindeberg until 1923. M. Lloyd Frank, a partner in the Meier & Frank department store, recruited Brookman in 1923 to design a country estate for him. The Frank estate, "Fir Acres," was completed in 1925 and is considered a masterpiece, reflecting English country style with Brookman's unique accents. The house and parts of its garden are now a centerpiece of the Lewis & Clark College campus in Portland, and are listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Fir Acres was one of several Brookman designs that incorporated metalwork by Oscar Bach (1884-1957). Brookman also designed a country retreat called "Menucha" for Frank's partner, Julius Meier, which is now a conference center. In 1927 the architect designed a new structure to replace the burned Temple Beth Israel in Portland. The size of the project required that Brookman work with the firm of Morris H. Whitehouse, and consult with John V. Bennes and Harry A. Herzog. The Temple is also on the National Register of Historic Places. Over the rest of his career Herman Brookman designed a series of fine homes, moving towards a modern style in the 1940s. The Kern house was added to the National Register of Historic Properties in 2008. He is considered one of Portland's most important residential architects.

He was active in the Oregon chapter of the American Institute of Architecture. Brookman continued to work in Portland until 1965, when he retired to California. Herman Brookman died Nov. 6, 1973.

Scope and Content Note

This collection consists of a series of 11 portfolios compiled by the architect, including documentation of the Temple, Fir Acres and Menucha; additional images of the Temple, Fir Acres and Menucha; miscellaneous images of other buildings; and a selection of negatives. Professional photographic firms in Portland took most of the images. In additional to floor plans and elevations, many of the images document ornamental details and landscaping, showing the structure as a part of its environment. Some images document metalwork by the noted designer Oscar Bach (1884-1957).

Portfolio 1: Arnsberg-Eliot
Portfolio 2: Feldman-Goodman
Portfolio 3: Greene-Joyce
Portfolio 4: Kern-Models
Portfolio 5: Nutting-Powers
Portfolio 6: Rosenfield and Scott
Portfolio 7: Selling-Smith
Portfolio 8: Temple Beth Israel-Wheeler
(There is no portfolio 9)
Portfolios 10-12: Frank Estate "Fir Acres"
Box 12: Frank Estate "Fir Acres"
Box 13: Meier Estate "Menucha"
Box 14: Misc. Structures
Box 15: Misc. prints and Negatives
Box 16 (Oversized): Assorted matted images including residences and primary structures

Related materials

This collection was abstracted from the papers of Herman Brookman, Ax 330, which includes working drawings, job files, specifications, and correspondence.

Ownership

Publication rights: Property rights reside with Special Collections and University Archives. Copyright resides with the creators of the documents or their heirs. All requests for permission to publish images must be submitted to the Photographs Curator of Special Collections and University Archives. The reader must also obtain permission of the copyright holder.

Access restrictions: None.

Provenance: the architect donated the collection in 1967.

Processed by: Normandy S. Helmer

Date Completed: June 2005

Maintained by: N. Helmer, spcarref@uoregon.edu
Last Modified: 02/11/2008