Colonial Sense: Architecture: Houses: The White Pine Series

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Location: Various

Date Built: Various

Style: Various

Connecticut

Between 1914 and 1940, a series of writings with monographs were written by the White Pine Bureau, the public relations arm of the producers of architectural grades of white pine. The sixteen-page booklet series was called The White Pine Series of Architectural Monographs. In conjunction with the Northern Pine Manufacturer's Association of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan, the intention of the project was to promote the use of white pine as architectural wood. The monograph on each subtitle read "A bi-monthly publication suggesting the architectural uses of white pine and its availability today as a structural wood."

The editor appointed to the project was Russell F. Whitehead, former editor of The Architectural Record and The Brickbuilder and a practicing architect. The White Pine Series was also edited by Frank Chouteau Brown, editor of the Architectural Review periodical and head of the Department of Art and Education at Boston University. His precise line drawings remain treasures of draftsmanship even today.

By 1928 the monograph series became an independent magazine still overseen by Whitehead. By 1932, the monographs were printed in the legendary architectural journal Pencil Points which was born out of the Architectural Review. Monographs were use in the issues several times each year. Measures architectural drawings of important features were more widely published.

After World War II, homeowners more more interested in "functional modernism" architecture as opposed to the more traditional American architecture. Homes were mass-produced in the same type of styles. Levittown, Pennsylvania which had a series of six model single dwelling homes was a perfect example is this mass production.

Miner captured the spirit of the 1970's with the White Pine Series project when people began to appreciate their architectural roots of early America. During this time America was waking up to a resurgence preservation and restoration.

Colonial Sense, almost one-hundred years later, wants to bring to its readers the monographs which played such an important role in early architecture. We realize that many of these houses have disappeared from the American landscape. We find it important to bring the architectural colonial landscape to our readers. We took a trip in the 1990's to Bucks County, Pennsylvania and walked into an antique shop where a colonial wall unit built with raised panels from the eastern shores of Maryland was selling for $30,000. Just as you visit the colonial homes of Williamsburg, Deerfield, Sturbridge, Greenfield, we know you are vividly involved in colonial architecture.

The colonial homes will be split out by state. Colonial Sense would love to hear from our readers. If there is a house that we post and you either own the house or have pictures of the house, feel free to send it to us so we can include it in our article.

Source: Research by Bryan Wright

Comments (2)

RickS 07/18/19	I used to work for a millwork company in Delaware. The owner had most of the White Pine Series books, original editions. They were kept in the break room and I spent a month of lunch times carefully going through them. They greatly fueled my love for early American architecture and woodworking. Very nice to have access to them again. Thanks.
bwright 07/31/19	Thanks Rick. We always loved the White Pine Series. Glad we could bring them alive here.