2 Architects, 2 Brothers, 2 Houses

Co-hosted by the Van Wyck Brooks Historic District.

At the end of the nineteenth century, Plainfield, New Jersey attracted wealthy New Yorkers seeking a respite from the city. Architects A. L. C. Marsh of Plainfield and E. G. W. Dietrich of New York both designed homes in Plainfield for the new seasonal residents. The Van Wyck Brooks Historic District and the Plainfield Public Library will host a presentation by Christopher Jend about Dietrich, Marsh, and two of the grandest homes on Plainfield’s Central Avenue, the Coriell Mansion and Questover.

Architect Ernest George Washington Dietrich (1857-1924) is one of the most prolific and least studied architects of his generation. A native of Pittsburgh, PA, Dietrich first attracted attention in the 1880’s for his eye-catching designs of Shingle style country residences. Finding success on the East Coast, he relocated to New York, NY where he practiced for nearly forty years. He was an early proponent of the Colonial Revival and Arts and Crafts styles. Through his collaboration with furniture designer Gustav Stickley, Dietrich is recognized as designing the first “Craftsman” house published in Stickley’s magazine The Craftsman in May 1903.

Although he was born in Cincinnati, OH, architect A. L. C. Marsh (1865-1942) was a lifelong Plainfield resident after moving there with his family at the age of two months. Over the course of his long career practicing in New York and Plainfield, Marsh designed many public buildings and private residences in Plainfield and beyond.  

On Saturday, November 23 from 12:00 to 1:30pm, Christopher Jend will share an overview of the careers of both Dietrich and Marsh focusing on the architects’ work in Plainfield. Christopher Jend discovered Dietrich while researching and writing the successful National Register nomination of the c. 1893 John Mollenhauer House in Bay Shore, NY. For the last twelve years, Jend’s rigorous and enthusiastic research of the architect has resulted in the documentation of more than 450 of Dietrich’s designs and visits to his built projects in six states. Jend has presented his research on Dietrich to communities in New York, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania. For more information visit www.egwdietrich.org