Edward F. Neild

Summary

Edward Fairfax Neild Sr. FAIA (December 3, 1884 – July 6, 1955), was an American architect originally from Shreveport, Louisiana. He designed the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum in Independence, Missouri. He was selected for the task by U.S. President Harry Truman.

Edward Fairfax Neild Sr.
Neild circa 1950-1960
Born(1884-12-03)December 3, 1884
DiedJuly 6, 1955(1955-07-06) (aged 70)
Resting placeForest Park East Cemetery in Shreveport
Alma materTulane University
Occupation(s)Architect of Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum and many public buildings in Louisiana
SpouseEthel Land Neild (married 1907-1955, his death)
ChildrenEdward F. Neild Jr.
Elizabeth "Betty" Neild Van Hook
Parent(s)George Frederick and Elizabeth Moss Neild
Neild also designed private homes, such as the Pine Wold house located at Fairfield Avenue at Kirby Street in Shreveport. A circus once wintered on the grounds of the home.

Biography edit

He was in partnerships Neild, Somdal and Neild, Somdal, Neild, with Dewey A. Somdal (1898-1973) and with his son, Edward Fairfax Nield Jr.[1] (October 7, 1908 – November 8, 1958). Somdal Associates, Shreveport, is the descendant of the Neild firm.[2]

Neild served as president of the Shreveport chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) in 1926 and from 1937 to 1939; Dewey Somdal was the president from 1940 to 1943; Edward F. Nield Jr., in 1951.[3] In 1948, Neild was among twenty distinguished architects selected as fellows of the American Institute of Architects.[4]

Other Neild-designed buildings in Shreveport include: the Louisiana State Exhibit Building at the Louisiana State Fairgrounds, Schumpert Hospital, Barret Elementary School, C. E. Byrd High School, the Scottish Rite Cathedral, the Calanthean Temple, Cathedral of St. John Berchmans (Shreveport, Louisiana), and the Overton Brooks Veterans Administration Medical Center.[4]

A number of Neild's works have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places as significant buildings for their architecture.[5] Nield's son, Edward F. Neild Jr. (1908 - 1958), was also an architect and designed the Hirsch Memorial Coliseum in Shreveport. From 1937 to 1938, the two men worked together on the Louisiana State Exhibit Museum in Shreveport, which opened in 1939.

Neild died in Kansas City, Missouri, at the age of seventy. The Neilds are interred at Forest Park Cemetery East in Shreveport.[6]

Works edit

Other Neild works include (with attribution):

 
Keeny Hall, the administrative headquarters at Louisiana Tech University, is one of Neild's numerous campus buildings.
 
A.C. Steere School, designed by Edward F. Neild and expanded in 1938, is named for developer Albert Coldwell Steere. He founded the Broadmoor neighborhood of Shreveport.

References edit

  1. ^ DEWEY SOMDAL (1898-1973) COLLECTION, 1780-1972.
  2. ^ Mooringsport School Building
  3. ^ Past Presidents, AIA Shreveport
  4. ^ a b "Neild, Edward F." lahisatory.org. Archived from the original on May 12, 2015. Retrieved April 18, 2015.
  5. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  6. ^ "Betty Neild Van Hook". findagrave.com. Retrieved April 18, 2015.

External links edit

  • "Edward Fairfax Neild biography". findagrave.com.