Isaac G. Perry

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The New York State Inebriate Asylum was the first major project designed and constructed by Isaac Gale Perry (1822-1904), a prolific New York State architect-builder. Born in Bennington, Vermont, Perry was raised and educated in Keeseville, New York, where his parents relocated in 1829. Between 1832 and 1854 he completed an apprenticeship and entered into partnership with his father, Seneca Perry, a shipwright turned carpenter. By 1847, Seneca Perry and Son were advertising locally as carpenter-joiners who undertook masonry work. The Perrys were well known for their skills at constructing spiral staircases, and the younger Perry, according to one biographer, earned a local reputation as an architect before leaving Keeseville. Isaac Perry's architectural work in Keeseville is not well documented, but it is likely that the Emma Peale residence, called "Rembrandt Hall" (1851), a Gothic Revival style Downingesque cottage that contains a spiral staircase by the Perrys, is an early design. By 1852, Perry relocated to New York to apprentice in the office of architect Thomas R. Jackson (1826-1901). Jackson, a native of England who migrated to the United States as a child, had risen to the position of head draftsman in the office of Richard Upjohn (1802-1872), one of New York's most prominent designers. The nature of his work with Jackson and the projects in which he collaborated, are not known.

The inebriate asylum marked the turning point in Perry's architectural career. Perry's inexperience is evident in Turner's account of the building's design.

Perry later recalled that he penciled the plans with the assistance of his wife, Lucretia Gibson Perry. He also appears to have been assisted by Peter Bonnett Wight (1838-1925), the head draftsman in Jackson's firm, but Wight's role in the project is not well documented.

Other Buildings

FIRST NATIONAL BANK of OXFORD

The First National Bank of Oxford, built in 1894, which is now the Town & Village Hall, and the Law offices of Roger Monaco. It was a Richardson Romanesque design. The architect was Isaac G. Perry, and the contractor & builder was James M. Wright, both of Binghamton. The three story building was constructed of brick with Oxford bluestone on the front, furnished by the F. G. Clarke Blue Stone Co.. Not only are the stones shaped on the facade, but it is accented with two elaborate stone carvings just below the balcony. The carvings are of two faces, surrounded by oak leaves, that appear to be English "Green Men", the nature spirits of the forest. They were popular designs of the period.

PHELPS MANSION

The Phelps mansion is a three story brick and stone mansion located on Court Street in Binghamton, New York. It was built in 1870 as the private home of Sherman D Phelps. Mr. Phelps was a successful business man, banker, Republican Elector for Abraham Lincoln, and mayor of the City of Binghamton. 191 Court St., Binghamton - Home Monday Afternoon Club. Built by an Isaac G. Perry in the dignified post civil War Victorian (Second Baroque) style of architecture, and furnished with authentic period pieces. Open by appointment only Telephone 722-4873.

COLONEL EDWARD F JONES

This 21-room Queen Anne Victorian mansion was custom built for Colonel General Edward F Jones in 1867 and was listed on The National Register of Historical Places”. After the Civil War General Edward F. Jones spared no expense while building this mansion, which has a 3 story handcrafted wood grand staircase, a wrap around porch, irregularly shaped rooms, stained-glass windows, magnificent moldings and 11 marble, granite and hand-painted tile fireplaces. This mansion is one of the largest single family residences in the whole city of Binghamton. The Mansion was designed by a famous architect named Isaac G. Perry.

ORLEANS COUNTY COURTHOUSE

The stately Greek Revival style Orleans County Courthouse was designed by William VanNess Barlow, Architect, and built between 1857-1858. The Clerk’s Building was constructed between 1882-1883 to the design of Isaac G. Perry, Architect, in the High Victorian Gothic style. These handsome public buildings are key landmarks in the Orleans County Courthouse Historic District in the Village of Albion.

NATIONAL GUARD ARMORY IN SARATOGA SPRINGS

The 31,000 square foot armory was built in 1889 and remodeled in 1902. Designed by Isaac G. Perry, one of the architects of the New York State Capitol, the armory reflects a style of architecture born in New York State and copied throughout the nation.

NEW YORK STATE CAPITOL BUILDING

From 1883 to its completion in 1899, architect Isaac G. Perry was commissioned as the lead architect, and had designed a dome for the capitol, which was never built. He was the third and last architect of the project.

GLENS FALLS MULTIPLE RESOURCE AREA

Monumental Romanesque Revival brick and stone armory with crenelated tower; built 1895. Design attributed to Isaac G. Perry.