McKissack & McKissack

McKissack & McKissack (founded 1922), was the first African American owned architectural firm in the United States.[1] It was founded by Moses McKissack III (1879–1952) and Calvin Lunsford McKissack (1890–1968) of Nashville.

Their father and grandfather were also trained builders. Both brothers were born in Pulaski, Tennessee; Moses on May 8, 1879, and Calvin on Feb. 23, 1890. They obtained architectural degrees through an international correspondence course. They each practiced independently, but after a registration law for architects was put into place in 1921, they went into practice together as McKissack & McKissack in 1922, becoming some of the first registered architects in the state. In 1942, they won a contract to build one of the airbases for the Tuskegee Airmen. Moses died on Dec. 12, 1952. Calvin remained with the firm until his death in 1968.[2]

A number of their works are listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.[3][1]

Works include (with attribution):

References

  1. ^ a b McKissack and McKissack Buildings TR
  2. ^ Wynn, Linda T.. "McKissack and McKissack Architects (1905- )". Tennessee State University. http://ww2.tnstate.edu/library/digital/mckissack.htm. Retrieved 2011-12-14. 
  3. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. 2010-07-09. http://nrhp.focus.nps.gov/natreg/docs/All_Data.html.