AIA New Jersey 125th Anniversary Committee Shares a Gallery for Black History Month!

February 19, 2025

 

 

Thank you to the AIA New Jersey Historical Archives Committee for this wonderful Photo Gallery in Honor of Black History Month during our 125th Anniversary! 

 

AIA New Jersy 2002 Past President William M. Brown, III, FAIA, NOMAC, has been so cooperative as to share his personal and professional history regarding his father, 1986 Past President of AIA New Jersey, William M. Brown Jr., AIA, and his business partner and friend, Reginald C. Hale, AIA.

AIA New Jersey is in the process of working with Larry Johnson Sr. who was the principal Owner of Johnson Jones Architects Planners, Inc., with offices in Princeton and Newark, to document and record his history.  Larry Johnson was the office manager for Brown and Hale, a most trusted advisor who coordinated with Mr. Hale to get the work done in the office. Bill III was the young office helper and draftsman at the time when they all were there. Mr. Johnson, together with colleagues George Jones and Harvey Myers Sr. all worked at Brown and Hale before starting their own firms.  George Jones and Harvey Myers Sr. are now deceased. Larry was the first employee of Brown and Hale but my Brown and Hale was the training ground of several black architects here in NJ and beyond. Even Wilson “Chuck” Woodridge was influenced by William Brown Jr’s professional advice. Harvey Myers Jr. is currently a principal at the very successful DiGroup.

There are several Black Architects that had an influence on Bill III. He remarked how he reflects on their contributions to the profession as unsung heroes not only this month but daily! Herbert Southern who is a Howard University alum and had an office in Rahway, NJ, Fitzhugh Morris, Ralph Jefferson, a Howard University alum designed the Calvary Baptist Church of East Orange, and Melvin C. Walker, come to mind. #InRememberance

 

William M. Brown, III, AIA, in the 1995 AIA Newark and Suburban Rostrum Newsletter

 

AIA Newark and Suburban Members at the 1997 Trade Show

 

New Jersey Architect Magazine Summer 2003 Edition

 

April-June 1971 NJ Architecture – Addenda

 

April-June 1974 NJ Architecture Magazine – Alternative Careers in Architecture Article By Dr. Sandra Moore. Dr. Moore was not a member of AIA, but was the liaison from NJIT and she received several awards for grants from AIA NJ.

 

Jerome Eben, FAIA; William Brown, III, FAIA, NOMAC; Robert Cozzarelli, FAIA. You’re in good company gentlemen!

 

Jan-March 1987 NJ Architecture Magazine – AIA NJ Officers 1987

 

May – June 1970 NJ Architecture Magazine Front Cover – William Brown Jr. Giving a Career Day presentation at a High School

 

Wilhemina and William Brown. Jr.

 

September 9, 1966, Asbury Park Press Prospect for Art Viewed As Bright AIA NJ Convention

 

West Jersey Society of Architects AIA – Member group embarking on a building tour Oct 18, 1967

 

 

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