WE ARE PLEASED TO BE OFFERING BOTH IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL ATTENDANCE OPTIONS FOR THIS EVENT! PLEASE SEE BELOW FOR DETAILS TO JOIN EITHER VENUE.

Thomas Lincoln Casey Sr. and Bernard Richardson Green were two engineers of the US Army Corp of Engineers who made a significant impact on the architectural fabric of Washington DC. In March of 1877, Casey became the Chief of the Office of Public Buildings and Grounds where he was responsible for the construction of many significant structures in DC including the Washington Monument; the State, War, and Navy Building; and the Library of Congress. After Casey’s death in 1896, Bernard Green continued his career as the Superintendent of the Library of Congress and cemented his legacy by building the Washington Public Library and the National Museum. This lecture will focus on the construction history of these buildings; how the distinctions between architect, engineer, and contractor were blurred on these projects; and the various innovations that Casey and Green implemented, like the use of Portland cement, Guastavino vaulted arches, and dedicated library stacks.

About the Speaker

Constance (Connie) Lai is an internationally-recognized historic architect. Connie earned a bachelor’s degree in architecture from Rice University, and a MS in Architectural Studies from MIT, where she focused on the work of Charles and Ray Eames. With over twenty-one years experience in preservation, Connie has worked on some of the most high-profile landmarks in Washington DC, including the White House, the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, the US Capitol, the Washington Monument, and the Jefferson Memorial. For the last fifteen years, Connie has worked for Grunley Construction, bridging the gap between practice and craft, and ensuring our most treasured buildings receive the most skilled and thoughtful care. Connie is a fellow of the American Institute of Architects and a recipient of the Richard Morris Hunt Prize. In her free time she does primary source research and lectures widely on architectural topics of interest, often inspired by the buildings she has restored or rehabilitated.  

IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE

The lecture will take place at The First Congregational United Church of Christ, Second Floor, 945 G Street NW, Washington, DC. Reservations are not required. $10.00 for Latrobe Chapter members, student members (full time) free with ID, $15.00 for non-members. Doors will open at 6:30 pm for socialization and refreshments; lecture will begin at 7:00 pm.

VIRTUAL ATTENDANCE

Virtual attendance is free but advance registration is required to participate. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the lecture. Virtual lecture will begin at 7:00 PM. Please note that this event will not be recorded. TO REGISTER VIA ZOOM, CLICK HERE.