Lambert & Bunnell was a long-lived American architectural firm from Bridgeport, Connecticut, in business from 1860 to 1901. It was established by Edward R. Lambert (1834–1904) and Rufus W. Bunnell (1835–1909).
Founders and history The founder of the firm, Edward Richard Lambert, was born on February 10, 1834, in Milford to Edward Rodolphus Lambert, a surveyor, and Eliza (Boothe) Lambert. He worked for his father and for Bridgeport architect Albert C. Nash, with whom he studied architecture. Circa 1856, when Nash left for Milwaukee, Lambert opened his own architect's office in Bridgeport.Golovin, Anne C. Bridgeport's Gothic Ornament: the Harral-Wheeler House. 1972. In 1858 he was joined by drafter Rufus W. Bunnell, who had worked alongside Lambert in Nash's office in 1854, though Bunnell would go south soon afterwards. Upon his return in 1860, they formed Lambert & Bunnell, which would be Bridgeport's major architecture firm for many years."Guide to the Bunnell Family Papers". n.d.
Before permanently joining Lambert, Rufus William Bunnell worked around the country. He was born February 11, 1835, in Bridgeport, to William Rufus Bunnell and Sarah E. (Haight) Bunnell. After an education in the local schools, in 1852 he joined the office of Chauncey Graham, a local architect, as a student, moving to that of A. C. Nash in 1854 when Graham moved to New Jersey. In 1855 Bunnell joined Graham in his new office in Trenton, but after a few months moved west to Toledo, Ohio, where he worked with Frank J. Scott, an early local architect. In January 1857 they formed a brief partnership, Scott & Bunnell, but in early 1858 Bunnell was back east, working for Woollett & Ogden in Albany before joining Lambert as a drafter. In 1859 Bunnell went south, joining contractor James F. Post of Wilmington, North Carolina, as his assistant. Bunnell was responsible for the design of the facade of one of Post's best known works, the Bellamy Mansion, begun that year. In 1860, becoming uncomfortable in the heightened tensions in the south in the buildup to the Civil War, Bunnell packed his things and took what he claimed was a temporary trip to the north. This trip proved to be permanent. After ensuring on behalf of Post that northern suppliers for the Bellamy project were fulfilling their orders, he returned to Bridgeport and joined Lambert to form Lambert & Bunnell.Janet K. Seapker and Catherine W. Bishir, "Bunnell, Rufus," North Carolina Architects and Builders: A Biographical Dictionary, 2015.
With the exception of Bunnell's year in the Union Army in 1862–63, Lambert and Bunnell remained associated until 1901, when Lambert fell ill and retired. Bunnell continued to practice in a limited capacity from his home in Stratford. Lambert died February 23, 1904, and Bunnell died February 21, 1909.
Legacy The works of Lambert & Bunnell were concentrated in and around Bridgeport, with some projects in more distant parts of the state and in New Jersey. Most of their work was in the popular styles of the day, including the Italianate, Second Empire and later the Queen Anne styles. Several of their buildings have been listed on the United States National Register of Historic Places, though one has since been demolished, and others contribute to listed historic districts.
Architectural works 1861 - House for Moses Bulkley, 176 Main St, Southport, Connecticut"Moses Bulkley House, 176 Main Street, Southport, Fairfield County, CT". https://www.loc.gov/. n.d. W 1864 - House for Peter L. Perry, 512 E Washington Ave, Bridgeport, ConnecticutEast Bridgeport Historic District NRHP Nomination. 1979. 1866 - Bethesda Mission, 540 E Washington Ave, Bridgeport, Connecticut 1868 - House for Mrs. Benjamin Pomeroy, 658 Pequot Rd, Southport, Connecticut"Benjamin Pomeroy House, 658 Pequot Road, Southport, Fairfield County, CT". https://www.loc.gov/. n.d. Web. 1870 - Fairfield County Jail, 1106 North Ave, Bridgeport, ConnecticutFairfield County Jail NRHP Nomination. 1985. Demolished 1997 1871 - House for Mrs. Zalmon Wakeman, 418 Harbor Rd, Southport, Connecticut"Zalmon Wakeman House, 418 Harbor Road, Southport, Fairfield County, CT". https://www.loc.gov/. n.d. Web. 1874 - Southport Congregational Church, 524 Pequot Rd, Southport, Connecticut"Southport Congregational Church, 523 Pequot Road, Southport, Fairfield County, CT". https://www.loc.gov/. n.d. Web. 1883 - Bridgeport Hospital, 267 Grant St, Bridgeport, ConnecticutAmerican Architect and Building News 14 July 1883: 24. Demolished c.1959 1884 - Christ Episcopal Church, Post & Burr Rds, Westport, ConnecticutSanitary Engineer 15 May 1884: 577. Demolished 1887 - House for Daniel Robert, 25 West End Avenue, Somerville, New JerseySanitary Engineer 24 Sept. 1887: 469. 1891 - D. M. Hunt Library, 63 Main St, Falls Village, ConnecticutFalls Village District NRHP Nomination. 1979.
Gallery of architectural works
Notes
References