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Object Timeline

1921

  • Work on this object began.

1964

  • We acquired this object.

2013

2015

2016

2025

  • You found it!

Print, Proposed Convocation Tower, Madison Square (Northeast Corner of Madison Avenue and East 26th Streeet)

This is a Print. It was delineator: Hugh Ferriss. It is dated 1921 and we acquired it in 1964. Its medium is photostat mounted on illustration board. It is a part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design department.


Goodhue proposed this 1000 foot tower in a modernized Gothic style to house the headquarters of the Inter-Church Council. It was one of the first, and certainly the most impressive of the many projects for "skyscraper" churches that appeared in the 1920s.

This object was donated by Mrs. Hugh Ferriss. It is credited Gift of Mrs. Hugh Ferriss.

  • Textile, Big City
  • cotton.
  • Museum purchase from General Acquisitions Endowment Fund.
  • 2007-5-2
  •

Our curators have highlighted 1 object that are related to this one.

Its dimensions are

63.8 x 37.1cm (25 1/8 x 14 5/8in.) Mat: 71.1 × 55.9 cm (28 × 22 in.)

It is signed

In graphite lower right Hugh Ferris - Del.

It is inscribed

Verso: In graphite upper right by the artist: Hugh Ferriss / 101 Park Av / (Vanderbilt - 3680); in black crayon upper center: Hugh Ferriss / 210 W. 57 (crossed out in graphite0; in black crayon at center: B.G. Goodhue / 2 W. 47 BO (?) (crossed out in graphite); in graphite in another hand right center: 5ft Hugh / see me

Cite this object as

Print, Proposed Convocation Tower, Madison Square (Northeast Corner of Madison Avenue and East 26th Streeet); Delineator: Hugh Ferriss (American, 1889–1962); USA; photostat mounted on illustration board; 63.8 x 37.1cm (25 1/8 x 14 5/8in.) Mat: 71.1 × 55.9 cm (28 × 22 in.); Gift of Mrs. Hugh Ferriss; 1964-5-13

This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition Energizing the Everyday: Gifts From the George R. Kravis II Collection.

This image is in the public domain (free of copyright restrictions). You can copy, modify, and distribute this work without contacting the Smithsonian. For more information, visit the Smithsonian’s Terms of Use page.

If you would like to cite this object in a Wikipedia article please use the following template:

<ref name=CH>{{cite web |url=https://collection.cooperhewitt.org/objects/18452119/ |title=Print, Proposed Convocation Tower, Madison Square (Northeast Corner of Madison Avenue and East 26th Streeet) |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=13 July 2025 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>