Frank Furness

I've learned a lot about Philadelphia in planning the Reception, and one of the things I've learned is that I love architect Frank Furness.

(Fisher Library - University of Pennsylvania)

Wikipedia can probably give you a more succinct historical background than I can:

Frank Heyling Furness (1839–1912) was an acclaimed American architect of the Victorian era. He designed more than 600 buildings, most in the Philadelphia area, and is remembered for his eclectic, muscular, often idiosyncratically-scaled buildings, and for his influence on the Chicago architect Louis Sullivan. Furness was also a Medal of Honor recipient for his bravery during the Civil War.

(Academy of Fine Arts)

Toward the end of his life his bold assertive style fell out of fashion, and many of his significant works were demolished in the 20th century. Among his most important surviving buildings are the University of Pennsylvania Library (now the Fisher Fine Arts Library) and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, both in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

(Physick Mansion - You can hold your wedding here!)

I really like his buildings and spent much time looking them up -- to see which ones are still surviving and what they look like. Several of his buildings are available for Wedding Receptions but none were quite right for our needs.

He particularly designed a lot of railroad stations.

He was the chief architect for Reading Railroad and also designed for B&O Railroad & Pennsylvania Railroad -- names that may be familiar to players of Monopoly.

(The Baldwin School - An all girl's school)

I just like all that Victorian looking stuff. And even though many of his buildings have been destroyed, many of his buildings still exist, and you'll probably run in to one or two while you're in Philadelphia!