THE ALEXANDRIA CHRONICLE
ALEXANDRIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY, INC.
Summer 1994 Vol 2. No. 2.
AMMI B. YOUNG, SUPERVISING ARCHITECT OF THE TREASURY, AND HIS 1858 ALEXANDRIA POST OFFICE AND CUSTOMHOUSE
by Lowell Klock
INTRODUCTION:
A number of Ammi Young's noted nineteenth century structures, designed and built for the United States Government during his tenure as Supervising Architect of the Treasury, 1852-1862, survive, especially in New England. Unfortunately, the one he planned for Alexandria did not. It is worth studying though, as an example of Ammi Young's style--reserved classical renaissance buildings famed for their elegance and simplicity. There is much documentation on the structure to assist the researcher, including detailed plans of Young’ design, archival records and photographs.
An investigation of the U.S. Treasury's Office of Construction, established in 1852--its policies, duties and personnel--reveal the genesis of the vast federal building program. By looking at the Alexandria Post Office and Courthouse in particular, one becomes acquainted with the details of Young's style and the fundamental breakthrough he made in the structural use .of iron and fireproof materials, as well as the new idea of bureaucratic standardization. This paper highlights selected parts of Young’s life and work. Other relatively detailed analyses have already been done, therefore, the author refers the reader to the notes and the bibliography for articles on Young's life, architectural periods and influences.
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