10 Jun building 51 museum and archive photographic images and ephemera related to louis h. sullivan and george grant elmslie’s 1908 national farmers’ bank in owatonna, minnesota
original henry fuermann interior photographic image of louis sullivan’s national famer’s bank (1908), located at 101 n. cedar avenue, owatonna, mn. the image was taken shortly after the bank was completed in 1908, with original elmslie-designed teller cages, electroliers, and signage intact.
undated photographic image of george grant elmslie terra cotta cornice detail drawing for louis h. sullivan’s national famer’s bank (1908), located at 101 n. cedar avenue, owatonna, mn. not sure if the original resides at art institute? or perhaps owned by purcell and later gebhard?
henry fuermann image of a george grant elmslie-designed teller cage for louis sullivan’s national farmers’ bank of owatonna (1908). the copper-plated cast iron cages were executed by the winslow brothers, chicago, il.
a destructive before and after.
original warren reynolds photographic prints of louis h. sullivan’s national farmer’s bank of owatonna (1908) before and after the interior was renovated in 1940.
the bank’s ornament (including murals) was designed by sullivan, george elmslie, louis millet, and oskar gross.
the cast bronze and iron elements were executed by the winslow brothers. the richly colored exterior and interior terra cotta was fabricated by the american terra cotta company.
both the terra cotta and metalwork was modeled by kristian schneider.
when the bank’s interior was renovated in the 1940’s, some of the original ornament was destroyed, including the bronze signage, teller cages, and freestanding electroliers mounted along the brick walls above the offices, vault, and tellers.
early to mid-20th century real photo and chromolithographic post cards of louis sullivan’s national famer’s bank (1908), located in owatonna, minn.
1974 kodachrome slides of louis h. sullivan’s national farmer’s bank of owatonna, mn., completed in 1908.
original american terra cotta company magazine advertisement for louis h. sullivan’s national farmerrs’ bank of owatonna (1908), located at 101 n. cedar avenue, owatonna, mn.
the interior terra cotta clock located above the teller cages has a rich green glazed finish. the ornament was executed by kristian schneider.
real photo postcard (rppc) of louis h. sullivan’s national farmer’s bank (1907-08) located in owatonna, mn. postmarked 1911.
real photo postcards (rppc) of louis h. sullivan’s national farmer’s bank (1907-08) located in owatonna, mn.
henry fuermann image (scanned from original glass plate negative) of louis h. sullivan’s national farmer’s bank of owatonna taken shortly after it was completed in 1908.
the bank’s ornament (including murals) was designed by sullivan, george elmslie, louis millet, and oskar gross.
the cast bronze and iron elements were executed by the winslow brothers. the richly colored exterior and interior terra cotta was fabricated by the american terra cotta company.
both the terra cotta and metalwork was modeled by kristian schneider.
henry fuermann photographic print (scanned from original glass negative) of exterior terra cotta detail on louis h. sullivan’s national famer’s bank (1908) in owatonna, minnesota.
and…
original early 20th century silver gelatin print of modeler kristian schneider standing next to his cartouche designed by louis h. sullivan for the national farmer’s bank (1908). american terra cotta company would photograph building ornament when finished and send for architect’s approval before heading to the kiln.
the photograph was pasted on a page in louis sullivan’s scrapbook (one of the few things he held onto during his last years) that was given to frank lloyd wright shortly before he died in 1924. in 1958 wright gave the photograph to richard nickel (hand-written note on verso confirms this).
i also included a contemporary image of the oversized cartouche taken a few years ago.
real photo post cards (rppc) of louis h. sullivan’s national farmer’s bank of owatonna, shortly after it was completed in 1908.
the bank’s ornament (including murals) was designed by sullivan, george elmslie, louis millet, and oskar gross.
the cast bronze and iron elements were executed by the winslow brothers. the richly colored exterior and interior terra cotta was fabricated by the american terra cotta company.
both the terra cotta and metalwork was modeled by kristian schneider.
when the bank’s interior was renovated in the 1940’s, some of the original ornament was destroyed, including the bronze signage, teller cages, and freestanding electroliers mounted along the brick walls above the offices, vault, and tellers.
undated richard nickel images (1958?) of louis sullivan’s national famer’s bank (1908) located in owatonna, mn. the images of the oversized cast iron ceiling electrolier and wall stencils are worth a closer look.
the richly colored stencils, plaster, art glass, etc., were done by sullivan, millet, and elmslie. the oversized ornamental cast iron electroliers (four in total) were executed by kristian schneider for the winslow brothers foundry.
