Between 1928 and 1933, the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas — later Texas A&M University — saw its campus transformed through the construction of 10 remarkable buildings developed under a master plan by college architect Frederick Giesecke and designed by Samuel Charles Phelps Vosper. The buildings, all of which survive, still delight the senses with color, sculpture and wit.
Architects and architectural scholars Nancy McCoy and David Woodcock explore Vosper’s designs in their book Architecture That Speaks: S.C.P. Vosper and Ten Remarkable Buildings at Texas A&M. Along with the history of A&M’s campus architecture and an in-depth look at Vosper’s work, the book covers preservation efforts at A&M, recent approaches to the reuse of historic buildings at the university and how future growth can respect the campus’s architectural heritage. Sumptuous photos by Carolyn Brown bring the buildings and their wonderful details to life.
McCoy and Woodcock will discuss their book, and Vosper’s legacy, during their illustrated History in Print lecture. Architecture That Speaks will be available for purchase and signing by the authors after the event.
History in Print will be held in the Proler Chapel at Congregation Emanu El, 1500 Sunset Boulevard. Doors will open at 6 p.m. and the program will begin at 6:30. Free parking is available in the garage located behind the synagogue; enter from Sunset using either driveway and proceed to the back of the property to find the garage. A covered walkway will lead you from there to the main building's North Entrance. Congregation Emanu El is a short walk from the Hermann Park/Rice University station on MetroRail's Red Line.
Admission to History in Print is free for members of Preservation Houston/Pier & Beam and Congregation Emanu El. General admission is $5.
If you have any questions, please e-mail or call (713) 510-3990.
History in Print is part of the Bart Truxillo Program Series, which honors the memory of pioneer preservationist and Preservation Houston co-founder Bart Truxillo. The Bart Truxillo Program Series is made possible by the generous contributions of Preservation Houston's members and friends.