Henry (Harry) Sternfeld (1888-ca. 1977), Architect
Harry Sternfeld was born November 21, 1888 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He attended high school in Philadelphia and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in architecture as well as a Master's Degree in architecture, both from the University of Pennsylvania. Sternfeld joined the workforce as a draftsman before completing his graduate degree, but, after finishing his education, Sternfeld added a second career by became a professor at Carnegie Institute. With America’s formal entrance into World War I, he took a break from architecture and academia to became a 2nd Lieutenant. Following his involvement with the war effort, Sternfeld lived in Europe for a while, teaching.
Returning to his native Philadelphia, Sternfeld returned to his alma mater, the University of Pennsylvania, were he taught on the subjects of design and the theory of architecture. When World War II began, he was Chief Engineer for the U.S. Signal Corps. He continued teaching architecture late into his life, even working as a lecturer for Temple University after becoming Professor Emeritus at the University of Pennsylvania. Sternfeld’s contribution to Nebraskan architecture is his proposal of the Pershing Statue for the Omaha World War Memorial.[a]] He was a registered architect in Delaware, Florida, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania. He was also a member of Sigma Xi, Tau Sigma Delta, the Philadelphia Art Alliance, the Presbyterian Social Union, the Association of American Professors.[3][4][5] The AIA was notified of Sternfeld’s decease in January 1977.[2]
This page is a contribution to the publication, Place Makers of Nebraska: The Architects. See the format and contents page for more information on the compilation and page organization.
Contents
[hide]Compiled Nebraska Directory Listings
Educational & Professional Associations
____: student, Boys Central High School, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[3]
1911: Bachelor of Science, Architecture, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[3][4][5]
1911-1912: draftsman, John D. Thompson, Jr.[3][4]
1912-1913: Chief of Design, Painter & Swales, Montreal, Canada.[3][4]
1914: Master of Architecture, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[3][4][5]
1914-1923: Professor of Architecture, Carnegie Institute of Technology, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.[3][4]
1919-1923: Head of the Department of Architecture, Carnegie Institute of Technology, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.[3][4]
1915-1918: Chief Draftsman, John T. Comes.[3][4]
1918-1919: 2nd Lieutenant, Infantry and Field Artillery.[3][4][5]
1919-1921: fellow, Ecole des Beaux Arts, Paris, France.[3][4][5]
1920-1921: visiting fellow, American Academy of Rome, Rome, Italy.[3][4][5]
1923-____: Harry Sternfeld, Architect.[3][4]
1923-1959: Professor of Design, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[3][4][5]
1924-1929: City Planner, Planning Commission of Rome, New York.[3][4]
1942-1945: Chief Engineer, U.S. Signal Corps.[3][4]
1959-____: Emeritus Professor, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[4][5]
1962-1964: lecturer, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[5]
Architectural Study Travel
North America, France, Italy, Germany.[3][4][5]
Buildings & Projects
War Memorial (1927), Audenarde, Belgium.[3][4][5]
Slovak Girls Academy (1928), Danville, Pennsylvania.[3][4][5][c]
Post Office (1933), Milton, Pennsylvania.[3][4]
Philadelphia Post Office & Court House (1938), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[3][4][5][d]
Germantown Jewish Center (1953-1954), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[3][4][5]
East Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institution (1955), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[3][4][e]
John Wister School (1958), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[5]
Proposed Pershing Statue, Omaha World War Memorial.[1][a]
Honors & Awards
1914: Paris Prize, BAID.[3][4][5]
1935: Gold Medal Butler Homes Association of America.[3][4]
1939: Slovak Girls Academy was one of eight American buildings selected for the RIBA exhibition in London.[3]
Notes
a. In association with Philadelphia sculptor, Cecere Gaetano.[1]
b. Not found in federal census in 1920 in Pennsylvania.
c. In association with B.E. Starr, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.[3][4][5]
d. In association with The Ballinger Company.[3][4]
e. In association with Harbeson, Hough, Livingston, Larson.[3][4]
References
1. Omaha World Herald (October 10, 1928), 4. (WPA Index)
2. AIA Historical Directory of American Architects: A Resource Guide to Finding Information About Past Architects, accessed August 3, 2010, http://communities.aia.org/sites/hdoaa/wiki/Wiki%20Pages/ahd1043066.aspx
3. American Institute of Architects, comp., American Architects Directory First Ed. (New York: R. R. Bowker Co., 1956), 536, accessed March 3, 2010, http://communities.aia.org/sites/hdoaa/wiki/Wiki%20Pages/1956%20American%20Architects%20Directory.aspx
4. American Institute of Architects, comp., American Architects Directory Second Ed. (New York: R. R. Bowker Co., 1962), 674, accessed April 4, 2010, http://communities.aia.org/sites/hdoaa/wiki/Wiki%20Pages/1962%20American%20Architects%20Directory.aspx
5. American Institute of Architects, comp., American Architects Directory Third Ed. (New York: R. R. Bowker Co., 1970), 879, accessed April 4, 2010, http://communities.aia.org/sites/hdoaa/wiki/Wiki%20Pages/1970%20American%20Architects%20Directory.aspx
Page Citation
D. Murphy, “Henry (Harry) Sternfeld (1888-ca. 1977), Architect,” in David Murphy, Edward F. Zimmer, and Lynn Meyer, comps. Place Makers of Nebraska: The Architects. Lincoln: Nebraska State Historical Society, March 19, 2015. http://www.e-nebraskahistory.org/index.php?title=Place_Makers_of_Nebraska:_The_Architects Accessed, April 10, 2025.
Contact the Nebraska State Historic Preservation Office with questions or comments concerning this page, including any problems you may have with broken links (see, however, the Disclaimers link at the bottom of this page). Please provide the URL to this page with your inquiry.
