RARE 1883 Georgetown Washington DC Archive 17 Piece Collection C. William Curtis For Sale

This extraordinary 17 piece archive within a period scrapbook includes correspondence and invitations to Charles William Curtis, son of William Wallace Curtis (1828–1888) — Prominent Georgetown Civic Leader

William Wallace Curtis (1828–1888) was a prominent 19th-century resident of Georgetown, Washington, D.C., remembered for his work in public education, federal service, journalism, and real-estate development. Born near Mount Vernon, Ohio, Curtis moved east during the Civil War and worked for a time as a war correspondent for the New York Times. In 1861 he received an appointment to the U.S. General Land Office, where he advanced to become a division chief and later chief clerk. (Curtis Society⁠)

Curtis became particularly influential in Georgetown’s public-school system, serving as President of the Board of Trustees for Georgetown schools. His contributions were recognized when the imposing Curtis School, constructed in Georgetown in 1875 and designed by noted Washington architect Adolph Cluss, was named in his honor. The building also housed Georgetown’s historic Peabody Library. (The Georgetown Metropolitan⁠)

Curtis was also involved in Washington-area development. In 1887, he and Samuel S. Burdett purchased approximately 134 acres in Virginia and subdivided the property into 360 lots, establishing the planned community originally known as Carlin Springs and later Glencarlyn, Virginia. The community’s early meeting hall was originally named Curtis Hall in his honor. (Arlington County⁠)

Curtis married Jane L. Backus in 1855. Their surviving son, Charles William Curtis, grew up in Washington and graduated from Washington High School in 1883 before attending Cornell University.

William Wallace Curtis died at his Georgetown residence at 31st and O Streets in September 1888 and was buried at Oak Hill Cemetery. Contemporary reporting described him as a “well-known and respected citizen of the District of Columbia.” (Curtis Society⁠)

Included as well within is ephemera from the Merrick Debate of 1883, a club, masonic related items, a hand drawn sketch, hand painted items, a tintype, and a high school graduation fold out which also has in the class, Appleton Prentiss Clark Jr. (1865–1955) — Prominent Washington, D.C. Architect

Appleton Prentiss Clark Jr. (1865–1955) was one of Washington, D.C.’s most prolific and influential architects of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born in Washington on November 13, 1865, Clark graduated from Central High School in 1883, placing him in the same graduating class as Charles William Curtis. (DC Planning)

Immediately after graduation, Clark entered the office of noted architect Alfred B. Mullett, former Supervising Architect of the U.S. Treasury, working as a draftsman from 1883 to 1885. After further architectural study and travel in Europe, Clark established his own Washington practice in 1886, while still only about twenty years old. (DC Planning)

Clark went on to an exceptionally productive career spanning more than half a century. D.C.’s official Architects Directory associates him with 386 building permits covering 961 buildings. His work encompassed residences, apartment houses, banks, churches, schools and commercial buildings throughout Washington, including Georgetown, Capitol Hill, Logan Circle and other prominent neighborhoods. (DC Planning)

Among his notable surviving works are the Homer Building, Second National Bank, Victor Building, Owl’s Nest, and St. Phillip’s Baptist Church. He was also involved with the Washington Sanitary Improvement Company and the development of affordable housing in the District. (DC Planning)

Clark became a member of the American Institute of Architects and was active in Washington’s Board of Trade and Chamber of Commerce. His long career left a substantial architectural imprint on the nation’s capital.