Samuel Hannaford Interview
Q: Mr. Hannaford, may I ask, what events in your early life made you get interested in the arts?
A: Well, I was born in Devonshire, England, which had beautiful architecture at the time. Yet I was still a young boy, only being nine years old when I left England for America. Once I arrived in America with my family we traveled all around the states. I saw many places and buildings all around the U.S. which was a big influence to me at the time. We finally ended up in a house on Catherine Street in Cheviot, Oh. I then attended Farmers’ College in 1853, I studied scientific farming. I then left the Farmers’ College after a religious argument with my father. I was forced to leave my home and education. I looked for a job and ended up to start a apprenticeship with John R. Hamilton in 1854. This is where I mostly learned architecture, and this was also the beginning of my life as a architect.
Q: What role did mentors, such as John R. Hamilton, play in helping you develop the interests and talents you have as an artist?
A: Before I started my apprenticeship with Mr.Hamilton, I didn’t have a big interest in architecture. As I have already said I was studying scientific farming, which has the least bit of relation to architecture. I was looking for a good job and I stumbled upon architecture ,and ended up enjoying it. I stayed with the Hamilton firm until 1857, which then I decided to start my own architecture firm. Mr.Hamilton truly started my career as architect. Without my apprenticeship with him, I would not be where I am today. Another great mentor I valued was William Tinsley. He had the wisdom of a aged lion, his experiences still travel with me today.
Q: What was the world of architecture like when you first entered the field of architecture?
A: In my opinion the world of architecture was thriving, but also at the same time the Civil War was taking place. Supplies and money were scarce due to the supply and demand made by the Civil War. Actually three of my brothers volunteered in the war, while I stayed home and studied architecture. I joined the architectural firm of Edwin Anderson and William Tinsley. The firm I opened in1857 didn’t hold up, as I was just starting a family and didn’t have the money to keep my firm open. William Tinsley was 54 at the time when I joined the firm, he had so much experience to share with me, I valued his wisdom greatly.
Q: How did major cultural, economic and political situations of the time impact your work?
A: In 1871 I went back to Europe and visited some of my relatives in England. This visit impacted my designs greatly. The European style of Architecture started to show in my designs. Also at this time I started my firm known as "Hannaford and Sons". My sons Harvey and Charles joined me in partnership. Economically, I had troubles keeping my firm open when I first started by myself. I had to close my firm and joined Edwin Anderson and William Tinsley’s firm. But I then again opened my own firm and joined a fellow architect known by the name Edwin Procter. Edwin and I drew up plans for Music Hall in 1874, but I left the partnership in 1876. Then when my two sons joined me, we were lucky enough to design and supervise the construction of Cincinnati’s City Hall. Politically, my firm was favored, as we were chosen to build City Hall and other important government buildings in Cincinnati.
Q: What were your major accomplishments and methods you used in your architecture?
A: My firm Hannaford and Sons have had many great accomplishments over the years. Locally in Cincinnati, Oh, I’d say that Music Hall and Cincinnati’s City Hall are our greatest pieces of work. Most of my designs have a big influence from European architecture. I also always preferred to work with certain contractors like the David Hummel Building Company for stone materials, Joseph Earnshaw and Pushon as surveyors, and Francis Pedrettis for frescos. I always use these preferred people who I know and can trust to work with.
Q: What were the key opportunities you had that led to turning points in your life and architecture?
A: When my father and I had that argument relating to different views on religions, he kicked me out of the house and my education. So being forced to look for a job, I became an apprentice with the architect John R. Hamilton. This is where my life as a architect really took flight. From here on I joined different firms then finally established my own firm "Hannaford and Sons". From there on my firm has be designing and building such buildings as Music Hall, Eden Park Water Tower, Cincinnati’s City Hall, Hamilton County Courthouse , and so on. My trip to Europe in 1871 also was a big opportunity to study European architecture.
Q: What personal choices did you make to become successful?
A: One of the biggest choices that has affected my whole career was when I chose to become Mr.Hamilton’s apprentice. I didn’t know much, well I barely knew anything actually, about architecture before I became Mr. Hamilton's apprentice. Another personal choice was I made that has benefited m in the long run, was to open my own firm. The first attempt I made to open my own firm didn’t work out due to financial problems. But when I opened Hannaford and Sons, our firm took off at a great start. I also feel that my personal choices may have contributed to my success as a architect, but some of the things happened on there own. I didn’t choose to leave Farmers’ College, that choice was made for me. Everything fell into its place like a puzzle.
Q: What hardships or roadblocks did you have to overcome in order to be an architect?
A: When I left my home, at age 17, I barely had enough money to feed myself yet alone house myself. I also just married Phoebe, so I was raising my family and trying to support myself. This was the hardest point of my life and career. I finally overcame this "roadblock" when I joined the architectural firm of Edwin Anderson and William Tinsley in 1858. From here on my life and career soared. The only other roadblock I had was wen I partnered with Edwin Procter to design Music Hall. I ended the partnership when my two sons joined me in my firm. From here on I became Cincinnati’s most famous architect. I also did other projects in other cities.
Q: Now what kind of limitations did you run into as a architect and a person?
A: I faced the limitations of not knowing much about architecture in my early years, as I just came from Farmers’ College, not having any intentions of becoming a famous architect. But I believe I became lucky enough to have great mentors to train me in architecture. I had financial issues also at the time, I tried to open my first firm but it ended up to be a failure. The second time was a success and holds the name of my success. Hannaford and Sons , one the most well known architect firms.
Q: What personal stories best illustrate how you became a successful architect?
A: I’d say the story of my life and career. I came from England at age nine to America and traveled all around the states. Then ended up in Cheviot, Oh and attended Farmers’ School. I didn’t know anything about architecture at the time. Then when I was kicked out of my house and education. I took a chance and became Mr. Hamilton apprentice. From here on I learned the ways of architecture and opened my own firm with my sons. Now I’m famous for many pieces of my work. I went from knowing nothing about architecture to being a famous architect. This really shows that anyone can do anything when they put their minds to it.
